Ephara's Warden MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Human Cleric |
| Released | 2013-09-27 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Theros |
| Set code | THS |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 2 |
| Number | 10 |
| Frame | 2003 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Zack Stella |
Text of card
: Tap target creature with power 3 or less.
"When you threaten the sanctity of the polis, you insult Ephara herself. If she doesn't smite you, I will."
Cards like Ephara's Warden
Ephara’s Warden brings a tactical advantage to the control archetype within Magic: The Gathering, especially when compared to its counterparts. It shares similarities with cards like Azorius Justiciar, offering detain mechanics to temporarily remove opposing threats. The focused utility of Ephara’s Warden in singling out creatures with power 4 or greater, however, provides a more specialized role than Justiciar’s broader detainment of two target creatures, regardless of their power.
Cards like Deputy of Detention also present similar control capabilities, allowing you to exile any nonland permanent an opponent controls and its copies. While the Deputy excels in its versatility and permanent solution to threats, Ephara’s Warden is more nuanced and can be advantageous in matchups against decks with predominantly high-powered creatures. Guardians of Meletis is another card with a defensive angle, yet instead of controlling creatures, it offers a sturdy blocker with its high toughness. The warden’s ability to tap potential attackers adds a layer of preemptive protection that not all defense-oriented cards offer.
When weighing control options, Ephara’s Warden holds a distinct place. Its ability to regulate combat through pinpoint tapping of powerful creatures underscores its unique value in a player’s strategic arsenal, marking it as a noteworthy tool for those looking to fortify their defenses in MTG.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Ephara’s Warden’s ability to tap a creature with power 3 or less can stall opponent strategies, effectively turning one card into a repeatable control mechanism. This action doesn’t outright remove the creature, but it helps maintain board advantage without losing card quantity.
Resource Acceleration: In decks built around Ephara, God of the Polis or similar cards that trigger on creatures entering the battlefield, Ephara’s Warden can incrementally accelerate your resources. Each successful tap correlates with potential card draws or other interaction benefits tied to creature-based abilities.
Instant Speed: Although Ephara’s Warden’s ability isn’t instant speed itself, it complements instant-speed strategies. By tapping potential blockers or aggressive creatures at a strategic moment, you effectively mediate threats at any point in the combat phase, permitting a more flexible and reactive game plan.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Ephara’s Warden requires you to hold onto a creature card to utilize its tap ability. This can be particularly restraining when your hand is running low, forcing tough decisions about resource management during critical moments of the game.
Specific Mana Cost: With a casting cost that includes both white mana and generic mana, Ephara’s Warden may not fit seamlessly into multi-colored decks. This can hinder the card’s flexibility and limit its inclusion to primarily white or two-colored decks that can accommodate its mana requirement.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: The activation cost of Ephara’s Warden involves tapping and a mana payment. For a tap ability, this cost is on the higher end, especially when considering that the effect only targets creatures with power 3 or less. Other cards within the same mana range might offer broader control options or less restrictive conditions, making them potentially more valuable in a wider array of situations.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Ephara’s Warden brings flexibility to any deck that needs early defensive options. This card has the potential to neutralize a multitude of threats, particularly from creatures with power three or less, ensuring your late-game stability.
Combo Potential: Ephara’s Warden can effectively complement control strategies by repeatedly tapping down potent attackers or key creatures. It allows for combos that keep your opponents’ boards locked down, paving the way for your win conditions.
Meta-Relevance: Facing creature-heavy decks or aggro strategies in the current meta? Ephara’s Warden could provide the edge you need, offering consistent control each turn and tilting the board state in your favor over time.
How to beat
Ephara’s Warden is a card that brings a measure of control to the board in Magic: The Gathering. It is designed to temporarily lock down opponent’s creatures, especially those with power three or less. While this card could be an annoyance, beating it requires a strategic approach.
Firstly, consider using spells that can remove creatures without targeting them directly, as this bypasses the Warden’s ability. Board wipes or global effects are particularly effective here. Alternatively, playing creatures with power greater than three can ensure that the Warden’s ability is inconsequential to your game strategy. Moreover, instant-speed removal spells can be used as a response to the Warden’s targeting ability, ensuring that the intended detainment never takes effect, freeing your creature to act as you need it to. Also, enchantment removal spells can alleviate the persistent threat As you play, keep these strategies in mind and Ephara’s Warden will much less be a hurdle in your path to victory.
Ephara’s Warden might seem daunting due to its ability to control the battlefield, but by adjusting your playstyle and including the right countermeasures within your deck, you can nullify its effect and carry on with your winning strategy.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Ephara's Warden MTG card by a specific set like Theros, 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 Ephara's Warden and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- 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
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Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Ephara's Warden has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |