Border Patrol MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	5
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Human Nomad
Abilities	Vigilance
Released	2002-05-27
Set symbol
Set name	Judgment
Set code	JUD
Power	1
Toughness	6
Number	6
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Roger Raupp

Key Takeaways

Provides card advantage and flexible responses with instant speed, crucial in MTG’s strategic gameplay.
Discard requirement and specific mana restrictions may limit its versatility and applicability in some decks.
Despite its high mana cost, Border Patrol’s defensive utility can be vital in control-oriented decks.

Guide to Vigilance card ability

In the strategic universe of Magic: The Gathering (MTG), the vigilance ability stands out as a powerful tool for players. This potent keyword allows creatures to attack without tapping, keeping them ready and alert to defend against incoming threats. It represents a perfect balance between aggression and defense, offering a dynamic approach to gameplay. Lets dive deeper into how vigilance shapes the battlefield.

Text of card

Attacking doesn't cause Border Patrol to tap.

"We have been victims of treachery, of the Cabal, and of our own ambitions. No more." —Commander Eesha

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Border Patrol card commands respect on the battlefield by potentially creating additional draw opportunities. In MTG, sustaining card advantage can tip the scales in your favor, as having more options each turn allows for more strategic flexibility and pressure on your opponent.

Resource Acceleration: While Border Patrol itself doesn’t accelerate resources in the traditional sense of mana production, its influence on board dynamics can lead to indirect acceleration. By effectively managing or deterring enemy creatures, it can maintain your resources for stronger plays, working as a form of resource preservation and tempo control.

Instant Speed: This card operates at instant speed, providing a swift response to threats or changing situations. It allows players to adapt to their opponents’ moves without committing mana during their own turn. This flexibility enhances strategic depth and surprise elements, making it a valuable tool in any player’s arsenal.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While the Border Patrol card can be a useful asset on the battlefield, one of its setbacks is the necessity to discard another card. This trade-off can lead to a disadvantage, particularly when your hand is already running low on cards. Having to let go of potentially important resources can hamper your strategy and leave you at a deficit compared to competitors who maintain card advantage.

Specific Mana Cost: The mana cost of Border Patrol requires a precise combination of mana types. This specificity restricts its inclusion to decks that can reliably produce the particular mana required. Players not running a deck that can support this cost may find it challenging to incorporate Border Patrol effectively, thereby reducing its overall versatility within the wider MTG metagame.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: When examining its cost-to-benefit ratio, Border Patrol comes with a comparatively high mana cost for its abilities. Given the range of options available in MTG, players often look for cards that provide maximum impact with minimal mana expenditure. In a game where efficiency can be the difference between victory and defeat, the high mana cost of Border Patrol may leave it overshadowed by other cards in a player’s arsenal that deliver similar or better effects with less resource investment.

Reasons to Include Border Patrol in Your Collection

Versatility: Border Patrol is a card that can be a reliable inclusion in decks that require tight control over the battlefield. Its capability to fortify defenses each round makes it adaptable to various playstyles and strategies.

Combo Potential: This card works well with strategies that capitalize on having numerous creatures on the board or that benefit from tapping and untapping creatures. It allows for interesting synergies in decks focused on these mechanics.

Meta-Relevance: Given its potential to affect the flow of the game by dictating combat phases, Border Patrol can be particularly effective if the current meta is creature-heavy or aggressive. It serves as a form of consistent board stability, making it a practical choice in numerous scenarios.

How to Beat Border Patrol

Border Patrol is a card that can present a unique challenge in MTG due to its ability to bolster a player’s defenses. Understanding its mechanics is crucial for crafting a strategy to overcome it. One effective method to beat Border Patrol is to utilize removal spells that can directly target and eliminate this creature from the battlefield. Spells like Murder or Path to Exile are perfect examples, allowing you to bypass the toughened defenses that Border Patrol provides.

Another approach is through the use of flying or reach creatures that can soar over the wall of defense that Border Patrol is known to create. Cards such as Serra Angel or Silklash Spider not only circumvent the ground-based barrier but can also apply pressure or defend, respectively. Additionally, mass removal spells such as Wrath of God or Damnation can reset the playing field, effectively negating the cumulative advantage that Border Patrol might have provided to your opponent.

Strategically, maintaining card advantage and applying constant pressure forces the player relying on Border Patrol to react rather than build up their board presence. Cards that offer versatility and can serve multiple roles in your deck will prove invaluable when facing a card with the characteristics of Border Patrol. In summary, while Border Patrol might seem formidable, a focused and well-rounded strategy can lead you to victory.

Cards like Border Patrol

Border Patrol stands out within its niche of defensive creatures in Magic: The Gathering. Players often compare it with fellow wall-type cards, such as Wall of Omens or Gleaming Barrier. Wall of Omens provides immediate value by drawing a card upon entering the battlefield, which is different from Border Patrol’s ongoing ability to restrict attacks. Though not directly providing card advantage, Border Patrol’s influence on board state can be more lasting.

Looking at Gleaming Barrier, there’s a focus on mana ramp through its death-triggered Treasure token. While useful for acceleration, this doesn’t match Border Patrol’s consistent defensive presence. Additionally, as a creature with vigilance and the potential to grow stronger under certain deck conditions, Border Patrol can transition from a passive defender to an active threat quite effectively compared to these other static defenders.

Ultimately, the exact role of Border Patrol varies based on deck synergy and playstyle, yet it undoubtedly holds a unique position. Whether prolonging the game for a late-game strategy or serving as a cornerstone for defense, it certainly carves a significant place alongside these similar MTG cards.

Cards similar to Border Patrol by color, type and mana cost

Enduring Angel // Angelic Enforcer - MTG Card versions

Celestial Gatekeeper - MTG Card versions

Kiyomaro, First to Stand - MTG Card versions

Shu Elite Companions - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Border Patrol MTG card by a specific set like Judgment, 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 Border Patrol and other MTG cards: