Karlach, Tiefling Guardian MTG Card


Karlach provides card advantage by recurring creatures from the graveyard to the battlefield. Instant speed ability allows for adaptability and can disrupt opponent strategies. However, the discard requirement and specific mana cost can limit its utility.
Karlach, Tiefling Guardian - Alchemy Horizons: Baldur's Gate
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityRare
TypeLegendary Creature — Tiefling Barbarian
Abilities First strike,Haste
Released2022-07-07
Set symbol
Set nameAlchemy Horizons: Baldur's Gate
Set codeHBG
Power 4
Toughness 4
Number14g
Frame2015
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byBilly Christian

Text of card

First strike, haste When this card specializes from your graveyard, return it from your graveyard to the battlefield. It perpetually gains "This creature can't block." When this card specializes from any zone, another target creature you control gets +4/+4 until end of turn.


Cards like Karlach, Tiefling Guardian

Karlach, Tiefling Guardian, rises as a formidably versatile creature within the realm of Magic: The Gathering. It offers intriguing parallels to other creatures such as Angrath’s Marauders. While Angrath’s Marauders can amplify the damage dealt to your opponents, it doesn’t offer Karlach’s resilience against death through its ward ability. Alternatively, creatures like Torbran, Thane of Red Fell, also increase damage output but lack the protective measures Karlach presents.

Examining Firefist Striker, like Karlach, it disrupts opponents by restricting block options, yet it falls short by not having the same staying power or ward protection. Next, consider Emberwilde Captain, which shares the ability to deter opponents from targeting you directly, albeit without influencing combat interactions as Karlach does.

Ultimately, Karlach, Tiefling Guardian’s unique blend of attack enhancement and defensive capabilities makes it stand out in creature-based MTG strategies. It strikes a delicate balance between aggression and defense, making it a standout option for players looking to apply consistent pressure while fortifying their position on the battlefield.

Angrath's Marauders - MTG Card versions
Torbran, Thane of Red Fell - MTG Card versions
Firefist Striker - MTG Card versions
Emberwilde Captain - MTG Card versions
Angrath's Marauders - MTG Card versions
Torbran, Thane of Red Fell - MTG Card versions
Firefist Striker - MTG Card versions
Emberwilde Captain - MTG Card versions

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Hunting Kavu - MTG Card versions
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Card Pros

Card Advantage: Karlach, Tiefling Guardian offers a steady card advantage by providing the ability to bring creatures back from your graveyard to the battlefield. This recursion not only populates your board but also keeps your hand flexible for other strategic moves.

Resource Acceleration: This card synergizes well with abilities that trigger when creatures enter the battlefield, effectively allowing you to enhance your resource acceleration. It can also optimize the use of mana, as the creatures brought back may have their own mana-generating capabilities.

Instant Speed: One of the notable features of Karlach, Tiefling Guardian is its ability to use mana at instant speed. This flexibility lets you adapt to the flow of the game, bringing creatures back during your turn or at the end of your opponent’s turn, keeping them guessing and on their toes.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Karlach, Tiefling Guardian requires players to discard a card to utilize its activated abilities. This mandatory discard can strain your hand, especially when you’re trying to maintain card advantage or you’re already low on resources in a tight game.

Specific Mana Cost: This card commands a specific combination of mana colors to cast, which can make it less flexible in decks that are not closely aligned with those colors or that utilize a more diverse mana base.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: At a mana value that is on the higher end for its abilities, Karlach faces stiff competition from other cards within the same mana range that may provide more immediate impact or versatility on the battlefield.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Karlach, Tiefling Guardian thrives in a variety of deck builds, thanks to her flexible combat abilities that provide both offense and defense, adapting to the ever-changing flow of the game.

Combo Potential: As a warrior, she pairs well with cards that amplify the warrior tribe, unlocking synergies and enhancing your battlefield presence with strategic combinations.

Meta-Relevance: Her unique ability to offer both immediate and lasting impact on the board makes her a formidable opponent against an array of current meta decks, proving her worth in competitive play.


How to beat Karlach, Tiefling Guardian

Karlach, Tiefling Guardian presents a challenge on the battlefield with its unique ability to gain indestructible until your next turn. This can make it seem like an impenetrable force in MTG. However, like any formidable card, it has its vulnerabilities that can be exploited. To effectively counteract Karlach, consider using spells that force your opponent to sacrifice creatures. Since these do not target Karlach directly, her indestructible ability becomes irrelevant. Edict effects, such as Diabolic Edict or Liliana’s Triumph, are excellent choices for this strategy.

Additionally, spells and abilities that change the rules of combat can also bypass her indestructibility. Ensnaring spells such as Pacifism or Claustrophobia can render her ineffective without needing to destroy her. Moreover, leveraging exile effects that remove her from the game entirely can be effective. Path to Exile or Swords to Plowshares are prime examples of such spells that can safely deal with Karlach, bypassing her defensive capability.

In essence, Karlach’s strength lies in her resilience against destruction. By crafting a strategy with sacrifice, combat-altering spells, or exile effects, you can neutralize her threat, maintaining control of the game.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Karlach, Tiefling Guardian MTG card by a specific set like Alchemy Horizons: Baldur's Gate, 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 Karlach, Tiefling Guardian and other MTG cards:

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