Inner-Chamber Guard MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Human Samurai |
| Abilities | Bushido |
| Released | 2005-06-03 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Saviors of Kamigawa |
| Set code | SOK |
| Power | 0 |
| Toughness | 2 |
| Number | 13 |
| Frame | 2003 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Brian Snõddy |
Text of card
Bushido 2 (When this blocks or becomes blocked, it gets +2/+2 until end of turn.)
"It seems that each time I visit Lord Konda his guards are more on edge, perhaps even more eager for the war to reach them." —Masako the Humorless
Cards like Inner-Chamber Guard
Inner-Chamber Guard is a unique addition to the defensive creature repertoire in Magic: The Gathering. Its closest relatives in the creature card category can be seen in cards like Wall of Omens and Wall of Blossoms, both of which provide a degree of card advantage upon entering the battlefield. Unlike these walls, Inner-Chamber Guard does not inherently offer card draw, but it compensates with its potential to boost its power during combat.
If we consider the function of delaying the opponent, a card like Fog Bank also comes into play, being able to negate combat damage entirely. However, while Fog Bank is excellent at halting attacks, it doesn’t have the capacity to become an offensive threat as the Inner-Chamber Guard can. Additionally, we look at Perimeter Captain, a card that shares the defending trait but also provides life gain for each blocked attack. Though it’s a sturdy defensive option, it doesn’t have the scalable power of Inner-Chamber Guard which can grow to deter more formidable attackers.
Evaluating Inner-Chamber Guard against these alternatives highlights its standout ability to transition from a defensive role into a more aggressive one. In MTG play, this dual capability can offer strategic advantages, making Inner-Chamber Guard a valuable pick in the right deck composition.
Cards similar to Inner-Chamber Guard by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Inner-Chamber Guard shines in creating card advantage by allowing you to draw a card upon death, replenishing your hand and maintaining pressure on the opponent.
Resource Acceleration: While this card does not explicitly generate additional mana or tokens, its synergy with sacrifice mechanics can be leveraged to ramp up your resources indirectly in the right deck.
Instant Speed: The guard’s ability to block any number of creatures at instant speed makes it a flexible and formidable defender, capable of surprising an aggressive opponent and upsetting their combat calculations.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Inner-Chamber Guard necessitates the discard of another card from your hand to leverage its ability. This can be quite taxing when your hand is already depleted or when every card you have is pivotal to maintaining your game strategy.
Specific Mana Cost: This card requires white mana for casting, making it somewhat restrictive. Decks without white mana or those that are already stretched across multiple colors might find it challenging to accommodate such specific mana requirements.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Bearing a mana value that could be considered steep for its effects, Inner-Chamber Guard could potentially put players at a tempo disadvantage. With many competitive options available, players might opt for creatures or spells that offer a better cost-to-impact ratio in their deck construction.
Reasons to Include Inner-Chamber Guard in Your Collection
Versatility: Inner-Chamber Guard is flexible enough to slot into various deck archetypes. Its ability to provide defense while also offering a threat if left unchecked makes it a multifaceted addition to decks focusing on control or mid-range strategies.
Combo Potential: The Guard’s synergy with sacrifice mechanics can enhance combos in decks that capitalize on creature death. This can lead to advantageous interactions that contribute to your overall strategy, making it a worthwhile card for combo-centric builds.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta that’s heavy on creature combat, Inner-Chamber Guard stands out by being an efficient roadblock. The rise of aggressive decks often calls for sturdy defenders like this card, proving its value in a shifting meta landscape.
How to Beat
Inner-Chamber Guard is a resilient creature in MTG that offers players extra defense through its untap ability, particularly noteworthy during multi-opponent scenarios. Its unique skill set can deter opponents from attacking, knowing the card has the potential to become a reliable blocker again after being tapped. The card can be challenging to overcome, especially if you’re relying on straightforward combat strategies to push through your opponent’s defenses.
However, engaging with removal spells that don’t require the Guard to be tapped, like Murder or Path to Exile, are effective ways to address it. Alternatively, taking advantage of exile effects can also bypass its untap capability. For those preferring a less direct approach, controlling the game with enchantments like Pacifism can neutralize the Guard without having to remove it from the battlefield altogether. Ensuring you have a versatile deck capable of handling such persistent creatures is key when facing cards with the ability to untap and block multiple times during a turn.
While the Inner-Chamber Guard can be a formidable defense mechanism for an opponent, a well-constructed strategy involving removal and control can effectively neutralize its defensive stronghold, allowing you to maintain the upper hand in MTG matches.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Inner-Chamber Guard MTG card by a specific set like Saviors of Kamigawa, 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 Inner-Chamber Guard 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
See MTG Products
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Inner-Chamber Guard has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |