Custodian of the Trove MTG Card

Custodian of the Trove - Dragons of Tarkir

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Common
Type	Artifact Creature — Golem
Abilities	Defender
Released	2015-03-27
Set symbol
Set name	Dragons of Tarkir
Set code	DTK
Power	2
Toughness	5
Number	236
Frame	2015
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Raoul Vitale

Key Takeaways

Starting the game with insight, the card can shape early strategies and improve draw efficiency.
Its ability to ramp and set up instant synergies makes it valuable in fast-paced decks.
Despite its mana cost and specific requirements, it stands as a versatile defensive asset.

Text of card

Defender Custodian of the Trove enters the battlefield tapped.

Silumgar delights in repurposing the treasures of other clans to serve his own ravenous greed.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Custodian of the Trove shines by potentially giving you access to the top card of your library at the beginning of the game, which can offer early insight into your upcoming draws and allow for better decision making.

Resource Acceleration: As a three-mana artifact creature, it can be a considerable addition in ramp decks looking to accelerate their mana base in the early turns. Its utility in enabling smoother plays can’t be underestimated, especially in formats focused on speed and efficiency.

Instant Speed: While the Custodian itself is not an instant, the artifact’s effect of entering the battlefield tapped can strategically set up your artifacts to synergize with instant speed plays for subsequent turns. This sets the stage for clever and unpredictable moves that can catch opponents off guard.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: To activate its full potential, players often need to discard another card, which can be burdensome when hand size is crucial.

Specific Mana Cost: Custodian of the Trove requires a precise allocation of mana types, necessitating a deck specifically tailored to accommodate this card.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With other options available, the mana investment for Custodian of the Trove is considerable, especially since it does not offer an immediate game-changing impact.

Reasons to Include Custodian of the Trove in Your Collection

Versatility: Custodian of the Trove is adept at providing early defense due to its starting play tapped but as a formidable blocker. With its 2/5 stats for just three mana, it holds off many of the format’s aggressive creatures, fitting well into decks that need time to set up their board.

Combo Potential: This artifact creature synergizes well with strategies that untap permanents or benefit from artifacts. It can become a recurring source of defense or be exploited for artifact synergies, making it a useful component in intricate combo decks.

Meta-Relevance: In formats where tempo and early board presence are critical, Custodian of the Trove serves as an affordable way to impact the board early. Plus, artifact-centric decks can leverage its type for various synergistic effects, enhancing its value in the right meta.

How to beat

Custodian of the Trove presents a unique dynamic on the battlefield in Magic: The Gathering. Stepping into the arena as a sturdy artifact creature, it is placed tapped but boasts a defensively high toughness. This means it will generally deter early aggressive attacks from your opponent’s creatures. However, to turn the tides and claim victory against this guardian, the focus should shift towards removal spells that can bypass its solid defense.

Card strategies like Shatter or Naturalize allow players to remove artifacts efficiently, ensuring that Custodian of the Trove is whisked away from the field before it can become an effective blocker. Other approaches involve tapping into the power of exile spells, which disregard its defensive prowess entirely. Exiling this artifact creature leaves the opponent with one less cog in their defensive machine and your path clearer to strike at their life points without obstruction. Remember, successful gameplay often hinges on flexibly adapting your tactics and using your removal resources at the optimal moment.

In navigating the challenging currents of Magic: The Gathering, overcoming an obstacle like Custodian of the Trove exemplifies the importance of a well-conceived deck with answers for resilient threats. Through smart spell selection and timely responses, you stand poised to outmaneuver your opponent and ultimately secure the win.

Cards like Custodian of the Trove

Custodian of the Trove stands out in Magic: The Gathering for its ability to influence battlefield dynamics. As a colorless artifact creature, it shares similarities with Guardian Idol, a card that can also become a creature until end of turn. While both offer flexibility in serving as a creature or mana source, Custodian of the Trove’s entry onto the battlefield with defender puts it in a unique strategic position, unlike Guardian Idol which doesn’t automatically become a defender.

Another card within this comparison pool is Phyrexian Revoker. It similarly affects the game by restricting opponents’ abilities, and though it doesn’t enter the battlefield tapped or with defender, it offers a targeted approach to disrupt opponents. On the other hand, the Siege Mastodon has a strong presence as a pure creature with its defender ability, requiring less strategic maneuvering compared to Custodian of the Trove. However, it does not provide the same utility as a mana source.

Considering the synergies and constraints, Custodian of the Trove presents an interesting balance between utility and defense in Magic: The Gathering. Its multifaceted role as a mana source, a temporary defender, and an artifact creature makes it a versatile addition to any deck.

Cards similar to Custodian of the Trove by color, type and mana cost

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Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Custodian of the Trove MTG card by a specific set like Dragons of Tarkir, 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 Custodian of the Trove and other MTG cards: