Boros Guildmage MTG Card
2005-10-07 - Number 242
2009-09-04 - Number 99
2011-06-17 - Number 186
2017-06-09 - Number 199
2024-01-12 - Number 168
| Card sets | Released in 5 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Human Wizard |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Text of card
({GU} can be paid with either or .) : Target creature gains haste until end of turn. : Target creature gains first strike until end of turn.
Cards like Boros Guildmage
Boros Guildmage stands as a solid creature in the MTG universe with a notable presence in Boros Legion themed decks. On the surface, it might resemble other two-mana creatures like Azorius Guildmage or Dimir Guildmage. However, the Boros version distinctly offers both a buff option and a haste enabler, which can be a game-changer in aggressive strategies. Azorius Guildmage leans more towards control with its ability to stifle an opponent’s actions, while Dimir Guildmage focuses on card advantage.
Diving into comparisons, Tajic, Blade of the Legion presents a similar Boros vibe, often leading a battalion with indestructibility. Unlike Boros Guildmage, Tajic doesn’t offer the same utility but compensates with a more formidable board presence. As for Nobilis of War, it provides a massive boost to attacking creatures, though at a higher mana cost, lacking the flexibility and early game benefits of Boros Guildmage.
Each card has its place, but Boros Guildmage manages to carve its niche with flexible utility skills that can complement a variety of aggressive Boros builds, proving indispensable for those who want early-game options and later-game impact.
Cards similar to Boros Guildmage by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Boros Guildmage offers utility by providing strategic abilities that can either enhance your own board presence or disrupt your opponent’s. Being able to tap or untap a creature on demand translates into better combat control, which can indirectly lead to card advantage by preserving your creatures or disabling your opponent’s.
Resource Acceleration: While not directly increasing mana resources, the flexibility of Boros Guildmage can lead to resource acceleration by streamlining your attacks and defenses. Efficiently managing your creatures can result in faster game closure, effectively outpacing the opponent’s resource generation over time.
Instant Speed: The activated abilities of Boros Guildmage can be utilized at instant speed, thus offering surprise tactics and responses during critical phases of the game. This reactive capability enables you to adapt swiftly to the dynamic battlefield, ensuring you’re not caught off guard and can make precise plays around your opponent’s actions.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Although Boros Guildmage offers versatile abilities, one downside is the need to discard cards to fuel certain effects. This requirement can be a strategic setback, particularly in tight situations where card advantage is crucial.
Specific Mana Cost: The Boros Guildmage demands a precise blend of red and white mana for both its casting and ability activations. This specificity can sometimes hinder deck flexibility, making it challenging to cast the spell in a mana-tight game or within a multicolored deck that doesn’t primarily focus on the Boros color combination.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: The activated abilities of Boros Guildmage come at a steep cost when compared to other utility creatures in the game. Investing mana into its abilities means less mana available for other spells and actions within a turn, which can lead to less efficient plays and a slower game progression for the Boros Guildmage’s controller.
Reasons to Include Boros Guildmage in Your Collection
Versatility: Boros Guildmage is notably flexible, offering both offensive and defensive capabilities. Its ability to grant haste to other creatures can accelerate your game, while the option to tap opposing creatures can disrupt enemy strategies.
Combo Potential: This card can seamlessly integrate into combos, particularly those that revolve around untapping to reuse abilities or creatures that have tap/untap synergies. Moreover, its dual abilities make it a compatible piece in various combo-centric decks.
Meta-Relevance: Given its adaptability, Boros Guildmage holds its own in a shifting meta. It can enhance the performance of aggro decks in a fast-paced environment, as well as serve as a control element in slower, more interactive games.
How to beat
The Boros Guildmage card presents a unique set of challenges in MTG due to its versatility in both offense and defense. Players who face this multifunctional creature often need to employ smart tactics to come out on top. Despite its ability to enhance combat performance and control the battlefield tempo, it is not invincible. Tackling this guildmage requires a well-timed removal or the use of damage prevention spells before its abilities can be activated or in response to them.
Strategic plays such as using instant-speed removal cards can effectively neutralize the Guildmage before its controller can utilize mana to its advantage. Cards that can exile, such as Path to Exile, or those that deal damage specifically to target creature or player like Lightning Bolt, serve as precise counters to the Boros Guildmage’s capabilities. Keeping the mana pool in check is also key; denying your opponent the resources to activate the Guildmage’s abilities can significantly diminish its impact on the game.
In summary, overcoming the Boros Guildmage hinges on preemptive actions and maintaining control over the course of the game. A proactive approach to resource denial and judicious use of removal will ensure that this formidable creature doesn’t dominate the battlefield.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Boros Guildmage MTG card by a specific set like Ravnica: City of Guilds and Planechase, 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 Boros Guildmage 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 Boros Guildmage Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2005-10-07 and 2024-01-12. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2005-10-07 | Ravnica: City of Guilds | RAV | 242 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Paolo Parente | |
| 2 | 2009-09-04 | Planechase | HOP | 99 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Paolo Parente | |
| 3 | 2011-06-17 | Commander 2011 | CMD | 186 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Paolo Parente | |
| 4 | 2017-06-09 | Commander Anthology | CMA | 199 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Paolo Parente | |
| 5 | 2024-01-12 | Ravnica Remastered | RVR | 168 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Fesbra |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Boros Guildmage has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |