Blue Ward MTG Card
1993-08-05 - Number 8
1993-10-04 - Number 8
1993-12-01 - Number 8
1993-12-10 - Number 8
1993-12-10 - Number 8
1994-04-01 - Number 7
1994-04-01 - Number 7
1994-06-21 - Number 7
1995-04-01 - Number 10
1995-04-01 - Number 10
2022-11-28 - Number 305
2022-11-28 - Number 8
| Card sets | Released in 12 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Enchantment — Aura |
| Abilities | Enchant |
Text of card
Target creature gains protection from blue.
Cards like Blue Ward
Blue Ward is an enchantment card that offers targeted protection in Magic: The Gathering, standing alongside a unique set of other ‘Ward’ cards. Much like its counterparts such as White Ward, which grants protection from white, Blue Ward shields a single creature from blue spells and effects. This can be instrumental in matchups where blue control decks dominate the board.
Red Ward and Green Ward are also in this protective lineup, each designed to fend off their respective colors. While these wards individually specialize in color-specific defense, they share a common bond in their ability to fortify a player’s creatures against mono-colored threats. However, unlike Circle of Protection: Blue, which can prevent damage from any blue source on a per-incident basis, Blue Ward provides a continuous, passive barrier making it a reliable shield against blue-targeted spells and abilities.
When evaluated among similar protective spells, Blue Ward presents itself as a solid choice for players looking to safeguard their creatures against blue-based control strategies, proving to be an essential tool in certain gameplay situations within Magic: The Gathering.
Cards similar to Blue Ward by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Blue Ward can make it more challenging for opponents to address your creatures via targeted spells or abilities, effectively preserving your board state and the cards in your hand. This can indirectly translate into a form of card advantage as your opponents may have to expend extra resources to deal with your creatures.
Resource Acceleration: While Blue Ward itself doesn’t directly accelerate resources, it can protect key creatures that contribute to your mana development. Ensuring that creatures with mana abilities or those that untap lands are not disrupted can maintain or even accelerate your resource development throughout the game.
Instant Speed: Blue Ward is an enchantment card, and while it does not have instant speed, the protection it grants can be pivotal when played at the right moment. Casting it before a critical battle or in response to an opponent targeting your creature can ensure that your strategic assets survive, leaving you in a stronger position and ready to react to upcoming threats with your newly protected creature.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Though Blue Ward offers protection, it doesn’t shield you from the drawback of having to discard cards when faced with effects that target your hand. This can leave you at a strategic disadvantage if Blue Ward is your only defense.
Specific Mana Cost: With a mana cost that requires a single blue, Blue Ward may not seamlessly fit into multicolored decks that have a tight mana base or those that prioritize other colors for early gameplay. Integrating this card might demand a restructuring of your mana resources.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Blue Ward’s enchantment comes with a mana cost that could be considered steep for the protection it offers. In today’s MTG landscape, players might find more versatile or lower cost options to protect their creatures from blue spells and abilities, potentially relegating Blue Ward to a less favorable position in deck-building decisions.
Reasons to Include Blue Ward in Your Collection
Versatility: Blue Ward is an enchantment that can be essential for decks looking to protect key creatures. Its ability to confer protection from blue can turn the tide in matchups against blue control decks.
Combo Potential: This card opens up opportunities for various combos by safeguarding creatures from blue counter-magic and removal, allowing you to safely set up your board and execute your strategy.
Meta-Relevance: In environments where blue-based control decks are prevalent, having Blue Ward in your arsenal gives your creatures an edge, making it a tactical inclusion for your collection.
How to beat
Blue Ward is an intriguing protective spell in Magic: The Gathering that grants the enchanted creature protection from blue, shielding it from blues’ wide array of counter spells and debuffs. To tackle this safeguard, look towards colors outside of blue for answers. Black offers efficient removal options like Doom Blade or Murder that can bypass the protective enchantments. If you’re in red or green, consider using spells like Chaos Warp or Naturalize to directly target Blue Ward itself, thereby removing the shield and leaving the creature vulnerable once more.
Another strategy to consider is bypassing the creature entirely. Cards that force opponents to sacrifice creatures get around protection, such as Diabolic Edict. Spot removal may fail, but global effects like Wrath of God can clear the board regardless of any wards. It’s essential to adapt your gameplay and potentially adjust your deck choices when facing enchantments like Blue Ward. By including versatile removal or board wipes, you ensure that you’re prepared for such protective measures.
Ultimately, Blue Ward is a card that demands specific attention. Having a flexible, varied arsenal in your deck to deal with diverse threats will keep you one step ahead, ensuring that protections like Blue Ward don’t become insurmountable obstacles during play.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Blue Ward MTG card by a specific set like Limited Edition Alpha and Limited Edition Beta, 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 Blue Ward 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
See MTG Products
Printings
The Blue Ward Magic the Gathering card was released in 11 different sets between 1993-08-05 and 2022-11-28. Illustrated by Dan Frazier.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1993-08-05 | Limited Edition Alpha | LEA | 8 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Dan Frazier | |
| 2 | 1993-10-04 | Limited Edition Beta | LEB | 8 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Dan Frazier | |
| 3 | 1993-12-01 | Unlimited Edition | 2ED | 8 | 1993 | Normal | White | Dan Frazier | |
| 4 | 1993-12-10 | Collectors' Edition | CED | 8 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Dan Frazier | |
| 5 | 1993-12-10 | Intl. Collectors' Edition | CEI | 8 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Dan Frazier | |
| 6 | 1994-04-01 | Revised Edition | 3ED | 7 | 1993 | Normal | White | Dan Frazier | |
| 7 | 1994-04-01 | Foreign Black Border | FBB | 7 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Dan Frazier | |
| 8 | 1994-06-21 | Summer Magic / Edgar | SUM | 7 | 1993 | Normal | White | Dan Frazier | |
| 9 | 1995-04-01 | Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border | 4BB | 10 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Dan Frazier | |
| 10 | 1995-04-01 | Fourth Edition | 4ED | 10 | 1993 | Normal | White | Dan Frazier | |
| 11 | 2022-11-28 | 30th Anniversary Edition | 30A | 305 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Dan Frazier | |
| 12 | 2022-11-28 | 30th Anniversary Edition | 30A | 8 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Dan Frazier |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Blue Ward has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Oldschool | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |