Hamlet Vanguard MTG Card
2021-11-19 - Number 201
2021-11-19 - Number 389
2022-01-28 - Number 468
2002-06-24 - Number 95403
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Human Warrior |
| Abilities | Ward |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Key Takeaways
- Hamlet Vanguard’s growth potential makes it a key card in human-centric decks.
- Resource acceleration enables early pressure, influencing opponent’s strategies.
- With instant-speed spells, Vanguard’s Ward ability provides strategic defense.
Text of card
Ward (Whenever this creature becomes the target of a spell or ability an opponent controls, counter it unless that player pays .) Hamlet Vanguard enters the battlefield with two +1/+1 counters on it for each other nontoken Human you control.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Hamlet Vanguard enhances your board presence by potentially entering the battlefield with a number of +1/+1 counters equal to the number of other Humans you control, thereby turning it into a formidable force without the need for additional cards.
Resource Acceleration: As a potentially high-powered creature, Hamlet Vanguard can apply pressure early on, forcing your opponent to use their resources on it and thereby allowing you to tap into your late-game strategies sooner.
Instant Speed: While Hamlet Vanguard isn’t an instant itself, it benefits from instant-speed spells you cast on your turn, with the Ward ability to protect it from targeted spells or abilities unless the opponent pays two additional mana, a feature made even more valuable at instant speed when you’re able to surprise an opponent with buffs or counters.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Hamlet Vanguard necessitates that you have another Human creature in play to get the most out of its abilities. This can sometimes be restrictive as it forces you to craft a deck around the Human tribe and may not synergize well with a diverse creature base.
Specific Mana Cost: With a casting cost requiring two green mana, Hamlet Vanguard can be a tricky fit for multicolored decks that do not have a reliable green mana source. Decks that aren’t predominantly green can struggle to cast it consistently on curve.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: While offering potential for a large power and toughness, the three total mana cost for Hamlet Vanguard might be considered high, especially since it starts as a 1/1 and its effectiveness is heavily reliant on how many other Humans you have in play. There are other creatures at lower mana costs with immediate board impact without such conditions.
Reasons to Include Hamlet Vanguard in Your Collection
Versatility: Hamlet Vanguard slots into various deck types, particularly those revolving around human or creature-heavy strategies. The card’s ability to grow in power with each other human you control means it adapts well in decks that can swarm the board.
Combo Potential: With the capability to become a massive threat, Hamlet Vanguard pairs well with cards that protect your creatures or enhance their abilities. Its inherent synergy with human tribal elements can be a linchpin for impactful combos and board presence.
Meta-Relevance: In a format where creature-based strategies are prominent, Hamlet Vanguard stands out. Its suitability in aggressive decks as well as midrange builds makes it a formidable addition, capable of swinging the game in your favor by creating a quickly escalating threat that opponents must address.
How to beat
Hamlet Vanguard can be a challenge to handle given its capacity to grow stronger with each human you control. This card thrives in a deck built around human synergy, getting tougher to tackle as the board presence increases. To counter it effectively, consider using removal spells that can bypass its growing toughness, like “Swords to Plowshares” or “Path to Exile” which exile the creature outright regardless of its stats.
Board wipes are another potent strategy against Hamlet Vanguard. Playing a card like “Wrath of God” or “Damnation” can reset the playing field, making it irrelevant how much Hamlet Vanguard has grown. Timing is key here; initiating a board wipe before the Vanguard gets out of hand could be crucial.
Don’t let Hamlet Vanguard rally its forces. Spot removals, sweepers, or keeping a light board on the opponent’s side could be your key strategies. Tap into your deck’s control elements and keep Hamlet Vanguard from gaining traction to maintain the upper hand in your matches.
Cards like Hamlet Vanguard
Hamlet Vanguard navigates the unique space of human tribal and growing threats in Magic: The Gathering. When we look at similar cards, Champion of the Parish stands out. Right off the bat, both cards thrive in a deck dense with human creatures. Champion of the Parish grows stronger with each human that enters the battlefield, making it an escalating threat, much like Hamlet Vanguard gains ward with every other human you control.
Thalia’s Lieutenant is another card that can go toe-to-toe in this comparison. It not only buffs itself upon other humans entering the battlefield but also strengthens all other humans – a double-edged sword. Unlike Hamlet Vanguard, though, it doesn’t boast the ward ability which enhances resilience against targeted spells. There’s also the dynamic Silverblade Paladin which provides double strike to another creature when both are in play. While Silverblade Paladin can offer a burst of damage, it doesn’t offer the same defensive capabilities or growth potential as Hamlet Vanguard.
Analyzing these cards side by side, Hamlet Vanguard presents an intriguing blend of team protection and individual power growth that can define the battlefield’s dynamics, making it a standout card in human tribes and defensive strategies.
Cards similar to Hamlet Vanguard by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Hamlet Vanguard MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Innistrad: Crimson Vow, 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 Hamlet Vanguard and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- 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
Printings
The Hamlet Vanguard Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2021-11-19 and 2022-01-28. Illustrated by PINDURSKI.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Magic Online Promos | PRM | 95403 | 2015 | Normal | Black | PINDURSKI | ||
| 2 | 2021-11-19 | Innistrad: Crimson Vow | VOW | 201 | 2015 | Normal | Black | PINDURSKI | |
| 3 | 2021-11-19 | Innistrad: Crimson Vow | VOW | 389 | 2015 | Normal | Black | PINDURSKI | |
| 4 | 2022-01-28 | Innistrad: Double Feature | DBL | 468 | 2015 | Normal | Black | PINDURSKI |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Hamlet Vanguard has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Future | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
