The Benalish Hero is a foundational 1/1 Human Soldier creature from Magic: The Gathering's 1993 Unlimited Edition, featuring the versatile Banding ability.
1993 • Magic: The Gathering • Unlimited Edition
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$1.32
The Benalish Hero, designated as card number 4 in the Unlimited Edition, represents a cornerstone of the original Magic: The Gathering release. Issued in 1993, this common rarity creature card brings a unique tactical layer to the game through its Banding ability. Unlike standard creatures, Banding allows players to attach this unit to other friendly attackers, granting control over how combat damage is distributed among blocked creatures. This mechanic remains a highly sought-after element for enthusiasts building nostalgic or strategy-focused decks. Illustrated by Douglas Shuler, the card captures the thematic essence of Benalia, a nation known for its complex social structures and martial tradition. The flavor text highlights that the hero caste is unique because it cannot be obtained through heredity or wealth, emphasizing merit and courage within the game's lore. For collectors, owning this piece of the 2ED set offers a tangible connection to the early days of the trading card game. The card’s simple mana cost and versatile ability make it a functional asset in gameplay while serving as a historical artifact for those who value the game's origins. Whether you are aiming to complete a vintage set or acquire a card with distinct mechanical properties, the Benalish Hero stands out for its early design and enduring utility. Its presence in the Unlimited Edition ensures it is a recognizable and important part of Magic: The Gathering history. Collectors often seek out these early prints to appreciate the foundational design choices that shaped the game. By focusing on the card’s identity and mechanics, collectors can better understand its role in both competitive and casual play environments.
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The catalog profile below summarizes the card identity, featured subject, and notable collectible traits.
The core identity of the card within the set.
The subject, team, league, and sport context tied to this card.
Featured
Benalish Hero
Game
Magic: The Gathering
Rarity, print treatment, and game-specific stats for this card.
Common
Douglas Shuler
Card Stock
English
{W}
Creature — Human Soldier
1 / 1
W
Abilities, attacks, oracle text, and flavor text printed on the card.
Banding (Any creatures with banding, and up to one without, can attack in a band. Bands are blocked as a group. If any creatures with banding you control are blocking or being blocked by a creature, you divide that creature's combat damage, not its controller, among any of the creatures it's being blocked by or is blocking.)
Benalia has a complex caste system that changes with the lunar year. No matter what the season, the only caste that cannot be attained by either heredity or money is that of the hero.
