Though not currently competitive in tournaments, soldiers have long been a popular tribe in casual. Soldiers are for the most part the tribal variant of white weenie, and plays very similar to standard white weenie. Soldiers however have the advantage of discipline and strength over your standard white weenie deck, as they are a tribal variant. There are also several distinct varieties of soldiers, into which soldiers will be split, three of which will be showcased here. Your basic, vanilla soldiers, equipment deck soldiers, and kithkin soldiers (very close to the regular kithkin deck).
- Vanilla is the regular soldiers with no extra flavoring, and the oldest variety. Soldiers really came into their own in this deck in onslaught, where they occasionally saw competitive play. Many of the best cards for vanilla soldiers are found in Onslaught block, such as Gustcloak Savior, Daru Warchief, and Unified Strike.
- Equipment solders were introduced in Mirrodin and saw boosts in Zendikar and Scars. This deck is probably the most expensive to build, as you are going to want Swords which are all going to cost you a pretty penny. Good cards for this deck include Auriok Steelshaper, Leonin Shikari, Lightning Greaves and Sword of War and Peace.
- Kithkin were the almost sole domain of Lorwyn, and dominated in non-soldier decks. Though few in number, these stout little soldiers should never be underestimated. Good cards for this deck include Preeminent Captain, Thoughtweft Trio, and Cloudgoat Ranger.
These cards are not even worth the cardstock they are printed on. Do not use them.
Highly situational, these cards should only be used in very specific decks, or as a budget option when more expensive cards cannot be had.
Somewhat situational, these are niche cards that can perform well under the right circumstances, but do not have a place in all decks.
A solid card, these can find a place in most decks that are build around their archetype.
The best of the best. These cards are always welcome in their archetype and are often what you build decks around.
-Soldier decks are tribal in nature, and you should start your deck by building around soldiers. Aim to have 20-24 creatures in your deck, and if you really want to be tribal, 20 of them MUST be soldiers.
1CC
Champion of the Parish I am really torn by this card. On one hand, some of the best soldiers in the game are humans. On the other, it really does seem to be overshadowed if you don't play a bunch of humans. Akrasan Squire A 1/1 exalted for 1, the squire can pump your beater pretty handily, or beat himself for 2. Great for Proclamation of Rebirth decks. Deftblade Elite This 1/1 provoker can be downright tough to kill and can let your real threats (predominately preeminent Captain) get through without the elite biting it. Good stuff for proclamation of rebirth decks. Elite Vanguard a solid 1 drop that beats for 2. This card definitely deserves a look in every soldier deck. Frontline Strategist a pseudo fog that lets your guys still deal damage is really, really nice, though if he's your only morph creature a smart opponent will probably see him coming. Gustcloak runner another lulzy card that’s a 1 drop, he's hard to kill, but not impossible at only 1 toughness. Hada Freeblade This little guy is Elite Vanguards mirror twin that has the potential to grow if you draw multiples or a Kazandu (which you must if you run this guy). A bit tougher in combat does go a long way. Honorable Scout a sideboard card against red and black, he can give you some decent life. Infantry Veteran this guy can pump another one for +1/1. Not bad, very good in proclamation of rebirth decks. Ithican Javileneers A guaranteed 1 damage is always nice. The only problem is you can only do it once. Play with Kor Skyfisher for lulz. Loyal Sentry This guy will stop one of your opponents creatures, no matter if they are an elf or an eldrazi. Mother of Runes A long time support in white weenie, the mother's biggest drawback is that she is not a soldier. Giving your soldiers pro a color every turn though is rather nice. Soltari Soldier a 1/1 unblockable for 1, this guy can't block but can pull off some shenanigans in proclamation decks or the like.
2CC Thalia, Guardian of Thraben an interesting card, this works OK against disruption heavy decks in a heavy creature deck, but honestly, a good portion of the soldier package is excellent white removal, and making your Paths cost more isn't in your favor. Elite Inquisitor A downright awesome card. The protections don't particularly matter most of the time, but vigilance and first strike are highly relevant. Aven Squire an exalted 1/1 flyer for 2. Not bad, but not great. Ballyrush Banneret He makes everyone cheaper for only 2. He's worthwhile in many non kithkin decks that want to play the bigger soldiers like Captain of the Watch and Catapult master. Use him with Daru Warchief to make all your soldiers virtually free. Catapult Squad The cheaper version of catapult master, instead of exiling it does 2 damage to an attacker or blocker for taping two soldiers. Combine with the many ways of giving soldiers vigilance, and you have a truly awesome card. Jötun Grunt 2 for a 4/4 is nice, just watch that cumulative upkeep. He works best as a side board against dredge though. Kazandu Blademaster First strike, vigilance, 2/2 body and the chance to grow? Hecks yes! Even if you do not draw more of him or any Hada Freeblades (which you should always run together), he is still an amazing guy. Kor Aeronaut a 2/2 flyer for 2 that can make another soldier fly for a turn for a bit more is rather nice. Kor Firewalker "Hi, I am here to make red decks cry." Don’t use him main deck unless there is a ton of red in your meta, but he does make a great sideboard card. Kor Skyfisher a 2/3 that can return stuff to your hand can be very degenerate with the right cards on the field, such as enlistment officer or captain of the watch. Revered Dead This is whites version of dredge skeleton. He is very good at avoiding removal. Soltari Emissary a 2/1 that can make itself a shadow is OK at a 2 cost. Soltari Trooper a 2/2 with shadow on the attack for 2, this guy isn’t bad, but he doesn’t scream use me either. Veteran Armorer /Veteran Armorsmith two for a 2/2 that gives everyone +0/1 is great, making your guys that much harder to kill. Veteran Armorsmith is better, having a 2/3 body. Don’t be afraid to run both though, they are great beaters.
3CC Mentor of the Meek This is the sort of card to build a deck around. With this, you would actually leave out almost all of your pump, but you would be drawing mad amounts of cards. Field Marshal Giving +1/+1 and first strike for only 3 is rather nice. Makes all your soldiers dangerous in combat, and is possibly the best vanilla lord. Gustcloak Harrier a very nice card, 3 for a 2/2 flyer with a rather interesting ability. Almost impossible to kill by combat alone, but still vulnerable to removal. Kor Hookmaster Tap a creature for 2 turns on a 2/2 body for 3. Decent enough. Porcelain Legionnaire A very excellent card, casting this card early for 2 + 2 life is a great way to start out. 3/1 first striker is not bad at all. Preeminent Captain this guy would be worth a look if he was just a 2/2 first striker for 3, but the fact he can put cards in your hand into play attacking makes him awesome as can be. He's at home in any soldier deck, Kithkin or no. Soltari Champion gives attackers +1/1 and has shadow, so it's not a card you should ignore, but not a card that’s exactly amazing either. Veteran Sword Smith +1/0 for everyone! Good stuff, 3 for a 3/2 is not bad at all.
4CC Benalish Commander he can be suspended to give you more soldiers and his power and toughness are equal to your soldiers. He's good, but not awesome. Commander Eesha Protection from creatures is downright awesome, especially when you are 2/4 flyer that is hard to bolt. Being a legend sucks a bit, but not enough to stop you from running a copy or two. Daru caviler 4 for a 2/2 first striker at first seems lame, but the fact that he goes and finds his 3 brothers at the same time mean this guy is a decent midgame card that can refill your hand with soldiers. Daru Stinger it's got amplify, which is nice, and it taps to kill attackers and blockers. Good stuff. Daru Warchief he makes your guys cheaper and beefs them up an impressive +1/2 for only 4. A great lord. Hero of Bladehold Not a soldier obviously, but she makes more soldiers and she gives battle cry, a potent ability to be sure. Well worth a look in any soldier deck, vanilla or otherwise. Use with preeminent captain and watch your opponent crap himself. Loxodon Gatekeeper making your opponent put everything in tapped is pretty cool, and it comes for only 4 on a 2/3 body. Ranger of Eos A very situational card. If you have a ton of 1 cost creatures he's awesome, and he can get a few things for your proclamation of rebirth. Regular soldier decks will probably pass on him in favor of enlistment officer though. Recruitment Officer This lets you draw into soldiers, refilling your hand and letting you continue the assault. Use with preeminent captain and lulz at the carnage that ensues. Rhox Pikemaster giving all your guys first strike is good, especially on a 3/3 body. However, field marshal is cheaper and also gives everyone +1/1 in addition to first strike. Use only if you decide not to run field marshal for some reason.
5CC Catapult Master I really, really love this card, but it's not as good as it looks at first. The Master costs a hefty amount for a soldier deck at 5, and he requires at least 4 other soldiers to use. Once he gets going however, he can easily destroy any other creature based deck lacking shroud. Gempalm Avenger cycling this guy gives you +1/1 and first strike until end of turn for all your soldiers. That’s not bad, but it's not exactly amazing either. Gustcloak Savior he flies, he doesn’t die, and he makes sure none of your guys ever die in combat again. He is fun, but not the greatest card. Knight-Captain of Eos This guy with mobilization just shuts down any deck that cannot get rid of him or deal direct damage to you. He's awesome, and he comes with 2 tokens just for you. He's not a soldier, but he's very much a great card for a soldier deck. Loxodon Partisan battlecry is good stuff when you have a tone of little guys just waiting to get buffed, but at 5 for a 2/4, this elephant is a bit lacking.
6CC Captain of the Watch A huge, huge bomb, bring out a host of tokens with her. Unfortunately, captain is 6 mana, which is not exactly kind to soldiers otherwise rather low curve. She does end games though, giving your forces +1/1 and vigilance and is very worthy of many deck lists. Use her with Preeminate Captain for extreme Lulz.
1CC Ardent Recruit In a deck that runs lots of artifacts he shines very brightly, in other decks he's a meh 1/1 that can easily be replaced. Kor Duelist Double strike makes those swords downright insane. Get through once with your sword of whatever, and your opponent may as well scoop right then and there. Kitesail Apprentice Competing with Auriok Sunchaser, Kitesail has the advantage of only needing to be equipped and being slightly cheaper. Both can find room in the same deck however. Auriok Glavemaster Getting that +1/1 and first strike makes those swords or warhammers rock hard core, but otherwise she's a vanilla 1/1 for 1.
