Jace, the Living Guildpact MTG Card
2014-07-08 - Number 62
2014-07-18 - Number 62
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Mythic |
| Type | Legendary Planeswalker — Jace |
| Loyalty | 5 |
Text of card
+1: Look at the top two cards of your library. Put one of them into your graveyard.
-3: Return another target nonland permanent to its owner's hand.
-8: Each player shuffles their hand and graveyard into their library. You draw seven cards.
Cards like Jace, the Living Guildpact
Jace, the Living Guildpact offers a unique place in the pantheon of blue planeswalkers in MTG. Its closest kin would be cards like Jace Beleren, which provides a straightforward card draw ability without self-bounce mechanics. Both are decent in controlling the game’s pace but Jace, the Living Guildpact brings the flexibility to reset your own unfavorable board state or protect itself by returning to the hand.
Looking at Teferi, Time Raveler, another similar card, we find a planeswalker that can both draw and manipulate the board, though Teferi leans more towards tempo play. Unlike Jace, the Living Guildpact, Teferi restricts opponents’ timing, yet doesn’t possess the bounce mechanic which can be tactically significant.
Within the realm of versatile planeswalkers, Jace, the Living Guildpact stands out thanks to his unique combination of drawing, bouncing, and deck manipulation abilities. While other walkers may excel in certain aspects, Jace’s toolkit encapsulates a range of strategic options that can pivot the flow of any match in MTG.
Cards similar to Jace, the Living Guildpact by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Jace, the Living Guildpact has a plus ability that lets you scry, effectively filtering the top two cards of your library. This means you can ensure better draws and thus maintain card advantage over the course of the game. His minus ability also lets you bounce a nonland permanent, potentially removing an opponent’s threat and further swinging the card balance in your favor.
Resource Acceleration: While Jace himself doesn’t directly accelerate your resources in terms of mana, his ability to bounce permanents can be used tactically to delay your opponent’s game plan. This gives you more turns to draw into your land drops or ramp spells, effectively accelerating your resources relative to theirs.
Instant Speed: Jace’s ability doesn’t work at instant speed, but he influences instant-speed plays in your deck. With the information gained from scrying and controlling the board by bouncing key targets, you can better plan when to cast those crucial instant-speed interactions, making each action you take more effective. Keep your counterspells and removal ready, as Jace helps you find the right moment to disrupt your opponents.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Jace, the Living Guildpact necessitates discarding a card to activate its ability. This can prove detrimental when your hand is sparse, forcing difficult decisions about which cards to sacrifice.
Specific Mana Cost: This planeswalker card requires a specific blend of blue mana for casting. Decks not dedicated to blue might struggle to meet this demand, potentially hindering its inclusion in multi-colored decks.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that demands four mana, including two blue, it’s hefty when compared to other cards with similar abilities. Savvy players often seek more cost-efficient alternatives for controlling the game’s flow.
Reasons to Include Jace, the Living Guildpact in Your Collection
Versatility: As a planeswalker with diverse abilities, Jace, the Living Guildpact offers varied utility across numerous deck types. His ability to bounce permanents and sift through decks enhances control strategies while providing valuable board presence.
Combo Potential: By manipulating both your own and your opponents’ decks, Jace can set up future plays or disrupt the opposition. His ultimate can turn the tide by clearing the way for a winning combo with an empty library.
Meta-Relevance: In an ever-evolving competitive scene, Jace’s ability to provide consistent deck filtering helps keep pace with the shifting metagame. His presence can be critical against decks that rely on specific combos or graveyard strategies.
How to Beat
Jace, the Living Guildpact is an intriguing planeswalker card in the Magic: The Gathering universe often known for his ability to manipulate decks and provide a solid defensive strategy. But as with any formidable card, understanding how to outplay it can turn the tides in your favor. An efficient method is to keep pressure on your opponent and deny them the opportunity to utilize his abilities optimally. Minimizing the number of cards in your opponent’s hand can also reduce Jace’s impact, as his ultimate ability can drastically tilt the game if executed with a full grip.
Direct damage spells and creatures with haste can be effective against Jace, as they can eliminate him before he becomes a substantial problem. In addition, cards that can bypass creatures and target planeswalkers directly enable you to handle him swiftly. Control decks that can counteract planeswalker abilities or consistently manage the board also fare well against Jace. By disrupting your opponent’s game plan and dealing with Jace immediately when he hits the board, you increase your chances of keeping him in check.
In summary, staying aggressive, reducing your opponent’s hand size, and having direct answers ready are key strategies in overcoming Jace, the Living Guildpact. Advance your gameplay by integrating these tactics, and you may find yourself neutralizing the threat of this powerful planeswalker with greater ease.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Jace, the Living Guildpact MTG card by a specific set like San Diego Comic-Con 2014 and Magic 2015, 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 Jace, the Living Guildpact 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 Jace, the Living Guildpact Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2014-07-08 and 2014-07-18. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2014-07-08 | San Diego Comic-Con 2014 | PS14 | 62 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jae Lee | |
| 2 | 2014-07-18 | Magic 2015 | M15 | 62 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Chase Stone |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Jace, the Living Guildpact has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Jace, the Living Guildpact card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2014-07-18 | If a player has no cards in their hand and no cards in their graveyard when the third ability resolves, that player won’t shuffle their library. |
| 2014-07-18 | When the first ability resolves, the card you don’t put into your graveyard stays on top of your library. |