Guardian of the Ages MTG Card

The card offers dual-threat as a dormant artifact that transforms into an attacking creature when triggered. It serves as a valuable piece in late-game strategies due to its versatility and combo potential. Understanding its role compared to similar cards helps players optimize deck-building choices.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	7
Rarity	Rare
Type	Artifact Creature — Golem
Abilities	Defender
Released	2013-07-19
Set symbol
Set name	Magic 2014
Set code	M14
Power	7
Toughness	7
Number	211
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Ryan Pancoast

Text of card

Defender (This creature can't attack.) When a creature attacks you or a planeswalker you control, if Guardian of the Ages has defender, it loses defender and gains trample.

"At my feet, invasions end." —Statue inscription

Understanding the Guardian of the Ages

The Guardian of the Ages card stands as a formidable artifact creature within the MTG landscape. With its immense strength, it provides a pivotal role in defense strategies, carrying the ability to become an unstoppable force once attacked. Its unique attribute to transform from a passive guardian to an aggressive entity upon being targeted speaks volumes of its role in a player’s deck, mirroring the strategic depth found in playing with artifact creatures.

Cards like Guardian of the Ages

Guardian of the Ages draws parallels to other artifact creature cards, such as the well-known Darksteel Colossus. Both cards share the trait of offering a commanding presence on the battlefield. However, the transformational ability of Guardian of the Ages gives it an edge in specific scenarios, especially when a steady defense is pivotal.

Another card that echoes aspects of Guardian of the Ages is the Peacekeeper Avatar, which also focuses on defending until provoked. While the Guardian shifts from defense to offense upon activation, the Avatar remains defensive, prioritizing peace over aggression. Then there’s the Silent Arbiter, which, like the Guardian, influences combat but instead of changing modes, it restricts the number of creatures that can attack or block.

These comparisons illuminate the varied roles artifact creatures can play in a game, with Guardian of the Ages offering a unique blend of defense and surprise attack capabilities, making it a distinct choice for many MTG decks.

Cards similar to Guardian of the Ages by color, type and mana cost

Mishra's War Machine - MTG Card versions

Death-Mask Duplicant - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Guardian of the Ages offers the potential for a significant swing in board presence once it becomes animated. Upon activation, it transforms from a mere defensive artifact into a formidable creature, presenting a dual-threat advantage.

Resource Acceleration: Although Guardian of the Ages doesn’t directly accelerate resources in terms of mana, it can certainly act as a deterrent for opponents, potentially saving resources that would be lost in combat or forcing the opponent to expend more resources to deal with it.

Instant Speed: The activation of Guardian of the Ages’ ability does not rely on speed. Yet, its passive ability to become animated can happen at instant speed during your opponent’s turn, subject to their actions. This poses a surprise factor and allows for strategic defensive maneuvers while preserving mana for instant speed interactions on the opponent’s turn.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Guardian of the Ages demands a strategic approach due to its discard requirement. While powerful, having to part with another card can be a steep price when you’re trying to maintain hand advantage on the battlefield.

Specific Mana Cost: This artifact creature comes with a requirement for specific mana – a total of seven mana including two colorless – making the integration into a deck more challenging, especially for those that operate under strict color constraints or more aggressive mana curves.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a seven-mana investment needed to bring the Guardian of the Ages into play, its costliness may deter players considering that decks could leverage more nimble alternatives to populate the battlefield or disrupt opponents without such a hefty mana expenditure.

Reasons to Include Guardian of the Ages in Your Collection

Versatility: Guardian of the Ages fits seamlessly into decks that crave resilient late-game threats. Its substantial toughness makes it a formidable defender while its transformation ability turns it into a substantial attacker, offering flexibility based on board state needs.

Combo Potential: This artifact creature can synergize with cards that untap creatures, enabling it to swing for damage and still serve as a robust blocker. Plus, its ability to become a 7/7 attacker can be a game-changer, working well with strategies that aim to power up creatures quickly.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta with decks that rely heavily on creature-based strategies, Guardian of the Ages can serve as a key piece to stall the board until you can establish your board presence, making it a strategic asset against aggressive opponents.

How to overcome Guardian of the Ages

The Guardian of the Ages card in Magic: The Gathering represents a towering artifact creature with immense defensive capabilities. Key to its design is the ability to stand as a formidable blocker, deterring attacks with its 7/7 stats. It amasses additional power when attacked, transitioning into an aggressive threat capable of crushing adversaries.

Overcoming this behemoth calls for strategic play. One can employ removal spells that circumvent its durability, such as Path to Exile or Murder, to dispatch the Guardian before it can activate its offensive mode. Alternatively, using enchantments like Pacifism to neutralize it can buy critical time. Tapping into exile effects or bouncing it back to hand with spells like Unsummon provides another approach, ensuring the Guardian’s passive and active threats are mitigated.

Ultimately, defeating the Guardian of the Ages demands a mixture of foresight and control. By selectively neutralizing its attack-triggered transformation or preemptively addressing it on the stack, players can navigate around its imposing presence, allowing them to focus on their path to victory.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Guardian of the Ages MTG card by a specific set like Magic 2014, 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 Guardian of the Ages and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Guardian of the Ages has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Modern	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Pioneer	Legal
Penny	Legal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Guardian of the Ages card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date	Text
2013-07-01	Once Guardian of the Ages has lost defender, its triggered ability will no longer trigger when a creature attacks you or a planeswalker you control (unless it has somehow gained defender again).
2013-07-01	The effect of Guardian of the Ages’s triggered ability doesn’t wear off as the turn ends. Losing defender and gaining trample last indefinitely.