2CC Brass Squire Tap this guy to equip something. He's not a soldier though, so that hurts, and Leonin Shikari can do basically his job. Kor Outfitter attaching something for free is a great bonus, especially when you’re a 2/2 for 2 that can smash face with that new sword you just got. Auriok Steelshaper Makes all your equip costs cheaper and buffs your soldiers when he is equipped, this guy is utterly amazing. A must have in equipment decks if you are after a lord that makes equipment easier to put on. He also does well with knights, as his buff effect hits them as well. Leonin Shikari You can now cast equip as an instant. YAY! Now if one of your guys gets through, just slap on that sword and laugh as your opponents flee in panic. Stoneforge Mystic Not a soldier, but so good it got banned in standard. Find yourself an equipment of sufficient awesomeness then put it on the field for only 2. Amazing, amazing gal. Auriok Bladewarden with Leonin Shikari, you can tap this guy with a ton of equipment on to boost someone, then equip the weapons to someone else who is attacking. Not a bad combo, but not the greatest. Auriok Sunchaser Metalcraft gives it +2/2 and flying, and for only 2 that means it can soar right over your opponents defenses and smash them with that sword of whatever for an easy win. Sunspear Shikari 2 for a 2/2 that gets first strike and lifelink is great, but there are other cards that have better effects from being equipped. By no means a bad choice though. Auriok Edgewright 2 for a 2/2 that gets double strike with metalcraft is downright insane when you factor in the swords that scream for double strike. Leonin Den-Guard a 1/3 that becomes a 2/4 vigilance for 2 when equipped is OK, but there are probably better things for you to do with your deck.
3CC Etched Champion 3 for a 2/2 that gets pro all colors with metalcraft is amazing, especially since swords are colorless and can still be equipped.
4CC Loxodon Punisher getting +2/2 for every equipment means that just one sword makes this guy a beast. The 4 cost and 2/2 body before equipment though does drag this elephant down. Taj-Nar Swordsmith this guy can also fetch up an equipment and put it on the field, but it's so much more expensive mana-wise than stoneforge its only good because it’s a fraction the price monetarily. His other advantage is that he is a soldier. Steelshaper Apprentice Does the same thing as stoneforge, just not as well. Not even as well.
5CC Stonehewer Giant the one guy that does what stoneforge almost as well. His biggest drawbacks are that he is not a soldier, and he costs five to play. However, for 2 and tap, he will search your library for equipment and put it on one of your guys. None too shabby if you ask me, but still lacking compared to stoneforge.
6CC Kemba’s Legion a 4/6 vigilance that can block a ton of creatures for 6 is pretty good, but it's not anything to scream about. Auriok Survivors getting an equipment out of your graveyard and giving it to this 4/6 for 6 is a great deal. However, the steep cost may turn you off for good reason.
1CC Goldmeadow Lookout Discard something useless to get another soldier that can tap your opponents creatures. Not bad. Goldmeadow Harrier A 1/1 for 1 that plays blinding mage. It's OK, and has a place at times. Mosquito Guard he can be a 1/1 with first strike for 1, or he can buff someone else (cough cloud goat ranger cough). He does well in Proclamation of Rebirth decks as well. Goldmeadow Stalwart a 2/2 for 1 if you have another kithkin in hand is amazing as it gets for soldiers. Cenn’s Heir this guy can get huge, and combo’s well will preeminent captain.
2CC Ballyrush Banneret He makes everyone cheaper for only 2. He's worthwhile in many non kithkin decks that want to play the bigger soldiers like Captain of the Watch and Catapult master. Use him with Daru Warchief to make all your soldiers virtually free. Kinsbaile Skirmisher giving another guy +1/1 until end of turn is pretty good, combine him with Preeminent Captain and he's even better. Patrol Signaler Untap is probably one of the best abilities ever, and this little guy untaps to give you a 1/1 token. Not bad at all. Use with cloudgoat ranger for maximum effect.
3CC Kinsbaile Border Guard Entering the battlefield with a +1/1 counter for each soldier would make this guy good, giving you soldiers for each counter when it leaves makes it great. Preeminent Captain this guy would be worth a look if he was just a 2/2 first striker for 3, but the fact he can put cards in your hand into play attacking makes him awesome as can be. He's at home in any soldier deck, Kithkin or no. Kithkin Zephyrnaut Getting +2/2 and flying for kinship is pretty good stuff, and the rest of the time it’s a 2/2 body for 3, not too shabby. Ballynock Cohort you're going to have another white card in play hopefully to make this a 3/3 first strike. Its good, but not amazing. Cenn’s Tactician Puts +1/1 counters on your guys, and he lets them block additional creatures. Pretty darn good at stalling the field.
4CC Kinsbaile balloonist 4 for a 2/2 flyer is not good, but giving someone else flying as well is decent. Ballynock Trapper Tap a creature every time you play a white spell. Very, very good. You can also use with cloud goatranger for extra pumps. Thoughtweft Trio This card proofs you against a board wipe and is an excellent 5/5 with Vigilance that can block multiple creatures.
5CC Cloudgoat ranger A must have for kithkin soldier decks despite not being a soldier, this guy can END your opponent if he ever gets through, and is even more dangerous if you are running Mobilization or Captain of the Watch to give your guys vigilance.
1CC Aether Vial An amazing card, this lets you ensure you will ALWAYS hit your 4CC or higher cards on the right turns. It also lets you put out additional small creatures. Brave the Elements Some people will tell you that Brave the elements should be used to save your guys from doom blade and the like. Those are lies. This card is so that you can give all your soldiers protection from your opponents primary color and then smash them in one turn. Tithe Despite it’s expensive money cost, this really helps soldier decks fix their land, as frequently you will have fewer lands then your opponents. Land Tax Be fixed for mana for ever and ever. Land Tax is a great card, but its not cheap. Steelshaper's Gift For one, you can tutor up an equipment. Now if only you could tutor and put it on the battlefield with the same card for just one more… Alliance of Arms This is a very situational card. In a multiplayer game at the right moment, it can give you and your allies a real boost. Outside of that, I recommend other cards.
2CC Raise the Alarm put 2 1/1 soldiers into play whenever you feel like it. It doesn’t get better than that for saving your bacon when you need to in a vanilla deck. Rise of the Hobgoblins Frankly, there are better cards, but it can give you first strike and a bunch of tokens. Militia’s Pride Easily turns a lone attacking soldier into a horde of angry little hobbits that will destroy your opponent. Use with battlcry or field marshal for maximum effect
3CC Mobilization Create an endless stream of soldiers and give them all vigilance! Hurray! Good in almost any soldier deck. Timely Reinforcements After a board wipe, this can put you in a winning position again.
4CC Mirrorweave This can turn all your soldiers into a copy of your best card. If you have Daru Warchief, Captain of the Watch or Field Marshal out, it can seriously mess up your opponents. Ajani Goldmane Ajani sits in the shadow of Elspeth, but some people really like him, and he is not exactly the worse choice you can make. Leyline of Sanctity Pretty good if it's in your opening hand, it's harder to get rid of than true believer. Elspeth, Knight Errant YEEEEEEAAAAAHHHHHH. The best planeswalker, hands down, for soldiers. She pumps, she puts in more soldiers, she takes attention off of you, and she can make everyone INVINCIBLE! Cenn’s Enlistment A bit pricey at first, but it can turn those dead land cards into two tokens late game, which is handy indeed.
5CC Gideon Jura A great guy that even turns into a soldier! He is a very nice walker, however I like Elspeth better in soldier decks. No reason not to use both if you so desire though. Elspeth Tirel If there was not an Elspeth, Knight Errant, Tirel would be amazing. As is, she is simply the worse of the two in almost all situations. As is, she should mostly be used when you can’t have the original, except in token decks. Conquerors Pledge Not bad, not bad at all, six tokens for 5 or 12 tokens for 11. It's really, really expensive though to kick, but if you can manage it Pledge wins games.
6CC Nomad’s Assembly This requires you to have cards on the field to work, which does not always happen. Still, rebound is nice, and if it works it REALLY works.
XCC Martial Coop Put in a few soldier tokens, and if it's enough blow up the field except for them. This card is downright awesome. Decree of Justice Once, this card was the king of token generation. Now however, it has fallen by the wayside to Martial Coop. You can easily still use it, and occasionally use it to pop off a few huge angels for a big finish. Still, not the greatest anymore, but it has a soft spot in my heart.
– A key ingredient of any soldier deck is access to the very good white removal. Every soldier deck should contain a few of these.
1CC Unified Strike A good white removal card, this is probably better then condemn in most situations for a soldier deck, but not always. Swords to Plowshares THE white removal card, recently path to exile has given it competition. Path to Exile Challenging Plowshares for the spot as the top one cost white removal spell, Path is a card feared and hated by many players. Using two of this and two Swords to Plowshares is a great way to ensure you do not give an opponent to much life or to many lands in exchange for exiling any creature you please. Condemn Unified Strike does not give life, but condemn does get rid of cards even if you don’t have enough soldiers. Of course, there is no reason not to run both if you are not running path or plowshares. Dispatch Another instant speed removal, this only works in equipment decks. But work VERY well it does indeed. Sunlance Its sorta a white bolt, but it is at sorcery speed and it cannot hit white creatures. Seeing as it faces competition from so much other white removal, most decks just don’t have the slots for it. I do however love the flavor text.
2CC Puncturing Light Frankly, this is smother in white. While that’s cool and all, Path, Plowshares and Dispatch are all simply better, and even then there are just so many other options. Journey to Nowhere. This card would be awesome, except we have O-ring. It’s cheaper, but it only knocks off creatures. Pacifism Ye olde white enchantment removal that gets reprinted 1,000,000 times. Its a good workhorse, but Journey to Nowhere and the instant speed stuff is almost universally better.
3CC Harsh Mercy HA! For only 3, you don’t lose a thing, and any opponent not playing tribal loses almost all their creatures. Very, very nice. Wing Shards I only mention this card because I have a soft spot for it, as I used to use it with my old Onslaught soldier deck. 3 to make your opponent sacrifice an attacking creature is downright amazing in white, giving it storm makes it even better. Oblivion Ring It gets rid of moat, it gets rid of Jace, it even gets rid of Time Vault and other O-rings! O-ring is your one stop shop for non-instant speed removal. Arrest Shutting down abilities and stopping attacking and blocking is worth a mention, but Prison Term does the same thing for the same CC and is simply better Prison Term Get rid of your opponents most dangerous creature until a worse one shows up. Out of all the white pacifism effects, this is probably the best.
4CC Wrath of God A great card, soldier decks can easily make use of this or other mass removal. Essentially, this is the same as Day of Judgment, use both interchangeably or together if you so choose. Armageddon In a soldier deck, most of your creatures are downright cheap, and holding back a land or two then dropping this is frequently GG.
