Ghost Warden MTG Card
2006-02-03 - Number 5
2007-07-13 - Number 16
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Spirit |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Text of card
: Target creature gets +1/+1 until end of turn.
"I thought of fate as an iron lattice, intricate but rigidly unchangeable. That was until some force bent fate's bars to spare my life." —Ilromov, traveling storyteller
Cards like Ghost Warden
Ghost Warden is a unique utility creature in the landscape of Magic: The Gathering (MTG). It holds similarities with other low-cost creatures like Elite Vanguard in terms of offering early game board presence. However, Ghost Warden stands out with its ability to instantly boost another creature’s power and toughness. This is a subtle yet potent difference that can turn the tides during combat.
Another card that echoes the spirit of Ghost Warden is Veteran Swordsmith. While Veteran Swordsmith provides a static power boost to other soldiers, Ghost Warden’s flexibility allows for a more immediate and unpredictable effect, potentially influencing combat decisions on the fly. Additionally, while Veteran Swordsmith’s effect is locked to a specific creature type, Ghost Warden can enhance any creature regardless of its type.
Then there’s the case of Gavony Ironwright—a card that shares the trait of buffing creatures. Although Gavony Ironwright reinforces creatures’ toughness, it’s conditional on fateful hour, unlike the immediate influence Ghost Warden offers. These characteristics make Ghost Warden a distinctive choice for players looking to fortify their forces with speed and versatility.
Cards similar to Ghost Warden by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: While the Ghost Warden itself doesn’t draw cards, its ability to enhance creatures allows players to make more effective use of their creatures on the battlefield, indirectly contributing to card advantage through board presence.
Resource Acceleration: Ghost Warden can quickly turn a game in your favor by instantly boosting the power of your creatures, making it easier to overwhelm opponents and secure a winning state without investing in additional cards or turns.
Instant Speed: The Ghost Warden’s ability can be activated at instant speed, providing strategic flexibility during combat or in response to an opponent’s actions, potentially saving a creature from death or turning a close combat encounter into a decisive victory.
Card Cons
Specific Mana Cost: Ghost Warden necessitates a defined blend of mana to cast, with white mana being crucial. This requirement may reduce its flexibility in multicolored decks or formats where mana sources are varied and less consistent.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Though only requiring two mana might seem low, for a creature whose primary ability is to give another creature a slight power and toughness boost, some players might find that there are more impactful cards to play at this spot on the mana curve.
Discard Requirement: While Ghost Warden does not have a discard mechanic, it’s important for players to consider this aspect when building their deck. Meeting specific mana costs without the right draw engine could potentially leave one discarding valuable cards to keep the gameplay flowing.
Reasons to Include Ghost Warden in Your Collection
Versatility: Ghost Warden offers a flexible dynamic to any deck, with the ability to buff creatures on the fly. It’s a perfect fit for decks that thrive on tactics and surprise buffs during combat phases.
Combo Potential: This card shines when combined with other cards that benefit from tapping or untapping creatures, lending itself to various synergistic plays and interactions that can turn the tide of gameplay.
Meta-Relevance: Given the ever-present role of creature-based strategies in a broad range of metas, Ghost Warden’s ability provides a subtle yet powerful boost that can enhance your creature’s ability to outmatch and survive encounters with opponents’ creatures.
How to beat
Ghost Warden is a card that often flies under the radar in the vast landscape of MTG. This spectral jailer can bolster other creatures, giving a subtle yet powerful boost during combat. When facing Ghost Warden, timing your removal spells is crucial. Allow it to invest its buff on a target and then respond with a well-placed removal to essentially negate the Warden’s ability and make your opponent waste resources.
Is it crucial to keep an eye on not only the Warden but also the creatures it may affect? Utilizing instant-speed interaction to disrupt your opponent’s combat math can turn the tides in your favor. Moreover, sweepers that clear the board of all creatures can negate the cumulative benefits that Ghost Warden provides over time. Finally, countering Ghost Warden upon casting could be the simplest solution, preventing it from ever influencing the battlefield.
Keep these strategies in mind, and Ghost Warden’s ability to tip the combat scale will be greatly diminished, allowing you to maintain control over the game.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Ghost Warden MTG card by a specific set like Guildpact and Tenth Edition, 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 Ghost 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
See MTG Products
Printings
The Ghost Warden Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2006-02-03 and 2007-07-13. Illustrated by Ittoku.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2006-02-03 | Guildpact | GPT | 5 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Ittoku | |
| 2 | 2007-07-13 | Tenth Edition | 10E | 16 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Ittoku |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Ghost Warden has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |