Anaba Bodyguard MTG Card
1995-10-01 - Number 66a
1995-10-01 - Number 66b
1999-04-21 - Number 164
2007-07-13 - Number 187★
2007-07-13 - Number 187
| Card sets | Released in 5 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Minotaur |
| Abilities | First strike |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Text of card
First strike
"Not all Minotaurs are tribal. Some are freelance." —Eron the Relentless
Cards like Anaba Bodyguard
Anaba Bodyguard is an iconic creature card in Magic: The Gathering, standing solidly in the realm of red creature spells. Its direct counterparts can be found in cards such as Borderland Marauder and Fervent Cathar. Though both share the same mana cost as Anaba Bodyguard, the Marauder boasts the potential to become stronger when it attacks, elevating its power from two to three. However, it doesn’t have the built-in first strike feature that gives Anaba Bodyguard an edge in combat.
Taking another step in comparison, we find Ember Beast. While this creature is slightly more powerful with a four power stat, its inability to attack alone is a downside that Anaba Bodyguard players do not have to worry about. Moreover, the first strike ability on Anaba Bodyguard is a clear advantage during battles, giving it a preemptive capacity to deal damage and potentially take down creatures before they can retaliate. This affirms Anaba Bodyguard as a reliable combatant in the early to mid-game phases.
Ultimately, when evaluating similar creature cards, Anaba Bodyguard maintains its position as a robust choice for those favoring aggressive strategies with a penchant for controlling the battlefield with decisive first-strike blows.
Cards similar to Anaba Bodyguard by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: While Anaba Bodyguard itself might not directly offer card advantage, its presence on the battlefield as a sturdy blocker might help preserve your valuable creatures. This can indirectly lead to card advantage by deterring opponents from attacking into a strong defensive line, maintaining your board presence.
Resource Acceleration: Anaba Bodyguard does not inherently offer resource acceleration; however, its cost-effective nature makes it a solid addition without impeding your mana curve. It synergizes well with decks aiming to deploy threats consistently without falling behind on resources.
Instant Speed: While the card is not an instant itself, it pairs effectively with instant speed interactions. Anaba Bodyguard’s first strike ability could become significantly more impactful when combined with cards or effects that can be played at instant speed, potentially taking opponents by surprise during combat phases.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One downside of the Anaba Bodyguard card is the lack of a discard ability which could synergize with decks that capitalize on card disposal and graveyard strategies. Without this feature, the card may not align well with some deck themes focused on leveraging discarded cards.
Specific Mana Cost: Anaba Bodyguard’s casting cost includes one red mana, which can restrict its inclusion to certain types of decks, mainly those that have a red mana base. This can negatively affect the card’s versatility in multi-color or non-red decks.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: When you take into account its mana value of 3 and one red for its power level, Anaba Bodyguard can be considered relatively expensive. Cards with lower mana costs may offer similar or better utility, making the bodyguard a less favorable choice in a deck looking for efficiency.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Anaba Bodyguard’s role as a four mana cost creature with First Strike makes it a reliable inclusion in red-based aggressive or midrange decks that value steady damage dealers with defensive capabilities.
Combo Potential: While Anaba Bodyguard may not have inherent combo synergies, pairing it with cards that benefit from first strikers or those that buff creatures can amplify its effectiveness on the battlefield.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta that favors combat-centric games, Anaba Bodyguard holds its own as a solid combatant. Its First Strike ability can give you an edge against other creature-focused decks, making it a practical choice for matchups where combat interactions are frequent.
How to Beat
Anaba Bodyguard is a solid creature that can be quite a nuisance thanks to its first strike ability, making it a formidable blocker or an aggressive attacker in Magic: The Gathering. Its strength lies in its capability to deal damage before most creatures without first strike can strike back, often allowing it to survive encounters that would typically be lethal for others.
To outmaneuver Anaba Bodyguard, consider using removal spells that can bypass the first strike advantage, such as Doom Blade or Murder, which can straightforwardly destroy target creatures regardless of combat prowess. Another strategy includes outclassing it with creatures that have higher toughness or beneficial abilities like lifelink or deathtouch, which can negate the first strike advantage and turn the tide of battle in your favor.
If you’re looking for a more passive approach, enchantments that pacify or prevent the Anaba Bodyguard from attacking or blocking can effectively neutralize it without having to remove it from the battlefield. Whichever method you choose, understanding the mechanics and having the right response can ensure that Anaba Bodyguard doesn’t stand in the way of your victory.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Anaba Bodyguard MTG card by a specific set like Homelands and Homelands, 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 Anaba Bodyguard and other MTG cards:
BUY NOW BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
- 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
See MTG Products
Printings
The Anaba Bodyguard Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 1995-10-01 and 2007-07-13. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1995-10-01 | Homelands | HML | 66a | 1993 | Normal | Black | Anson Maddocks | |
| 2 | 1995-10-01 | Homelands | HML | 66b | 1993 | Normal | Black | Anson Maddocks | |
| 3 | 1999-04-21 | Classic Sixth Edition | 6ED | 164 | 1997 | Normal | White | Anson Maddocks | |
| 4 | 2007-07-13 | Tenth Edition | 10E | 187★ | 2003 | Normal | Black | Greg Staples | |
| 5 | 2007-07-13 | Tenth Edition | 10E | 187 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Greg Staples |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Anaba Bodyguard has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |