Henge Guardian MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityUncommon
TypeArtifact Creature — Dragon Wurm
Power 3
Toughness 4

Key Takeaways

  1. Henge Guardian offers smooth draws and card selection through its scrying ability, enhancing strategic planning.
  2. Combining it with mana accelerators can skyrocket your board development, giving you a considerable advantage.
  3. Playable at instant speed, it fits into reactive playstyles, keeping opponents guessing and strategies flexible.

Text of card

: Henge Guardian gains trample until end of turn.

Like so many Thran relics, the wurm engine kept operating long after its creators were gone.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Henge Guardian can provide significant card advantage by enabling smoother draws through its scrying ability, helping you sift through your deck for the cards you need and keep your hand refreshed with valuable resources.

Resource Acceleration: If you’re able to synergize the Henge Guardian’s abilities with other mana-generating cards, it has the potential to help accelerate your resources substantially, putting you ahead in the game by allowing you to deploy your strategy faster.

Instant Speed: Although Henge Guardian itself is not an instant, it can work well in decks that operate at instant speed, protecting your key turns as it adds a formidable presence that can be deployed at the end of your opponent’s turn if you’ve left the mana open, keeping you flexible and unpredictable. Additionally, it can create opportunities to utilize instant-speed interactions during your turn, furthering your board position.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Holding a Henge Guardian in your hand might sometimes stall your gameplay, especially when you’re in dire need of keeping all your cards to maintain your strategic edge. Unfortunately, to play it, you must discard another card, which can put you at a disadvantage by diminishing your in-hand options.

Specific Mana Cost: The Henge Guardian’s mana cost may be a stumbling block for players who don’t align with its specific demands. Tailored to a particular mana spectrum, it may not fit smoothly into decks that rely on a broad range of mana sources. This need for a precise blend can sometimes upset the deck’s rhythm and restrain its versatility.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Investing in a Henge Guardian takes a decent chunk out of your mana pool. With its high cost, it enters the fray of competitive gameplay where efficiency is key. There are myriad alternatives that might not hit as hard but provide more agile solutions to battlefield control, often tipping the scales in cost-effectiveness when you’re aiming for a decisive win.


Reasons to Include Henge Guardian in Your Collection

Versatility: Henge Guardian serves as a functional piece in decks that require a robust mana curve. With its colorless nature, it easily slots into various deck archetypes without worrying about color restrictions.

Combo Potential: As an artifact creature, Henge Guardian can synergize with strategies that capitalize on artifact manipulation or creature synergies, potentially unlocking new combo avenues.

Meta-Relevance: Given that artifact-related strategies can be quite prevalent in certain metas, having a card like Henge Guardian could adapt your deck to counter or align with popular deck builds, making it a tactical choice for the savvy player.


How to beat

Henge Guardian in Magic: The Gathering presents a unique challenge with its combination of trample and being a formidable artifact creature. Often found in decks that manipulate +1/+1 counters or artifact synergies, this forceful golem can become a substantial threat if left unchecked on the battlefield. However, there are tactics to keep this guardian at bay.

To effectively neutralize Henge Guardian, consider using removal spells that can bypass its potentially increasing size. Targeted removal spells like Path to Exile or Murder are highly effective, as they can remove the creature regardless of how many counters it accumulates. Furthermore, enchantments that prevent creatures from attacking or blocking, such as Pacifism, can render the Henge Guardian harmless. Board wipes like Damnation or Wrath of God can also clear the guardian from the board, especially if it comes down to a swarm of artifact creatures bolstering each other.

Lastly, don’t underestimate the power of combat tricks. Using instant speed spells that can buff your creatures or weaken your opponent’s can turn the tide of battle without the need for removal. By being proactive and keeping the pressure on your opponent, Henge Guardian can be overcome, allowing you to maintain control of the game.


Cards like Henge Guardian

Henge Guardian is an armor-clad force among artifact creatures in Magic: The Gathering. This particular sentinel aligns with other artifact creatures like Guardian Idol, which serves a dual role – it transforms from an inert statue to become a vigilant creature. Henge Guardian differs in its lack of transformation but offers consistent defense from the moment it hits the battlefield. Another similar artifact creature is Clockwork Beetle. While the beetle also holds a position on the battlefield as a guardian, Henge Guardian stands out with its simpler mechanic, free from the need to manage +1/+1 counters.

Moreover, we encounter the Mare’s Grasp which is another artifact creature offering robust protection. Although Mare’s Grasp possesses a noticeable mana generating ability, the Henge Guardian thrives on sheer resilience and ease of play, finding synergy in decks that benefit from stalwart defenders. The comparison with these artifacts highlights the simplicity and reliability that Henge Guardian brings to a player’s board, valued for its ability to stand firm against opponents without intricate gameplay or additional mana investment.

Analyzing these essentials, Henge Guardian finds its niche within the MTG artifact creature domain, appreciated for its straightforward, defensive prowess and solid presence in games.

Guardian Idol - MTG Card versions
Clockwork Beetle - MTG Card versions
Guardian Idol - Fifth Dawn (5DN)
Clockwork Beetle - Mirrodin (MRD)

Cards similar to Henge Guardian by color, type and mana cost

Gauntlets of Chaos - MTG Card versions
Ring of Renewal - MTG Card versions
Clockwork Avian - MTG Card versions
Soldevi Steam Beast - MTG Card versions
Urza's Engine - MTG Card versions
Sand Golem - MTG Card versions
Pandora's Box - MTG Card versions
Belbe's Portal - MTG Card versions
Crumbling Sanctuary - MTG Card versions
Mind's Eye - MTG Card versions
Horizon Stone - MTG Card versions
The Deck of Many Things - MTG Card versions
Batterskull - MTG Card versions
Coat of Arms - MTG Card versions
Clockwork Vorrac - MTG Card versions
Timesifter - MTG Card versions
Leveler - MTG Card versions
Gilded Lotus - MTG Card versions
Myr Matrix - MTG Card versions
Dross Golem - MTG Card versions
Gauntlets of Chaos - Chronicles (CHR)
Ring of Renewal - Fallen Empires (FEM)
Clockwork Avian - Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border (4BB)
Soldevi Steam Beast - Alliances (ALL)
Urza's Engine - Alliances (ALL)
Sand Golem - Mirage (MIR)
Pandora's Box - Astral Cards (PAST)
Belbe's Portal - Nemesis (NEM)
Crumbling Sanctuary - World Championship Decks 2000 (WC00)
Mind's Eye - The Brothers' War Retro Artifacts (BRR)
Horizon Stone - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
The Deck of Many Things - Adventures in the Forgotten Realms Promos (PAFR)
Batterskull - The List (PLST)
Coat of Arms - The List (PLST)
Clockwork Vorrac - Mirrodin (MRD)
Timesifter - Mirrodin (MRD)
Leveler - Mystery Booster Retail Edition Foils (FMB1)
Gilded Lotus - Warhammer 40,000 Commander (40K)
Myr Matrix - Darksteel (DST)
Dross Golem - Darksteel (DST)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Henge Guardian MTG card by a specific set like Mercadian Masques and Duel Decks: Knights vs. Dragons, 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 Henge Guardian and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Henge Guardian Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1999-10-04 and 2011-04-01. Illustrated by Chippy.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11999-10-04Mercadian MasquesMMQ 2971997normalblackChippy
22011-04-01Duel Decks: Knights vs. DragonsDDG 552003normalblackChippy

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Henge Guardian has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

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