Border Guardian MTG Card
Text of card
Whenever you cast a silver-bordered spell, put a +1/+1 counter on Border Guardian. Whenever you cast a black-bordered spell, Border Guardian can't be blocked this turn. Whenever you cast a white-bordered spell, Border Guardian gains double strike until end of turn.
Cards like Border Guardian
Border Guardian is a unique creature in the world of Magic: The Gathering, finding its niche among other artifact-loving cards. Its abilities resonate with cards like Etherium Sculptor, which also brings value to decks focusing on artifacts. However, Etherium Sculptor edges towards reducing costs of artifact spells rather than engaging in combat as Border Guardian does.
Another kindred spirit to Border Guardian is Filigree Sages, a card that thrives on artifacts and their synergies. While the Sages offer the utility of untapping artifacts, they don’t provide the aggressive boost that Border Guardian gives to artifact-enhanced decks. Then we have Metalwork Colossus, a behemoth that also relies on artifacts, but its scale and cost-reduction capability contrast with the Border Guardian’s combat-centric bonuses.
Considering the dynamics of artifact interaction in MTG, Border Guardian offers a compelling blend of offensive capabilities and bonuses tied to artifacts. While it might not have the cost efficiency of Etherium Sculptor or the versatility of Filigree Sages, it stands out for its potential to become a formidable force on the battlefield when paired with the right artifacts.
Cards similar to Border Guardian by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Border Guardian offers an opportunity to amass additional cards, particularly when you’re playing a multi-colored deck or experimenting with diverse artifact combinations. Its triggered ability can draw you into potentially game-changing spells or creatures during critical junctions of play.
Resource Acceleration: The Border Guardian can facilitate resource acceleration in more intricate MTG setups. By synergizing with artifact plays, it not only contributes to board presence but can also lead to an escalated deployment of your hand, ramping up the pressure on your opponent.
Instant Speed: Though the Border Guardian itself isn’t an instant, its ability to interact at instant speed with the right triggers offers a layer of strategy. This allows you to maximize the utility of each artifact or multicolor spell you play, ensuring that the Border Guardian is not just a static presence but a dynamic participant in the fast-paced dance of MTG matches.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Engaging with Border Guardian requires careful hand management due to its demand to discard another artifact card. This prerequisite can leave players at a disadvantage, particularly when they’re running short on valuable cards.
Specific Mana Cost: The casting cost of Border Guardian involves not just generic mana but also mandates a precise mix of red, blue, or white mana. This requirement could potentially restrict the card’s inclusion to specific types of decks and limit its overall versatility in a broader range of strategies.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: The initial investment to summon Border Guardian is significant, demanding a total of four mana, which could be allocated to other spells or creatures with immediate impact or cheaper alternatives that fit more efficiently into a deck’s curve.
Reasons to Include Border Guardian in Your Collection
Versatility: Border Guardian shines in various deck builds, adapting effortlessly to strategies that emphasize artifact synergies or multicolor spells. Its flexibility offers an extra edge no matter the color palette of your deck.
Combo Potential: This card plays well with others, especially in environments where artifact and multicolor spells are prevalent. It has the potential to become a combo enabler, interacting profitably with a range of cards to set off powerful sequences.
Meta-Relevance: Given the right conditions, Border Guardian can be a formidable presence in matches. Especially in metas where artifacts and multicolored cards take center stage, this card can quickly escalate in power and influence on the game board.
How to Beat Border Guardian
Border Guardian is a unique creature in Magic: The Gathering that commands a distinctive place in the multifaceted world of creature cards. What sets it apart is its ability to become stronger and more resourceful with every artifact that comes into play under your control. It is indeed a formidable foe when left unchecked, growing out of reach for many conventional removal spells.
To effectively counteract the looming threat of a fully powered Border Guardian, it’s crucial to implement early removal strategies. A well-timed Path to Exile or Fatal Push can nip the problem in the bud before the Guardian’s power becomes overwhelming. Players should also be wary of enabling the Guardian’s abilities by playing too many artifacts themselves, as this could inadvertently empower the opposition. Board wipes are an additional strategic option, with cards like Wrath of God clearing the battlefield regardless of how strong the creatures have become. Disrupting artifact synergies is also advisable, rendering the creature’s advantages ineffective. Above all, maintaining control and hindering the creature’s growth potential is key to overcoming the Border Guardian’s formidable presence.
By analyzing the interplay between Border Guardian’s abilities and the rest of the playing field, strategic players can pinpoint effective methods to overcome this powerful adversary. Smart removal choices and a proactive approach will secure victory against the might of the Border Guardian.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Border Guardian MTG card by a specific set like Unstable, 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 Guardian 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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Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Border Guardian card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2018-01-19 | Playing a land won’t cause any of Border Guardian’s abilities to trigger. But for the record, Unstable basic lands don’t have a border. |