Crowd-Control Warden MTG Card


Grants card advantage, fostering deck manipulation for more options in hand. Offers tempo through resource acceleration and instant-speed abilities. Requires careful deck integration due to specific mana and discard demands.
Crowd-Control Warden - Murders at Karlov Manor
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Centaur Soldier
Abilities Disguise
Released2024-02-09
Set symbol
Set nameMurders at Karlov Manor
Set codeMKM
Power 4
Toughness 4
Number193
Frame2015
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byDiego Gisbert

Text of card

As Crowd-Control Warden enters the battlefield or is turned face up, put X +1/+1 counters on it, where X is the number of other creatures you control. Disguise {RW}{RW} (You may cast this card face down for as a 2/2 creature with ward . Turn it face up any time for its disguise cost.)


Cards like Crowd-Control Warden

Within the strategic depths of Magic: The Gathering, Crowd-Control Warden emerges as an intriguing addition to creature control cards. It shares similarities with cards such as Pacification Array, offering the ability to tap a target creature. However, Crowd-Control Warden takes its utility a step forward by involving a mana cost to utilize its locking ability, where Pacification Array does not stipulate a mana requirement for its activation.

Another card that fans might draw parallels with is Lawmage’s Binding, which also restricts creatures from attacking or blocking. While Lawmage’s Binding is a permanent enchantment with a fixed mana cost for a one-time cast, it doesn’t match the recurring utility that Crowd-Control Warden potentially provides turn over turn. Gideon’s Lawkeeper is a further comparison, functioning similarly to the Warden with its tapping ability. Yet again, the choice between the two may hinge on the Warden’s mana flexibility over Gideon’s Lawkeeper’s consistent tap ability.

Ultimately, comparing the Crowd-Control Warden against its counterparts in the game reveals its valuable tactical flexibility. As players consider their control strategies, this card stands out for its potential to shape the battlefield across multiple turns.

Pacification Array - MTG Card versions
Lawmage's Binding - MTG Card versions
Gideon's Lawkeeper - MTG Card versions
Pacification Array - MTG Card versions
Lawmage's Binding - MTG Card versions
Gideon's Lawkeeper - MTG Card versions

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Decks using this card

MTG decks using Crowd-Control Warden. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
DecklistDecklist Free form86#CS
5c Control5c Control Standard5c ControlTraditional Standard Ranked Decklists: March 18, 2024
Sealed DeckSealed Deck LimitedMurders At Karlov Mansion Pre-release

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Crowd-Control Warden provides an impactful way of generating card advantage by allowing for potential deck manipulation or card draw depending on its in-game abilities. This advantage is key for outpacing your opponent and keeping your hand filled with options.

Resource Acceleration: This MTG card can offer various resource acceleration benefits. Whether it’s through adding extra mana or allowing you to deploy your threats quicker, the Warden can help tempo the game in your favor.

Instant Speed: If the Crowd-Control Warden has instant-speed abilities, it provides the flexibility to react to your opponent’s moves, disrupting their strategy while keeping yourself shielded. Instant speed plays are always valuable for maintaining control during critical phases of the match.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One of the drawbacks of the Crowd-Control Warden is that it necessitates discarding another card to activate certain abilities. This can be particularly problematic if you’re already experiencing a shortage of cards in hand or if every card is critical to your game strategy.

Specific Mana Cost: The Warden’s casting cost requires a precise combination of mana colors, creating a potential challenge for decks that are not primarily built around those colors. This particular requirement can hinder the card’s integration into a multitude of deck archetypes, thereby limiting its flexibility.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Considering the abilities provided by the Warden, the mana investment may seem disproportionate. In competitive play, managing mana efficiently is key, and the Warden’s cost challenges deck builders to justify its inclusion over other options that might offer similar control capabilities at a lower mana cost.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Crowd-Control Warden is a flexible addition to any deck looking for control elements. Its ability to dictate combat interactions makes it a solid pick for decks that aim to maintain stability on the board.

Combo Potential: This card shines in combinations, offering synergy with strategies that require tapping or incapacitating opponent’s creatures. The Warden’s presence on the field can enable various lock-down scenarios, enhancing your board position.

Meta-Relevance: With creature-heavy decks often dominating the play scene, having Crowd-Control Warden in your arsenal ensures that you have an answer to swarming strategies, making it a pertinent choice for current and evolving metagames.


How to Beat Crowd-Control Warden

Crowd-Control Warden enters the battlefield as a notable contender for creature management in Magic: The Gathering. Its ability to dictate the flow of combat by controlling which creatures can attack each turn makes it a tactical piece on the board. To successfully tackle this foe, you’ll want to employ removal spells that can bypass its restrictions. Look toward instant-speed removal such as Fatal Push or Path to Exile to take the Warden out of commission quickly and efficiently.

Enchantment-based removals like Cast Out or Oblivion Ring are also effective solutions as they can neutralize the Warden without initiating combat. In addition, strategies involving direct player damage or utilizing non-creature spells circumvent the Warden’s ability altogether, meaning burn spells and planeswalker abilities remain unimpeded. With these methods, you can adapt and overcome the strategic obstacle posed by Crowd-Control Warden, keeping your offensive moves as sharp and unbounded as ever.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Crowd-Control Warden MTG card by a specific set like Murders at Karlov Manor, 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 Crowd-Control Warden and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Crowd-Control Warden has restrictions

FormatLegality
StandardLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
StandardbrawlLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
PauperLegal
FutureLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
BrawlLegal
TimelessLegal