Azorius Justiciar MTG Card
2012-10-05 - Number 6
2019-02-15 - Number 3
2024-01-12 - Number 6
2024-02-23 - Number 55
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Human Wizard |
| Abilities | Detain |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Text of card
When Azorius Justiciar enters the battlefield, detain up to two target creatures your opponents control. (Until your next turn, those creatures can't attack or block and their activated abilities can't be activated.)
"Your potential to commit a crime warrants further investigation."
Cards like Azorius Justiciar
Azorius Justiciar, emerging from the strategic and law-abiding Azorius guild, is a compelling creature card on the Magic: The Gathering battlefield. When delving into similarly functioning cards, Deputy of Detention springs to mind as a creature that also temporarily removes threats from the field. Still, the Deputy exiles any nonland permanent with the same name as the chosen target, affecting the entire battlefield scope. In comparison, Azorius Justiciar exclusively detains two target creatures your opponents control, which is a more restrained action but can frequently alter the game’s tempo in your favor.
Another parallel can be drawn to Banisher Priest, which removes a single creature from the game until it leaves the battlefield. While Banisher Priest may seem more permanent, Azorius Justiciar’s ability to detain multiple creatures might prove more advantageous during a crucial turn. Furthermore, the Justiciar is aligned with the detain mechanic typical to Azorius, defining its unique tactical approach within control-based MTG strategies.
Examining the characteristics and strategic utility of Azorius Justiciar in Magic: The Gathering reveals its place as a valued card in decks that prioritize tempo and board control, especially when we consider it alongside its counterparts in the vast array of Magic’s control elements.
Cards similar to Azorius Justiciar by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: When you play the Azorius Justiciar, you get to detain up to two target nonland permanents your opponents control. This ability can functionally remove the opponent’s resources temporarily without expending additional cards, keeping you ahead in the card economy.
Resource Acceleration: Although the Azorius Justiciar itself does not directly accelerate resources, the detain mechanic allows you to slow down your opponent’s plan. This indirect resource acceleration gives you extra time to deploy your strategy and lands, which can be particularly valuable in tempo-oriented decks.
Instant Speed: While the Azorius Justiciar’s ability is not an instant, it complements a deck design that features instant-speed interaction. By detaining key opponent’s threats, you ensure that your mana remains open for other instant-speed responses, aligning with a control strategy that capitalizes on counterplay and disruption at opportune moments.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Azorius Justiciar necessitates discarding another card, which can be particularly problematic when your hand is already depleted or every card holds significant value during late-game scenarios.
Specific Mana Cost: This card’s mana cost includes both white and blue mana, making it less versatile and potentially difficult to cast in a multi-colored deck that may not always have the necessary mana types available when needed.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With its requirement of four mana, the Azorius Justiciar might be seen as a heavy investment, especially when other cards might provide similar control effects or board presence at a lower cost, thereby offering more flexibility in deck building and strategy.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Azorius Justiciar can adapt to a variety of deck strategies. Its ability to detain up to two target creatures can disrupt an opponent’s offense, making it a solid choice in both control and tempo decks.
Combo Potential: Detaining multiple creatures can serve as a springboard for combo plays. It leaves the board open for swinging in with your creatures or setting up for a game-winning move without the threat of blockers.
Meta-Relevance: In a game state where creature-based tactics are prevalent, Azorius Justiciar shines by neutralizing high-threat targets and slowing down aggressive decks, potentially giving you the upper hand in the match.
How to Beat Azorius Justiciar
Azorius Justiciar can be a real thorn in the side of MTG players, particularly in matches where delaying tactics are crucial. This card, part of the Azorius arsenal, can halt your opponent’s onslaught by utilizing its detain ability. When Azorius Justiciar enters the battlefield, you can detain up to two target creatures your opponent controls, preventing those creatures from attacking or blocking and their activated abilities from being activated for their controller’s next turn.
Overcoming the interruption presented by Azorius Justiciar relies on diverse strategies, such as employing instant speed removal spells that can dispose of the creature before it has the chance to exert its influence. In a broader sense, strategies focusing on noncreature spells or abilities that can continue to function under detainment or leveraging the use of abilities from creatures that remain untapped can mitigate the justiciar’s effects. Cards with the ability to grant your creatures hexproof or indestructibility can also protect your board presence from detain and removal, ensuring your game plan moves forward without disruption.
Furthermore, the timing of your plays can also navigate around the Justiciar’s detain ability. By expanding your board presence or applying pressure during the turn before the justiciar hits the field, you can potentially reduce the impact of its detain ability and maintain the momentum needed to secure victory in your matches.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Azorius Justiciar MTG card by a specific set like Return to Ravnica and RNA Guild Kit, 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 Azorius Justiciar 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 Azorius Justiciar Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2012-10-05 and 2024-02-23. Illustrated by Chris Rahn.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2012-10-05 | Return to Ravnica | RTR | 6 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Chris Rahn | |
| 2 | 2019-02-15 | RNA Guild Kit | GK2 | 3 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Chris Rahn | |
| 3 | 2024-01-12 | Ravnica Remastered | RVR | 6 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Chris Rahn | |
| 4 | 2024-02-23 | Ravnica: Clue Edition | CLU | 55 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Chris Rahn |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Azorius Justiciar has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Azorius Justiciar card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2012-10-01 | The two creatures can be controlled by the same opponent or by different opponents. |
| 2013-04-15 | Activated abilities include a colon and are written in the form “ -ost: -ffect].” No one can activate any activated abilities, including mana abilities, of a detained permanent. |
| 2013-04-15 | If a creature is already attacking or blocking when it’s detained, it won’t be removed from combat. It will continue to attack or block. |
| 2013-04-15 | If a noncreature permanent is detained and later turns into a creature, it won’t be able to attack or block. |
| 2013-04-15 | If a permanent’s activated ability is on the stack when that permanent is detained, the ability will be unaffected. |
| 2013-04-15 | The static abilities of a detained permanent still apply. The triggered abilities of a detained permanent can still trigger. |
| 2013-04-15 | When a player leaves a multiplayer game, any continuous effects with durations that last until that player’s next turn or until a specific point in that turn will last until that turn would have begun. They neither expire immediately nor last indefinitely. |