Guardians of Meletis MTG Card

Acts as a strategic deterrent, influencing opponents to commit more resources to overcome its defense. Provides early protection, allowing players to build mana bases and set up their game plan. Creates an immediate impact by defending against attackers, securing a stable board state.
Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityCommon
TypeArtifact Creature — Golem
Abilities Defender
Power 0
Toughness 6

Text of card

Defender

The histories speak of two feuding rulers whose deaths were celebrated and whose monuments symbolized the end of their wars. In truth they were peaceful lovers, their story lost to the ages.

Cards like Guardians of Meletis

Guardians of Meletis stands as a solid defensive option among artifact creature cards in Magic: The Gathering. It bears resemblance to other stout defenders like Wall of Stone, which offers a comparable defensive stature with a high toughness value. However, Guardians of Meletis differs by being colorless and fitting into any deck, unlike Wall of Stone that requires red mana.

Looking at another parallel, the card Steel Wall enters the fray with toughness on par for a single mana. While less expensive, it offers no flexibility beyond its defensive capabilities, while the Guardians of Meletis can bolster your mana when paired with cards that utilize defender synergies. Additionally, Gleaming Barrier shares similarities, providing a defensive wall along with a mana-generating trigger upon its destruction.

In evaluating these options, Guardians of Meletis appeals to players who seek a sturdy artifact creature that can adapt to various decks while also engaging with broader defender-based strategies, marking its unique position in the defender lineup.

Wall of Stone - MTG Card versions
Steel Wall - MTG Card versions
Gleaming Barrier - MTG Card versions
Wall of Stone - MTG Card versions
Steel Wall - MTG Card versions
Gleaming Barrier - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: While Guardians of Meletis won’t directly allow you to draw cards, its sturdy presence on the battlefield acts as a deterrent. This often forces opponents to overcommit resources to the board to overcome it, indirectly leading to card advantage when you respond with board wipes or other removals.

Resource Acceleration: Guardians of Meletis doesn’t provide traditional mana acceleration. However, its low casting cost and sturdy toughness make it an excellent early defensive option. This gives you the time needed to develop your mana base and play your more powerful spells uninterrupted.

Instant Speed: Guardians of Meletis is cast at sorcery speed, but its real strength in terms of speed is that it instantly creates a roadblock. Once on the field, it can immediately start defending your life total, maintaining a stable board state while you plan out your further strategies for the match.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One downside players face when using Guardians of Meletis is the requirement of discarding another card to take advantage of certain synergies, which might not always be tenable, especially in a game where hand size management is crucial.

Specific Mana Cost: Casting this artifact creature demands a precise combination of mana, which could pose a challenge in multicolored decks that may not always have the necessary mana readily available at the right time.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While Guardians of Meletis provides a sturdy defensive option, its mana cost is a bit steep for a 0/6 creature. There are alternative defenders or creatures that might offer greater utility or offensive capabilities for a similar or lower investment.

Reasons to Include Guardians of Meletis in Your Collection

Versatility: Guardians of Meletis is a unique addition to any deck that can utilize defenders. Its ability to withstand early aggression makes it a solid choice in formats where tough creatures are crucial for survival.

Combo Potential: This card works exceptionally well in synergy with decks that capitalize on high-toughness creatures. Thanks to its significant defensive stats, it can be a key component in strategies centered around cards like Assault Formation or High Alert.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where aggressive strategies reign, having a reliable and inexpensive defender like Guardians of Meletis can shift the tide of battle. Its presence helps to stabilize your board state against fast-paced opponents.

How to beat

Guardians of Meletis joins the lineup of sturdy defenders in Magic: The Gathering, embodying resilience on the battlefield. With its toughness of six and an affordable casting cost, this card can deter many early aggressive creatures. Unlike usual defenders, its zero-power is a trait that might seem limiting, but its role is clear—to shield you from incoming attacks.

To effectively overcome Guardians of Meletis, you would be well-served by spells that can bypass its defensive stance. Cards that offer unconditional removal or exile like Path to Exile or Terminate present a straightforward solution. Alternatively, employing enchantments that neutralize its abilities such as Pacifism allows you to ignore its presence altogether. For those preferring a more direct approach, combat tricks that elevate your creatures’ strength beyond the six toughness threshold will serve to break through the guardian’s defense.

Keeping these strategies in mind, Guardians of Meletis can be overthrown, demonstrating that even the mightiest walls in Magic: The Gathering can be brought down with the right tactics. Focusing on its vulnerability to non-combat solutions or overpowering it in combat can ensure this looming structure doesn’t stand in your way for long.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Guardians of Meletis MTG card by a specific set like Theros and Magic Origins, 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 Guardians of Meletis and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Guardians of Meletis Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2013-09-27 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by Magali Villeneuve.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12013-09-27TherosTHS 2172003NormalBlackMagali Villeneuve
22015-07-17Magic OriginsORI 2282015NormalBlackMagali Villeneuve
32019-11-07Mystery BoosterMB1 15902015NormalBlackMagali Villeneuve
42020-09-26The ListPLST ORI-2282015NormalBlackMagali Villeneuve

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Guardians of Meletis has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal
PennyLegal