Guenhwyvar MTG Card
| Type | Token Legendary Creature — Cat |
| Abilities | Trample |
| Released | 2021-07-23 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Adventures in the Forgotten Realms |
| Set code | AFR |
| Power | 4 |
| Toughness | 1 |
| Number | 13 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Token |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Brian Valeza |
Text of card
Trample
Cards like Guenhwyvar
The Guenhwyvar card is a unique creature asset in Magic: The Gathering, drawing parallels with other creature cards like Reassembling Skeleton and Bloodsoaked Champion. Guenhwyvar stands out with its ability to provide a resilient creature presence on the battlefield due to its ability to return to the owner’s hand. Differing from Reassembling Skeleton, which can be returned directly to the battlefield from the graveyard, Guenhwyvar requires the player to cast it again, thus offering a different tactical approach.
Among similar effects, Bloodsoaked Champion shares the recursive ability, yet it requires a specific condition – attacking with another creature. While this could be seen as a limitation compared to Guenhwyvar’s broader activation opportunity, it’s noteworthy that Bloodsoaked Champion’s return to the battlefield is direct, bypassing recasting. However, Guenhwyvar’s feline agility allows it to evade removal, adding a strategic layer to gameplay.
Analyzing these creature cards underlines Guenhwyvar’s potential as an enduring asset in creature-focused decks. The card’s ability to consistently impact the board creates dynamic play situations, making it a compelling choice for players who value long-term battlefield presence and strategic flexibility.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Guenhwyvar offers a distinct edge by potentially creating card advantage. Once on the battlefield, this creature card can become an asset by incrementally generating value that can outpace the opponent’s resources over several turns.
Resource Acceleration: Deploying Guenhwyvar can accelerate your board state significantly. Its ability to ramp up by offering repeatable creature deployment without consuming hand resources is a definitive plus. This continuous presence of a formidable creature bolsters your offensive and defensive capabilities alike.
Instant Speed: The hallmark of Guenhwyvar is its instant speed utility, allowing for strategic flexibility. You can summon this legendary creature during the end step of your opponent’s turn, saving your mana for reactionary plays or disguising your true game plan until the last possible moment, all of which are key tactical options.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Guenhwyvar demands you to relinquish another card from your hand to cast it. This extra step can be detrimental, particularly in the tight clutch moments of gameplay when every card in hand counts towards your strategy or if you’re already struggling with card advantage.
Specific Mana Cost: Summoning Guenhwyvar into play is specifically tied to a black mana cost. This limitation inevitably anchors the card to decks that have black mana readily available, therefore restricting its flexibility across the diverse spectrum of deck archetypes in Magic the Gathering.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: When assessed against other cards with similar effects, Guenhwyvar’s mana expense may appear steep. This higher cost can slow down your game tempo or force you to choose between deploying it or playing several lower-cost cards in a single turn, which could potentially offer more immediate board presence or versatility in responding to opponents’ actions.
Reasons to Include Guenhwyvar in Your Collection
Versatility: Guenhwyvar is a unique card that has the potential to find a place in several deck archetypes. As a creature token that can avoid commander tax, it offers flexibility and resilience, which can be critical in longer, grindy games.
Combo Potential: This card works well with synergies that capitalize on having a creature that can easily return to the battlefield. It interacts favorably with sacrifice strategies, enabling you to trigger death and enter-the-battlefield effects multiple times over the course of a game.
Meta-Relevance: In an environment filled with high-impact, single-target removal, Guenhwyvar’s recurring presence can give you a persistent threat that’s challenging for opponents to permanently deal with, ensuring you have a stake in various phases of the game.
How to Beat Guenhwyvar
Guenhwyvar presents a unique challenge on the battlefield. This legendary creature card can be a thorn in the side for many players due to its ability to cheat the normal casting process. Its ability to phase in and out of the battlefield makes it elusive and difficult to handle with regular removal spells. To effectively overcome Guenhwyvar, one should consider using cards that impose exile effects or ones that can remove cards from the game without targeting such as “Merciless Eviction” or “Terminus”. Including these types of cards in your deck can ensure that Guenhwyvar is dealt with decisively.
Direct damage spells are less effective since Guenhwyvar can simply phase out in response, so tactics that affect all creatures, such as global enchantments like “Rest in Peace” or “Leyline of the Void”, can be more reliable solutions. These not only stifle Guenhwyvar’s recurrence but can also nullify the advantage gained from other graveyard-based strategies your opponent might employ. Additionally, instant-speed cards that can be played on your opponent’s turn, right before Guenhwyvar phases in, can maximize your timing to sideline this formidable feline.
Smart deck building and strategic play are essential in maneuvering around Guenhwyvar’s resurgence. With the right preparation and by considering the broader MTG meta, players can turn Guenhwyvar’s strengths into vulnerabilities, maintaining control of the game.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Guenhwyvar MTG card by a specific set like Adventures in the Forgotten Realms, 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 Guenhwyvar 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
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