Orzhov Guildmage MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 5 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Human Wizard
Power 2
Toughness 2

Key Takeaways

  1. Offers sustained card advantage through repeatable abilities influencing the game’s tempo.
  2. Instant speed actions provide flexibility and strategic mana conservation.
  3. Specific mana requirements necessitate careful deck construction and mana balance.

Text of card

({WB} can be paid with either or .) : Target player gains 1 life. : Each player loses 1 life.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Orzhov Guildmage provides sustained card advantage by granting you the ability to repeatedly use its abilities to influence the board state and outpace your opponents in resources.

Resource Acceleration: Its second ability can streamline your gameplay, offering a cost-effective avenue to draining an opponent’s life force, which, in tandem with other cards, can rapidly tilt the game dynamics in your favor.

Instant Speed: The capability to utilize the Guildmage’s abilities at instant speed gives you the flexibility to react during your opponent’s end step, preserving mana for potential responses or threats during their turn and maximizing the effectiveness of your strategies.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Engaging in the tactics of the Orzhov Guildmage often necessitates an uncomfortable choice — discarding a card. For players, this could diminish hand advantage, particularly detrimental when your strategy relies on a diverse set of options.

Specific Mana Cost: Wielding the power of the Orzhov Guildmage requires a precise blend of mana — one white and one black. This specific cost can be restrictive, tethering the card’s potential to decks that can comfortably produce both types of mana without compromising their mana base.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Commanding the dark influence of the Orzhov Guildmage isn’t without its price. The activation cost for its abilities is substantial, and savvy players might look at alternative cards with lower costs for similar or even enhanced effects, particularly in formats where mana efficiency is the key to victory.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: The Orzhov Guildmage’s array of abilities grants it remarkable flexibility in gameplay. It can be a resourceful inclusion in decks that aim to control the board while chipping away at the opponent’s life total.

Combo Potential: Whether you’re capitalizing on its life-draining ability or using its mana conversion to activate other effects, the Guildmage can synergize well with various cards to create powerful combos in your deck.

Meta-Relevance: Given its ability to impact life totals and manage board states, this card remains relevant in many metas, especially those with a slower pace where its abilities can truly shine.


How to Beat Orzhov Guildmage

Overcoming an Orzhov Guildmage in MTG requires a strategic approach, as its abilities can greatly influence the game. This card gains prominence from its capability to control the battlefield with life manipulation. To mitigate its impact, it’s crucial to prevent the Guildmage from activating its abilities. Direct removal spells are a reliable solution, swiftly handling the threat this card poses. Look towards cost-effective spells like Fatal Push or Path to Exile to remove it before its controlling power takes hold.

Additionally, applying pressure early on is key. Aggressive strategies can outpace the Orzhov Guildmage’s controlling nature, reducing its effectiveness. If the Guildmage has already established a presence on the board, focus on disrupting the opponent’s mana base to hinder their ability to utilize its abilities. Creature-based strategies can also be beneficial, as they can offer a rapid board presence that outmatches the Guildmage’s influence. Ultimately, stay proactive and ready to adapt, using both removal and aggressive tactics to maintain control over the Guildmage.


Cards like Orzhov Guildmage

Orzhov Guildmage stands out in MTG as a versatile creature with dual abilities, lending a unique flexibility to the Orzhov Syndicate strategy. Comparable to other guildmages like Dimir Guildmage, it offers utility but through a different lens. With Dimir Guildmage, the focus is on card advantage and graveyard interaction, while Orzhov Guildmage focuses on life manipulation—either draining opponents or stabilizing your position.

Another parallel can be drawn with Azorius Guildmage. Although this card leans towards control by detaining opponent’s creatures and countering activated abilities, Orzhov Guildmage counters by tipping the life totals in your favor, a trade-off that can be game-ending in the right deck. Syndicate Guildmage, from the same guild, also allows control over the board by tapping creatures but lacks the direct life manipulation prowess of the Orzhov Guildmage.

When evaluating the impact of these creatures, Orzhov Guildmage remains a solid choice for decks that benefit from life-draining mechanics and prolonged games. Its capacity to directly affect life totals while offering control elements makes it a worthy addition to Orzhov-theme decks.

Dimir Guildmage - MTG Card versions
Azorius Guildmage - MTG Card versions
Syndicate Guildmage - MTG Card versions
Dimir Guildmage - Salvat 2005 (PSAL)
Azorius Guildmage - Dissension (DIS)
Syndicate Guildmage - Ravnica Allegiance (RNA)

Cards similar to Orzhov Guildmage by color, type and mana cost

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Shaile, Dean of Radiance // Embrose, Dean of Shadow - MTG Card versions
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Chief of the Scale - MTG Card versions
Wayward Servant - MTG Card versions
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Syndicate Guildmage - MTG Card versions
Cruel Celebrant - MTG Card versions
Corpse Knight - MTG Card versions
Wintermoor Commander - MTG Card versions
Tithe Drinker - MTG Card versions
General's Enforcer - MTG Card versions
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Putrid Warrior - The List (PLST)
Triumphant Adventurer - Adventures in the Forgotten Realms Promos (PAFR)
Shaile, Dean of Radiance // Embrose, Dean of Shadow - Strixhaven: School of Mages Promos (PSTX)
Suture Spirit - Eventide (EVE)
Cloistered Youth // Unholy Fiend - Innistrad (ISD)
Loyal Cathar // Unhallowed Cathar - Dark Ascension (DKA)
Vizkopa Guildmage - RNA Guild Kit (GK2)
Cartel Aristocrat - Ravnica Remastered (RVR)
High Priest of Penance - Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's Gate (CLB)
Chief of the Edge - Khans of Tarkir (KTK)
Chief of the Scale - Khans of Tarkir (KTK)
Wayward Servant - Amonkhet (AKH)
Legion Lieutenant - The Lost Caverns of Ixalan Commander (LCC)
Syndicate Guildmage - Ravnica Allegiance (RNA)
Cruel Celebrant - The List (PLST)
Corpse Knight - March of the Machine Commander (MOC)
Wintermoor Commander - March of the Machine Commander (MOC)
Tithe Drinker - The List (PLST)
General's Enforcer - Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths (IKO)
Elas il-Kor, Sadistic Pilgrim - Dominaria United (DMU)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Orzhov Guildmage MTG card by a specific set like Guildpact and Commander 2011, 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 Orzhov Guildmage and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Orzhov Guildmage Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2006-02-03 and 2024-02-23. Illustrated by Greg Staples.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12006-02-03GuildpactGPT 1472003normalblackGreg Staples
22011-06-17Commander 2011CMD 2172003normalblackGreg Staples
32017-06-09Commander AnthologyCMA 2052015normalblackGreg Staples
42024-01-12Ravnica RemasteredRVR 2082015normalblackGreg Staples
52024-02-23Ravnica: Clue EditionCLU 2012015normalblackGreg Staples

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Orzhov Guildmage has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

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