5CC Austere Command What makes this card good is its versatility. It can kill Artifacts, Enchantments, Creatures less than or greater than and equal to 4CC, and you get to choose two.
7CC Hour of Reckoning This HAS to be used in a token deck. Still amazing though.
White other removal spells: There are a tone, for every situation. Look them up, and decide which is right for you if I did not list something that you find perfectly suited to your needs.
– Soldiers love their pump, and white has plenty.
2CC Honor of the Pure Simply put, the best pump for a soldier deck. It costs 2, it pumps all of your guys and only your guys. Crusade Once, this card was amazing. Now it is just a liability, as it hits your opponents if they are playing white as well. Honor of the Pure is better in every regard, and you rarely have reason to run more than 4 pump. Shared Triumph this is basically Honor of the Pure for only soldiers. But again, Honor of the Pure beats it out.
3CC Glorious Anthem Once, a great card. Now it sits in the shadow of Honor of the Pure as it costs that precious extra mana.
4CC Marshals Anthem Frankly, this card is too expensive, the multikick just makes it worse. Use Honor of the Pure. Leyline of the Meek In a token deck, this is passable. In everything else, Honor of the Pure wins again, and even in a token deck Honor of the Pure is probably still better. Door of Destinies Like coat of arms this can build up to insane pumps. Unlike coat of arms this takes a few turns to get going.
5CC Coat of Arms this can lead to insane pumps, but careful that you don’t play it against another tribal deck. Eldrazi Monument Soldiers sneeze off the sacrifice cost, as you can easily get more, and the flying and invincibility is a sure fire win most of the time.
On instant speed pump: there are a lot of cards that offer instant speed pump in white for all your creatures. Usually, Honor of the pure is just better in every single situation. You can use them if you want, but again, Honor of the Pure is almost always better.
There are a lot of Aura Pumps in white, but most of them are not worth your time at all, because they are easily 2 for 1’d. Being 2 for 1’d is when your opponent uses a single removal spell to get rid of two of your cards, such as destroying a creature and the aura enchanting it. There is however, a single exception.
Angelic Destiny This looks a bit like rancor to me, that aura was downright amazing. It’s a great pump card thanks to the fact that it's very hard to get rid of. Due to the fact that as of writing this card is not even available yet, my rating is preliminary at best (I will not be play testing this card until it is released on Magic Online, as that is where my soldier decks are for the most part).
– Required in the Equipment deck and good in every other kind, every deck should consider equipment before going into battle.
1CC Basilisk Collar A great equipment giving you lifelink and deathtouch. It's also very cheap, another nice thing. Skullclamp One of the best equipment around. +1/-1 is great stuff, and it lets you draw cards when your creature dies. Any soldier deck will cackle with glee to have this.
2CC Deathrender this equipment seeks a wielder, and lets you put a card from your hand into play to attach to it if the creature using it kicks the bucket. Use with a couple skull clamps for extreme brokenness. Lightning Greaves An amazing equipment, it gives haste and shroud Use with Leonin Shikari and you will never have to worry about a creature getting targeted by removal again. Swiftfoot Boots Basicly, this is Lightning greaves that costs 1 to equip and gives hexproof instead of shroud. Frankly the greaves are almost always better, but these are a perfectly acceptable substitute. Umezawa's Jitte The legendary Jitte is a house by itself, destroying creatures, pumping what it equips or gaining you life. Veteran’s Armament Specifically designed for a soldier deck, this card loses out to the many other equipment available. However, getting +1/1 for each attacking creature is nothing to sneeze at.
3CC
Some of the greatest equipment are found at 3CC: The enemy swords. Each gives pro 2 colors, +2/2 and a powerful effect.
Sword of Body and Mind The green and blue sword, I actually like this sword the least, as I think mill is the weakest mechanic and getting a wolf token is not all that useful. Still, six hits from this baby and your opponents deck is gone for good. Use this and don’t feel guilty in the least that you are using the weakest sword, it's still amazing. Sword of Feast and Famine The green and black sword, this sword forces a discard and untaps all your lands. Yes please. Sword of Fire and Ice My second favorite and the red and blue sword, this baby gives you card advantage and a free shock every time you hit. Get through once, and it's basically game over baby. Sword of Light and Shadow The black and white sword. Get a creature back from your graveyard and gain two life. Not the best sword in my opinion, but it's still amazingly good. Sword of War and Peace My favorite sword. Red and white are awesome colors to have protection from, and it deals damage equal to their cards in hand as well as giving you life for cards in your hand. Objectively, Fire and Ice is probably better, but I like the name better. Again, use any of these swords for a tremendous advantage. Sword of Vengeance the poor man's version of the real swords, it has some nice effects but does not hold a candle to the real deals. Use this if you cannot afford real swords. Loxodon Warhammer Trample, lifelink, and +3/0. A great card by an measure.
5CC Batterskull An amazing equipment that wields itself. Cheat into play with stoneforge then give it to one of your soldiers if the germ dies. You can even bounce it if someone tries to kill it.
There are a plethora of other equipments, but the ones I have listed here are likely your best bet. Other interesting equipment is the living weapon gear, which can be fun to experiment with.
Ancient Den in a deck that uses metalcraft, this can help you hit that all the faster. Contested Warzone Eh. It pumps your attackers, but if you are not careful it can change hands. Daru Encampment Gives a soldier +1/1 for W and tap but it only produces colorless mana Emeria, the Sky Ruin frankly, you should not have enough plains to activate this with any regularity. Flagstones of Trokair Against land destruction or with Armageddon this card does quite well. Forbidding Watchtower this becomes a 1/4 soldier when you need it to, which is rather handy. Kjeldoran Outpost A great land, it gives you soldier tokens, but does slow you down a bit early game. Multivault THE tribal land, it becomes a 2/2 Soldier (and everything else) and can beat for major damage early game. Rustic Clachan A great card for a kithkin deck, this card can become a +1/1 counter on a creature or tap for white mana. Secluded Steppe it can cycle to a new card when you have enough lands, but early game it slows you down a bit. Windbrisk Heights Always a bit of a gamble, but if you get something good, you can cast it on the cheap.
Creatures 4xKor Duelist 4xKitesail apprentice 4xEtched Champion 4xAuroke Steelshaper 3xLeonin Shikari 4xStoneforge Mystic 2xHero of Bladehold Equipment 1xSword of Body and Mind 1xSword of Feast and Famine 1x Sword of Fire and Ice
Thanks to stoneforge mystic, this deck can run a "Tool Kit" of equipment, tutoring up what it needs in response to the opponents deck.
Token Generation 4xRaise the Alarm 4xKnight-captain of Eos 4xMartial Coup 3xMobilizastion 4xBlendish Commander 3xElspeth Tirel Spells 4xHour of Reckoning 2xPath to Exile 2xSword to Plowshares 4xOblivion Ring 4xHonor of the Pure Lands 2x Kjeldoran Outpost
This deck uses tokens to go for the victory. Knight-Captain will stall the field, and you have plenty of ways to wipe out the field if things start to get rough for you.
Utilizing the many excellent 1 drop soldiers combined with ranger of Eos and Proclamation of Rebirth, this deck just keeps spitting out the little guys. Starve your opponents for land as well with Armageddon once their creatures die from Wrath of God, then just keep bringing your own back.
The first thing to consider when building your soldier deck is which route you are going to take? Vanilla, equipment, and kithkin all have very different cards, and you need to select which kind of deck you most prefer.
Secondly, you need to consider budget. How much are you willing to spend? Cards like Preeminent Captain or Sword of War and Peace are great, but very expensive. Cards like Enlistment Officer and Sword of Vengeance can serve as substitutes if you are on a budget, taking away a bit of power in exchange for a vastly cheaper deck.
After you have decided on a budget and which flavor of deck you are building, keep in mind that soldiers have a very low mana curve. Cards like Captain of the Watch or Catapult Master are excellent, but having to many high CC cards will destroy your deck. Most solder decks have between 8-12 1 CC cards, 4-8 2 CC cards, 4-8 3 CC cards, and only 4-8 4+ CC cards. Most soldier decks run between 18-22 mana, depending on if you can afford cards like Land Tax or Tithe and how many 4+ CC cards you are running.
Next consider deck composition. The standard 20-20-20 is not a terribly bad idea in a soldier deck, with a bit of room for flexibility. You should always have at least 20 creatures however. Make sure your deck is packing some removal, or you will be torn to shreds by larger creatures. Pump is also important, whether in the form of enchantments like Honor of the Pure, equipment like Sword of Vengeance, or lords such as Daru Warchief. Support cards like Brave the Elements, Lightning Greaves or Mobilization are also something to consider.
If you have card suggestions, deck suggestions, or any other pointers for this primer, please PM me and post them in the thread.
elite vanguard should be given a full 5 stars, it is extremely powerful turn one drop and with all the global pump in this game, the extra power can make the difference
You might want to reread Harsh Mercy, especially the 'each player chooses a creature type' part. Only a foolish opponent would not pick Soldiers in this case.
That said, I saw no mention of Darien, King of Kjeldor. While he is not an auto-include for most Soldier decks, a deck built around him (generally powered by Tarnished Citadel and running Soul Warden and/or Soul's Attendant) makes for a fairly reliable kitchen-table Soldier deck.
Aven Brigadier provides a boost, but in the right Soldier deck (a mostly-bird one), he can be quite potent for a late-game swarm. Again, this is for more of a kitchen-table Soldier deck. With 40 Bird Soldiers to choose from (granted, not all are good), this is an option.
Lastly, your primer is from a monowhite perspective. There are over 100 Soldiers in other colors that some players may consider. It may be worth having an 'other colors' section to cover these Soldiers, or at least the worthwhile ones.
Cheers!
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Mayve. I've had the argument before, and my play testing has let me to believe that Hadafree blade is better, hence why its rated higher as both compete for the same slot usually. Ignoring the fact that hada is an ally, that extra toughness MATTERS. Usually, it matters more then the power. Soldiers do go for early beats, but catapult master and pump are what really make them shine. I'll do more play testing with both, and come back to you on that one.
You might want to reread Harsh Mercy, especially the 'each player chooses a creature type' part. Only a foolish opponent would not pick Soldiers in this case.
Reread it, it says you destroy all BUT the chosen types. You choose soldiers, and unless they are playing tribal they usually get to pick at most 1-2 of their own creatures. Boom, instant CA.
That said, I saw no mention of Darien, King of Kjeldor. While he is not an auto-include for most Soldier decks, a deck built around him (generally powered by Tarnished Citadel and running Soul Warden and/or Soul's Attendant) makes for a fairly reliable kitchen-table Soldier deck.
Darien is cool and all, but he is flat out too expensive. He also encourages defensive play, something most soldier decks shy away from.
Aven Brigadier provides a boost, but in the right Soldier deck (a mostly-bird one), he can be quite potent for a late-game swarm. Again, this is for more of a kitchen-table Soldier deck. With 40 Bird Soldiers to choose from (granted, not all are good), this is an option.
I actually included this originally, but it came out for a couple of reasons. 1. Hes to expensive, 3WWW is well outside the curve. 2. Not enough good consistent bird soldiers in mono white, which the brigadier HAS to be run in with a WWW cost. 3. All the other lords provide more relevant abilities then just +2/2 for bird soldiers, and all cost less. +1/2 and -1 to casting cost, +1/1 and vigilance, and +1/1 and first strike. The brigadier should not be a card in a soldier primer, maybe bird soldiers, but not just soldiers.
Lastly, your primer is from a monowhite perspective. There are over 100 Soldiers in other colors that some players may consider. It may be worth having an 'other colors' section to cover these Soldiers, or at least the worthwhile ones.
Cheers!
True enough, but out of those 100 soldiers, I don't think any are worth splashing for. Soldiers works hands down best as mono white, there are just to many good white cards to pass up if you splash. More experienced soldier players can choose to go beyond mono white, but this primer covers the basics, not every exhaustive possibility.
Early game beats is essential for soldiers, overrunning the opponents is what matters and allows you to control late game, trading with the opponents creatures is a necessary sacrifice and extra power matters more, extra toughness lets you survive but with less power, the opponents can keep their creatures as well
Early game beats is essential for soldiers, overrunning the opponents is what matters and allows you to control late game, trading with the opponents creatures is a necessary sacrifice and extra power matters more, extra toughness lets you survive but with less power, the opponents can keep their creatures as well
I'd rather not trade solders most of the time, thats what catapult squad is for. I play tested a deck using Hadafree blade (and no other allies) tomorrow I will test the elite. I played 5-6 games and the freeblade was my allstar in every game I dropped him, the elite has a lot to live up to.
Reread it, it says you destroy all BUT the chosen types. You choose soldiers, and unless they are playing tribal they usually get to pick at most 1-2 of their own creatures. Boom, instant CA.
It seems I need to learn to read better! I see your point on the other cards.
Cheers!
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Alrighty, after extensive play testing and the curb stomping of many newbs, I have come to the conclusion that soldier decks obliterate most other decks on MODO.
Just kidding. Elite Vanguard is bumped up to 5. Both decks were capable of consistent, turn 5 wins almost every single time even against other fast tribal decks like goblins and fairies. My few losses came from the people running around with Tabernacle Enchantress or some tier 1 bull crap like that, and frankly then it didn't matter WHAT I drew. The nice thing about this testing was I actually drew a hadafree blade or an elite every single game I think, and played them on turn 1. What are the odds of THAT out of 5-6 games?
I would suggest Benalish Veteran and definitely suggest purchasing a Benalish Commander or two. You can get them on the web for a good price. They would take things up a level all around.
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Well, here are some things I've found that should probably be changed:
Day of Judgment is ludicrously bad in this deck. Aggro decks, specifically white weenie, do not use sweeper spells. That ruins everything this deck was trying to do. If someone is somehow making more creatures than you are, there is a better way around it than using a sweeper. That's like putting City of Solitude into a U/G counter spell control deck: It may help in 1 out of every 100 cases, but 99 times out of 100, it's a really bad card to have in the deck (as that's just admitting that your opponent is better at doing what your deck is supposed to do than yours is). That could easily be two more Raise the Alarm, which are flat-out better for this deck than Day of Judgment.
Veteran Armorsmith is bad, and the toughness boost is worthless with Preeminent Captain in play. Drop it for Catapult Squad immediately, who is hands-down the best soldier ever printed (so much so, he even made people think Soldiers were viable in Legacy. Don't believe me? Go to the Legacy archives of this site and look for The Professionals- believe it). Catapult Squad lets you completely control the combat step. You can control just a Catapult Squad and a Field Marshal, your opponent can attack with a Woolly Thoctar, and you can kill it without losing a single creature. You can block with the 3/2 first striking Squad, then tap 2 creatures to deal 2 damage to the Thoctar (during the declare blockers step), killing it before it ever gets to deal damage to your dudes.
Catapult Squad is too good, and a Soldier deck with Catapult Squad will be intrinsically superior to a deck running without them. Use 4, they're that good.
Gideon's Lawkeeper is a control card in an aggro deck. Ditch it immediately: Path to Exile and Catapult Squad handle opposing creatures. Deftblade Elite, Daru Warchief, Benalish Commander and more Militia's Pride would be more adequate for this slot.
I recommend removing 1 copy of Elspeth Tirel and 1 of anything else not named Field Marshal or Catapult Squad to put in 2 more lands. Then, swap out 4 Plains for 4 Mutavault or Windswept Heath (which basically gives you a free spell when you do what the deck is supposed to, and that's attack).
I'm going to look for 2 benalish commander at some shops . When it's not to expensive then I'll buy two ...
As for rhox pikemaster and Captain of the watch i had them in the deck before but 4 mana for first strike and 6 mana for +1/+1 and vigilance is to expensive for my kind of deck .... but thanks for the suggestions so far
Captain of the Watch should ONLY be used when you are cheating her into play somehow. Preeminate captain is the best way to do so, by far. In fact, cheating her into play with captain often ends games right there. She can also be used with banneret and warchief since that will lower her cost enough to hard cast her.
do you guys use some changeling cards in your soldier decks ? if yes, what card you use, you go for some splash ? i'm thinking about changeling hero, may be cheating him with preeminate c. and champion some token or c.watch
So I've had this deck for a long time but only recently was recommended to come to this site for some input on deck-building.... About to run into a 1.5 Legacy house tournament and really feel all my decks are lack-luster but the soldier the least so so I figure I'll run it. However it's lacking that consistency for winning I'm looking for. I would rather keep the budget tight if I can, but am not above buying cards around the 10-15$ range. I've noticed no one talks about a few soldiers that I've been using for a long time which I think should hold a flame of their own. Serra Zealot, a 1 drop 1/1 first striker? I think that should rank up there with Elite Vanguard if someone asked me, or slightly lower. Also a soldier that fixes that pesky flying business is Longbow Archer a 2 drop 2/2 first strike that can block flying? I thought that was brilliant Anyways here's what I'm running at the moment. Thoughts/suggestions for this white vanilla?
Now I know you're wondering why Endless Horizons. Well simply because I can remove lands from the deck to be able to grab more soldiers faster, by drawing and with the Enlistment Officer. Also it's the reason why I have less 1 drop soldiers in the deck, as I could put out a land each turn with little worry about it unless it gets destroyed. I've been thinking about putting Swords in or disenchants, but those are more likely to go into the side-board along with Karma and Conversion
Any help would be nice folks
*edit* Thanks for the help on making it deck format cousin brah
Captain of the Watch should ONLY be used when you are cheating her into play somehow. Preeminate captain is the best way to do so, by far. In fact, cheating her into play with captain often ends games right there. She can also be used with banneret and warchief since that will lower her cost enough to hard cast her.
But she is a dead draw if you don't have the Captain or other ways to cheat her/they get killed. It's just not worth it IMO.
So I've had this deck for a long time but only recently was recommended to come to this site for some input on deck-building.... About to run into a 1.5 Legacy house tournament and really feel all my decks are lack-luster but the soldier the least so so I figure I'll run it. However it's lacking that consistency for winning I'm looking for. I would rather keep the budget tight if I can, but am not above buying cards around the 10-15$ range. I've noticed no one talks about a few soldiers that I've been using for a long time which I think should hold a flame of their own. Serra Zealot, a 1 drop 1/1 first striker? I think that should rank up there with Elite Vanguard if someone asked me, or slightly lower. Also a soldier that fixes that pesky flying business is Longbow Archer a 2 drop 2/2 first strike that can block flying? I thought that was brilliant Anyways here's what I'm running at the moment. Thoughts/suggestions for this white vanilla?
Now I know you're wondering why Endless Horizons. Well simply because I can remove lands from the deck to be able to grab more soldiers faster, by drawing and with the Enlistment Officer. Also it's the reason why I have less 1 drop soldiers in the deck, as I could put out a land each turn with little worry about it unless it gets destroyed. I've been thinking about putting Swords in or disenchants, but those are more likely to go into the side-board along with Karma and Conversion
Any help would be nice folks
Oh dear cousin of mine....
I guess i should have told you to use the deck tags while i was on the phone with ya.
Ok I admit I was being pretty stubborn with this deck and probably will continue to be and'll a hard time wanting to drop any of the cards. For me building this deck is all about card flavor and theming, for fun. Not that I don't want it to kick butt though, so If you'd suggest anything particular to make it better, fire away.
I originally wanted equipments, but there's no room!
First you run too many critters, a reliable deck should run 20-24, and you're on 32. Should cut 8-12. Also, you just didn't packed up removal or protection.
Finally, you're mana curve is steep, you should make your deck faster, maybe with 4 Ballyrush Banneret. T3 - 4cmc card.
This is a simple little deck that I had been working on with just some cards that I happened to have laying around, but recently picked back up. I figured I would share it for ideas and to see what you guys think.
It's basically a plain soldier deck, but with a little sub theme of tapping down you opponents Creatures. 14 Guys who simply (T): tap target creature, and Gideon's Avenger benefiting from it. Also tapping the plenty of creatures you have with Catapult master. To Arms! in there simply to make tapping worth it.
Other than that the idea: get plenty of little dudes and swing in.
I realize this is a very creature heavy deck and that it's not wonderful, but it is meant more so to fit the theme. Thanks for any opinions or comments.
Banner by ol MISAKA lo
Primer: Soldiers
Though not currently competitive in tournaments, soldiers have long been a popular tribe in casual. Soldiers are for the most part the tribal variant of white weenie, and plays very similar to standard white weenie. Soldiers however have the advantage of discipline and strength over your standard white weenie deck, as they are a tribal variant. There are also several distinct varieties of soldiers, into which soldiers will be split, three of which will be showcased here. Your basic, vanilla soldiers, equipment deck soldiers, and kithkin soldiers (very close to the regular kithkin deck).
- Vanilla is the regular soldiers with no extra flavoring, and the oldest variety. Soldiers really came into their own in this deck in onslaught, where they occasionally saw competitive play. Many of the best cards for vanilla soldiers are found in Onslaught block, such as Gustcloak Savior, Daru Warchief, and Unified Strike.
- Equipment solders were introduced in Mirrodin and saw boosts in Zendikar and Scars. This deck is probably the most expensive to build, as you are going to want Swords which are all going to cost you a pretty penny. Good cards for this deck include Auriok Steelshaper, Leonin Shikari, Lightning Greaves and Sword of War and Peace.
- Kithkin were the almost sole domain of Lorwyn, and dominated in non-soldier decks. Though few in number, these stout little soldiers should never be underestimated. Good cards for this deck include Preeminent Captain, Thoughtweft Trio, and Cloudgoat Ranger.
These cards are not even worth the cardstock they are printed on. Do not use them.
Highly situational, these cards should only be used in very specific decks, or as a budget option when more expensive cards cannot be had.
Somewhat situational, these are niche cards that can perform well under the right circumstances, but do not have a place in all decks.
A solid card, these can find a place in most decks that are build around their archetype.
The best of the best. These cards are always welcome in their archetype and are often what you build decks around.
-Soldier decks are tribal in nature, and you should start your deck by building around soldiers. Aim to have 20-24 creatures in your deck, and if you really want to be tribal, 20 of them MUST be soldiers.
1CC
Champion of the Parish I am really torn by this card. On one hand, some of the best soldiers in the game are humans. On the other, it really does seem to be overshadowed if you don't play a bunch of humans.
Akrasan Squire A 1/1 exalted for 1, the squire can pump your beater pretty handily, or beat himself for 2. Great for Proclamation of Rebirth decks.
Deftblade Elite This 1/1 provoker can be downright tough to kill and can let your real threats (predominately preeminent Captain) get through without the elite biting it. Good stuff for proclamation of rebirth decks.
Elite Vanguard a solid 1 drop that beats for 2. This card definitely deserves a look in every soldier deck.
Frontline Strategist a pseudo fog that lets your guys still deal damage is really, really nice, though if he's your only morph creature a smart opponent will probably see him coming.
Gustcloak runner another lulzy card that’s a 1 drop, he's hard to kill, but not impossible at only 1 toughness.
Hada Freeblade This little guy is Elite Vanguards mirror twin that has the potential to grow if you draw multiples or a Kazandu (which you must if you run this guy). A bit tougher in combat does go a long way.
Honorable Scout a sideboard card against red and black, he can give you some decent life.
Infantry Veteran this guy can pump another one for +1/1. Not bad, very good in proclamation of rebirth decks.
Ithican Javileneers A guaranteed 1 damage is always nice. The only problem is you can only do it once. Play with Kor Skyfisher for lulz.
Loyal Sentry This guy will stop one of your opponents creatures, no matter if they are an elf or an eldrazi.
Mother of Runes A long time support in white weenie, the mother's biggest drawback is that she is not a soldier. Giving your soldiers pro a color every turn though is rather nice.
Soltari Soldier a 1/1 unblockable for 1, this guy can't block but can pull off some shenanigans in proclamation decks or the like.
2CC
Thalia, Guardian of Thraben an interesting card, this works OK against disruption heavy decks in a heavy creature deck, but honestly, a good portion of the soldier package is excellent white removal, and making your Paths cost more isn't in your favor.
Elite Inquisitor A downright awesome card. The protections don't particularly matter most of the time, but vigilance and first strike are highly relevant.
Aven Squire an exalted 1/1 flyer for 2. Not bad, but not great.
Ballyrush Banneret He makes everyone cheaper for only 2. He's worthwhile in many non kithkin decks that want to play the bigger soldiers like Captain of the Watch and Catapult master. Use him with Daru Warchief to make all your soldiers virtually free.
Catapult Squad The cheaper version of catapult master, instead of exiling it does 2 damage to an attacker or blocker for taping two soldiers. Combine with the many ways of giving soldiers vigilance, and you have a truly awesome card.
Jötun Grunt 2 for a 4/4 is nice, just watch that cumulative upkeep. He works best as a side board against dredge though.
Kazandu Blademaster First strike, vigilance, 2/2 body and the chance to grow? Hecks yes! Even if you do not draw more of him or any Hada Freeblades (which you should always run together), he is still an amazing guy.
Kor Aeronaut a 2/2 flyer for 2 that can make another soldier fly for a turn for a bit more is rather nice.
Kor Firewalker "Hi, I am here to make red decks cry." Don’t use him main deck unless there is a ton of red in your meta, but he does make a great sideboard card.
Kor Skyfisher a 2/3 that can return stuff to your hand can be very degenerate with the right cards on the field, such as enlistment officer or captain of the watch.
Revered Dead This is whites version of dredge skeleton. He is very good at avoiding removal.
Soltari Emissary a 2/1 that can make itself a shadow is OK at a 2 cost.
Soltari Trooper a 2/2 with shadow on the attack for 2, this guy isn’t bad, but he doesn’t scream use me either.
Veteran Armorer /Veteran Armorsmith two for a 2/2 that gives everyone +0/1 is great, making your guys that much harder to kill. Veteran Armorsmith is better, having a 2/3 body. Don’t be afraid to run both though, they are great beaters.
3CC
Mentor of the Meek This is the sort of card to build a deck around. With this, you would actually leave out almost all of your pump, but you would be drawing mad amounts of cards.
Field Marshal Giving +1/+1 and first strike for only 3 is rather nice. Makes all your soldiers dangerous in combat, and is possibly the best vanilla lord.
Gustcloak Harrier a very nice card, 3 for a 2/2 flyer with a rather interesting ability. Almost impossible to kill by combat alone, but still vulnerable to removal.
Kor Hookmaster Tap a creature for 2 turns on a 2/2 body for 3. Decent enough.
Porcelain Legionnaire A very excellent card, casting this card early for 2 + 2 life is a great way to start out. 3/1 first striker is not bad at all.
Preeminent Captain this guy would be worth a look if he was just a 2/2 first striker for 3, but the fact he can put cards in your hand into play attacking makes him awesome as can be. He's at home in any soldier deck, Kithkin or no.
Soltari Champion gives attackers +1/1 and has shadow, so it's not a card you should ignore, but not a card that’s exactly amazing either.
Veteran Sword Smith +1/0 for everyone! Good stuff, 3 for a 3/2 is not bad at all.
4CC
Benalish Commander he can be suspended to give you more soldiers and his power and toughness are equal to your soldiers. He's good, but not awesome.
Commander Eesha Protection from creatures is downright awesome, especially when you are 2/4 flyer that is hard to bolt. Being a legend sucks a bit, but not enough to stop you from running a copy or two.
Daru caviler 4 for a 2/2 first striker at first seems lame, but the fact that he goes and finds his 3 brothers at the same time mean this guy is a decent midgame card that can refill your hand with soldiers.
Daru Stinger it's got amplify, which is nice, and it taps to kill attackers and blockers. Good stuff.
Daru Warchief he makes your guys cheaper and beefs them up an impressive +1/2 for only 4. A great lord.
Hero of Bladehold Not a soldier obviously, but she makes more soldiers and she gives battle cry, a potent ability to be sure. Well worth a look in any soldier deck, vanilla or otherwise. Use with preeminent captain and watch your opponent crap himself.
Loxodon Gatekeeper making your opponent put everything in tapped is pretty cool, and it comes for only 4 on a 2/3 body.
Ranger of Eos A very situational card. If you have a ton of 1 cost creatures he's awesome, and he can get a few things for your proclamation of rebirth. Regular soldier decks will probably pass on him in favor of enlistment officer though.
Recruitment Officer This lets you draw into soldiers, refilling your hand and letting you continue the assault. Use with preeminent captain and lulz at the carnage that ensues.
Rhox Pikemaster giving all your guys first strike is good, especially on a 3/3 body. However, field marshal is cheaper and also gives everyone +1/1 in addition to first strike. Use only if you decide not to run field marshal for some reason.
5CC
Catapult Master I really, really love this card, but it's not as good as it looks at first. The Master costs a hefty amount for a soldier deck at 5, and he requires at least 4 other soldiers to use. Once he gets going however, he can easily destroy any other creature based deck lacking shroud.
Gempalm Avenger cycling this guy gives you +1/1 and first strike until end of turn for all your soldiers. That’s not bad, but it's not exactly amazing either.
Gustcloak Savior he flies, he doesn’t die, and he makes sure none of your guys ever die in combat again. He is fun, but not the greatest card.
Knight-Captain of Eos This guy with mobilization just shuts down any deck that cannot get rid of him or deal direct damage to you. He's awesome, and he comes with 2 tokens just for you. He's not a soldier, but he's very much a great card for a soldier deck.
Loxodon Partisan battlecry is good stuff when you have a tone of little guys just waiting to get buffed, but at 5 for a 2/4, this elephant is a bit lacking.
6CC
Captain of the Watch A huge, huge bomb, bring out a host of tokens with her. Unfortunately, captain is 6 mana, which is not exactly kind to soldiers otherwise rather low curve. She does end games though, giving your forces +1/1 and vigilance and is very worthy of many deck lists. Use her with Preeminate Captain for extreme Lulz.
1CC
Ardent Recruit In a deck that runs lots of artifacts he shines very brightly, in other decks he's a meh 1/1 that can easily be replaced.
Kor Duelist Double strike makes those swords downright insane. Get through once with your sword of whatever, and your opponent may as well scoop right then and there.
Kitesail Apprentice Competing with Auriok Sunchaser, Kitesail has the advantage of only needing to be equipped and being slightly cheaper. Both can find room in the same deck however.
Auriok Glavemaster Getting that +1/1 and first strike makes those swords or warhammers rock hard core, but otherwise she's a vanilla 1/1 for 1.
2CC
Brass Squire Tap this guy to equip something. He's not a soldier though, so that hurts, and Leonin Shikari can do basically his job.
Kor Outfitter attaching something for free is a great bonus, especially when you’re a 2/2 for 2 that can smash face with that new sword you just got.
Auriok Steelshaper Makes all your equip costs cheaper and buffs your soldiers when he is equipped, this guy is utterly amazing. A must have in equipment decks if you are after a lord that makes equipment easier to put on. He also does well with knights, as his buff effect hits them as well.
