Dimir House Guard MTG Card


Transmute ability grants deck searching power, enabling strategic hand tailoring. Sacrifice at instant speed allows for surprise plays and evasion tactics. Mana requirements and sacrifice cost may hinder play, despite strengths.
Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Skeleton
Abilities Fear,Transmute
Power 2
Toughness 3

Text of card

Fear Sacrifice a creature: Regenerate Dimir House Guard. Transmute (, Discard this card: Search your library for a card with the same converted mana cost as this card, reveal it, and put it into your hand. Then shuffle your library. Play only as a sorcery.)


Cards like Dimir House Guard

Dimir House Guard is a versatile piece in MTG decks, paralleling creatures like Nekrataal for its utility. As a creature with fear, it can evade blockers much like Looter il-Kor, making it difficult for opponents to deal with. However, Dimir House Guard boasts an edge with its transmute ability, enabling players to search their library for a necessary card with the same converted mana cost.

When comparing the flexibility in function, cards such as Shred Memory emerge as counterparts with the transmute feature but lean towards graveyard disruption instead of combat presence. Dimir House Guard, however, combines board impact with tutoring capabilities, offering a unique blend of advantages. The likes of Sidisi’s Faithful lack the tutoring aspect but offer comparable utility as a creature with exploit, allowing control over the board state.

Gleaning insights from these comparisons, Dimir House Guard stands out in decks that prioritize strategic fetching of key cards while maintaining a challenging battlefield presence. Its fusion of transmutability and combat prowess enables a balance between proactive planning and defensive strength in Magic: The Gathering.

Nekrataal - MTG Card versions
Looter il-Kor - MTG Card versions
Shred Memory - MTG Card versions
Sidisi's Faithful - MTG Card versions
Nekrataal - MTG Card versions
Looter il-Kor - MTG Card versions
Shred Memory - MTG Card versions
Sidisi's Faithful - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Dimir House Guard by color, type and mana cost

Hell's Caretaker - MTG Card versions
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Phyrexian Debaser - MTG Card versions
Xiahou Dun, the One-Eyed - MTG Card versions
Slinking Skirge - MTG Card versions
Gravedigger - MTG Card versions
Scandalmonger - MTG Card versions
Urborg Shambler - MTG Card versions
Whispering Shade - MTG Card versions
Filth - MTG Card versions
Demon of Catastrophes - MTG Card versions
Bold Plagiarist - MTG Card versions
Dirge Bat - MTG Card versions
Toxin Sliver - MTG Card versions
Vampiric Spirit - MTG Card versions
Nim Shambler - MTG Card versions
Bad Ass - MTG Card versions
Scourge of Numai - MTG Card versions
Deathgazer - MTG Card versions
Dirty Wererat - MTG Card versions
Hell's Caretaker - MTG Card versions
Rag Man - MTG Card versions
Phyrexian Debaser - MTG Card versions
Xiahou Dun, the One-Eyed - MTG Card versions
Slinking Skirge - MTG Card versions
Gravedigger - MTG Card versions
Scandalmonger - MTG Card versions
Urborg Shambler - MTG Card versions
Whispering Shade - MTG Card versions
Filth - MTG Card versions
Demon of Catastrophes - MTG Card versions
Bold Plagiarist - MTG Card versions
Dirge Bat - MTG Card versions
Toxin Sliver - MTG Card versions
Vampiric Spirit - MTG Card versions
Nim Shambler - MTG Card versions
Bad Ass - MTG Card versions
Scourge of Numai - MTG Card versions
Deathgazer - MTG Card versions
Dirty Wererat - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Dimir House Guard. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Rogue DecklistsRogue Decklists PauperPestilenceNacional Pauper 2023

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Dimir House Guard provides a strategic edge by doubling up as a tutor with its transmute ability. This lets you search your library for a card with the same converted mana cost, enabling you to tailor your hand to the current state of play and maintain a strong hand.

Resource Acceleration: Although not directly accelerating resources, this card indirectly contributes to your mana pool by fetching key cards that can set you up for quicker plays in subsequent turns. It’s a resourceful cog in the engine of any deck that values efficiency and smart plays.

Instant Speed: The sacrificial ability of Dimir House Guard can be activated at instant speed, providing a surprise block or dodging targeted removal while freeing up the field for further strategic plays. Quick reactions at crucial moments can often be the difference between victory and defeat.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One notable downside of Dimir House Guard is its sac outlet functionality. This often requires you to forfeit another creature to activate its key ability. This cost can be steep, especially if you’re playing a strategy that values the presence of creatures on the board.

Specific Mana Cost: Dimir House Guard calls for an exact mana arrangement to cast—two black and two generic. This specific requirement can complicate your game if your mana base isn’t perfectly tuned to accommodate such costs, potentially leading to delays or an inability to play the card when needed.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although the card has versatility for tutoring and evasion, its four-mana casting cost is significant, especially in a format where speed can determine the winner. There are other creatures and spells in the same mana range that may offer a more immediate impact on the game or require less setup to maximize their value.


Reasons to Include Dimir House Guard in Your Collection

Versatility: Dimir House Guard is not just a creature, but a Swiss-army knife in the right deck. Its role as a sacrifice outlet allows you to manipulate the board state and graveyard to your advantage, while also offering protection from effects targeting your crucial creatures.

Combo Potential: This card’s Transmute ability lets you tutor for any card with a converted mana cost of four, unlocking doors to numerous combo possibilities. Utilizing it can ensure you have constant access to key pieces that can turn the tide of the game.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where control decks and graveyard strategies prevail, Dimir House Guard can be an asset. It serves both as a deterrent against removal and a consistent enabler for setting up powerful plays or recovering from board wipes.


How to beat

Dimir House Guard is a resilient card that shines in the strategy of the Magic: The Gathering universe. With its evasion ability in the form of fear, it becomes unblockable by most creatures, setting it apart as a formidable adversary on the battlefield. However, this does not render it invincible. Tackling it effectively involves circumnavigating its primary strength – the fear mechanic.

Removal spells that do not target a creature’s color, such as Doom Blade or Go for the Throat, fall short against Dimir House Guard due to its black color. Instead, universal removals like Path to Exile or board wipes such as Wrath of God can successfully clear Dimir House Guard from the board without succumbing to the limitations of color targeting.

Additionally, leveraging the card’s sacrifice ability can work to your advantage. Given that Dimir House Guard can be sacrificed to tutor for another card, you can strategically bait this action, timing your removal spells or abilities to disrupt your opponent’s planned sequence and leave them at a disadvantage.

In essence, overcoming Dimir House Guard boils down to smart card choices and strategic play, ensuring that you maintain control over the game and carefully navigate your opponent’s strategies.


BurnMana Recommendations

As you’ve seen, Dimir House Guard is more than just a sturdy creature card. With its unique transmute and sacrificial abilities, it stands as a tactical cornerstone for decks that require precise card selection and strategic foresight. Whether you’re accelerating your game plan or crafting a decisive combo, this card offers a variety of ways to navigate the evolving MTG battlefield. Don’t let its initial cost deter you; embrace the versatility it brings to your collection. Dive deeper into the synergies and nuanced strategies that Dimir House Guard can unlock. Join us to further explore and optimize your MTG experience, ensuring your deck isn’t just playable, but a formidable force in competition.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Dimir House Guard MTG card by a specific set like Ravnica: City of Guilds and Ravnica Remastered, 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 Dimir House Guard and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Dimir House Guard Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2005-10-07 and 2024-01-12. Illustrated by John Zeleznik.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12005-10-07Ravnica: City of GuildsRAV 832003NormalBlackJohn Zeleznik
22024-01-12Ravnica RemasteredRVR 732015NormalBlackJohn Zeleznik
32024-01-12Ravnica RemasteredRVR 3241997NormalBlackJohn Zeleznik

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Dimir House Guard has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal