Guardian of the Gateless MTG Card
2013-02-01 - Number 14
2016-08-26 - Number 89
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Angel |
| Abilities | Flying |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Text of card
Flying Guardian of the Gateless can block any number of creatures. Whenever Guardian of the Gateless blocks, it gets +1/+1 until end of turn for each creature it's blocking.
Cards like Guardian of the Gateless
Guardian of the Gateless is an intriguing inclusion in the array of creature cards designed to protect players in Magic: The Gathering. It finds kinship with cards like Wall of Glare, which also offers a formidable defense by blocking multiple creatures. The Guardian elevates this with the ability to not only block any number of creatures but also gains +1/+1 for each additional creature it blocks after the first, becoming a potentially massive blocker on your opponent’s turn.
Porcelain Legionnaire is another card in the mix, offering solid defensive capabilities along with being an efficient attacker thanks to its first strike ability. While it doesn’t have the same blocking proficiency as Guardian of the Gateless, its flexibility in both offense and defense can be critical in the early to mid-game stages. Then there’s Hover Barrier, a defender with a high toughness that can block flying creatures—a niche that Guardian of the Gateless doesn’t directly address but compensates for with its formidable blocking ability.
Each card has its own role, but what sets Guardian of the Gateless apart is its unique potential to become a game-changing force against aggressive strategies, solidifying its place as a key defensive asset in Magic: The Gathering decks.
Cards similar to Guardian of the Gateless by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Engaging with Guardian of the Gateless can lead to tactical superiority on the battlefield. This creature card can block any number of creatures, making it an efficient way to deal with swarms of assailants without losing card value. By potentially neutralizing multiple threats with a single card, you maintain the upper hand in card economy.
Resource Acceleration: Although Guardian of the Gateless doesn’t directly accelerate resources, its defensive capability can indirectly preserve your life total. This allows you more turns to draw into your key spells and lands, effectively giving you the pace to ramp up your board without the immediate pressure of losing to an aggressive strategy.
Instant Speed: In a game where timing is crucial, Guardian of the Gateless operates well with instant-speed tricks. While the card itself may not be cast at instant speed, its ability synergizes with spells you can cast at the end of your opponent’s turn, setting up for a fortified defense that’s ready before your next untap phase.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Guardian of the Gateless doesn’t require a discard, but it does ask for a significant defensive commitment. In a game where tempo is key, having a creature that excels mostly in blocking might not always align with your strategy, especially if you are required to leave mana open to optimize its use.
Specific Mana Cost: This angel requires a specific mana investment of three white mana in its total cost, which may prove restrictive for multicolored decks craving for flexible mana bases. This necessity can hamper your deck’s overall consistency or delay the casting of the creature.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Summoning a five-mana creature with no immediate board impact can put you at a disadvantage in faster-paced games. While Guardian of the Gateless can be a formidable blocker, its casting cost might be too steep considering that other cards at a similar mana tier can offer either immediate value or have the potential to influence the board state more aggressively upon entering the battlefield.
Reasons to Include Guardian of the Gateless in Your Collection
Versatility: Guardian of the Gateless can be a flexible addition to your collection as it can block any number of creatures, making it a robust defender in multiplayer and token-heavy formats. Its ability to fit into various decks, such as control or angel tribal themes, showcases its adaptability.
Combo Potential: This card shines in combinations with cards that benefit from creatures entering the battlefield or dying. Pairing Guardian of the Gateless with cards that trigger upon creatures getting blocked or abilities that capitalize on the number of creatures in a combat can set the stage for impressive plays.
Meta-Relevance: Given that Guardian of the Gateless has the power to hold off numerous opponents’ creatures, its relevance increases in meta-games that are swarming with aggressive strategies or in commander games where defending against multiple attackers is crucial.
How to Beat
Guardian of the Gateless holds a noticeable position among creature cards in MTG due to its unique defensive capabilities. It gains +1/+1 for each creature it’s blocking, exceptional for repelling an onslaught of attackers in a multiplayer game. To strategically outmaneuver this vigilant winged sentinel, consider using removal spells that don’t target, such as board wipes like Supreme Verdict, or cards that change combat dynamics, such as Maze of Ith to untap and remove it from combat without triggering its ability.
Alter the battlefield conditions to diminish its effectiveness. Engage cards that inflict damage regardless of targeting, like Pyroclasm or Earthquake, which can clear a path without direct interaction. It’s also worth contemplating the use of counter magic when Guardian is cast, thus eliminating the threat before it materializes on the board. Generally, employ strategies that avoid one-on-one combat or direct targeting to efficiently manage the Guardian of the Gateless and maintain a tactical advantage.
In essence, while Guardian of the Gateless presents a formidable obstacle when guarding against numerous threats, a clever combination of non-targeted removal, strategic board manipulation, and preemptive countermeasures can effectively neutralize this guardian’s power, reinforcing your position in the game.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Guardian of the Gateless MTG card by a specific set like Gatecrash and Conspiracy: Take the Crown, 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 Gateless 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 Guardian of the Gateless Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2013-02-01 and 2016-08-26. Illustrated by Wesley Burt.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2013-02-01 | Gatecrash | GTC | 14 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Wesley Burt | |
| 2 | 2016-08-26 | Conspiracy: Take the Crown | CN2 | 89 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Wesley Burt |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Guardian of the Gateless has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| 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 Gateless card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2013-01-24 | Guardian of the Gateless’s last ability triggers only once when it’s declared as a blocker no matter how many creatures it’s blocking. |