Leonin Shikari You can now cast equip as an instant. YAY! Now if one of your guys gets through, just slap on that sword and laugh as your opponents flee in panic.
Stoneforge Mystic Not a soldier, but so good it got banned in standard. Find yourself an equipment of sufficient awesomeness then put it on the field for only 2. Amazing, amazing gal.
Auriok Bladewarden with Leonin Shikari, you can tap this guy with a ton of equipment on to boost someone, then equip the weapons to someone else who is attacking. Not a bad combo, but not the greatest.
Auriok Sunchaser Metalcraft gives it +2/2 and flying, and for only 2 that means it can soar right over your opponents defenses and smash them with that sword of whatever for an easy win.
Sunspear Shikari 2 for a 2/2 that gets first strike and lifelink is great, but there are other cards that have better effects from being equipped. By no means a bad choice though.
Auriok Edgewright 2 for a 2/2 that gets double strike with metalcraft is downright insane when you factor in the swords that scream for double strike.
Leonin Den-Guard a 1/3 that becomes a 2/4 vigilance for 2 when equipped is OK, but there are probably better things for you to do with your deck.
3CC
Etched Champion 3 for a 2/2 that gets pro all colors with metalcraft is amazing, especially since swords are colorless and can still be equipped.
4CC
Loxodon Punisher getting +2/2 for every equipment means that just one sword makes this guy a beast. The 4 cost and 2/2 body before equipment though does drag this elephant down.
Taj-Nar Swordsmith this guy can also fetch up an equipment and put it on the field, but it's so much more expensive mana-wise than stoneforge its only good because it’s a fraction the price monetarily. His other advantage is that he is a soldier.
Steelshaper Apprentice Does the same thing as stoneforge, just not as well. Not even as well.
5CC
Stonehewer Giant the one guy that does what stoneforge almost as well. His biggest drawbacks are that he is not a soldier, and he costs five to play. However, for 2 and tap, he will search your library for equipment and put it on one of your guys. None too shabby if you ask me, but still lacking compared to stoneforge.
6CC
Kemba’s Legion a 4/6 vigilance that can block a ton of creatures for 6 is pretty good, but it's not anything to scream about.
Auriok Survivors getting an equipment out of your graveyard and giving it to this 4/6 for 6 is a great deal. However, the steep cost may turn you off for good reason.
1CC
Goldmeadow Lookout Discard something useless to get another soldier that can tap your opponents creatures. Not bad.
Goldmeadow Harrier A 1/1 for 1 that plays blinding mage. It's OK, and has a place at times.
Mosquito Guard he can be a 1/1 with first strike for 1, or he can buff someone else (cough cloud goat ranger cough). He does well in Proclamation of Rebirth decks as well.
Goldmeadow Stalwart a 2/2 for 1 if you have another kithkin in hand is amazing as it gets for soldiers.
Cenn’s Heir this guy can get huge, and combo’s well will preeminent captain.
2CC
Ballyrush Banneret He makes everyone cheaper for only 2. He's worthwhile in many non kithkin decks that want to play the bigger soldiers like Captain of the Watch and Catapult master. Use him with Daru Warchief to make all your soldiers virtually free.
Kinsbaile Skirmisher giving another guy +1/1 until end of turn is pretty good, combine him with Preeminent Captain and he's even better.
Patrol Signaler Untap is probably one of the best abilities ever, and this little guy untaps to give you a 1/1 token. Not bad at all. Use with cloudgoat ranger for maximum effect.
3CC
Kinsbaile Border Guard Entering the battlefield with a +1/1 counter for each soldier would make this guy good, giving you soldiers for each counter when it leaves makes it great.
Preeminent Captain this guy would be worth a look if he was just a 2/2 first striker for 3, but the fact he can put cards in your hand into play attacking makes him awesome as can be. He's at home in any soldier deck, Kithkin or no.
Kithkin Zephyrnaut Getting +2/2 and flying for kinship is pretty good stuff, and the rest of the time it’s a 2/2 body for 3, not too shabby.
Ballynock Cohort you're going to have another white card in play hopefully to make this a 3/3 first strike. Its good, but not amazing.
Cenn’s Tactician Puts +1/1 counters on your guys, and he lets them block additional creatures. Pretty darn good at stalling the field.
4CC
Kinsbaile balloonist 4 for a 2/2 flyer is not good, but giving someone else flying as well is decent.
Ballynock Trapper Tap a creature every time you play a white spell. Very, very good. You can also use with cloud goatranger for extra pumps.
Thoughtweft Trio This card proofs you against a board wipe and is an excellent 5/5 with Vigilance that can block multiple creatures.
5CC
Cloudgoat ranger A must have for kithkin soldier decks despite not being a soldier, this guy can END your opponent if he ever gets through, and is even more dangerous if you are running Mobilization or Captain of the Watch to give your guys vigilance.
1CC
Aether Vial An amazing card, this lets you ensure you will ALWAYS hit your 4CC or higher cards on the right turns. It also lets you put out additional small creatures.
Brave the Elements Some people will tell you that Brave the elements should be used to save your guys from doom blade and the like. Those are lies. This card is so that you can give all your soldiers protection from your opponents primary color and then smash them in one turn.
Tithe Despite it’s expensive money cost, this really helps soldier decks fix their land, as frequently you will have fewer lands then your opponents.
Land Tax Be fixed for mana for ever and ever. Land Tax is a great card, but its not cheap.
Steelshaper's Gift For one, you can tutor up an equipment. Now if only you could tutor and put it on the battlefield with the same card for just one more…
Alliance of Arms This is a very situational card. In a multiplayer game at the right moment, it can give you and your allies a real boost. Outside of that, I recommend other cards.
2CC
Raise the Alarm put 2 1/1 soldiers into play whenever you feel like it. It doesn’t get better than that for saving your bacon when you need to in a vanilla deck.
Rise of the Hobgoblins Frankly, there are better cards, but it can give you first strike and a bunch of tokens.
Militia’s Pride Easily turns a lone attacking soldier into a horde of angry little hobbits that will destroy your opponent. Use with battlcry or field marshal for maximum effect
3CC
Mobilization Create an endless stream of soldiers and give them all vigilance! Hurray! Good in almost any soldier deck.
Timely Reinforcements After a board wipe, this can put you in a winning position again.
4CC
Mirrorweave This can turn all your soldiers into a copy of your best card. If you have Daru Warchief, Captain of the Watch or Field Marshal out, it can seriously mess up your opponents.
Ajani Goldmane Ajani sits in the shadow of Elspeth, but some people really like him, and he is not exactly the worse choice you can make.
Leyline of Sanctity Pretty good if it's in your opening hand, it's harder to get rid of than true believer.
Elspeth, Knight Errant YEEEEEEAAAAAHHHHHH. The best planeswalker, hands down, for soldiers. She pumps, she puts in more soldiers, she takes attention off of you, and she can make everyone INVINCIBLE!
Cenn’s Enlistment A bit pricey at first, but it can turn those dead land cards into two tokens late game, which is handy indeed.
5CC
Gideon Jura A great guy that even turns into a soldier! He is a very nice walker, however I like Elspeth better in soldier decks. No reason not to use both if you so desire though.
Elspeth Tirel If there was not an Elspeth, Knight Errant, Tirel would be amazing. As is, she is simply the worse of the two in almost all situations. As is, she should mostly be used when you can’t have the original, except in token decks.
Conquerors Pledge Not bad, not bad at all, six tokens for 5 or 12 tokens for 11. It's really, really expensive though to kick, but if you can manage it Pledge wins games.
6CC
Nomad’s Assembly This requires you to have cards on the field to work, which does not always happen. Still, rebound is nice, and if it works it REALLY works.
XCC
Martial Coop Put in a few soldier tokens, and if it's enough blow up the field except for them. This card is downright awesome.
Decree of Justice Once, this card was the king of token generation. Now however, it has fallen by the wayside to Martial Coop. You can easily still use it, and occasionally use it to pop off a few huge angels for a big finish. Still, not the greatest anymore, but it has a soft spot in my heart.
1CC
Unified Strike A good white removal card, this is probably better then condemn in most situations for a soldier deck, but not always.
Swords to Plowshares THE white removal card, recently path to exile has given it competition.
Path to Exile Challenging Plowshares for the spot as the top one cost white removal spell, Path is a card feared and hated by many players. Using two of this and two Swords to Plowshares is a great way to ensure you do not give an opponent to much life or to many lands in exchange for exiling any creature you please.
Condemn Unified Strike does not give life, but condemn does get rid of cards even if you don’t have enough soldiers. Of course, there is no reason not to run both if you are not running path or plowshares.
Dispatch Another instant speed removal, this only works in equipment decks. But work VERY well it does indeed.
Sunlance Its sorta a white bolt, but it is at sorcery speed and it cannot hit white creatures. Seeing as it faces competition from so much other white removal, most decks just don’t have the slots for it. I do however love the flavor text.
2CC
Puncturing Light Frankly, this is smother in white. While that’s cool and all, Path, Plowshares and Dispatch are all simply better, and even then there are just so many other options.
Journey to Nowhere. This card would be awesome, except we have O-ring. It’s cheaper, but it only knocks off creatures.
Pacifism Ye olde white enchantment removal that gets reprinted 1,000,000 times. Its a good workhorse, but Journey to Nowhere and the instant speed stuff is almost universally better.
3CC
Harsh Mercy HA! For only 3, you don’t lose a thing, and any opponent not playing tribal loses almost all their creatures. Very, very nice.
Wing Shards I only mention this card because I have a soft spot for it, as I used to use it with my old Onslaught soldier deck. 3 to make your opponent sacrifice an attacking creature is downright amazing in white, giving it storm makes it even better.
Oblivion Ring It gets rid of moat, it gets rid of Jace, it even gets rid of Time Vault and other O-rings! O-ring is your one stop shop for non-instant speed removal.
Arrest Shutting down abilities and stopping attacking and blocking is worth a mention, but Prison Term does the same thing for the same CC and is simply better
Prison Term Get rid of your opponents most dangerous creature until a worse one shows up. Out of all the white pacifism effects, this is probably the best.
4CC
Wrath of God A great card, soldier decks can easily make use of this or other mass removal. Essentially, this is the same as Day of Judgment, use both interchangeably or together if you so choose.
Armageddon In a soldier deck, most of your creatures are downright cheap, and holding back a land or two then dropping this is frequently GG.
5CC
Austere Command What makes this card good is its versatility. It can kill Artifacts, Enchantments, Creatures less than or greater than and equal to 4CC, and you get to choose two.
6CC
Arkoma's Vengeance A great board wipe, but not the best.
7CC
Hour of Reckoning This HAS to be used in a token deck. Still amazing though.
White other removal spells: There are a tone, for every situation. Look them up, and decide which is right for you if I did not list something that you find perfectly suited to your needs.
2CC
Honor of the Pure Simply put, the best pump for a soldier deck. It costs 2, it pumps all of your guys and only your guys.
Crusade Once, this card was amazing. Now it is just a liability, as it hits your opponents if they are playing white as well. Honor of the Pure is better in every regard, and you rarely have reason to run more than 4 pump.
Shared Triumph this is basically Honor of the Pure for only soldiers. But again, Honor of the Pure beats it out.
3CC
Glorious Anthem Once, a great card. Now it sits in the shadow of Honor of the Pure as it costs that precious extra mana.
4CC
Marshals Anthem Frankly, this card is too expensive, the multikick just makes it worse. Use Honor of the Pure.
Leyline of the Meek In a token deck, this is passable. In everything else, Honor of the Pure wins again, and even in a token deck Honor of the Pure is probably still better.
Door of Destinies Like coat of arms this can build up to insane pumps. Unlike coat of arms this takes a few turns to get going.
5CC
Coat of Arms this can lead to insane pumps, but careful that you don’t play it against another tribal deck.
Eldrazi Monument Soldiers sneeze off the sacrifice cost, as you can easily get more, and the flying and invincibility is a sure fire win most of the time.
On instant speed pump: there are a lot of cards that offer instant speed pump in white for all your creatures. Usually, Honor of the pure is just better in every single situation. You can use them if you want, but again, Honor of the Pure is almost always better.
There are a lot of Aura Pumps in white, but most of them are not worth your time at all, because they are easily 2 for 1’d. Being 2 for 1’d is when your opponent uses a single removal spell to get rid of two of your cards, such as destroying a creature and the aura enchanting it. There is however, a single exception.
Angelic Destiny This looks a bit like rancor to me, that aura was downright amazing. It’s a great pump card thanks to the fact that it's very hard to get rid of. Due to the fact that as of writing this card is not even available yet, my rating is preliminary at best (I will not be play testing this card until it is released on Magic Online, as that is where my soldier decks are for the most part).
1CC
Basilisk Collar A great equipment giving you lifelink and deathtouch. It's also very cheap, another nice thing.
Skullclamp One of the best equipment around. +1/-1 is great stuff, and it lets you draw cards when your creature dies. Any soldier deck will cackle with glee to have this.
2CC
Deathrender this equipment seeks a wielder, and lets you put a card from your hand into play to attach to it if the creature using it kicks the bucket. Use with a couple skull clamps for extreme brokenness.
Lightning Greaves An amazing equipment, it gives haste and shroud Use with Leonin Shikari and you will never have to worry about a creature getting targeted by removal again.
Swiftfoot Boots Basicly, this is Lightning greaves that costs 1 to equip and gives hexproof instead of shroud. Frankly the greaves are almost always better, but these are a perfectly acceptable substitute.
Umezawa's Jitte The legendary Jitte is a house by itself, destroying creatures, pumping what it equips or gaining you life.
Veteran’s Armament Specifically designed for a soldier deck, this card loses out to the many other equipment available. However, getting +1/1 for each attacking creature is nothing to sneeze at.
3CC
Some of the greatest equipment are found at 3CC: The enemy swords. Each gives pro 2 colors, +2/2 and a powerful effect.
Sword of Body and Mind The green and blue sword, I actually like this sword the least, as I think mill is the weakest mechanic and getting a wolf token is not all that useful. Still, six hits from this baby and your opponents deck is gone for good. Use this and don’t feel guilty in the least that you are using the weakest sword, it's still amazing.
Sword of Feast and Famine The green and black sword, this sword forces a discard and untaps all your lands. Yes please.
Sword of Fire and Ice My second favorite and the red and blue sword, this baby gives you card advantage and a free shock every time you hit. Get through once, and it's basically game over baby.
Sword of Light and Shadow The black and white sword. Get a creature back from your graveyard and gain two life. Not the best sword in my opinion, but it's still amazingly good.
Sword of War and Peace My favorite sword. Red and white are awesome colors to have protection from, and it deals damage equal to their cards in hand as well as giving you life for cards in your hand. Objectively, Fire and Ice is probably better, but I like the name better. Again, use any of these swords for a tremendous advantage.
Sword of Vengeance the poor man's version of the real swords, it has some nice effects but does not hold a candle to the real deals. Use this if you cannot afford real swords.
Loxodon Warhammer Trample, lifelink, and +3/0. A great card by an measure.
5CC
Batterskull An amazing equipment that wields itself. Cheat into play with stoneforge then give it to one of your soldiers if the germ dies. You can even bounce it if someone tries to kill it.
There are a plethora of other equipments, but the ones I have listed here are likely your best bet. Other interesting equipment is the living weapon gear, which can be fun to experiment with.
Contested Warzone Eh. It pumps your attackers, but if you are not careful it can change hands.
Daru Encampment Gives a soldier +1/1 for W and tap but it only produces colorless mana
Emeria, the Sky Ruin frankly, you should not have enough plains to activate this with any regularity.
Flagstones of Trokair Against land destruction or with Armageddon this card does quite well.
Forbidding Watchtower this becomes a 1/4 soldier when you need it to, which is rather handy.
Kjeldoran Outpost A great land, it gives you soldier tokens, but does slow you down a bit early game.
Multivault THE tribal land, it becomes a 2/2 Soldier (and everything else) and can beat for major damage early game.
Rustic Clachan A great card for a kithkin deck, this card can become a +1/1 counter on a creature or tap for white mana.
Secluded Steppe it can cycle to a new card when you have enough lands, but early game it slows you down a bit.
Windbrisk Heights Always a bit of a gamble, but if you get something good, you can cast it on the cheap.
4 Catapult Squad
4 Deftblade Elite
4 Field Marshall
4 Icatian Javelineers
3 Jötun Grunt
4 Longbow Archer
4 Raise the Alarm
4 Swords to Plowshares
4 Shared Triumph
3 Aether Vial Land:
1 Flagstones of Trokair
3 Mutavault
14 Plains
4 Wasteland Sideboard:
1 Jötun Grunt
4 Disenchant
3 Armageddon
3 Tivadar's Crusade
4 Tormod's Crypt
This deck took first place at a legacy event in 2009, and an updated version of the deck might not do to badly today.
This deck simply seeks to use some of the best, most aggressive soldiers it can to win quickly.
Using the less costly version of this deck can still be quite fun and give your opponents a sound trouncing.
4xKor Duelist
4xKitesail apprentice
4xEtched Champion
4xAuroke Steelshaper
3xLeonin Shikari
4xStoneforge Mystic
2xHero of Bladehold
Equipment
1xSword of Body and Mind
1xSword of Feast and Famine
1x Sword of Fire and Ice
Thanks to stoneforge mystic, this deck can run a "Tool Kit" of equipment, tutoring up what it needs in response to the opponents deck.
While not as potent as the non-budget version, this little package can still work a number on your foes.
Overwhelm with kithkin! Keep those little guys coming all game long, and then smash the last resistance with cloudgoat ranger.
Very similar, just lacking preeminent captain and Elspeth for the most part.
4xRaise the Alarm
4xKnight-captain of Eos
4xMartial Coup
3xMobilizastion
4xBlendish Commander
3xElspeth Tirel
Spells
4xHour of Reckoning
2xPath to Exile
2xSword to Plowshares
4xOblivion Ring
4xHonor of the Pure
Lands
2x Kjeldoran Outpost
This deck uses tokens to go for the victory. Knight-Captain will stall the field, and you have plenty of ways to wipe out the field if things start to get rough for you.
Utilizing the many excellent 1 drop soldiers combined with ranger of Eos and Proclamation of Rebirth, this deck just keeps spitting out the little guys. Starve your opponents for land as well with Armageddon once their creatures die from Wrath of God, then just keep bringing your own back.
4x Raise the Alarm
4x Swords to Plowshares
2x Elspeth, Knight-Errant
4x Deftblade Elite
4x Catapult Squad
4x Field Marshal
4x Preeminent Captain
4x Daru Warchief
3x Enlistment Officer
2x Captain of the Watch
4x Windswept Heath
1x Flagstones of Trokair
12x Plains
The first thing to consider when building your soldier deck is which route you are going to take? Vanilla, equipment, and kithkin all have very different cards, and you need to select which kind of deck you most prefer.
Secondly, you need to consider budget. How much are you willing to spend? Cards like Preeminent Captain or Sword of War and Peace are great, but very expensive. Cards like Enlistment Officer and Sword of Vengeance can serve as substitutes if you are on a budget, taking away a bit of power in exchange for a vastly cheaper deck.
After you have decided on a budget and which flavor of deck you are building, keep in mind that soldiers have a very low mana curve. Cards like Captain of the Watch or Catapult Master are excellent, but having to many high CC cards will destroy your deck. Most solder decks have between 8-12 1 CC cards, 4-8 2 CC cards, 4-8 3 CC cards, and only 4-8 4+ CC cards. Most soldier decks run between 18-22 mana, depending on if you can afford cards like Land Tax or Tithe and how many 4+ CC cards you are running.
Next consider deck composition. The standard 20-20-20 is not a terribly bad idea in a soldier deck, with a bit of room for flexibility. You should always have at least 20 creatures however. Make sure your deck is packing some removal, or you will be torn to shreds by larger creatures. Pump is also important, whether in the form of enchantments like Honor of the Pure, equipment like Sword of Vengeance, or lords such as Daru Warchief. Support cards like Brave the Elements, Lightning Greaves or Mobilization are also something to consider.
If you have card suggestions, deck suggestions, or any other pointers for this primer, please PM me and post them in the thread.
Soldier Primer
Sig by ol MISAKA lo
My Trades
That said, I saw no mention of Darien, King of Kjeldor. While he is not an auto-include for most Soldier decks, a deck built around him (generally powered by Tarnished Citadel and running Soul Warden and/or Soul's Attendant) makes for a fairly reliable kitchen-table Soldier deck.
Aven Brigadier provides a boost, but in the right Soldier deck (a mostly-bird one), he can be quite potent for a late-game swarm. Again, this is for more of a kitchen-table Soldier deck. With 40 Bird Soldiers to choose from (granted, not all are good), this is an option.
Lastly, your primer is from a monowhite perspective. There are over 100 Soldiers in other colors that some players may consider. It may be worth having an 'other colors' section to cover these Soldiers, or at least the worthwhile ones.
Cheers!
Krichaiushii on PucaTrade.
Mayve. I've had the argument before, and my play testing has let me to believe that Hadafree blade is better, hence why its rated higher as both compete for the same slot usually. Ignoring the fact that hada is an ally, that extra toughness MATTERS. Usually, it matters more then the power. Soldiers do go for early beats, but catapult master and pump are what really make them shine. I'll do more play testing with both, and come back to you on that one.
Reread it, it says you destroy all BUT the chosen types. You choose soldiers, and unless they are playing tribal they usually get to pick at most 1-2 of their own creatures. Boom, instant CA.
Darien is cool and all, but he is flat out too expensive. He also encourages defensive play, something most soldier decks shy away from.
I actually included this originally, but it came out for a couple of reasons. 1. Hes to expensive, 3WWW is well outside the curve. 2. Not enough good consistent bird soldiers in mono white, which the brigadier HAS to be run in with a WWW cost. 3. All the other lords provide more relevant abilities then just +2/2 for bird soldiers, and all cost less. +1/2 and -1 to casting cost, +1/1 and vigilance, and +1/1 and first strike. The brigadier should not be a card in a soldier primer, maybe bird soldiers, but not just soldiers.
True enough, but out of those 100 soldiers, I don't think any are worth splashing for. Soldiers works hands down best as mono white, there are just to many good white cards to pass up if you splash. More experienced soldier players can choose to go beyond mono white, but this primer covers the basics, not every exhaustive possibility.
Soldier Primer
Sig by ol MISAKA lo
My Trades
I'd rather not trade solders most of the time, thats what catapult squad is for. I play tested a deck using Hadafree blade (and no other allies) tomorrow I will test the elite. I played 5-6 games and the freeblade was my allstar in every game I dropped him, the elite has a lot to live up to.
Soldier Primer
Sig by ol MISAKA lo
My Trades
Cheers!
Krichaiushii on PucaTrade.
Just kidding. Elite Vanguard is bumped up to 5. Both decks were capable of consistent, turn 5 wins almost every single time even against other fast tribal decks like goblins and fairies. My few losses came from the people running around with Tabernacle Enchantress or some tier 1 bull crap like that, and frankly then it didn't matter WHAT I drew. The nice thing about this testing was I actually drew a hadafree blade or an elite every single game I think, and played them on turn 1. What are the odds of THAT out of 5-6 games?
Deck lists for reference:
Soldier Primer
Sig by ol MISAKA lo
My Trades
RGGruul Aggro
WSoul Sisters
WBTokens
BUGRRestore Balance
BMono-Black Infect
EDH:
RGWMayael, the Anima
GWURoon of the Hidden Realm
BDrana, Kalastria Bloodchief
RGGruul Aggro
WSoul Sisters
WBTokens
BUGRRestore Balance
BMono-Black Infect
EDH:
RGWMayael, the Anima
GWURoon of the Hidden Realm
BDrana, Kalastria Bloodchief
Vorel of the Hull Clade
Reki, the History of Kamigawa (MTGO)
Lavinia of the Tenth (MTGO)
Thanks to Heroes of the Plane Studios for the awesome sig!
UW Isperia, Supreme Judge WU
URB Thraximundar BRU
Day of Judgment is ludicrously bad in this deck. Aggro decks, specifically white weenie, do not use sweeper spells. That ruins everything this deck was trying to do. If someone is somehow making more creatures than you are, there is a better way around it than using a sweeper. That's like putting City of Solitude into a U/G counter spell control deck: It may help in 1 out of every 100 cases, but 99 times out of 100, it's a really bad card to have in the deck (as that's just admitting that your opponent is better at doing what your deck is supposed to do than yours is). That could easily be two more Raise the Alarm, which are flat-out better for this deck than Day of Judgment.
Veteran Armorsmith is bad, and the toughness boost is worthless with Preeminent Captain in play. Drop it for Catapult Squad immediately, who is hands-down the best soldier ever printed (so much so, he even made people think Soldiers were viable in Legacy. Don't believe me? Go to the Legacy archives of this site and look for The Professionals- believe it). Catapult Squad lets you completely control the combat step. You can control just a Catapult Squad and a Field Marshal, your opponent can attack with a Woolly Thoctar, and you can kill it without losing a single creature. You can block with the 3/2 first striking Squad, then tap 2 creatures to deal 2 damage to the Thoctar (during the declare blockers step), killing it before it ever gets to deal damage to your dudes.
Catapult Squad is too good, and a Soldier deck with Catapult Squad will be intrinsically superior to a deck running without them. Use 4, they're that good.
Gideon's Lawkeeper is a control card in an aggro deck. Ditch it immediately: Path to Exile and Catapult Squad handle opposing creatures. Deftblade Elite, Daru Warchief, Benalish Commander and more Militia's Pride would be more adequate for this slot.
I recommend removing 1 copy of Elspeth Tirel and 1 of anything else not named Field Marshal or Catapult Squad to put in 2 more lands. Then, swap out 4 Plains for 4 Mutavault or Windswept Heath (which basically gives you a free spell when you do what the deck is supposed to, and that's attack).
Sig and Avatar drawn by me.
Captain of the Watch should ONLY be used when you are cheating her into play somehow. Preeminate captain is the best way to do so, by far. In fact, cheating her into play with captain often ends games right there. She can also be used with banneret and warchief since that will lower her cost enough to hard cast her.
Pikemaster is only good as a budget option.
Soldier Primer
Sig by ol MISAKA lo
My Trades
Deck Building Primer - Casual
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Wow, I didn't realize soldiers had EVER been competitive, I looked but this is a few years old I suppose. I will edit it in.
Soldier Primer
Sig by ol MISAKA lo
My Trades
Now I know you're wondering why Endless Horizons. Well simply because I can remove lands from the deck to be able to grab more soldiers faster, by drawing and with the Enlistment Officer. Also it's the reason why I have less 1 drop soldiers in the deck, as I could put out a land each turn with little worry about it unless it gets destroyed. I've been thinking about putting Swords in or disenchants, but those are more likely to go into the side-board along with Karma and Conversion
Any help would be nice folks
*edit* Thanks for the help on making it deck format cousin brah
But she is a dead draw if you don't have the Captain or other ways to cheat her/they get killed. It's just not worth it IMO.
Oh dear cousin of mine....
I guess i should have told you to use the deck tags while i was on the phone with ya.
4 Serra Zealot
4 Preeminent Captain
4 Daru Warchief
2 Soltari Champion
3 Captain of the Watch
4 Longbow Archer
3 Enlistment Officer
4 Benalish Commander
1 Conqueror's Pledge
1 Elspeth, Knight-Errant
1 Loyal Sentry
1 Lieutenant Kirtar
3 Raise the Alarm
1 Martial Coup
2 Decree of Justice
Enchantments
3 Endless Horizons
Land
2 Kjeldoran Outpost
23 Plains
Thanks to Mcheif111 for the Sig banner!
4x Cenn's Tactician
3x Gideon's Lawkeeper
4x Catapult Squad
4x Field Marshal
3x Gideon's Avenger
3x Preeminent Captain
3x Hero of Bladehold
4x Honor of the Pure
3x War Report
2x Gideon Jura
Lands
4x Forbidding Watchtower
19x Plains
Ok I admit I was being pretty stubborn with this deck and probably will continue to be and'll a hard time wanting to drop any of the cards. For me building this deck is all about card flavor and theming, for fun. Not that I don't want it to kick butt though, so If you'd suggest anything particular to make it better, fire away.
I originally wanted equipments, but there's no room!
Dear Optimists Pessimists and Realists,
While you were all arguing about the half glass of water... I drank it.
Sincerely,
The Opportunist
Also, I'm not sure if I like the War Reports .. Life gain seems kind of like you wandered off the path a bit here. Raise the Alarm is a great card here. Check this link for more: http://forums.mtgsalvation.com/showthread.php?t=344672
Signature and Avatar by Inkfox Aesthetics
4x Kor Duelist
4x Catapult Squad
4x Field Marshal
4x Preeminent Captain
3x Captain of the Watch
3x Bonesplitter
3x Lightning Greaves
3x Honor of the Pure
3x Raise the Alarm
3x Elspeth, Knight-Errant
4x Forbidding Watchtower
18x Plains
Pretty different now... What do you guys think?
Dear Optimists Pessimists and Realists,
While you were all arguing about the half glass of water... I drank it.
Sincerely,
The Opportunist
First you run too many critters, a reliable deck should run 20-24, and you're on 32. Should cut 8-12. Also, you just didn't packed up removal or protection.
Finally, you're mana curve is steep, you should make your deck faster, maybe with 4 Ballyrush Banneret. T3 - 4cmc card.
4 Ballyrush Banneret
4 Preeminent Captain
4 Daru Warchief
4 Benalish Commander
3 Captain of the Watch
3 Enlistment Officer
1 Elspeth, Knight-Errant
SUPPORT (8)
4 Path to Exile
4 Mana Tithe
4 Oblivion Ring
2 Kjeldoran Outpost
23 Plains
Ring takes care of everything, Tithe is a prompty counter vs possible mass removal, and Exile is just a plain and simple exile effect.
Tried to use budget cards, and just Path is not really budget, so you can try to change to some other kind of removal.
Hope being helpful.
4 Gideon's Lawkeeper
4 Master Decoy
4 Whipcorder
2 Benalish Trapper
4 Gideon's Avenger
2 Catapult Master
2 Captain of the Watch
4 Honor of the Pure
2 Glorious Anthem
4 Raise the Alarm
4 To Arms!
2 Conqueror's Pledge
18 Plains
4 Forbidding Watchtower
It's basically a plain soldier deck, but with a little sub theme of tapping down you opponents Creatures. 14 Guys who simply (T): tap target creature, and Gideon's Avenger benefiting from it. Also tapping the plenty of creatures you have with Catapult master. To Arms! in there simply to make tapping worth it.
Other than that the idea: get plenty of little dudes and swing in.
I realize this is a very creature heavy deck and that it's not wonderful, but it is meant more so to fit the theme. Thanks for any opinions or comments.
Thanks a million to SB4 and High~Light Studios.
Also, ich habe gehoert du magst mudkipen.