Contractual Safeguard MTG Card


Guards vital cards in hand, offering a significant advantage against discard spells or hand disruption. Its instant speed enables players to respond tactically, considering opponents’ actions for strategic plays. While potent, the discard condition and specific mana requirements can limit its inclusion in decks.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityRare
TypeInstant
Abilities Addendum

Text of card

Addendum — If you cast this spell during your main phase, put a shield counter on a creature you control. (If it would be dealt damage or destroyed, remove a shield counter from it instead.) Choose a kind of counter on a creature you control. Put a counter of that kind on each other creature you control.


Cards like Contractual Safeguard

Within the realm of Magic: The Gathering, the carefully crafted card Contractual Safeguard carves out a niche for itself amongst protective spells. Comparing it to Guardian’s Magemark, both cards unquestionably offer creatures a modicum of security. Contractual Safeguard, in contrast to Guardian’s Magemark, extends its protection with the unique capability to shield a player’s nonland permanents, going beyond mere creature defense.

The likeness to Fountain Watch is also striking, as both cards present a valuable shield for your other permanents. Nevertheless, Fountain Watch’s blanket immunity to enchantments and artifacts only is a noticeable limit in comparison to Contractual Safeguard’s broader protective embrace. We then glance at Leonin Abunas, which provides similar protections but is itself vulnerable as a creature, while Contractual Safeguard, being an enchantment, typically grants a sturdier and less targeted form of preservation.

In sum, the examination of Contractual Safeguard alongside its peers reveals its superior defensive flexibility, making it a potent ally in Magic: The Gathering battles where safeguarding one’s own assets can be the difference between triumph and defeat.

Guardian's Magemark - MTG Card versions
Fountain Watch - MTG Card versions
Leonin Abunas - MTG Card versions
Guardian's Magemark - MTG Card versions
Fountain Watch - MTG Card versions
Leonin Abunas - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Contractual Safeguard by color, type and mana cost

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Generous Gift - MTG Card versions
Reverse Damage - MTG Card versions
Army of Allah - MTG Card versions
Holy Light - MTG Card versions
Morale - MTG Card versions
Blood of the Martyr - MTG Card versions
Piety - MTG Card versions
Martyrdom - MTG Card versions
Harsh Justice - MTG Card versions
Kor Chant - MTG Card versions
Just Fate - MTG Card versions
Waylay - MTG Card versions
Warrior's Honor - MTG Card versions
Radiant's Judgment - MTG Card versions
Afterlife - MTG Card versions
Abolish - MTG Card versions
Restrain - MTG Card versions
Prismatic Strands - MTG Card versions
Ardenvale Tactician // Dizzying Swoop - MTG Card versions
Teferi's Protection - MTG Card versions
Generous Gift - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Contractual Safeguard offers a unique approach to card advantage by safeguarding key pieces in your hand, helping you retain vital cards against targeted discard spells or unforeseen hand disruption.

Resource Acceleration: Though not directly offering a traditional ramp, Contractual Safeguard can indirectly accelerate your game plan by protecting your resources, ensuring you execute your strategies without delay.

Instant Speed: The instant speed nature of Contractual Safeguard allows for tactical flexibility, empowering players to make decisions with full knowledge of the opponent’s actions and thus maintain momentum in fast-paced matches.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Playing Contractual Safeguard comes with the handicap of discarding a card. This can become a critical setback when your hand is already dwindling, making it less attractive in situations where card advantage is key.

Specific Mana Cost: For a spell to fit seamlessly into your deck’s strategy, mana alignment is paramount. Contractual Safeguard’s need for both blue and black mana narrows its inclusion to decks that can readily produce these colors, potentially restricting its versatility.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Weighing the cost against benefit, Contractual Safeguard’s mana investment is on the higher end. Strategic deck builders often seek more cost-effective alternatives for protecting their creatures, thereby questioning the card’s efficiency in fast-paced games.


Reasons to Include Contractual Safeguard in Your Collection

Versatility: Contractual Safeguard brings flexibility to any deck looking to protect its key pieces. Its ability to counter a spell or ability that targets a permanent you control. You can use it in a variety of deck types, ensuring that your most valued cards stay in play.

Combo Potential: This card shines in environments that capitalize on interaction. For instance, in decks that exploit the stack or use spell-based strategies, it can be a game-changer by safeguarding an essential combo piece at a critical moment.

Meta-Relevance: In a metagame rife with targeted removal or control strategies, Contractual Safeguard’s preventive measures can give you an edge. This card can effectively nullify an opponent’s attempt to disrupt your game plan, making it an invaluable asset in competitive play.


How to beat

Contractual Safeguard is a unique Magic: The Gathering card that offers a blend of protection and potential card draw. This enchantment can be a thorn in your side when you’re trying to remove a crucial creature from your opponent’s board. The key to overcoming Contractual Safeguard lies in timing and resource management. You’ll want to bait out the safeguard with less critical spells before deploying more significant removals.

Another strategy involves using cards that force your opponent to sacrifice creatures, sidestepping the safeguard’s protection. It’s also effective to bring in spells that exile rather than destroy, thereby avoiding the card’s triggered ability. Lastly, remember that targeting the player directly with damage or loss of life can bypass the creatures’ protection altogether, rendering Contractual Safeguard moot in those interactions.

Considering these approaches, strategizing around Contractual Safeguard is crucial. Recognizing the moments to press your advantage or patiently waiting for an opening can mean the difference between victory and watching your opponent draw their way to a win. Utilize the card’s predictability to your advantage and craft your gameplay around its constraints.


BurnMana Recommendations

As MTG players venture into each game, understanding the nuanced use of cards like Contractual Safeguard can be a game-changer. The card’s varied applications, from protecting key permanents to providing a surprise element at instant speed, creates opportunities to enhance your gameplay. Whether you’re seeking to fortify your position in a meta dominated by targeted disruption or simply want an ace up your sleeve for crucial turns, this card could be a worthy addition to your collection. Expand your strategic horizons and delve into the depths of deck building with us. Learn more about optimizing Contractual Safeguard and elevate your MTG experience to new heights.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Contractual Safeguard MTG card by a specific set like New Capenna Commander and New Capenna Commander, there are several reliable options to consider. One of the primary sources is your local game store, where you can often find booster packs, individual cards, and preconstructed decks from current and some past sets. They often offer the added benefit of a community where you can trade with other players.

For a broader inventory, particularly of older sets, online marketplaces like TCGPlayer, Card Kingdom and Card Market offer extensive selections and allow you to search for cards from specific sets. Larger e-commerce platforms like eBay and Amazon also have listings from various sellers, which can be a good place to look for sealed product and rare finds.

Additionally, Magic’s official site often has a store locator and retailer lists for finding Wizards of the Coast licensed products. Remember to check for authenticity and the condition of the cards when purchasing, especially from individual sellers on larger marketplaces.

Below is a list of some store websites where you can buy the Contractual Safeguard and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Contractual Safeguard Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2022-04-29 and 2022-04-29. Illustrated by Gaboleps.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12022-04-29New Capenna CommanderNCC 1152015NormalBlackGaboleps
22022-04-29New Capenna CommanderNCC 142015NormalBlackGaboleps

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Contractual Safeguard has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Contractual Safeguard card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2022-04-29 A creature with a shield counter on it may still be destroyed by state-based actions if it has damage marked on it equal to its toughness or has been dealt unpreventable damage by a source with deathtouch.
2022-04-29 If a permanent that would be dealt damage has more than one shield counter on it, that damage is prevented and only one shield counter is removed.
2022-04-29 If a permanent with a shield counter is dealt unpreventable damage, that damage will be dealt and a shield counter will still be removed.
2022-04-29 If you cast this spell during your main phase, you may choose the shield counter for the second part of the spell.
2022-04-29 Removing a shield counter in this way isn't the same as regenerating a creature.
2022-04-29 Shield counters don't prevent players from sacrificing creatures.
2022-04-29 “Shield” is not an ability that creatures have and shield counters are not keyword counters. If a creature with a shield counter loses its abilities, the shield counter will still protect it as normal.