Crimson Honor Guard MTG Card

Crimson Honor Guard pressures opponents, forcing resource allocation to address its persistent damage output. Strict mana requirements may limit deck inclusion, suggesting the need for a substantial red mana base. Its constant upkeep damage can be a game-changer in the right metagame or Commander deck.

Crimson Honor Guard - Treasure Chest (PZ2)

Treasure Chest (PZ2)
2016-11-16 - Number 65697

Crimson Honor Guard - Commander 2017 (C17)

Commander 2017 (C17)
2017-08-25 - Number 23

Crimson Honor Guard - Crimson Vow Commander (VOC)

Crimson Vow Commander (VOC)
2021-11-19 - Number 145

Card sets	Released in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	5
Rarity	Rare
Type	Creature — Vampire Knight
Abilities	Trample
Power	4
Toughness	5

Text of card

Trample At the beginning of each player's end step, Crimson Honor Guard deals 4 damage to that player unless they control a commander.

The finest soldiers aren't worth a whit without a set of hands to lead them and a set of eyes to guide them.

Cards like Crimson Honor Guard

Crimson Honor Guard embarks on a unique journey within the slew of creature cards available in Magic: The Gathering. Strikingly similar to cards like Rampaging Ferocidon, Crimson Honor Guard presents a distinctive detriment to opponents through its ability to inflict damage during each player’s upkeep. Unlike Rampaging Ferocidon, which also penalizes opponents when creatures enter the battlefield, Crimson Honor Guard’s trigger solely relies on the number of cards in the opponent’s hand, thus pinpointing opponents who favor a wealthier hand.

Another analogous card is Harsh Mentor, which also introduces a reactionary punishment mechanic. While Harsh Mentor focuses on penalizing the activation of abilities from artifacts, creatures, or lands, Crimson Honor Guard is more passive with a consistent upkeep-triggered ability. The Honor Guard, wielding greater power and toughness, is more of an imposing presence on the battlefield, affording it an advantage in combat scenarios over the Mentor.

When evaluating the mettle of these deterrent creatures, Crimson Honor Guard stands out with its vigilant enforcement of hand size management, making it a compelling choice for decks that aim to disrupt the opponent’s strategy and maintain pressure with direct damage.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Crimson Honor Guard can prove to be a valuable asset in matches where it takes advantage of opponents’ planeswalkers or other non-creature strategies. Its ability to deal consistent damage broadens your control of the game’s pace, subtly pressuring your opponent while you maintain board presence.

Resource Acceleration: Though the card itself doesn’t directly provide resource acceleration, its presence influences your opponent’s resource allocation. By forcing them to deal with a persistent threat, they may divert resources that could have been used elsewhere, giving you an indirect advantage.

Instant Speed: While Crimson Honor Guard doesn’t operate at instant speed, it demands immediate answers. Its constant damage output at the end of turns requires opponents to act swiftly, often at the cost of efficiency or better strategic positioning. This can create openings for you to exploit with your own instant speed interactions.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While the Crimson Honor Guard doesn’t require you to discard cards directly, its upkeep trigger can essentially function as a forced discard if you are unable to attack each turn. This can deplete your hand and resources over time, putting you at a disadvantage, especially if you’re struggling to keep your hand full.

Specific Mana Cost: The mana cost for the Crimson Honor Guard is very specific, requiring one red plus three other mana of any type. This can be restrictive because it demands a significant red source, which could limit the card’s inclusion to decks with a heavy red mana base or a reliable mana fixing strategy.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: A casting cost of four mana places Crimson Honor Guard in a slot where players are expecting impactful gameplay. While a 4/3 creature with trample is solid, other creatures or spells at this cost provide additional value or less conditional abilities, which might make them more appealing choices in the four-mana slot.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Crimson Honor Guard thrives in Commander decks that favor aggression and punishing opponents’ strategies. Its ability to deal damage during each player’s upkeep makes it a formidable inclusion in Red decks that already capitalize on chaos and direct damage.

Combo Potential: With its upkeep-triggered ability, this card works seamlessly with effects that increase damage output or utilize life loss triggers. Pairing it with cards that restrict your opponents’ untap steps or their ability to cast spells, you amplify its continuous threat.

Meta-Relevance: In metagames where players often rely on noncreature spells and creature-light strategies, Crimson Honor Guard becomes a powerful tool. Its ability to consistently chip away at opponents’ life totals makes it particularly effective against slower, control-based decks.

How to Beat Crimson Honor Guard

When facing off against the Crimson Honor Guard in your MTG duels, it’s crucial to understand the strengths and weaknesses of this Trample-enabled creature. With a formidable strength that punishes non-active commanders, your strategy must be precise. The key is to eliminate it swiftly, or better yet, prevent its summoning altogether.

Targeted removal spells like Path to Exile or Assassin’s Trophy can dispatch the Honor Guard before it wreaks havoc. For a subtler approach, countering it with spells such as Counterspell or Mana Leak keeps the Guard off the field entirely. These strategies become even more effective if you can keep your commander on the field, negating the Honor Guard’s damage effect entirely.

Ultimately, while Crimson Honor Guard presents a unique challenge, there are numerous ways to counteract its effect on the battlefield. A strategic mix of foresight and swift action can ensure this towering warrior doesn’t loom large over your game plan. Remember, maintaining board control and utilizing your removal resources effectively are your best defense against the honor-bound giant.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Crimson Honor Guard MTG card by a specific set like Treasure Chest and Commander 2017, 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 Crimson Honor Guard and other MTG cards:

BUY NOW
BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer

Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See MTG Products

Printings

The Crimson Honor Guard Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2016-11-16 and 2021-11-19. Illustrated by Kieran Yanner.

#	Released	Name	Code	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	2016-11-16	Treasure Chest	PZ2	65697	2015	Normal	Black	Kieran Yanner
2	2017-08-25	Commander 2017	C17	23	2015	Normal	Black	Kieran Yanner
3	2021-11-19	Crimson Vow Commander	VOC	145	2015	Normal	Black	Kieran Yanner

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Crimson Honor Guard has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Crimson Honor Guard card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date	Text
2017-08-25	Crimson Honor Guard will deal 4 damage to you, too, if you don't control a commander.
2017-08-25	Crimson Honor Guard's last ability triggers at the beginning of each player's end step whether that player controls a commander or not. Whether that player controls a commander is checked only as the ability resolves.
2017-08-25	The player could control any player's commander to satisfy Crimson Honor Guard's ability. If a player gains control of another player's commander “until end of turn,” the player who gained control of it will still control that commander during the end step.