Great Oak Guardian MTG Card


Untapping creatures upon entry leads to defensive refreshment and potential for further plays within a turn. Double green mana cost and 4/5 stats at six mana can challenge early game strategies and mana efficiency. Flash ability offers surprise play, supporting complex combat strategies and instant-speed interactions.
Card setsReleased in 5 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost6
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Treefolk
Abilities Reach, Flash
Power 4
Toughness 5

Text of card

Flash (You may cast this spell any time you could cast an instant.) Reach When Great Oak Guardian enters the battlefield, creatures target player controls get +2/+2 until end of turn. Untap them.

His roots reach deep and grip hard.


Cards like Great Oak Guardian

The Great Oak Guardian is a unique creature card in the expansive MTG universe. It shares similarities with other cards that provide a combination of creature benefits and bonus effects upon entering the battlefield. For example, the comparison with Reclamation Sage is evident, as both cards provide immediate value upon casting. While the Sage allows for artifact or enchantment removal, Great Oak Guardian offers a temporary boost in power and toughness to other creatures, as well as untapping them, which can be a game-changer during combats or for combo setups.

Another close relative would be the Thunderfoot Baloth, which also grants a power and toughness increase to other creatures. However, while the Baloth’s buff is conditional on having a commander in play and provides a permanent power lift to your team, the Guardian’s effect is instantaneous, granting both an immediate stat boost and the strategic advantage of untapping creatures, potentially allowing for additional attacks or ability activations.

Conclusively, if we examine the dynamics and synergies, the Great Oak Guardian is a potent card with versatility in creature-based decks, particularly where multiuse of creatures and combat tricks can tilt the battlefield in your favor.

Reclamation Sage - MTG Card versions
Thunderfoot Baloth - MTG Card versions
Reclamation Sage - MTG Card versions
Thunderfoot Baloth - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Great Oak Guardian by color, type and mana cost

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Fangren Pathcutter - MTG Card versions
Craw Wurm - MTG Card versions
Gaea's Liege - MTG Card versions
Wiitigo - MTG Card versions
Autumn Willow - MTG Card versions
Ancient Silverback - MTG Card versions
Sulam Djinn - MTG Card versions
Verdeloth the Ancient - MTG Card versions
Nemata, Grove Guardian - MTG Card versions
Gang of Elk - MTG Card versions
Kavu Howler - MTG Card versions
Crashing Centaur - MTG Card versions
Giant Warthog - MTG Card versions
Rhox - MTG Card versions
Kodama of the East Tree - MTG Card versions
Terra Stomper - MTG Card versions
Feral Throwback - MTG Card versions
Brontotherium - MTG Card versions
Elvish Aberration - MTG Card versions
Force of Nature - MTG Card versions
Fangren Pathcutter - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Great Oak Guardian. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Rocco Rainbow ElvesRocco Rainbow Elves Free formNoble Spring Quarterly

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Great Oak Guardian offers an immediate impact on the board the moment it enters the battlefield. Its ability to untap all creatures you control not only refreshes your defenses but also potentially relieves tapped mana dorks or other utility creatures for additional uses within the same turn, stretching the value of each creature you control.

Resource Acceleration: The Guardian’s untap ability can be a powerful form of resource acceleration. By untapping creatures that produce mana, such as “Llanowar Elves” or “Birds of Paradise,” you effectively generate additional mana within the same phase, potentially allowing for further spell casting or the activation of abilities that could turn the tide of the game.

Instant Speed: While Great Oak Guardian is not an instant itself, its flash ability permits you to cast it at instant speed. This surprise factor can not only save your creatures from being completely decimated during combat but can also serve as a form of pseudo-haste, enabling freshly summoned creatures to untap and be used immediately, whether for attacking or for defensive strategies.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Great Oak Guardian requires no discard when cast, but its effectiveness can be diminished without other creatures to synergize with it. Without companion creatures to untap, its ability partially loses value, acting as a potential drawback for players seeking to maximize each card’s impact.

Specific Mana Cost: With a demanding double green in its mana cost, Great Oak Guardian necessitates a strong green mana base. This requirement might restrict the card’s integration in multicolored decks or those that manage mana resources less efficiently. It’s especially challenging for decks that struggle to produce ample green mana early enough to deploy the Guardian in a timely manner.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Six mana for a 4/5 creature with reach and an untap ability is on the higher side compared to other options available in the game. The Guardian’s utility is undoubted in the right context, yet the high cost makes it a consideration primarily for late-game scenarios, potentially slowing down the player’s initial strategy and impacting the flow of the early to mid-game.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Great Oak Guardian is a multifaceted card that can bolster many deck types – those centered around creature play, benefiting from untapping permanents, or in need of a surprise blocker.

Combo Potential: This card excels by synergizing with effects that trigger upon creatures entering the battlefield or untapping. It can also add to infinite combo chains, deeply enriching your strategic arsenal.

Meta-Relevance: In metas crowded with creature-based strategies, the Great Oak Guardian can be particularly valuable. Its ability to untap all creatures you control can surprise opponents and shift the momentum in your favor during complex board states.


How to beat

Great Oak Guardian is a versatile creature in Magic the Gathering, known for its ability to grant a temporary power and toughness boost to other creatures you control when it enters the battlefield. It also untaps all other creatures you control as an added benefit, which may lead to a surprising swing in battle or provide a line of defense you weren’t expecting.

To effectively counter this card, strategic use of instant speed removal or counterspells such as Path to Exile or Counterspell before the Guardian’s ability resolves can neutralize its impact. Timing is key; by removing the Guardian in response to its trigger, you can not only prevent the buffs and untap, but also potentially waste your opponent’s mana and turn. If the creature has already landed on the board, board wipes like Wrath of God can reset the field. Additionally, keeping pressure and demanding answers each turn can leave your opponent unable to effectively utilize the Great Oak Guardian’s abilities to their advantage.

Navigating around Great Oak Guardian’s effects requires a mix of foresight and prompt reactions, but with the right approach, the tide of battle can be maintained in your favor. By anticipating this creature’s arrival and having a plan in place, players can mitigate the potential for a game-swinging surprise from their opponents.


BurnMana Recommendations

Great Oak Guardian stands tall in MTG as a noteworthy inclusion for decks that value flexibility, combo plays, and board presence. As you craft your decks, consider the utility and surprise Great Oak Guardian can offer, particularly in green-centric builds or those that leverage untapping mechanics. With its reach to defend against flyers and the potential to untap a fleet of creatures, it demands attention on any battlefield. For those looking to optimize their gameplay, refine their strategies, and secure victories through intelligent card interactions, the Great Oak Guardian is a powerful ally. Dive deeper with us and discover how to maximize the strategic potential of this formidable card in your MTG collection.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Great Oak Guardian MTG card by a specific set like Commander 2015 and Legendary Cube Prize Pack, 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 Great Oak Guardian and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Great Oak Guardian Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2015-11-13 and 2023-06-23. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12015-11-13Commander 2015C15 372015NormalBlackSteven Belledin
22015-11-18Legendary Cube Prize PackPZ1 792015NormalBlackSteven Belledin
32017-06-09Commander AnthologyCMA 1132015NormalBlackSteven Belledin
42019-08-23Commander 2019C19 1702015NormalBlackSteven Belledin
52023-06-23Tales of Middle-earth CommanderLTC 2472015NormalBlackAndrey Kuzinskiy

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Great Oak Guardian has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2015-11-04 Any creatures controlled by the player that are already untapped will just get +2/+2 until end of turn.
2015-11-04 Great Oak Guardian's last ability targets only the player, not any creatures. Creatures with shroud that player controls will be affected, for example.
Flash card art

Guide to Flash card ability

Explore the dynamic Flash ability in Magic: The Gathering (MTG), a feature that allows you to cast spells at lightning speed, often leaving your opponents reeling and your strategy several steps ahead. This versatile ability can turn the tide of a game, providing the element of surprise and tactical advantage. It places a premium on timing and foresight, transforming an ordinary deck into a formidable arsenal of instant threats and responses.