Guardian of Vitu-Ghazi MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 8 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Elemental |
| Abilities | Convoke, Vigilance |
| Released | 2005-10-07 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Ravnica: City of Guilds |
| Set code | RAV |
| Power | 4 |
| Toughness | 7 |
| Number | 212 |
| Frame | 2003 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Wayne Reynolds |
Text of card
Convoke (Each creature you tap while playing this spell reduces its cost by or by one mana of that creature's color.) Vigilance
It stands sentinel to the great City-Tree, home of the Selesnya Conclave.
Cards like Guardian of Vitu-Ghazi
The Guardian of Vitu-Ghazi presents a powerful presence on the battlefield, comparable to other formidable creatures in MTG. Like the Guardian, Trostani’s Summoner is also noted for its ability to instantly bolster your creature line-up upon entering the field. However, the Guardian is distinctive with its populate mechanic which doesn’t just add a creature but copies the strongest token you have, potentially offering more strategic value.
Looking at Siege Wurm, another card with a strength in numbers philosophy, we see similarities in the creature making aspect, yet it lacks the populate effect, focusing instead on convoke to reduce its casting cost. The Guardian of Vitu-Ghazi stands out by directly enhancing your army with existing powerful tokens.
Lastly, comparing it to Advent of the Wurm, while both cards share the Wurm creature type and produce tokens, Advent of the Wurm offers an instant-speed surprise factor which could be game-changing during combat. The Guardian’s impact is more predictable, but its ability to copy any token can lead to a variety of powerful game states.
When evaluating potential additions to your deck, the Guardian of Vitu-Ghazi offers both a substantial creature and an opportunistic mechanic, setting it apart from similar MTG cards.
Cards similar to Guardian of Vitu-Ghazi by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Guardian of Vitu-Ghazi offers a solid presence on the battlefield that can also bolster your hand. By presenting additional options through card draw or token generation, it helps sustain a dominant position in the game.
Resource Acceleration: This card efficiently contributes to your resource pool by offering the option to populate – creating a creature token that’s a copy of one you already have, essentially doubling your board presence and giving you more power to work with faster than many other strategies.
Instant Speed: While Guardian of Vitu-Ghazi is not an instant itself, its Convoke ability allows you to utilize untapped creatures as a resource to cast it potentially on an opponent’s turn. This instant-like flexibility can catch opponents off guard, making it a versatile addition to your arsenal.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Guardian of Vitu-Ghazi can be a steep ask for decks that aren’t focused on graveyard synergies or those that can’t easily replenish their hand, as discarding can deplete your options during the game.
Specific Mana Cost: This card requires a specific blend of mana, including both white and green, which can make it challenging to cast in a timely manner, especially in a multicolored deck that may have other mana demands.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a substantial mana cost to put the Guardian into play, it faces stiff competition from other creatures and spells that could provide a more immediate impact on the battlefield or come with a lower investment, allowing for a more adaptable game plan.
Reasons to Include Guardian of Vitu-Ghazi in Your Collection
Versatility: Guardian of Vitu-Ghazi offers flexibility in a variety of deck builds. Its status as a creature with the Convoke ability means it can be played using both creatures and lands. This makes it a solid addition to decks that need a strong board presence while allowing for the efficient use of mana resources.
Combo Potential: Known for its ability to put a substantial creature onto the field, the Guardian can synergize with decks that capitalize on creature summoning. Its entrance might trigger numerous effects that enhance growth or advantage from the mere presence of another large creature.
Meta-Relevance: Addressing the evolving game dynamics, Guardian of Vitu-Ghazi holds its ground. In a meta that favors creatures with significant impact and presence, this card can be a game-changer, providing both offensive and defensive advantages.
How to beat
The Guardian of Vitu-Ghazi is a standout creature in the Magic: The Gathering arena, known for its resilience and board presence. To effectively counter this heavyweight, understanding its strengths and weaknesses is key. This creature boasts a formidable defense, which can be intimidating, but it’s not unbeatable. Utilize removal spells that bypass its beefy toughness, such as exile or -X/-X effects, which circumvent its high health. Having board wipes on hand can reset the playing field, giving you a fresh start against such imposing creatures.
Another strategy against the Guardian of Vitu-Ghazi involves inhibiting its casting altogether. Counterspells can stop it before it even touches the battlefield, while hand disruption tactics can pluck it straight from your opponent’s hand, neutralizing the threat immediately. Lastly, don’t overlook the power of combat tricks and abilities that prevent it from blocking or that can take it out in combat without having to tackle its might head-on. By preparing your deck with these countermeasures, the Guardian of Vitu-Ghazi can be transformed from an insurmountable obstacle to a manageable challenge.
Strategic planning and card selection can help ensure that when you face down the Guardian of Vitu-Ghazi, you have the tools needed for victory. This approach can turn a daunting matchup into a testament to your tactical prowess in MTG play.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Guardian of Vitu-Ghazi MTG card by a specific set like Ravnica: City of Guilds, 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 Vitu-Ghazi and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
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- MTG Mint Card
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Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Guardian of Vitu-Ghazi has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Guardian of Vitu-Ghazi card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2014-07-18 | Because convoke isn’t an alternative cost, it can be used in conjunction with alternative costs. |
| 2014-07-18 | Convoke doesn’t change a spell’s mana cost or converted mana cost. |
| 2014-07-18 | If a creature you control has a mana ability with in the cost, activating that ability while casting a spell with convoke will result in the creature being tapped when you pay the spell’s costs. You won’t be able to tap it again for convoke. Similarly, if you sacrifice a creature to activate a mana ability while casting a spell with convoke, that creature won’t be on the battlefield when you pay the spell’s costs, so you won’t be able to tap it for convoke. |
| 2014-07-18 | Tapping a multicolored creature using convoke will pay for or one mana of your choice of any of that creature’s colors. |
| 2014-07-18 | The rules for convoke have changed slightly since it last appeared in an expansion. Previously, convoke reduced the cost to cast a spell. Under current rules, you tap creatures at the same time you pay the spell’s costs. Tapping a creature this way is simply another way to pay. |
| 2014-07-18 | When calculating a spell’s total cost, include any alternative costs, additional costs, or anything else that increases or reduces the cost to cast the spell. Convoke applies after the total cost is calculated. |
| 2014-07-18 | When using convoke to cast a spell with in its mana cost, first choose the value for X. That choice, plus any cost increases or decreases, will determine the spell’s total cost. Then you can tap creatures you control to help pay that cost. For example, if you cast Chord of Calling (a spell with convoke and mana cost ) and choose X to be 3, the total cost is . If you tap two green creatures and two red creatures, you’ll have to pay . |
Guide to Vigilance card ability
In the strategic universe of Magic: The Gathering (MTG), the vigilance ability stands out as a powerful tool for players. This potent keyword allows creatures to attack without tapping, keeping them ready and alert to defend against incoming threats. It represents a perfect balance between aggression and defense, offering a dynamic approach to gameplay. Lets dive deeper into how vigilance shapes the battlefield.