Kjeldoran Guard MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Human Soldier |
| Released | 1995-06-03 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Ice Age |
| Set code | ICE |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 1 |
| Number | 35 |
| Frame | 1993 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Anthony S. Waters |
Text of card
oc T: Target creature gets +1/+1 until end of turn. If that creature leaves play this turn, bury Kjeldoran Guard. Use this ability only when attack or defense is announced and only if defending player controls no snow-covered lands.
Cards like Kjeldoran Guard
In the realm of creature cards within Magic: The Gathering, Kjeldoran Guard serves as a notable example of early game defensive units. This card echoes the defensive capabilities of cards like Elite Inquisitor, which also offers a two power and two toughness at a low mana cost. Kjeldoran Guard differentiates itself with its cumulative upkeep cost, which demands a growing commitment of resources to keep it on the battlefield.
Kjeldoran Guard bears resemblance to Wall of Omens in its defensive utility. However, Wall of Omens brings an immediate benefit upon entering the battlefield by allowing its controller to draw a card. Then there’s Guardian of Pilgrims, a creature that boosts another creature’s power when it comes into play—unlike the Kjeldoran Guard, which stands firmly alone with no such enter-the-battlefield effect.
Scrutinizing these comparisons underscores Kjeldoran Guard’s place in Magic: The Gathering as a decent defensive option for the early stages of the game. Its uniqueness lies in the ongoing resource management it necessitates, which can be a double-edged sword, balancing its defensive qualities against the recurring upkeep cost.
Cards similar to Kjeldoran Guard by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Kjeldoran Guard offers utility in managing board presence by providing a blocker that can potentially deter early aggression from your opponents. While not a card advantage engine in the typical sense, its ability to protect more valuable creatures or your life total indirectly helps you preserve the cards that truly matter in the later stages of the game.
Resource Acceleration: This versatile defender aids in resource acceleration by surviving combat scenarios where other creatures might not. For decks that benefit from tap and untap mechanics, the Kjeldoran Guard can serve as a reliable option, ensuring your resources remain untapped and available for more strategic plays when they count.
Instant Speed: While the Kjeldoran Guard itself is not an instant, its low mana cost makes it an excellent card to play at the end of your opponent’s turn, keeping your mana open for instant speed interactions. This flexibility is valuable for players who want to maximize the efficiency of their turns and respond adaptively to threats.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Kjeldoran Guard card demands that you discard another card to activate certain abilities. This can deplete your hand, potentially leaving you at a disadvantage, especially in the late game where resources are crucial.
Specific Mana Cost: To cast Kjeldoran Guard, you need a precise combination of mana, including white, which can be restrictive if your deck isn’t tailored to consistently provide the necessary colors. This can lead to situations where the card is unplayable due to mana base issues.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Given its mana cost, the guard can be considered quite an investment for the board presence it provides. In an environment where early game tempo can be decisive, dedicating a significant portion of your mana to summon it may not always align with an efficient strategy, as there are other creature cards that can provide equal or greater utility for less mana.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Kjeldoran Guard showcases an adaptable nature in various deck builds. Its ability to serve as both an early defender and a late-game blocker thanks to its banding ability makes it a utility player in many situations.
Combo Potential: This card’s banding ability can be strategically paired with other creatures to tailor your defense or offense during gameplay, offering combo possibilities for creative deck builders.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where combat tricks and creature interactions are prevalent, Kjeldoran Guard can play an important role. Its potential to outmaneuver opponents with unorthodox blocking schemes makes it a smart pick for decks aiming to disrupt common strategies.
How to beat
Understanding your opponent’s strategies is pivotal in MTG, and a good defense can be as crucial as a strong offense. Faced with Kjeldoran Guard, a card that’s often found in decks seeking to stabilize the game through defense, players need to formulate a plan to bypass this steadfast defender. One effective way is by utilizing cards that can outmaneuver defenders, such as those with flying or trample abilities, which allow you to deal damage to your opponent even if Kjeldoran Guard is in play.
Moreover, spells that can remove creatures outright, like Murder or Path to Exile, are also viable solutions to clear the way for your attackers. Another avenue is playing spells that can tap or otherwise incapacitate Kjeldoran Guard without having to deal with its combat capabilities, which can include enchantments that pacify or tap target creatures. This approach helps remove the guard from combat equations, making it easier for your army to penetrate the defenses and reach the opposing player.
In summary, overcoming a Kjeldoran Guard requires a strategy that employs evasion, direct removal, or disabling the creature’s defensive use. Keep your tactics flexible and prioritize dealing with such obstacles efficiently to maintain the upper hand in your duels.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Kjeldoran Guard MTG card by a specific set like Ice Age, 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 Kjeldoran 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 Kjeldoran Guard has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |