# 1997 Magic: The Gathering Fifth Edition #52

> The 1997 Magic: The Gathering Fifth Edition Pikemen card (#52), a foundational white common creature featuring first strike and banding.

Canonical URL: https://supercatch.com/product/magic-the-gathering-fifth-edition-pikemen-52

## Identity

- **Year**: 1997
- **Manufacturer brand**: Magic: The Gathering
- **Set / series**: Fifth Edition
- **Card number**: #52
- **Product type**: TCG_CARD

## Description

The Pikemen card, catalogued as number 52 in the Magic: The Gathering 1997 Fifth Edition set, remains a staple for collectors of classic trading card game artifacts. Designed by Dan Frazier, this common white creature belongs to the Human Soldier subtype and carries a mana cost of {1}{W} with a power and toughness of 1/1. Its utility in gameplay stems from its dual abilities: first strike, allowing it to deal damage before blockers, and banding, which offers flexible combat options by grouping creatures together for shared damage assignment. Collectors often seek this release to complete their Fifth Edition collections or to appreciate the strategic depth of early Magic: The Gathering mechanics. The card’s straightforward design and functional abilities make it a recognizable piece of the brand's history, appealing to those interested in the evolution of the game's rules and creature types. Whether for historical appreciation or nostalgic collecting, this card represents a significant era in the franchise's development.

## FAQ

### What are the abilities of the Pikemen card?

The Pikemen card features first strike, allowing it to deal combat damage before other creatures, and banding, which lets you group it with other creatures to control how combat damage is divided.

### What is the mana cost for Pikemen?

Pikemen has a mana cost of {1}{W}, requiring one generic mana and one white mana to cast.

### Who illustrated the Pikemen card?

The artwork for the Pikemen card in the Fifth Edition set was created by artist Dan Frazier.

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Last verified: 2025-11-29.