Dapper Shieldmate MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Human Soldier |
| Released | 2022-04-29 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Streets of New Capenna |
| Set code | SNC |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
| Number | 9 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Greg Opalinski |
Text of card
Dapper Shieldmate enters the battlefield with a shield counter on it. (If it would be dealt damage or destroyed, remove a shield counter from it instead.) As long as it's your turn, Dapper Shieldmate gets +2/+0.
Descended from Old Capenna's paladins, the Brokers are masters of defensive combat.
Cards like Dapper Shieldmate
Dapper Shieldmate offers players a unique battlefield ally within Magic: The Gathering. It finds its relatives in cards like Selfless Savior, which also provides a way to protect valued creatures on the battlefield. However, Dapper Shieldmate distinguishes itself with its wardrobe change ability, allowing not just protection but also a stylish re-equip during combat. Selfless Savior lacks this dual functionality and is strictly a self-sacrifice for protection.
Alseid of Life’s Bounty is another card in the same family. It not only sacrifices for the protection of another creature or enchantment but also provides a minor lifegain benefit. Though the lifelink ability is a boon, it does not match the equipment reapplication offered by Dapper Shieldmate. Moreover, both Alseid and Selfless Savior are single-use defenders, whereas Dapper Shieldmate can resist multiple threats.
In essence, Dapper Shieldmate may shine in situations where equipment plays a pivotal role, standing out in decks that value resilience and tactical gear shifts. Its capacity to safeguard and simultaneously redeploy crucial artifacts gives it a notable edge in the intricate dance of MTG creature combat.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Dapper Shieldmate excels in creating card advantage by bringing a friend to the battlefield. When you deploy Dapper Shieldmate, you’re not just getting one, but two creatures to maneuver with. This means more blockers, attackers, and potential synergies with just one card.
Resource Acceleration: In decks that benefit from wide strategies, Dapper Shieldmate acts as a force multiplier. By effectively contributing two bodies to the field, you’re accelerating your board presence, which can lead to quicker activations of convoke or city’s blessing, among others. This kind of resource acceleration can give you the upper hand in overwhelming your opponent.
Instant Speed: The ability to play Dapper Shieldmate at instant speed adds a layer of tactical depth to your game. You can keep mana available during your opponent’s turn for surprise blocks or to capitalize on end-of-turn scenarios. This flexibility allows you to adapt to the ebb and flow of the match while conserving resources for the most opportune moment.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Dapper Shieldmate comes with a downside that it may require you to discard one or more cards under certain gameplay scenarios. This particular trade-off can put you at a disadvantage by shrinking your hand size, leaving you with fewer options moving forward in your game.
Specific Mana Cost: Featuring a specific mana cost that includes white mana, Dapper Shieldmate requires precise mana base which might not be suitable for all types of decks. If your mana production is off-color, or if you are running a multicolored deck without sufficient white mana sources, playing this card could be challenging.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Considering the benefits it brings to the battlefield, Dapper Shieldmate has a mana cost that is on the higher side when compared to other creatures in its class. There are creatures with lower mana costs that could provide similar or even better value, potentially making Dapper Shieldmate a less appealing choice for players looking to optimize their mana curve.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Dapper Shieldmate is an adaptable card that can complement a wide array of deck strategies. Its ability to safeguard your other creatures with Ward makes it a reliable addition to both aggressive and defensive builds.
Combo Potential: As a creature with a clear protective role, this card can work in tandem with high-value creatures you wish to defend, boosting the resilience of your key combos and ensuring your game plan goes uninterrupted.
Meta-Relevance: In a game where opponents often pack removal spells, Dapper Shieldmate shines by providing an added layer of security against targeted removal, making it highly relevant in a meta filled with spot removal cards.
How to Beat Dapper Shieldmate
Dapper Shieldmate brings an intriguing dynamic to the battlefield in Magic: The Gathering. This resilient creature card comes equipped with an ability that makes it a protective asset, especially for those who value strong defensive strategies. When it hits the field, the card creates a shield counter for itself or another creature you control, thereby turning the tides by potentially negating the damage from the next hit that would have otherwise been formidable.
To effectively counter this, one should focus on removal spells that bypass the shield counter, such as those that force a player to sacrifice a creature, or that exile a creature rather than destroying it. Cards such as Diabolic Edict or Swords to Plowshares offer elegant solutions, as they don’t care about damage prevention – they simply remove the creature from play without needing to deal damage first.
Moreover, taking advantage of multipurpose spells or creatures that can clear multiple threats at once, like board wipes or cards with trample, can overwhelm the protective capabilities of Dapper Shieldmate. In doing so, you maintain pressure on your opponent, limiting the effectiveness of their defenses and keeping the path to victory clear.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Dapper Shieldmate MTG card by a specific set like Streets of New Capenna, 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 Dapper Shieldmate 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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Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Dapper Shieldmate has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Future | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Dapper Shieldmate card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2022-04-29 | A creature with a shield counter on it may still be destroyed by state-based actions if it has damage marked on it equal to its toughness or has been dealt unpreventable damage by a source with deathtouch. |
| 2022-04-29 | If a permanent that would be dealt damage has more than one shield counter on it, that damage is prevented and only one shield counter is removed. |
| 2022-04-29 | If a permanent with a shield counter is dealt unpreventable damage, that damage will be dealt and a shield counter will still be removed. |
| 2022-04-29 | Removing a shield counter in this way isn't the same as regenerating a creature. |
| 2022-04-29 | Shield counters don't prevent players from sacrificing creatures. |
| 2022-04-29 | “Shield” is not an ability that creatures have and shield counters are not keyword counters. If a creature with a shield counter loses its abilities, the shield counter will still protect it as normal. |