Kemba's Skyguard MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Cat Knight |
| Abilities | Flying |
| Released | 2010-10-01 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Scars of Mirrodin |
| Set code | SOM |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
| Number | 13 |
| Frame | 2003 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Whit Brachna |
Text of card
Flying When Kemba's Skyguard enters the battlefield, you gain 2 life.
"We're now to dispense aid to any Mirran we see battling anything . . . 'strange.' Regent's orders." —Ranya, skyhunter captain
Cards like Kemba's Skyguard
Kemba’s Skyguard is a standout entry in the world of creature cards with flying and lifelink abilities in Magic: The Gathering. It takes to the skies akin to Healer’s Hawk, both of which grant precious life points upon dealing combat damage. Yet, the Skyguard provides a bonus lift, granting you a more substantial life boost on entry, unlike the Hawk’s sole focus on combat lifelink.
Looking at Aerial Responder, a comrade in flight, this creature offers both vigilance and lifelink, ensuring that it remains a defensive bulwark even as it accretes life for you. Though both cards serve similar roles, Kemba’s Skyguard’s immediate impact on life totals can be crucial for gaining an early game advantage. On the other hand, Squadron Hawk may have a less impressive individual presence but thrives on squadron strategy, fetching additional copies of itself for a formidable aerial armada.
Each card takes a distinct tactical altitude, yet Kemba’s Skyguard shines with its direct life-gaining entry, preserving your stronghold from the moment it enters the battlefield. Certainly, in the diverse realm of life-gaining fliers, Kemba’s Skyguard holds its own with an advantageous blend of immediate life gain and aerial supremacy.
Cards similar to Kemba's Skyguard by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Kemba’s Skyguard shines by offering a swift aerial presence that comes with the added benefit of gaining 2 life upon entering the battlefield. This subtle life boost can be pivotal in matchups where sustaining health totals gives you the upper hand, effectively increasing your longevity against aggressive strategies.
Resource Acceleration: Though it doesn’t directly produce mana or treasure, the Skyguard’s ability to fortify your life total can be viewed as a form of indirect resource acceleration. It equips you with more buffer to deploy your life as a resource, using cards that trade life for powerful effects without jeopardizing your standing in the game.
Instant Speed: While Kemba’s Skyguard is a creature card and not an instant, its 2/2 body with flying is a quick deterrent to opponents considering an aerial assault. It doesn’t have flash inherently, but in a deck equipped to grant it, the Skyguard suddenly becomes an unexpected blocker or an end-of-turn surprise to regain the upper hand in life total and board presence.
Card Cons
Specific Mana Cost: Kemba’s Skyguard requires a mix of one white mana and two generic mana to cast. This specific cost can sometimes be a hurdle, especially early in the game or in multicolored decks that may struggle with mana fixing.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana for a 2/2 flyer, Kemba’s Skyguard might be considered costly. Other creatures at a similar cost might provide more impactful abilities or a stronger board presence, making it a less appealing option in some decks.
Discard Requirement: Although this card doesn’t have a direct discard requirement, its higher mana cost might compel players to discard it in favor of casting more immediate threats or answers, consequently not capitalizing on its battlefield entry effect of gaining 2 life.
Reasons to Include Kemba’s Skyguard in Your Collection
Versatility: Kemba’s Skyguard offers a unique blend of life gain and an aerial presence, making it a suitable addition to White-based aggro or midrange decks. Its ability to immediately impact the board and life totals upon entry provides flexibility in both offensive and defensive strategies.
Combo Potential: This card synergizes well with equipment and other cards that capitalize on life gain. In decks that focus on enhancing creatures or those that benefit from consistent life gain triggers, Kemba’s Skyguard can serve as a key piece to advance your board state while bolstering your defenses.
Meta-Relevance: In an environment where flying creatures can dominate and races to higher life totals are common, Kemba’s Skyguard stands out. It’s not just a creature; it’s a beacon of resilience against aggressive strategies, capable of swinging the momentum in your favor while keeping you at a healthier life count.
How to beat
Kemba’s Skyguard is an intriguing creature card in the Magic: The Gathering universe. This white card offers players flying capability and grants life gain upon entering the battlefield, strengthening your position in the game. Yet, even the mightiest of Skyguards have their vulnerabilities.
To counter Kemba’s Skyguard, removal spells are your go-to option. Since it’s a creature with only 2 toughness, simple removal spells like Shock or Lightning Bolt can handle it efficiently and cost-effectively. You could also consider spells that negate its life gain advantage, such as Tainted Remedy or Rain of Gore, which turn its upside into a tactical disadvantage. Additionally, countering it upon cast with a card like Counterspell or Essence Scatter ensures that the Skyguard’s abilities never come into play, maintaining the balance in your favor.
Overall, while the Skyguard adds an extra layer of defense and life gain for your opponent, a well-planned strategy consisting of removals, counters, or life gain reversal tactics can clear the skies and keep you in command of the match. With a myriad of tools at your disposal, overcoming Kemba’s Skyguard need not be an arduous task.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Kemba's Skyguard MTG card by a specific set like Scars of Mirrodin, 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 Kemba's Skyguard and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
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- MTG Mint Card
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- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
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Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Kemba's Skyguard has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |