Adanto Vanguard MTG Card
2017-09-29 - Number 1
2019-11-07 - Number 10
2020-09-26 - Number XLN-1
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Vampire Soldier |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Text of card
As long as Adanto Vanguard is attacking, it gets +2/+0. Pay 4 life: Adanto Vanguard gains indestructible until end of turn. (Damage and effects that say "destroy" don't destroy it.)
Cards like Adanto Vanguard
Adanto Vanguard has staked its claim as a resilient and aggressive creature in Magic: The Gathering. Its direct comparatives often include other two-drop creatures, but few match its robustness. One such contender is Selfless Spirit, offering similar two-power toughness but with a focus on protecting a wide board with its sacrifice ability. While it doesn’t boast the same level of individual indestructibility as Adanto Vanguard, which can become invincible at the cost of 4 life, Selfless Spirit’s ability to shield your entire field is invaluable in creature-centric strategies.
Another peer in this category is Heir of Falkenrath. Though this creature starts as a 2/1, it can transform into a potent flyer, Heir to the Night, which excels in an aggressive and evasion-based plan. Nonetheless, Heir of Falkenrath lacks the Vanguard’s built-in resilience. Adanto Vanguard’s ability to endure most removal spells affords it a special slot among two-drop creatures, elevating its status especially in formats where toughness matters.
Ultimately, Adanto Vanguard’s enduring presence in MTG decklists is a testament to the card’s unique blend of aggression and durability, making it a perennial favorite in aggressive white strategies where surviving removal and sustaining pressure are key to victory.
Cards similar to Adanto Vanguard by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Adanto Vanguard. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Boros Aggro | Gladiator | Gladiator Team Unified League | |
| Mono-White Aggro | Gladiator | Gladiator Team Unified League | |
| Orzhov Vampires | Pioneer | Orzhov Vampires | Pioneer Challenge 64 2024-04-07 |
| Boros Death & Taxes | Gladiator | Gladiator Proving Grounds: Week 13 2024 | |
| Boros Heroic | Pioneer | Boros Aggro | Sat. 9:30 AM U.S. Regional Championship - Dreamhack Atlanta 2023 |
| Mono-White Death & Taxes | Gladiator | Gladiator Team Unified League |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: While Adanto Vanguard may not directly offer card draw, its resilience to damage and removal spells allows it to be a persistent threat. This durability can indirectly translate to card advantage by forcing your opponent to use more resources to deal with it.
Resource Acceleration: Adanto Vanguard itself does not accelerate resources in the traditional sense of providing mana or ramping. However, its low casting cost allows for a quick deployment, often enabling you to keep mana open for other plays which can be critical in the early game tempo.
Instant Speed: Adanto Vanguard’s ability to gain indestructible at instant speed makes it an exceptional combat trick. You can activate it whenever needed during the battle phase, making it a formidable adversary that can survive most combats and removal spells, solidifying your battlefield presence.
Card Cons
Specific Mana Cost: Adanto Vanguard’s requirement of both white mana and generic mana can pose a challenge in multicolored decks, potentially causing mana issues or impacting the deck’s mana curve.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: While its activation ability to gain indestructible is powerful, paying 4 life can be costly in a game where life is a valuable resource. This puts the player at a disadvantage in longer games or against decks that can whittle down life totals quickly.
Discard Requirement: Although Adanto Vanguard doesn’t inherently necessitate discarding cards, its synergy with cards that do have discard requirements may become a liability when trying to maintain hand advantage over an opponent.
Reasons to Include Adanto Vanguard in Your Collection
Versatility: Adanto Vanguard is a resilient and aggressive creature that fits seamlessly into aggro and midrange decks. Its ability to gain indestructible appeals to players looking for robust strategies that stay relevant regardless of the opponent’s removal capabilities.
Combo Potential: This card pairs well with equipment and aura spells that bolster its attack, transforming it into a formidable threat. It also aligns with lifelink and damage mitigation combos, allowing you to maintain a strong board presence.
Meta-Relevance: Given its place in the competitive scene, Adanto Vanguard thrives in environments dominated by control decks that rely on targeted removal. Its staying power on the battlefield often forces opponents to expend more resources than they’d like, tipping the scales in your favor.
How to beat
Adanto Vanguard is a formidable card known for its resilience and value, particularly in aggressive MTG decks. This 1/1 creature, for a modest two mana investment, can become nearly indestructible thanks to its ability to pay 4 life and gain indestructible until end of turn. This makes it a bothersome obstacle for opponents, as conventional removal spells often fall short.
To effectively counter Adanto Vanguard, one must strategize beyond typical destruction spells. Cards that reduce toughness, like Moment of Craving or Dead Weight, prove to be more effective as they can bypass the indestructible characteristic. Additionally, players should consider using exile effects – such as Settle the Wreckage or Path to Exile – to remove the Vanguard from the game entirely, eliminating the threat. It’s also worth noting that during matches, maintaining a high life total becomes crucial as the Vanguard’s ability costs life, which can be taxing on the player’s health and provide an avenue to push for victory against decks relying heavily on this card.
Understanding the dynamics of resilience and utilizing the right countermeasures are key in reigning in Adanto Vanguard’s dominance on the battlefield and maintaining an edge in your game.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Adanto Vanguard MTG card by a specific set like Ixalan and Mystery Booster, 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 Adanto Vanguard and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
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Printings
The Adanto Vanguard Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2017-09-29 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by Anna Steinbauer.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2017-09-29 | Ixalan | XLN | 1 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Anna Steinbauer | |
| 2 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 10 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Anna Steinbauer | |
| 3 | The List | PLST | XLN-1 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Anna Steinbauer |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Adanto Vanguard has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Adanto Vanguard card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2019-01-25 | An ability that triggers whenever a creature with a certain power attacks uses Adanto Vanguard's power after it has +2/+0 to determine whether it triggers. |