Garrison Sergeant MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Viashino Soldier |
| Released | 2018-10-05 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Guilds of Ravnica |
| Set code | GRN |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 3 |
| Number | 172 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Gabor Szikszai |
Text of card
Garrison Sergeant has double strike as long as you control a Gate.
In the Legion, no flagpole is merely decorative, and every ceremonial sword bears an edge.
Cards like Garrison Sergeant
Garrison Sergeant is an intriguing card that fans of multicolored decks in Magic: The Gathering may appreciate. A key card to compare it with is Skyknight Legionnaire. Both cards feature the flying ability, allowing them to evade many blockers and pressure opponents from above. However, Garrison Sergeant boasts the double strike feature, giving it the potential to deal significant damage in a single combat phase.
Further comparison brings us to Sunhome Guildmage. While not identical, it shares the Boros guild allegiance with Garrison Sergeant. Sunhome Guildmage lacks flying and double strike by default but has abilities that can buff your creatures or create tokens, offering versatility for different stages of the game. On the mana efficiency side, it requires less investment compared to Garrison Sergeant’s more expensive casting cost.
Evaluating Garrison Sergeant alongside these similar cards, it stands out for its potentially devastating double strike ability in multicolored decks that can accommodate the stricter mana requirements. Its capacity to deliver a strong impact in the combat phase makes it a card worth considering for players leveraging the power of Boros in their Magic: The Gathering battles.
Cards similar to Garrison Sergeant by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Garrison Sergeant stands out by potentially yielding significant card advantage in multicolored decks. Its synergy with other cards enabling multicolored spells can translate into dominant board presence.
Resource Acceleration: In a deck rich with mana sources of multiple colors, this creature can be a powerful way to accelerate your resources and deploy more threats rapidly, ensuring you’re always a step ahead.
Instant Speed: Although the Garrison Sergeant itself doesn’t have instant speed, playing in a deck that supports it often involves instant-speed interactions, allowing you to efficiently manage your resources while setting up the perfect timing to cast this impactful creature.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Garrison Sergeant has a major downside because it requires you to have a Gate on the battlefield to access its double strike ability. This can be a considerable setback, especially early in the game when you might not have the right lands in play.
Specific Mana Cost: The mana cost of Garrison Sergeant is split between two colors (red and white), which necessitates a certain level of commitment to a two-color deck. This specific requirement may deter players who prefer a more flexible mono-color or varied mana base.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of five mana, Garrison Sergeant can be less appealing compared to other creatures that offer similar or better power and toughness. In a game where tempo and mana efficiency are crucial, investing five mana in a card that might not impact the battlefield immediately could put you at a disadvantage.
Reasons to Include Garrison Sergeant in Your Collection
Versatility: Garrison Sergeant is a flexible choice for decks that capitalize on the multicolored theme, particularly in those that support the Boros Legion or guild-focused strategies in MTG. Its ability to potentially be a powerful beater with double strike can apply to a wide range of situations and turn the tide of the battlefield in your favor.
Combo Potential: This card has inherent synergies with mechanics that encourage multicolored cards or double strike enablers. Pairing Garrison Sergeant with cards that boost its power or protect it can make it a substantial threat that needs to be dealt with immediately by opponents.
Meta-Relevance: In environments where multicolored decks are prevalent, or formats like Commander where specific guild strategies are encouraged, Garrison Sergeant could be a substantial addition. The card’s strong presence in the game and its alignment with powerful themes in the current meta can make it a useful card under the right circumstances.
How to beat
Garrison Sergeant presents a formidable challenge on the battlefield with its condition of dealing double damage as long as you control a Gate. This synergy can turn the tide of a game quickly if left unchecked. To overcome this, consider interrupting the Sergeant’s setup. Land destruction cards or spells that specifically target Gates hinder the Sergeant’s effectiveness, as do removals that can bypass conditional defenses, such as exile or bounce spells.
Alternatively, combating this card with counterplay strategies is key. Quick removal spells, prior to the Sergeant’s ability taking effect, can prevent its double damage from ever becoming a factor. Playing cards that restrict the opponent’s ability to cast multicolored spells also undermines the Sergeant’s utility. Moreover, maintaining board control with creatures that have deathtouch or leveraging instant-speed removal during your opponent’s attack phase before damage calculation can eliminate the threat that Garrison Sergeant poses.
It is clear then, that with purposeful disruption and strategic handling of opponent resources, any player can manage the challenge that comes with facing Garrison Sergeant. Keeping the board clean, using effective spell timing, and controlling your opponent’s mana base are key tactics for reigning in this card’s potential.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Garrison Sergeant MTG card by a specific set like Guilds of Ravnica, 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 Garrison Sergeant 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
See MTG Products
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Garrison Sergeant 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 |