Loyal Warhound MTG Card


Loyal Warhound excels in card advantage, ramping up white-based decks with crucial Plains cards. Its ability to fetch lands can unexpectedly alter the game’s pace, offering instant speed advantages. Despite its potential, certain conditions and mana costs limit Warhound’s utility across varied decks.
Card setsReleased in 7 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Dog
Abilities Vigilance
Power 3
Toughness 1

Text of card

Vigilance When Loyal Warhound enters the battlefield, if an opponent controls more lands than you, search your library for a basic Plains card, put it onto the battlefield tapped, then shuffle.

A paladin's steed is a celestial spirit in animal form.


Cards like Loyal Warhound

Loyal Warhound is a notable creature card offering a unique blend of utility and board presence in Magic: The Gathering. This card is often compared to Knight of the White Orchid, with both featuring the ability to search for a land when entering the battlefield. However, Loyal Warhound comes with its own twist. This vigilant canine does not require you to have fewer lands than your opponent, it triggers if they have more land than you, providing a catch-up mechanism in the land count.

Another card that rings similar is Solemn Simulacrum, affectionately known as ‘Sad Robot’ among players. Solemn Simulacrum allows you to search your library for a basic land card when it enters the battlefield, irrespective of land count. Although it has a higher mana cost compared to Loyal Warhound, it also draws a card when it leaves the battlefield.

Assessing the strategic value of each card, Loyal Warhound stands out for its low mana cost and aggressive stats that mesh well with white-based land ramp strategies. It’s an efficient choice for players looking to maintain or increase land parity while applying pressure on the board.

Knight of the White Orchid - MTG Card versions
Solemn Simulacrum - MTG Card versions
Knight of the White Orchid - MTG Card versions
Solemn Simulacrum - MTG Card versions

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Soul Shepherd - MTG Card versions
Soltari Monk - MTG Card versions
Talon Sliver - MTG Card versions
Keeper of the Light - MTG Card versions
Faith Healer - MTG Card versions
Angelic Page - MTG Card versions
Avenger en-Dal - MTG Card versions
Spirit Weaver - MTG Card versions
Voice of the Blessed - MTG Card versions
Stoneforge Mystic - MTG Card versions
Drannith Magistrate - MTG Card versions
Leonin Lightscribe - MTG Card versions
Silver Knight - MTG Card versions
Longbow Archer - MTG Card versions
Silverflame Squire // On Alert - MTG Card versions
Flumph - MTG Card versions
Cloudreach Cavalry - MTG Card versions
Samite Healer - MTG Card versions
Kor Firewalker - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Loyal Warhound. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
DecklistDecklist Free formMO89#CS
Selesnya ComboSelesnya Combo LegacyMO78#CS
Selesnya AggroSelesnya Aggro LegacyMO82#CS
Mono-White AggroMono-White Aggro GladiatorGladiator Team Unified League
Bant MidrangeBant Midrange GladiatorGladiator Team Unified League

Card Pros

Card Advantage: When Loyal Warhound enters the battlefield, if an opponent controls more lands than you, you get to search your library for a Plains card and put it onto the battlefield tapped. This not only increases your land count but effectively thins out your deck, increasing the probability of drawing non-land cards in subsequent turns.

Resource Acceleration: The ability to put a Plains onto the battlefield tapped without paying its mana cost can significantly speed up your gameplay, allowing for earlier deployment of high-cost cards. This type of ramp is especially beneficial in white-based decks, which traditionally lack resource acceleration.

Instant Speed: While Loyal Warhound itself isn’t cast at instant speed, the land it fetches comes into play untapped during your main phase, which could be pivotal in casting instants or activating abilities requiring mana during your opponent’s turn. This immediate land access can be a surprise element, altering the pace of the game in your favor.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: To fully utilize Loyal Warhound’s potential, you need to meet a condition that could require discarding valuable cards from your hand, diminishing your overall resources.

Specific Mana Cost: The casting cost of Loyal Warhound is specifically white mana, which may not align well with multicolored or non-white decks, limiting its versatility across different deck builds.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although Loyal Warhound can be a valuable asset, its mana cost is steep compared to other two-mana creatures with similar or potentially better abilities, making it a less efficient choice in terms of mana economy.


Reasons to Include Loyal Warhound in Your Collection

Versatility: Loyal Warhound boasts a flexible role in various decks. As a creature with vigilance that can ramp up your mana, it shines in decks that aim to deploy threats quickly or require consistent mana acceleration.

Combo Potential: With its ability to search for a Plains card and put it onto the battlefield tapped, Loyal Warhound can seamlessly integrate with landfall strategies or enable powerful combos by ensuring land drops are consistent.

Meta-Relevance: Given that efficient creatures with added utility are always in demand, Loyal Warhound holds its weight in the evolving metagame. Its potential to ramp can be particularly critical in matches that hinge on quick development and board presence.


How to Beat

Loyal Warhound is a card that, when played effectively, can strengthen a player’s position by fetching an additional Plains card if an opponent controls more lands. Its presence in Magic: The Gathering is reflected in deck strategies that favor ramping up quickly. Yet, like any strategic element, there are methods to counter it and maintain the upper hand.

Removal spells are the most straightforward answer, with options like “Fatal Push” and “Path to Exile” offering cost-effective ways to address the Warhound. Board wipes such as “Wrath of God” can also reset the playing field, removing the Warhound and its potential land advantage. Players may further mitigate its impact by maintaining an equal or lower land count than their opponents, thus negating the Warhound’s land-fetching ability. Additionally, utilizing counterspells when the Warhound is cast can prevent its activation altogether, ensuring the game’s tempo remains in your favor.

In essence, while the Warhound can be a thorn in one’s side, maintaining control with timely removal, strategic land plays, and counteraction can neutralize its benefits and keep your strategies firmly on the path to victory in Magic: The Gathering battles.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering MTG involves a deep understanding of card synergies and deck dynamics. The Loyal Warhound, with its capacity for ramp and card advantage, can be a keystone in white-based decks or those that capitalize on landfall triggers. If you’re looking to enhance your gameplay and leverage the full potential of deck-building strategies, don’t overlook the tactical power of the Loyal Warhound. Its role in maintaining land parity and pressuring opponents should not be underestimated. Seeking further insights into deck-building finesse and strategic plays? Dive deeper with us and unleash the might of your deck in the next duel.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Loyal Warhound MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and The List, there are several reliable options to consider. One of the primary sources is your local game store, where you can often find booster packs, individual cards, and preconstructed decks from current and some past sets. They often offer the added benefit of a community where you can trade with other players.

For a broader inventory, particularly of older sets, online marketplaces like TCGPlayer, Card Kingdom and Card Market offer extensive selections and allow you to search for cards from specific sets. Larger e-commerce platforms like eBay and Amazon also have listings from various sellers, which can be a good place to look for sealed product and rare finds.

Additionally, Magic’s official site often has a store locator and retailer lists for finding Wizards of the Coast licensed products. Remember to check for authenticity and the condition of the cards when purchasing, especially from individual sellers on larger marketplaces.

Below is a list of some store websites where you can buy the Loyal Warhound and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Loyal Warhound Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2021-07-23 and 2021-07-23. Illustrated by Dmitry Burmak.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 926302015NormalBlackDmitry Burmak
22020-09-26The ListPLST AFR-232015NormalBlackDmitry Burmak
32021-07-23Adventures in the Forgotten Realms PromosPAFR 23a2015NormalBlackDmitry Burmak
42021-07-23Adventures in the Forgotten Realms PromosPAFR 23s2015NormalBlackDmitry Burmak
52021-07-23Adventures in the Forgotten RealmsAFR 3632015NormalBlackDmitry Burmak
62021-07-23Adventures in the Forgotten RealmsAFR 232015NormalBlackDmitry Burmak
72021-07-23Adventures in the Forgotten Realms PromosPAFR 23p2015NormalBlackDmitry Burmak

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Loyal Warhound has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal
Vigilance card art

Guide to Vigilance card ability

In the strategic universe of Magic: The Gathering (MTG), the vigilance ability stands out as a powerful tool for players. This potent keyword allows creatures to attack without tapping, keeping them ready and alert to defend against incoming threats. It represents a perfect balance between aggression and defense, offering a dynamic approach to gameplay. Lets dive deeper into how vigilance shapes the battlefield.