Duergar Cave-Guard MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Creature — Dwarf Warrior
Abilities	Wither
Released	2008-07-25
Set symbol
Set name	Eventide
Set code	EVE
Power	1
Toughness	3
Number	51
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Dave Allsop

Key Takeaways

Offers flexibility, acting as a defense pivot or an unexpected offensive might in MTG matches.
Its synergy with power-boosting strategies makes it a potentially critical component in specific MTG decks.
Adapts to various MTG playstyles, maintaining relevance against aggressive, creature-focused strategies.

Text of card

Wither (This deals damage to creatures in the form of -1/-1 counters.) {GU}: Duergar Cave-Guard gets +1/+0 until end of turn.

Duergars who grow too large to live in the tunnels are sent topside to defend the entrances from intruders.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Duergar Cave-Guard offers strategic flexibility, as it enhances your existing tactic or can be a counterbalance in the battlefield making every card in hand more threatening to your opponent.

Resource Acceleration: With the ability to alter the state of play, Duergar Cave-Guard can potentially pave the way for faster deployment of high-cost threats or strategic spells, contributing to an edge in resource management over your adversary.

Instant Speed: The instant speed nature of Duergar Cave-Guard’s abilities provides the player with the power to adapt seamlessly to the evolving game, keeping opponents guessing and allowing for last-minute plays that can drastically influence the game’s outcome.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Duergar Cave-Guard necessitates that you discard another card when using its ability. This might put you at a disadvantage by reducing the number of options available in your hand, which is not ideal during critical moments in the game.

Specific Mana Cost: With its casting requirement demanding both red and black mana, the Duergar Cave-Guard may not seamlessly fit into multicolored decks. This mana specificity can lead to it being a dead draw if you’re struggling with your mana base.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Consuming four mana to cast this creature could be considered steep, particularly when compared to other options within the same mana range. Players must weigh its cost against its battlefield impact, which might not always justify the mana investment.

Reasons to Include Duergar Cave-Guard in Your Collection

Versatility: Duergar Cave-Guard offers strategic flexibility in deck building. Its basic function serves well in defense, but its ability to increase power can make it a surprise offensive option too.

Combo Potential: With synergies available in decks that value creatures with power boosts or that utilize counters, this card can become a lynchpin in concocting formidable combinations on the battlefield.

Meta-Relevance: Against decks with a focus on combat and creature-based strategies, Duergar Cave-Guard can be a relevant inclusion. It adapts to various situations, making it a card that can hold its own in ever-evolving game atmospheres.

How to beat

Dealing with Duergar Cave-Guard can be a strategic puzzle in Magic: The Gathering, given its capacity to strengthen itself and other red creatures you control. This ability to boost power is a crucial trait to keep in mind during matchups. The inherent flavor of red decks with their quick and aggressive playstyle means that timing is everything. The best approach involves employing instant-speed removal spells before the power-enhancement ability is activated or becomes significant in the game.

Alternatively, counter spells are highly effective against the Duergar Cave-Guard. Playing a blue-heavy deck with adequate counter measures can preemptively negate the guard’s activation entirely. Sweepers or board-clear spells are another excellent tactic. Cards like Wrath of God can clean the board before the Duergar Cave-Guard’s ability becomes a threat, thereby resetting the playing field.

Equally important is maintaining board presence with efficient blockers that can deter attacks or trade favorably with the creature. By mastering these strategies, you navigate the challenge that Duergar Cave-Guard presents, securing control of the board and advancing your position toward victory.

Cards like Duergar Cave-Guard

Duergar Cave-Guard stands as an intriguing part of the host of creature cards within Magic: The Gathering. It bears a resemblance to other creatures like Ember Hauler in terms of its ability to directly deal damage to any target. What makes Duergar Cave-Guard distinct is its Reinforce ability, allowing it to strengthen other creatures in late-game scenarios, a feature Ember Hauler lacks.

When considering cards with similar damage-dealing abilities, we encounter Cunning Sparkmage, an option that doesn’t require any mana to activate its power. This offers consistent damage output without investment beyond the card’s casting, something Duergar Cave-Guard cannot claim with its activation cost. Comparatively, there’s Spikeshot Goblin, offering a repeatable damage ability based on its power, which can be significantly amplified in the right deck build.

Ultimately, in the realm of deterrent creatures, Duergar Cave-Guard presents its own set of strategic advantages. With the potential for board control and creature strengthening, it showcases a synergy that its counterparts might not provide, carving its niche in the diverse lineup of creatures in Magic: The Gathering.

Cards similar to Duergar Cave-Guard by color, type and mana cost

Winota, Joiner of Forces - MTG Card versions

Raiyuu, Storm's Edge - MTG Card versions

Bell Borca, Spectral Sergeant - MTG Card versions

Haktos the Unscarred - MTG Card versions

Belligerent Hatchling - MTG Card versions

Tajic, Blade of the Legion - MTG Card versions

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Kalemne, Disciple of Iroas - MTG Card versions

Bruse Tarl, Boorish Herder - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Duergar Cave-Guard MTG card by a specific set like Eventide, 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 Duergar Cave-Guard and other MTG cards: