# 1997 Magic: The Gathering World Championship Decks 1997 #pm96

> The Suq'Ata Lancer from the 1997 World Championship Decks set (pm96) is a foundational Magic: The Gathering card for collectors of vintage tournament releases.

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## Identity

- **Year**: 1997
- **Manufacturer brand**: Magic: The Gathering
- **Set / series**: World Championship Decks 1997
- **Card number**: #pm96
- **Product type**: TCG_CARD

## Description

The Suq'Ata Lancer, designated as card pm96, holds a distinct place in Magic: The Gathering history as part of the inaugural World Championship Decks series released in 1997. This product represents one of the earliest official compilations of tournament-legal cards, offering collectors a tangible connection to the game's competitive origins. For enthusiasts of vintage Magic, this card serves as a critical component for those looking to complete the World Championship Decks set or build historical reproductions of early competitive decks. As a Common rarity card, the Suq'Ata Lancer was designed to provide accessible power for players during the game's formative years. It functions as a Human Knight creature with a mana cost of two generic mana and one red mana. Its mechanical identity revolves around speed and aggressive tactics, utilizing the Haste ability to allow immediate deployment upon summoning. Additionally, the card possesses the Flanking keyword, which grants a defensive advantage by weakening blocking creatures that lack their own Flanking capability. This combination of offensive speed and tactical defense makes it a versatile piece for any red-based aggressive strategy from that era. Collector appeal for the 1997 World Championship Decks often stems from its status as a primary source for specific card lists used in the first-ever World Championship event. While individual cards like pm96 are printed in larger quantities than rare variants, their value is tied to their role in the set's completeness and their historical significance. Whether you are a historian of the game, a builder of nostalgic decks, or a serious collector of early Magic releases, this card offers a direct link to the roots of modern competitive play.

## FAQ

### What is the World Championship Decks set?

The World Championship Decks is a series of pre-constructed, tournament-legal card packages released by Wizards of the Coast, beginning in 1997. These sets were designed to replicate the exact card lists used by top players in the World Championship event.

### What abilities does the Suq'Ata Lancer have?

The Suq'Ata Lancer possesses the Haste ability, allowing it to attack the turn it is played, and the Flanking ability, which gives it a defensive bonus by reducing the power and toughness of blocking creatures that do not have Flanking.

### Why is the 1997 World Championship Decks set important to collectors?

This set is historically significant as the first official release of the World Championship Decks line, providing collectors with access to specific cards and card combinations that defined the early competitive meta of Magic: The Gathering.

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Last verified: 2025-11-29.