Are Soldiers Human in Magic: The Gathering? A Deep Dive into Creature Types
In Magic: The Gathering (MTG), the question of whether a Soldier is also a Human isn’t as straightforward as you might think. The answer is: it depends. Not all Soldiers in MTG are Humans. While many Soldier creatures also have the Human creature type, there are plenty of Soldiers that are other races entirely, such as Aven (bird-like humanoids), Kor, or even Constructs. The Soldier creature type indicates a role or affiliation, while the Human type indicates a specific race. This distinction is important because certain cards in MTG specifically target or interact with Humans, while others target or interact with Soldiers, and the overlap isn’t guaranteed.
Understanding Creature Types in Magic: The Gathering
MTG is a game built on careful classification. Creature types are a critical part of this system, dictating how cards interact with one another. Knowing the difference between a creature’s type and its role is essential for effective gameplay.
Human: The Most Common Creature Type
As noted in the provided text, Humans are the most common creature type in MTG, by a significant margin. They appear in every color, across almost every plane of existence. Their prevalence makes them a frequent target of both beneficial and detrimental effects.
Soldier: A Function, Not a Race
The Soldier type describes a creature’s function or role within a society or military structure. Soldiers are often associated with organization, discipline, and combat prowess. They frequently synergize with one another, providing mutual buffs and benefits.
The Overlap and the Difference
Many Soldier creatures are also Humans. This reflects the real-world tendency for humans to form the backbone of many armies and militaries in fantasy settings. However, MTG is a diverse multiverse filled with countless races, many of which also form military forces. Consider the Aven, bird-like humanoids from Dominaria, some of whom are designated as Soldiers. Or the Kor, nomadic humanoids from Zendikar, who can also be Soldiers. These examples clearly demonstrate that being a Soldier doesn’t automatically make a creature a Human.
Implications for Gameplay
This distinction has important implications for gameplay. Cards that specifically target Humans, such as those that grant bonuses to Human creatures or remove them from the battlefield, will not affect non-Human Soldiers. Similarly, cards that affect Soldiers will not affect Humans who are not also designated as Soldiers. This is particularly important when building tribal decks, which focus on a specific creature type. A Human tribal deck might include Humans that are not Soldiers, and a Soldier tribal deck might include non-Human Soldiers.
For example, a card like Keeper of Fables, which triggers upon a non-Human creature entering the battlefield under your control, would trigger from a Soldier creature token if that token is not also a Human. This nuanced understanding is what separates casual players from competitive ones.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify the relationship between Soldiers and Humans in MTG:
1. Are all Humans in MTG Soldiers?
No. Many Humans in MTG are civilians, mages, or other roles that are not related to military service. Only those specifically designated with the Soldier creature type are considered Soldiers.
2. Can a creature be both a Human and a Soldier?
Yes, absolutely. Many creatures in MTG have multiple creature types. A creature can be both a Human and a Soldier, benefiting from effects that target either type.
3. What is the color alignment of Soldiers in MTG?
Soldiers are predominantly associated with white, followed by blue and red. There are also a few green and black Soldiers, but they are less common. This reflects the organized and disciplined nature often associated with white mana.
4. What are some examples of non-Human Soldiers?
Examples include Aven Soldiers (bird-like humanoids), Kor Soldiers, and even some Construct Soldiers. These creatures demonstrate that the Soldier type is not exclusive to Humans.
5. How does the distinction between Human and Soldier affect tribal decks?
Tribal decks focus on a specific creature type. If you’re building a Human tribal deck, you’ll want to include as many Humans as possible, even if they aren’t Soldiers. Conversely, a Soldier tribal deck will benefit from all Soldiers, regardless of their other creature types.
6. Is Knight a subtype of Soldier?
No, Knight is a separate creature type. While there can be overlap (a creature can be both a Knight and a Soldier, and either or neither Human), they are distinct classifications.
7. How important is creature type in MTG gameplay?
Creature type is very important. Many cards interact with specific creature types, providing bonuses, removal, or other effects. Building a deck around a specific creature type (a tribal deck) can be a powerful strategy.
8. What is the most common creature type in MTG?
Human is the most common creature type in MTG, followed by Wizard and Warrior.
9. What other factors are important in MTG gameplay?
Beyond creature types, factors like mana cost, card abilities, color identity, and synergy are all crucial for successful gameplay.
10. Can you mutate a Human in Magic: The Gathering?
Yes, you can mutate a Human in MTG, but the mutate ability itself requires targeting a non-Human creature you own on the battlefield. The resulting mutated creature retains all creature types and abilities of the creatures that combined to create it.
11. Where did the Soldier creature type first appear?
The Soldier creature type was retroactively applied to older cards, but it first appeared in Fallen Empires.
12. How does the Multiverse impact creature types in MTG?
The Multiverse is vast and diverse, leading to a wide variety of creatures and creature types. Different planes may have unique races and cultures, leading to different types of Soldiers and other creatures.
13. Are tokens considered creature cards?
Yes, tokens are considered creature cards once they are on the battlefield. They function just like any other permanent, including being subject to creature type-specific effects.
14. What is a supertype in Magic?
A supertype is a modifier that precedes a card’s type, such as Legendary, Basic, or Snow. These modify how the card functions in the game.
15. Where can I learn more about Magic: The Gathering?
There are many resources available online, including the official MTG website, various fan sites, and educational resources like the Games Learning Society, which explores the educational applications of games like MTG. Visit GamesLearningSociety.org for more information.