Shielded Passage MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	1
Rarity	Common
Type	Instant
Released	2013-02-01
Set symbol
Set name	Gatecrash
Set code	GTC
Number	24
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Raymond Swanland

Key Takeaways

Instant speed allows flexible protection of creatures, keeping opponents unsure and maximizing strategic potential.
Protecting mana-dorks or cost reducers indirectly increases resource acceleration in MTG gameplay.
It can be pivotal in combos, ensuring key pieces survive to execute game-winning strategies.

Text of card

Prevent all damage that would be dealt to target creature this turn.

Izzet delved into the depths of Ravnica's past, and Selesnya followed without fear.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Shielded Passage can be an unexpected boon when you’re defending key creatures on the battlefield. Although it doesn’t directly draw you cards, preserving a crucial creature can lead to an advantage in subsequent turns as you maintain your board presence.

Resource Acceleration: This card may not directly accelerate your resources, but by protecting a vital mana-producing creature or a creature with cost-reducing abilities, Shielded Passage indirectly contributes to your resource acceleration. Keeping your important pieces in play ensures your mana engine or cost-efficiency stays intact.

Instant Speed: The ability to cast Shielded Passage at instant speed means you have the flexibility to respond in real-time to threats. This lets you navigate your turn without having to preemptively shield your creatures, keeping your opponents guessing and your options open until the moment action is necessary.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While the Shielded Passage offers protection, it necessitates the sacrifice of another card in hand. This trade-off can be detrimental in situations where maintaining card advantage is crucial.

Specific Mana Cost: Shielded Passage requires a white mana to cast. This can limit its integration into multicolored decks or those that don’t heavily feature Plains.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although Shielded Passage costs only one white mana, its singular effect of preventing damage to a creature you control for one turn may not be as cost-effective compared to other defensive spells in MTG that either protect multiple targets or offer additional benefits.

Reasons to Include Shielded Passage in Your Collection

Versatility: Shielded Passage provides an affordable way to protect your most valuable creatures in a variety of deck builds. Its low mana cost allows it to be easily slotted into different strategies, including tempo and control decks.

Combo Potential: This card has the potential to play a pivotal role in combos by safeguarding key combo pieces at a critical moment, ensuring that your intricate plays go off without a hitch.

Meta-Relevance: In a game environment where removal spells are prevalent, Shielded Passage can be a game-changer by offering a cost-effective method to counter your opponent’s targeted spells, keeping your threats on the board and maintaining pressure.

How to beat

Shielded Passage is one of those Magic: The Gathering cards that can quickly turn the tides in a tightly contested match. Its primary function is to prevent all damage that would be dealt to a target creature this turn, which makes it an effective tool for protecting key creatures on the battlefield. When going up against this particular card, it’s crucial to have a strategy that can counter its protective powers.

One of the key tactics to overcome a card like Shielded Passage is to rely on removal spells that don’t deal damage, since it only shields against damage. Cards that cause a player to sacrifice a creature or that exile a target can bypass Shielded Passage’s defensive capabilities. Moreover, using instant-speed removal spells when the opponent is tapped out of mana will prevent them from casting Shielded Passage altogether. Additionally, spells that can counteract any spell can also be used to your advantage to stop Shielded Passage before it takes effect, maintaining battlefield control.

Ultimately, knowing when to time your spells and understanding which types of removal can interact with Shielded Passage are the keys to maintaining control of the game against decks that wield this protective card.

Cards like Shielded Passage

Shielded Passage adds a unique twist to the array of protective spells in the world of Magic: The Gathering. It’s often likened to cards such as Gods Willing, which also provides protection to your creatures. However, Shielded Passage forgoes the scrying benefit for focusing solely on the task at hand—preventing all damage that would be dealt to a single target creature this turn.

Looking at other comparisons, we find Center Soul, which not only encompasses damage prevention but also bolsters a creature with rebound, meaning the magic can reoccur on the next turn without further mana investment. While Center Soul offers extended protection, its cost is double that of Shielded Passage, necessitating a strategic mana reserve. Dawn Charm also shares similarities, with a flexible set of options, including preventing damage that would be dealt to all creatures for the turn. While this is a broader sweep, the versatility comes with an increased mana cost, emphasizing Shielded Passage’s efficiency.

Ultimately, while examining the variety of protective spells available, Shielded Passage commands recognition for its straightforward and cost-effective design in a player’s arsenal, fulfilling a critical role without frills.

Cards similar to Shielded Passage by color, type and mana cost

Swords to Plowshares - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Shielded Passage MTG card by a specific set like Gatecrash, 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 Shielded Passage and other MTG cards: