Cradle Guard MTG Card
1998-10-12 - Number 245
2020-09-26 - Number USG-245
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Treefolk |
| Abilities | Echo,Trample |
| Power | 4 |
| Toughness | 4 |
Text of card
Trample; echo (During your next upkeep after this permanent comes under your control, pay its casting cost or sacrifice it.)
Mother, sleep / Dream our lives Our roots your soul / Our leaves your bed.
Cards like Cradle Guard
Cradle Guard treads familiar ground in MTG amongst creatures with trample. Its three generic and one green mana cost places it in direct comparison with cards such as Stampeding Rhino, which also offers formidable size and trampling ability. Where Cradle Guard rises above is in its echo cost mechanic—allowing a powerful entrance with the potential for tactical flexibility depending on the player’s mana availability in subsequent turns.
Other creatures such as Rootbreaker Wurm present an interesting comparison. While the Wurm boasts a stronger 6/6 body compared to Cradle Guard’s 4/4, it lacks the echo cost feature, reducing its early game impact. Also compared to Giant Warthog, which is a 5/5 creature with trample, Cradle Guard presents a more agile option due to its lower overall mana cost and immediate board presence.
In examining Cradle Guard against its counterparts, its combination of trample, respectable power/toughness, and the strategic echo cost places it as a unique contender. Though it may not be the mightiest in the MTG ecosystem, it holds a balanced place in the meta, offering both a decent offensive threat and a nuanced play for those seeking more than just brute force.
Cards similar to Cradle Guard by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Cradle Guard is a well-rounded addition to any deck seeking to sustain its flow of resources. It delivers not only a substantial creature presence but can also tip the scales with its Trample ability, ensuring that any excess damage doesn’t go to waste. This makes sure that every attack can potentially translate into more pressure and more advantages on the board.
Resource Acceleration: The card aligns perfectly with strategies that aim to ramp up mana quickly. With its ability to untap lands, Cradle Guard can effectively aid in resource acceleration, propelling you ahead of your opponent and allowing for more strategic plays or deployment of high-cost cards earlier than usual.
Instant Speed: Though Cradle Guard itself is not an instant, it can synergize with instant-speed spells in your deck. Its untap land ability, utilized during your untap step, could free up mana for instant-speed interactions on your opponent’s turn, keeping you alert and responsive to threats. This subtle interaction can serve as both a bluff and a true setup for defensive maneuvers, allowing you to maximize your mana efficiency each turn.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Playing Cradle Guard necessitates discarding a card, a steep price that can deplete your hand and hinder your strategic flexibility.
Specific Mana Cost: The casting of Cradle Guard requires a strict color commitment to green mana, limiting its inclusion to mono-green or green-centric multicolor decks.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Clocking in at three green mana, Cradle Guard can be cost-prohibitive compared to other creatures in the same mana range that may provide more utility or power.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Cradle Guard boasts a flexible role in various deck builds, particularly those emphasizing early creature board presence or those requiring a substantial trampler to break through defenses.
Combo Potential: As a creature that can quickly escalate in power and toughness, Cradle Guard synergizes well with effects that buff creatures or utilize the number of creatures controlled for powerful plays.
Meta-Relevance: In a game where creature combat is key, Cradle Guard’s imposing presence can command respect on the battlefield, making it a pertinent choice in certain meta environments that favor creature-centric strategies.
How to beat
Cradle Guard in MTG presents a seemingly tough defense with its reach ability, allowing it to block creatures with flying. But a closer look reveals multiple strategies for overcoming this obstacle. For players looking to bypass this wooden sentinel, direct damage spells are highly effective. Something as straightforward as a Lightning Bolt can clear the path, dealing 3 damage for just one red mana.
Another method is to outpace the Cradle Guard with cards that can amp up the power of your attackers beyond the Guard’s toughness. Combat tricks or auras that boost your creatures can make them formidable enough to either deter the Guard from blocking or overpower it entirely. Control players might opt for enchantment-based removal, rendering the Cradle Guard useless without having to send it to the graveyard.
Lastly, evasive tactics can go a long way. If your deck can generate a swarm of creatures, the Cradle Guard can only block one of them, leaving the rest to chip away at your opponent’s life total. Tactical planning and deck-building are key, and with the right approach, this sturdy defender can be effectively neutralized.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Cradle Guard MTG card by a specific set like Urza's Saga and The List, 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 Cradle 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 Cradle Guard Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1998-10-12 and 1998-10-12. Illustrated by Mark Zug.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1998-10-12 | Urza's Saga | USG | 245 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Mark Zug | |
| 2 | The List | PLST | USG-245 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Mark Zug |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Cradle Guard has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |