Griffin Protector MTG Card
2012-07-13 - Number 16
2018-03-16 - Number 17
2019-07-12 - Number 20
2022-09-09 - Number 18
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Griffin |
| Abilities | Flying |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Text of card
Flying Whenever another creature enters the battlefield under your control, Griffin Protector gets +1/+1 until end of turn.
The drums of war stir the hearts of all who fight for righteousness.
Cards like Griffin Protector
The Griffin Protector is a unique creature card known to many existing and potential MTG enthusiasts. Its capability to grow stronger whenever another creature enters the battlefield underlines its value in a creature-focused deck. Similar cards, such as the renowned Serra Avenger, offer a different approach. The Avenger is aggressively costed and packs a significant punch right away, yet it doesn’t boast the same accumulative potential the Griffin Protector does.
Consider Aven Brigadier as well, a bird soldier that bolsters not only itself but other birds and soldiers. While it’s akin to Griffin Protector in tribal synergy, it’s less about individual growth and more about widespread buffs. Another card worth comparing is Thunderclap Wyvern whose flash ability allows it to be played at a moment’s notice, providing both an aerial blocker and a boost to other flyers on the field.
Analyzing these cards sheds light on the Griffin Protector’s place in the card ecosystem. It may not have an immediate impact like Serra Avenger or the broad-reaching effects of Aven Brigadier, but its ability to consistently grow with your army makes it a formidable card in any MTG deck that favors a steady build-up of threatening creatures.
Cards similar to Griffin Protector by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: When Griffin Protector enters the battlefield or another creature enters under your control, it gains a +1/+1 counter, potentially increasing its power and toughness each turn. This synergistic effect can accumulate over time, giving you a sustaining presence on the board and a threat that must be dealt with by your opponent.
Resource Acceleration: As a four-mana creature, Griffin Protector is efficiently costed and can quickly become a meaningful asset. While it doesn’t directly produce mana or tokens, its presence accelerates the value you get from playing creatures. The ongoing counters can lead to a situation where opponents must commit more resources to deal with your escalating threat, effectively slowing them down.
Instant Speed: Griffin Protector itself may not have flash, but its ability triggers whenever another creature enters the battlefield under your control. This means if you play creatures at instant speed, Griffin Protector grows outside of your main phases, catching opponents off-guard and adding a layer of strategy to your gameplay.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Integrating Griffin Protector into your deck strategy means accepting that some hands might force tough decisions. Without the right smooth mana flow early in the game, you might find yourself ditching another valuable card just to get this creature on the board, which can be detrimental in tight matches where every card counts.
Specific Mana Cost: Griffin Protector requires a defined mana setup to summon. With a casting cost that includes both white and generic mana, it mandates a commitment to white mana resources, potentially restricting its inclusion to specific decks, which could otherwise benefit from a wider color spectrum.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: While Griffin Protector does offer a degree of utility and synergy in creature-focused decks, its mana cost sits at the higher end of the curve for its effect. Other cards at a lower cost bracket might provide a similar or even enhanced impact, offering greater efficiency and versatility to your game plan.
Reasons to Include Griffin Protector in Your Collection
Versatility: Griffin Protector offers a unique blend of offensive and defensive capabilities. This card grows stronger with each creature you summon, making it a solid addition to decks that play numerous creatures each turn.
Combo Potential: This flying creature complements strategies focused on creature play. Its ability to gain +1/+1 until the end of turn for each other creature that enters the battlefield under your control can trigger multiple times in a single turn, setting the stage for powerful combos and synergy with tokens, flicker, and other creature-based strategies.
Meta-Relevance: Griffin Protector can hold its own in various meta environments. Its continual buff with creature casting caters to the White’s creature-centric decks, which may never fall out of favor due to their resilience and adaptability in the dynamic MTG landscape.
How to beat
Griffin Protector is an intriguing creature card in Magic: The Gathering with the potential to become a growing threat. Its ability to gain a +1/+1 counter each time another creature enters the battlefield under your control makes it a formidable opponent. To effectively counter this card, players should consider removal spells that can target creatures. Board wipes can also be an efficient way to deal with an escalating Griffin Protector since they remove all creatures, resetting the buildup of counters.
Targeted creature removal spells like Fatal Push or Path to Exile can be particularly useful. These not only help control the board but also ensure that your opponent can’t take advantage of the Griffin Protector’s ability. Timing is crucial when dealing with creatures that have the capability to snowball in power. It is often wise to remove the Griffin Protector before your opponent can enter their main phase and start playing additional creatures, further increasing its power and toughness.
Overall, the key to conquering a Griffin Protector lies in early intervention and the right choice of removal. By staying ahead of the curve and preventing your opponent from gaining momentum, you can maintain control of the battlefield and mitigate the threat posed by this winged guardian.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Griffin Protector MTG card by a specific set like Magic 2013 and Masters 25, 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 Griffin Protector 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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Printings
The Griffin Protector Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2012-07-13 and 2022-09-09. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2012-07-13 | Magic 2013 | M13 | 16 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Christopher Moeller | |
| 2 | 2018-03-16 | Masters 25 | A25 | 17 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Christopher Moeller | |
| 3 | 2019-07-12 | Core Set 2020 | M20 | 20 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Christopher Moeller | |
| 4 | 2022-09-09 | Dominaria United | DMU | 18 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Omar Rayyan |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Griffin Protector has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Alchemy | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Future | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Griffin Protector card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2012-07-01 | If Griffin Protector enters the battlefield under your control at the same time as other creatures, its ability will trigger once for each of those creatures. |
| 2022-09-09 | If more than one creature enters the battlefield at the same time, or if one or more other creatures enter the battlefield at the same time that Griffin Protector enters the battlefield, Griffin Protector’s triggered ability triggers for each of them. |