Border Guard MTG Card
1997-05-01 - Number 9
1999-07-01 - Number 9
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Human Soldier |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 4 |
Cards like Border Guard
Border Guard stands as a notable figure in the realm of creature spells within the world of MTG. It reminds seasoned players of steadfast cards like Silvercoat Lion, which similarly offers a two-mana cost creature with lifelink. Where Border Guard diverges is in its added layer of protection, allowing you to scout your top card when it perishes, echoing the strategic advantages of creatures like Omenspeaker.
Diving deeper into the pool of comparisons, we encounter Wall of Runes. Like Border Guard, this spell benefits players at death by facilitating a peek into upcoming draws. However, Wall of Runes erects a defensive barrier from the get-go, unlike the offensive stance that Border Guard assumes. Then there’s the Gallant Cavalry, trading the scry ability for raw power by summoning a twin upon entry into the battlefield, doubling your capacity for both assault and defense but lacking the foresight provided by Border Guard’s unique ability.
Assessing these alternatives thoroughly, Border Guard undoubtedly holds its ground with its dual attribute of creature defense and deck foresight, securing a solid position within MTG’s vast arsenal of creatures.
Cards similar to Border Guard by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Border Guard MTG card presents a unique mechanism to surveil your top deck, potentially improving card quality and strategic plays for forthcoming rounds.
Resource Acceleration: Upon successfully blocking or being blocked, Border Guard can generate an additional mana source, thereby increasing your resource pool and enabling more powerful spells or creatures to be played ahead of curve.
Instant Speed: Although Border Guard operates at sorcery speed, it complements instant speed spells by providing a defensive unit on board, allowing you to safely reserve mana for reactive plays during your opponent’s turn.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Border Guard demands a card discard to activate its ability, making it a potential liability when your hand is already depleted or when each card in your hand is crucial to your game plan. This trade-off can often put you at a strategic disadvantage, especially against opponents who are able to capitalize on your decreased hand size.
Specific Mana Cost: The card’s mana cost is inflexible, requiring a precise combination of mana types. This can complicate its inclusion in multi-colored decks that might struggle to meet the exact mana demands, sometimes leading to the card sitting uselessly in your hand while you wait for the right mana sources.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: When evaluating mana efficiency, Border Guard stands out with a cost that may seem disproportionate to its impact on the game. There are alternatives within the same mana range that can provide a broader array of benefits, better board presence, or more immediate effects, leading players to favor those options over the inclusion of Border Guard in their decks.
Reasons to Include Border Guard in Your Collection
Versatility: Border Guard offers flexibility in deck building, catering especially well to strategies that value creatures with resilience and dependable defense. Their ability to potentially guard against multiple threats makes them a steadfast addition to various deck archetypes.
Combo Potential: This card can synergize well with mechanics that praise defensive capabilities or reward the existence of creatures. Its efficient cost-to-toughness ratio makes it a reliable piece in defensive combo setups.
Meta-Relevance: In a game environment that highly values control and stability, Border Guard holds its ground. Their presence on the battlefield deters attacks and provides strategic opportunities, potentially shifting the tides in your favor against aggressive opponents.
How to beat
Border Guard serves as a useful early game piece in Magic the Gathering, offering a balance of defense and board presence with its ability to thwart early aggression. To effectively counter this card, one must focus on removal spells that bypass its toughness or employ flying creatures that can elude its defensive stance. It’s also wise to make use of non-combat ways to handle creatures, like using pacifism effects or cards that can tap the Guard down indefinitely, limiting its utility and keeping your strike path open.
Understand that Border Guard can be a recurrent nuisance if it finds its way back onto the gameplay stage. As such, exiling effects or graveyard manipulation can prove to be strategic moves, disabling any potential recursions. Including such strategies in your deck will ensure that Border Guard’s influence on the board is mitigated, allowing you to maintain the tempo and pressuring your opponent without the hindrance of this steadfast defender.
Ultimately, by considering and incorporating these effective countermeasures, you’ll find yourself well-equipped to triumph over the challenges posed by Border Guard, paving the way for a clearer path to victory in your Magic the Gathering encounters.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Border Guard MTG card by a specific set like Portal and Starter 1999, 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 Border Guard 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 Border Guard Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1997-05-01 and 1999-07-01. Illustrated by Kev Walker.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1997-05-01 | Portal | POR | 9 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Kev Walker | |
| 2 | 1999-07-01 | Starter 1999 | S99 | 9 | 1997 | Normal | White | Kev Walker |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Border Guard has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |