Guan Yu's 1,000-Li March MTG Card


A strategic edge through card advantage and draw capability aligns well with aggressive playstyles. Resource acceleration and instant speed offer tactical game-play advantages and versatile response options. Understanding both card pros and cons is crucial to effectively integrate it into a winning strategy.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost6
RarityRare
TypeSorcery

Text of card

Destroy all tapped creatures. (This includes your tapped creatures.)

"He [Guan Yu] covered the ground on a thousand-*li* horse; / With dragon blade he took each pass by force."


Cards like Guan Yu's 1,000-Li March

Guan Yu’s 1,000-Li March has cemented its place in the pantheon of Magic: The Gathering’s legendary creature cards. Its closest comparison point is perhaps Zhang Fei, Fierce Warrior, which also offers an impressive presence on the battlefield. Guan Yu’s capacity to grant vigilance to other creatures aligns with Zhang Fei’s ability to prevent combat damage that would be dealt to other Warriors you control.

Another parallel may be drawn with Cao Cao, Lord of Wei. While Cao Cao’s power lies in its player-targeted discard ability, Guan Yu’s strength grows from supporting your army of creatures on the offensive front. However, Guan Yu does not directly disrupt opponents’ hands, marking a strategic utilization difference.

Closely examining these cards reveals that Guan Yu’s 1,000-Li March fills a unique niche. Its vigilant push can be decisive in turning the tides of combat, showcasing its weight in strategic deck building within Magic: The Gathering. This makes Guan Yu stand out, not just in terms of raw power but in the versatile support it offers to your creature lineup on the battlefield.

Zhang Fei, Fierce Warrior - MTG Card versions
Cao Cao, Lord of Wei - MTG Card versions
Zhang Fei, Fierce Warrior - MTG Card versions
Cao Cao, Lord of Wei - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Guan Yu's 1,000-Li March by color, type and mana cost

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Icatian Town - MTG Card versions
Righteous Fury - MTG Card versions
Catastrophe - MTG Card versions
Kirtar's Wrath - MTG Card versions
Devastating Mastery - MTG Card versions
Akroma's Vengeance - MTG Card versions
Solar Tide - MTG Card versions
Chronomantic Escape - MTG Card versions
Austere Command - MTG Card versions
Planar Cleansing - MTG Card versions
Open the Vaults - MTG Card versions
Nomads' Assembly - MTG Card versions
Phyrexian Rebirth - MTG Card versions
Sudden Disappearance - MTG Card versions
Spectral Procession - MTG Card versions
Vanquish the Foul - MTG Card versions
Triplicate Spirits - MTG Card versions
Terminus - MTG Card versions
Descend upon the Sinful - MTG Card versions
Deploy the Gatewatch - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Guan Yu’s 1,000-Li March provides a strategic edge by granting additional draw capabilities. By enabling you to potentially draw and reveal a Warrior, Samurai, or Monk, it ensures that your hand stays loaded with options. This continuous replenishment of resources is critical in sustaining momentum and outpacing the opponent’s strategies.

Resource Acceleration: This card stands out by not only affecting the board state but also by offering an avenue for resource acceleration. Upon playing Guan Yu’s 1,000-Li March, if the revealed card shares a type with it, you may put that card into your hand. This filter effect accelerates your ability to access vital pieces of your strategy more quickly, effectively thinning your deck and increasing the likelihood of drawing into essential spells or creatures.

Instant Speed: The true strength of Guan Yu’s 1,000-Li March emerges with its instant speed. This allows savvy players to wait for the perfect moment before committing to a strategy, preserving the element of surprise. Whether it’s during an opponent’s end step or in response to an unwelcome spell, the flexibility of when to cast this card gives you a tactical advantage, ensuring that your resources are allocated efficiently and impactfully.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: This card necessitates the player to discard another card, which can be a hefty price to pay, especially when your hand is already running thin on options.

Specific Mana Cost: Guan Yu’s 1,000-Li March demands a distinct mana arrangement to cast, which might not effortlessly fit into all deck builds, particularly those that are color-flexible or running on a tight mana curve.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Its casting cost might be on the higher side when comparing it to other cards in its class, potentially making it a less attractive option for players who value mana efficiency in their game strategy.


Reasons to Include Guan Yu’s 1,000-Li March in Your Collection

Versatility: Guan Yu’s 1,000-Li March is a powerful addition to any deck that focuses on aggressive strategies while also supporting those that require a burst of speed for a crucial turn. It can fit seamlessly into various archetypes by enabling swift and impactful plays.

Combo Potential: This card shines in decks built around synergistic interactions, such as those leveraging Warrior or Soldier types. Its capability to potentially untap multiple creatures on a single turn creates explosive combo opportunities, fueling both offensive and defensive strategies.

Meta-Relevance: Given the card’s ability to simultaneously mobilize an army and clear a path for an all-out assault, it remains relevant in a meta that rewards proactive and decisive moves. Guan Yu’s 1,000-Li March can turn the tide of battle in games where tempo and board presence are key to victory.


How to beat

Guan Yu’s 1,000-Li March has found its unique place in players’ decks, bringing a sleight of versatility to the battlefield. As a card that allows movement of a substantial number of lands on the play, its strategic implementation can sometimes catch an opponent off-guard, swiftly changing the tide of a match. The card’s strength lies in its ability to vastly improve mana availability, which poses a significant hurdle for players on the receiving end.

However, to effectively counter this card, engaging in land disruption strategies can be impactful. Utilizing cards that limit land plays or destroy lands can dampen Guan Yu’s 1,000-Li March ability to crack the game wide open. Cards like Ghost Quarter can unravel the march’s formation, providing an opening to pivot the game to your favor. Additionally, incorporating counterspells tailored to inhibit sorcery cards can offer a preemptive strike, rendering Guan Yu’s advance inert before it even begins.

Deconstructing Guan Yu’s 1,000-Li March reveals that a well-timed disruption or a strategic counterspell can serve as a bulwark against this potentially overwhelming march, maintaining a stable balance throughout the game’s course.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Guan Yu's 1,000-Li March MTG card by a specific set like Portal Three Kingdoms and Masters Edition III, 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 Guan Yu's 1,000-Li March and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Guan Yu's 1,000-Li March Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1999-05-01 and 2009-09-07. Illustrated by Yang Guangmai.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11999-05-01Portal Three KingdomsPTK 71997NormalWhiteYang Guangmai
22009-09-07Masters Edition IIIME3 131997NormalBlackYang Guangmai

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Guan Yu's 1,000-Li March has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal