Guardian Shield-Bearer MTG Card
2015-03-27 - Number 189
2019-11-07 - Number 1231
2020-09-26 - Number DTK-189
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Human Soldier |
| Abilities | Megamorph |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Text of card
Megamorph (You may cast this card face down as a 2/2 creature for . Turn it face up any time for its megamorph cost and put a +1/+1 counter on it.) When Guardian Shield-Bearer is turned face up, put a +1/+1 counter on another target creature you control.
Cards like Guardian Shield-Bearer
Guardian Shield-Bearer brings a subtle yet potent boost to creatures on the battlefield in Magic: The Gathering. It finds resemblances with cards like Novice Knight, which provides a sturdy defensive option with a strong initial toughness. However, Guardian Shield-Bearer offers a versatile combat trick with its bolster ability, enhancing another creature’s size when it’s turned face-up from a morphed position.
Surveying the field of similar cards, we come across Ainok Bond-Kin. This creature also accentuates combat potential by granting first strike to creatures with +1/+1 counters on them. While it doesn’t have the surprise element of morph, it promises a more consistent advantage across your creature lineup. The comparison wouldn’t be complete without mentioning Abzan Falconer, which, unlike Guardian Shield-Bearer, gives all your creatures with +1/+1 counters the ability to fly, potentially turning the tide of a skirmish through superior aerial control.
Gauging the strategic implications, Guardian Shield-Bearer stands out in MTG due to its morph versatility. It thrives in decks that prize adaptability and surprise, proving its value as a multifaceted combat-oriented card alongside its counterparts.
Cards similar to Guardian Shield-Bearer by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Guardian Shield-Bearer can provide significant card advantage by boosting your board presence. When enchanted or equipped, it not only becomes a more formidable threat but its mentor ability can also strengthen your other creatures, effectively increasing your overall card value without losing card quantity.
Resource Acceleration: This card is an asset for resource acceleration in decks that aim to quickly deploy powerful creatures or game-ending combos. With its low casting cost, Guardian Shield-Bearer fits seamlessly into a curve, allowing you to develop your board state while keeping up the momentum for casting more impactful spells in subsequent turns.
Instant Speed: While Guardian Shield-Bearer itself is not an instant, the abilities it can trigger, especially those related to artifacts and enchantments that can be cast at instant speed, leverage the full potential of this card. It can become a tactical play that surprises an opponent by enhancing it during combat or in response to an action, making it a versatile addition to any MTG player’s arsenal.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Guardian Shield-Bearer’s effect may require discarding a card, presenting a challenge when you’re managing a tight hand.
Specific Mana Cost: This creature card’s casting cost demands specific mana, potentially restricting its inclusion to decks aligned with that color identity.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost that might be seen as steep for its stats and abilities, Guardian Shield-Bearer could be outpaced by other cards that provide more value for a similar investment.
Reasons to Include Guardian Shield-Bearer in Your Collection
Versatility: Guardian Shield-Bearer is a flexible card that can be a great addition to various deck archetypes. Whether you are bolstering your creatures in a Selesnya Tokens build or need a resilient defender in a Midrange setup, this card offers adaptability in many strategies.
Combo Potential: With its bolster ability, Guardian Shield-Bearer can be a key component in synergistic interactions. It can empower creatures with +1/+1 counter strategies or support those that thrive on modular counters, integrating seamlessly into combos that go beyond mere creature defense.
Meta-Relevance: In an environment where games can pivot on creature superiority, having a card that improves your board presence can be very impactful. Guardian Shield-Bearer suits the current metagame by providing a reliable way to strengthen your creatures against prevalent threats.
How to beat
The Guardian Shield-Bearer presents a unique challenge on the battlefield with its bolster ability, capable of strengthening your opponent’s weakest creatures. To effectively counter this MTG card, focus on removal strategies or damage control tactics early in the game. Cards like Murder or Doom Blade allow you to address the threat directly by removing the Shield-Bearer from play before its bolster effect can activate.
Control decks could utilize counterspells such as Negate or Mana Leak to prevent Guardian Shield-Bearer from ever hitting the field. Timing is crucial; disrupting your opponent’s strategy before they can benefit from bolster can tilt the scales in your favor. Additionally, keeping pressure with creatures or spells that can target the Shield-Bearer or its potential bolster targets will restrain your opponent’s ability to amass a powerful board presence.
Ultimately, strategic play and consistent control of the board state will mitigate the impact of the Guardian Shield-Bearer. Carefully monitoring your opponent’s creature hierarchy and deploying targeted removal or countermeasures at key moments will ensure that you maintain the upper hand.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Guardian Shield-Bearer MTG card by a specific set like Dragons of Tarkir and Mystery Booster, 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 Shield-Bearer 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 Shield-Bearer Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2015-03-27 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by Lindsey Look.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2015-03-27 | Dragons of Tarkir | DTK | 189 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Lindsey Look | |
| 2 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 1231 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Lindsey Look | |
| 3 | The List | PLST | DTK-189 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Lindsey Look |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Guardian Shield-Bearer has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Guardian Shield-Bearer card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2015-02-25 | If a face-down creature with megamorph is turned face up some other way (for example, if you manifest a card with megamorph and then pay its mana cost to turn it face up), you won’t put a +1/+1 counter on it. |
| 2015-02-25 | Megamorph is a variant of the morph ability. You can find more information on morph on cards with morph from the Khans of Tarkir set. |
| 2015-02-25 | Turning a face-down creature with megamorph face up and putting a +1/+1 counter on it is a special action. It doesn’t use the stack and can’t be responded to. |