Bastion Protector MTG Card


It grants commanders indestructible, optimizing their survivability against removals and combat damage. The Protector is a specific fit for white mana decks, limiting its utility in others. For commander-focused strategies, its inclusion can be game-defining, bolstering both offense and defense.
Card setsReleased in 6 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Human Soldier
Power 3
Toughness 3

Text of card

Commander creatures you control get +2/+2 and have indestructible.

"As long as I stand, so will your cause."


Cards like Bastion Protector

Bastion Protector stands out in MTG as a guardian for your commanders. Valued for its ability to grant +2/+2 and indestructible to your commander, this card earns its place in many decks that need that extra layer of protection. You might compare it to cards like Darksteel Plate, which also offers indestructible, but lacks the buff to attack and defense points and isn’t limited to protecting commanders.

Another card in the conversation is Lightning Greaves, a popular equipment that provides not only shroud but also haste, allowing for quick offensive strategies. Unlike Bastion Protector, Lightning Greaves offers no stat enhancement but affords a wider protective scope by encompassing any creature. Then there’s the Spear of Heliod, bringing a global +1/+1 boost to your creatures and a deterrent ability to destroy enemy creatures that deal damage to you. While broader in effect, the Spear does not elevate a creature to indestructible status.

Given its specific but powerful effect, Bastion Protector holds a unique position within MTG’s protector-themed cards, delivering a considerable advantage to commander-centric decks and showcasing its value in commander protection and enhancement.

Darksteel Plate - MTG Card versions
Lightning Greaves - MTG Card versions
Spear of Heliod - MTG Card versions
Darksteel Plate - MTG Card versions
Lightning Greaves - MTG Card versions
Spear of Heliod - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Bastion Protector by color, type and mana cost

Argivian Blacksmith - MTG Card versions
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Snow Hound - MTG Card versions
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Kor Hookmaster - MTG Card versions
Argivian Blacksmith - MTG Card versions
Jamuraan Lion - MTG Card versions
Snow Hound - MTG Card versions
Elvish Healer - MTG Card versions
Femeref Knight - MTG Card versions
Border Guard - MTG Card versions
Stern Marshal - MTG Card versions
Benalish Knight - MTG Card versions
Regal Unicorn - MTG Card versions
Wild Griffin - MTG Card versions
Pianna, Nomad Captain - MTG Card versions
Dogged Hunter - MTG Card versions
Diving Griffin - MTG Card versions
Faithful Squire // Kaiso, Memory of Loyalty - MTG Card versions
Kitsune Palliator - MTG Card versions
Freewind Equenaut - MTG Card versions
Sanctum Guardian - MTG Card versions
Field Marshal - MTG Card versions
Kithkin Healer - MTG Card versions
Kor Hookmaster - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Bastion Protector enhances the resilience of your commanders, potentially saving resources that would otherwise be spent on recasting them. This improved endurance of key creatures can translate into maintaining card advantage over your opponent.

Resource Acceleration: Although not directly providing mana, the Protector’s cost reduction effect for your commander’s casting cost can lead to faster deployment of other spells in your arsenal, effectively streamlining your plays and giving you a quicker tempo.

Instant Speed: While Bastion Protector itself is not an instant-speed card, its ability to grant indestructible to your commander allows you to play more aggressively and with greater confidence, knowing you have a robust defense ready to counteract sudden removal threats that often occur at instant speed.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Bastion Protector doesn’t directly impose a discard requirement, but any card that narrows your in-game options can be seen as a limiting factor. For instance, if you’re building strategies that don’t revolve around the “Commander” concept, having Bastion Protector in hand can feel like a wasted draw compared to a more versatile creature that fits a wider array of situations.

Specific Mana Cost: Bastion Protector’s casting cost requires white mana, making it a card that cannot casually fit into any deck. Decks without white mana sources or those operating on a tight color mana base may find it hard to incorporate Bastion Protector efficiently due to its color-specific mana requirement.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The casting cost of 3 mana, with white included, may be seen as steep given its 3/3 stats. Even though its ability to grant your commander indestructible is valuable, some players may prefer to use those three mana to cast spells that affect the board more immediately or to develop their mana base further.


Reasons to Include Bastion Protector in Your Collection

Versatility: Bastion Protector offers a universal buff to Commanders, making it a robust inclusion in any Commander-centric build. Its ability to grant your Commander indestructible adds a layer of protection that can be vital in the late game.

Combo Potential: With its reinforcing aura, Bastion Protector can synergize with strategies aiming to safeguard your most critical creature or exploit indestructibility for various combos, enhancing both offensive and defensive tactics.

Meta-Relevance: As Commander games often pivot on the resilience and longevity of your lead creature, Bastion Protector maintains high relevance in metas that revolve around creature-heavy and commander-dependent decks.


How to beat

Bastion Protector is a card that provides a robust defense for Commanders in MTG. This card grants an impressive +2/+2 buff and indestructible to your Commander, making it a tough nut to crack in battles. It’s a game-changer in Commander format, rendering your lead creature significantly harder to remove from the board.

To successfully navigate around this card, players should consider using global board wipes that don’t target individual creatures, thus circumventing the indestructible feature. Spells like “Merciless Eviction” or “Damnation” can help clear the board regardless of indestructible statuses. Another strategy involves focusing on countering the Bastion Protector itself before it can cast its protective aura. Counterspells or capabilities that exile or force sacrifices bypass the Protector’s granting of indestructible, potentially leaving the enemy Commander vulnerable.

Ultimately, outmaneuvering a Bastion Protector in MTG comes down to timing, strategic spell selection, and maintaining pressure on resources. By doing so, this powerful guard can be overcome, allowing you to penetrate the adversary’s defenses and secure victory.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering MTG entails more than just understanding individual cards; it’s about strategizing how every piece complements your deck. Bastion Protector offers significant boons to commander-centric strategies, and cards like it can tilt the balance in your favor when used wisely. Whether you’re shoring up your defenses or carving a path to victory, knowing when and where to deploy such cards is crucial. We urge you to not only analyze their strengths but also understand their interactions and potential within the meta. Elevate your game and gain the upper hand in your next Commander clash by joining us for deeper insights and expert advice.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Bastion Protector 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 Bastion Protector and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Bastion Protector Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2015-11-13 and 2023-06-23. Illustrated by 3 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12015-11-13Commander 2015C15 12015NormalBlackVictor Adame Minguez
22015-11-18Legendary Cube Prize PackPZ1 12015NormalBlackVictor Adame Minguez
32021-09-24Midnight Hunt CommanderMIC 802015NormalBlackVictor Adame Minguez
42022-10-07Warhammer 40,000 Commander40K 1822015NormalBlackSteve Argyle
52022-10-07Warhammer 40,000 Commander40K 182★2015NormalBlackSteve Argyle
62023-06-23Tales of Middle-earth CommanderLTC 1622015NormalBlackSean Vo

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Bastion Protector has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Bastion Protector 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 A "commander creature" is a permanent that's both someone's commander and a creature.
2015-11-04 Bastion Protector's ability applies to any commander creature you control, whether you own it or not.
2015-11-04 Bastion Protector's ability doesn't apply to commanders that aren't currently creatures.