Emperor's Vanguard MTG Card
2017-09-29 - Number 189
2017-09-29 - Number 189s
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Human Scout |
| Abilities | Explore |
| Power | 4 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Text of card
Whenever Emperor's Vanguard deals combat damage to a player, it explores. (Reveal the top card of your library. Put that card into your hand if it's a land. Otherwise, put a +1/+1 counter on this creature, then put the card back or put it into your graveyard.)
Cards like Emperor's Vanguard
Emperor’s Vanguard is a unique explorer within MTG, drawing close comparisons to other creature cards that also offer value upon dealing combat damage. For instance, Cold-Eyed Selkie provides the ability to draw a card for each point of damage dealt to an opponent, which is similar to Emperor’s Vanguard’s exploration mechanic. Meanwhile, cards like Veteran Explorer differ by providing land ramp to both players when it dies, rather than through combat damage which the Vanguard requires.
Card like Sword of the Animist offers a non-creature comparison, equipping creatures with the ability to search for a land card upon dealing combat damage, echoing the land-centric value addition theme of Emperor’s Vanguard. However, Sword of the Animist doesn’t come with the added benefit of potentially growing your creature as the Vanguard might after a successful exploration.
Through exploring these comparisons, we can appreciate the distinct role of Emperor’s Vanguard in a strategy focused on combat and land acquisition. Its potential to ramp and scale in power places it in a favorable position amongst creatures that interact with combat damage in MTG, offering tactical advantages for deck builders who value land progression and creature growth.
Cards similar to Emperor's Vanguard by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Emperor’s Vanguard is a versatile card that may not directly draw cards, but its explore mechanic upon dealing combat damage to a player can potentially reveal additional cards to add to your hand, improving your card advantage.
Resource Acceleration: If the card revealed through the explore mechanic is a land, you have the option to put it onto the battlefield tapped, effectively accelerating your resources and enabling bigger plays earlier in the game.
Instant Speed: While Emperor’s Vanguard itself isn’t an instant, the key interplay with cards that can give it flash stands out. It enables you to surprise opponents by playing Emperor’s Vanguard at instant speed before your turn, setting up unexpected combat damage and subsequently triggering the explore ability.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While the Emperor’s Vanguard can be a powerful asset in your deck, its explore mechanic could compel you to discard a card if a non-land card is revealed. This puts you at a disadvantage, particularly when your hand is already small, potentially costing you precious options for later turns.
Specific Mana Cost: Emperor’s Vanguard requires a dedicated mana base with both green and other specific colors to cast. Ensuring that the required mana is available when needed can be challenging, especially in multicolored decks that may have a more inconsistent mana flow.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of four mana, Emperor’s Vanguard’s effectiveness is debatable when weighed against other cards with similar or lower mana costs that could be played instead. This may make the Vanguard less appealing to players looking for more immediate board impact or those who wish to maintain a more aggressive mana curve in their strategy.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Emperor’s Vanguard’s explore ability fits seamlessly into a variety of builds, particularly those that thrive on deck manipulation and land ramp. Its ability to potentially draw you additional cards every combat ensures it can find a home in multiple deck archetypes.
Combo Potential: In decks that focus on +1/+1 counters and combat tricks, the Vanguard can become a recurring source of value. Its synergy with cards that care about attacking creatures or landfall makes it an interesting piece for creative combos and interactions.
Meta-Relevance: Although it might not be a mainstay in highly competitive environments, Emperor’s Vanguard can hold its own in many casual and mid-tier formats. It is especially relevant in environments where games are decided through creature combat and incremental advantages.
How to beat
Emperor’s Vanguard is a notable creature in Magic: The Gathering with its explore ability, presenting a challenge to overcome on the battlefield. One strategy to counter this card is through efficient removal spells. Instant-speed removal like Fatal Push or Path to Exile can take care of the Vanguard before it becomes a larger threat through exploration. Remember, timing is key; you’ll want to act before combat or in response to the explore trigger.
Another tactic is to use creatures with deathtouch. Since Emperor’s Vanguard must be dealt combat damage to trigger its explore mechanic, deathtouch creatures serve as effective blockers, deterring attacks or eliminating the Vanguard outright. Additionally, cards that can exile creatures from the battlefield, such as Swords to Plowshares, bypass the need for combat and remove the threat permanently.
Lastly, controlling the board with counterspells like Cancel or Essence Scatter when the Vanguard is cast can prevent it from entering the battlefield altogether. An empty board is less daunting when you have the right tools to control it. Keep these strategies in mind, and you’ll find that defeating Emperor’s Vanguard is achievable with the right deck preparations.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Emperor's Vanguard MTG card by a specific set like Ixalan and Ixalan Promos, 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 Emperor's Vanguard and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
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- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
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Printings
The Emperor's Vanguard Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2017-09-29 and 2017-09-29. Illustrated by Victor Adame Minguez.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2017-09-29 | Ixalan | XLN | 189 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Victor Adame Minguez | |
| 2 | 2017-09-29 | Ixalan Promos | PXLN | 189s | 2015 | Normal | Black | Victor Adame Minguez |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Emperor's Vanguard has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Emperor's Vanguard card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2018-01-19 | If a resolving spell or ability instructs a specific creature to explore but that creature has left the battlefield, the creature still explores. If you reveal a nonland card this way, you won’t put a +1/+1 counter on anything, but you may put the revealed card into your graveyard. Effects that trigger “whenever a creature you control explores” trigger if appropriate. |
| 2018-01-19 | If no card is revealed, most likely because that player’s library is empty, the exploring creature receives a +1/+1 counter. |
| 2018-01-19 | Once an ability that causes a creature to explore begins to resolve, no player may take any other actions until it’s done. Notably, opponents can’t try to remove the exploring creature after you reveal a nonland card but before it receives a counter. |