The Dorcish Librarian: Soldiers

Eager Cadet card art

Last time was Merfolk; today I look at mono-white Soldiers. But before I do, a recap.

Summarizing this topic, I spent February looking at mono-colored modern tribal decks. I focused on decks possible on Arena, because those are easy to paste into here and have gotten more playtesting than my paper variants. (But I also looked at staple cards in the format not available on that platform.) I featured tribes that are the most common in their color (except Merfolk, who rank third in blue), looking at green Elves, red Goblins, black Zombies, blue Merfolk, and (now) white Soldiers.

Looking back on my decks, my preference is obvious: I love creature-heavy decks whose abilities (for card draw, removal, or other things) replace slots for instants and sorceries.

Okay, on to today. A soldier's strength is in numbers, so it makes sense that this deck archetype trends toward "white weenie" in Magic parlance.

Soldier (1)

4 Hunted Witness (GRN) 15
4 Haazda Marshal (GRN) 13
4 Raise the Alarm (M20) 34
1 Citywide Bust (GRN) 4
3 Fairgrounds Warden (KLR) 17
3 Mentor of the Meek (M19) 27
4 Conclave Tribunal (GRN) 6
4 Militia Bugler (M19) 29
3 Inspiring Commander (ANB) 11
2 Finale of Glory (WAR) 12
3 Inspired Charge (M20) 24
3 Luminarch Aspirant (ZNR) 24
22 Plains (SLD) 101

This first iteration was before more recent sets gave some great Soldier options. Still, this isn't bad.

Raise the Alarm, Militia Bugler, and Mentor of the Meek are staples in many Soldier decks. Inspiring Commander is a fun card, but available only on Arena, and be careful: his "auto-draw" ability led to me self-milling on one occasion (when I created a lot of Soldier tokens, then had to draw that many cards).

Soldier (2)

4 Recruitment Officer (BRO) 23
4 Raise the Alarm (M20) 34
4 Resolute Reinforcements (DMU) 29
3 Valiant Veteran (DMU) 38
4 Brutal Cathar (MID) 7
3 Mentor of the Meek (M19) 27
1 Mentor of the Meek (JMP) 121
4 Militia Bugler (M19) 29
3 Timely Reinforcements (M12) 40
3 Siege Veteran (BRO) 25
3 Myrel, Shield of Argive (BRO) 18
2 Finale of Glory (WAR) 12
22 Plains (BRO) 269

This version is pretty powerful. Besides those already mentioned, Recruitment Officer, Resolute Reinforcements, Valiant Veteran, Siege Veteran, Brutal Cathar (for removal) and Myrel are nice cards.

Soldier (3)

4 Recruitment Officer (BRO) 23
4 Raise the Alarm (M20) 34
4 Resolute Reinforcements (DMU) 29
3 Valiant Veteran (DMU) 38
4 Brutal Cathar (MID) 7
3 Mentor of the Meek (M19) 27
1 Mentor of the Meek (JMP) 121
4 Militia Bugler (M19) 29
2 Timely Reinforcements (M12) 40
3 Siege Veteran (BRO) 25
1 Myrel, Shield of Argive (BRO) 18
1 Finale of Glory (WAR) 12
4 Thraben Inspector (SOI) 44
22 Plains (BRO) 269

This iteration is almost the same, but adds Thraben Inspector. Timely Reinforcements is a nice situational card, too.

Soldier (4)

4 Recruitment Officer (BRO) 23
4 Thraben Inspector (SOI) 44
4 Resolute Reinforcements (DMU) 29
3 Valiant Veteran (DMU) 38
4 Brutal Cathar (MID) 7
4 Militia Bugler (M19) 29
3 Mentor of the Meek (M19) 27
3 Siege Veteran (BRO) 25
3 Myrel, Shield of Argive (BRO) 18
3 Raise the Alarm (M20) 34
1 Platoon Dispenser (BRO) 36
2 Finale of Glory (WAR) 12
22 Plains (ONE) 272

Another that is very similar, adding only Platoon Dispenser. Finale of Glory can be a nice way to field an army.

Soldier (5)

4 Leonin Vanguard (M19) 22
4 Adanto Vanguard (XLN) 1
4 Ajani's Pridemate (M19) 5
4 Resolute Reinforcements (DMU) 29
3 Brutal Cathar (MID) 7
3 Leonin Warleader (M19) 23
3 Ajani's Welcome (M19) 6
2 Healer's Hawk (GRN) 14
3 Lay Down Arms (BRO) 11
3 Moment of Triumph (RIX) 15
1 Dawn of Hope (GRN) 8
4 Revitalize (M21) 31
22 Plains (MIR) 331

This version takes a different tactic and focuses on cat soldiers with (or benefitting from) life gain: cards like Leonin Vanguard, Ajani's Pridemate, Ajani's Welcome, and Leonin Warleader.