Guardian of Pilgrims MTG Card
2016-07-22 - Number 30
2023-03-21 - Number 32
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Spirit Cleric |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Key Takeaways
- Enhances board presence by strengthening creatures, indirectly contributing to MTG card advantage.
- Accelerates resources by synergizing with mana-producing cards, aiding fast deployment of key creatures.
- Instant speed spells gain a platform for interaction with Guardian of Pilgrims’ resilient early presence.
Text of card
When Guardian of Pilgrims enters the battlefield, target creature gets +1/+1 until end of turn.
Immune to the physical warping caused by Emrakul, geists proved to be some of humanity's most important allies.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Guardian of Pilgrims card can be a strategic addition to your deck when considering card efficiency. While it may not draw cards directly, its ability to support creature strategies enhances your board presence thus indirectly contributing to card advantage.
Resource Acceleration: This card can potentially accelerate your resources by complementing other cards that do provide mana acceleration, ensuring your pivotal creatures hit the battlefield swiftly.
Instant Speed: Despite not being an instant itself, Guardian of Pilgrims can synergize with instant speed spells by serving as a resilient early game presence, deftly providing a platform for leveraging your instant speed interactions.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Playing the Guardian of Pilgrims may sometimes necessitate discarding another card. This can deplete your hand, leaving you at a disadvantage if you’re already struggling with card advantage.
Specific Mana Cost: This card demands a particular mana alignment to cast, which may not seamlessly fit into every deck strategy. If your deck isn’t built to generate the right colors consistently, you might find the Guardian of Pilgrims stranded in your hand unable to be cast.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: A higher mana value for a creature of its stature can be cumbersome. When you evaluate the utility it provides compared to other options at the same cost, it might not always come out on top. Efficient mana utilization is crucial in the landscape of the game, and there are cases where you could cast more impactful creatures or spells for the same amount of mana.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Guardian of Pilgrims is a flexible addition to any deck looking for a solid creature boost. Its ability to grant another target creature +1/+1 until end of turn can be pivotal in bolstering your forces for a crucial swing or in defensive maneuvers.
Combo Potential: This card can seamlessly integrate into decks focusing on +1/+1 counters or those that unleash a battalion of creatures. It can work in tandem with cards that thrive on counters or that benefit from having a high creature count.
Meta-Relevance: Guardian of Pilgrims has a place in the current meta, especially in games where fast-paced aggro decks can dominate. Its reasonable cost for its stat line and ability means it’s not only an early-game player but can also support your strategy as the game progresses.
How to beat
The Guardian of Pilgrims card represents a reliable asset on the battlefield in Magic: The Gathering. As a creature that boosts others, it often appears in decks focused on aggressive strategies, enhancing board presence with its enter-the-battlefield effect which grants a +1/+1 bonus. Tackling such a card requires a strategy that either neutralizes the creature’s bonus or removes it from play swiftly.
Effective measures include using instant-speed removals like Fatal Push or Path to Exile to dispatch the Guardian before its bonus influences the game. Alternatively, countering the spell upon cast with a Mana Leak or Negate disrupts the opponent’s momentum. Board wipes such as Wrath of God can reset the playing field, nullifying the Guardian’s impact. Additionally, keeping the opponent’s creature count low through targeted removal ensures the Guardian of Pilgrims has fewer targets for its ability, minimizing its impact on the game’s outcome.
Collectively, these tactics can maintain control over the field, allowing a player to overcome the advantages presented by the Guardian of Pilgrims. Keeping such strategies in mind prepares players for effectively countering creatures that bolster the opponent’s forces, ensuring a stronger position in the match.
Cards like Guardian of Pilgrims
The Guardian of Pilgrims is a solid choice for players aiming to amplify creature stats on the battlefield in MTG. This card mirrors the virtues of Trusted Pegasus in providing a static power boost to a fellow creature. While Trusted Pegasus also grants the ability to fly, Guardian of Pilgrims secures its uniqueness by offering its stat increase even after entering combat.
Eager Construct is another card that enters the ring as a contender. Though not providing a direct stat boost, it aids by allowing each player to scry, indirectly setting the stage for advantageous future plays. Moreover, Knight of the White Orchid although being in a higher mana echelon, offers similarity with a stat bonus, but raises the stakes by potentially ramping your land base if you’re behind.
Conclusively, Guardian of Pilgrims stands out in the Magic: The Gathering world through its blend of simplicity and direct enhancement, setting it apart from others that offer conditional benefits or require additional mana investment.
Cards similar to Guardian of Pilgrims by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Guardian of Pilgrims MTG card by a specific set like Eldritch Moon and Shadows over Innistrad 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 Guardian of Pilgrims and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- 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
See Magic products
Printings
The Guardian of Pilgrims Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2016-07-22 and 2023-03-21. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Release | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2016-07-22 | Eldritch Moon | EMN | 30 | 2015 | normal | black | Noah Bradley | |
| 2 | 2023-03-21 | Shadows over Innistrad Remastered | SIR | 32 | 2015 | normal | black | Lordigan |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Guardian of Pilgrims has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
