League Guildmage MTG Card
2018-10-05 - Number 185
2022-07-08 - Number 241
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Human Wizard |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Text of card
, : Draw a card. , : Copy target instant or sorcery spell you control with converted mana cost X. You may choose new targets for the copy.
Cards like League Guildmage
League Guildmage stands out among creature cards with spell-casting abilities in Magic: The Gathering. This two-mana cost multicolored creature from the Guilds of Ravnica set possesses not just one, but two distinct activated abilities akin to spells. Its ability to draw a card by tapping and paying a notable mana sum mirrors effects similar to those of Merfolk Looter, albeit at a much higher resource cost. However, what sets League Guildmage apart is its second ability to copy instant or sorcery spells, reminiscent of the capabilities of cards like Nivix Guildmage.
While Nivix Guildmage also provides the spell-copying utility, it requires a slightly different mana investment strategy, underlining its adaptability in a game. Dualcaster Mage is another comparable card, also offering a spell-copying trait but as an enter-the-battlefield effect, this interaction is quite different in practice since it’s tied to a one-time trigger rather than a continuous ability.
Overall, League Guildmage offers a blend of persistent utility with its dual abilities, making it a valuable asset for players orchestrating control or combo strategies in their MTG gameplay, showcasing a unique versatility compared to other similar MTG cards.
Cards similar to League Guildmage by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: League Guildmage offers a potent ability to draw additional cards. This feature is an asset for players looking to build their hand and keep the momentum going. By activating its ability, you can potentially outpace your opponent by having more options available each turn.
Resource Acceleration: Besides card draw capabilities, League Guildmage can accelerate your resources by copying an instant or sorcery spell. This means your spells have double the impact without expending extra cards from your hand, bolstering your in-game resources significantly.
Instant Speed: With the guildmage, you are granted the flexibility of instant speed interactions. This versatility enables you to react swiftly to opponents’ actions during their turn, which can disrupt their strategy and give you a critical advantage in the match.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: League Guildmage’s first ability requires you to discard a card, which could be a setback when you are trying to maintain card advantage or don’t have expendable cards in hand.
Specific Mana Cost: The activation cost of League Guildmage’s abilities demands both blue and red mana, potentially restricting its inclusion to only Izzet or multicolored decks that can readily supply these mana types.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although the abilities offer utility, they come at fairly high costs; for instance, copying an instant or sorcery spell requires a substantial investment of three mana, including one blue and one red. There might be more mana-efficient options available for decks looking to harness similar effects.
Reasons to Include League Guildmage in Your Collection
Versatility: League Guildmage offers diverse functionality by granting you the means to copy instant or sorcery spells or simply draw a card, allowing for adaptation to a wide array of game situations.
Combo Potential: The spell-copying ability synergizes with a multitude of combos and can amplify the impact of powerful spells in your arsenal, providing a path to victory through duplicated effects.
Meta-Relevance: In game environments where control and spell-based strategies are prevalent, having a repeatable source of card advantage and flexibility like League Guildmage can be a game-changer, ensuring it remains a relevant choice for competitive play.
How to beat
League Guildmage presents itself as a versatile tool in the world of MTG, offering both card draw and copying abilities. This adaptability can pose a significant challenge for opponents, making it essential to develop strategies to counter it effectively. One of the most effective strategies is to limit the Guildmage’s impact by employing instant-speed removal spells. Cards such as Shock or Fatal Push can eliminate the creature before it starts generating card advantage or duplicating spells, which it can only do at sorcery speed.
Another approach is to utilize counterspells to prevent the Guildmage from ever hitting the battlefield. Disdainful Stroke and Essence Scatter specifically target creatures and spells with higher casting costs, which includes the activated abilities of the Guildmage. If the creature does manage to resolve, maintaining pressure and forcing the Guildmage’s controller to use mana elsewhere will also help mitigate its abilities. Cards with exile effects, like Path to Exile, are equally beneficial, permanently removing the Guildmage from the game.
Ultimately, overcoming the adaptive prowess of League Guildmage requires a proactive game plan that prioritizes its removal or neutralizes its advantages swiftly. Keep these strategies in mind, and you’ll be well-equipped to handle this multifaceted threat.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase League Guildmage MTG card by a specific set like Guilds of Ravnica and Double Masters 2022, 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 League Guildmage and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
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- MTG Mint Card
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Printings
The League Guildmage Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2018-10-05 and 2022-07-08. Illustrated by Svetlin Velinov.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2018-10-05 | Guilds of Ravnica | GRN | 185 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Svetlin Velinov | |
| 2 | 2022-07-08 | Double Masters 2022 | 2X2 | 241 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Svetlin Velinov |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where League Guildmage has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering League Guildmage card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2018-10-05 | If a spell has in its mana cost, include the value chosen for that X when determining the converted mana cost of that spell. |
| 2018-10-05 | If the spell has damage divided as it was cast, the division can’t be changed (although the targets receiving that damage still can). The same is true of spells that distribute counters. |
| 2018-10-05 | If the spell that’s copied has an X whose value was determined as it was cast (like Banefire does), the copy will have the same value of X. |
| 2018-10-05 | If the spell that’s copied is modal (that is, it says “Choose one —” or the like), the copy will have the same mode. A different mode can’t be chosen. |
| 2018-10-05 | If you copy a spell, you control the copy. It will resolve before the original spell does. |
| 2018-10-05 | League Guildmage’s second ability can copy any instant or sorcery spell you control, not just one with targets. |
| 2018-10-05 | The controller of a copy can’t choose to pay any alternative or additional costs for the copy. However, effects based on any alternative or additional costs that were paid for the original spell are copied as though those same costs were paid for the copy. |
| 2018-10-05 | The copy is created on the stack, so it’s not “cast.” Abilities that trigger when a player casts a spell won’t trigger. |
| 2018-10-05 | The copy will have the same targets as the spell it’s copying unless you choose new ones. You may change any number of the targets, including all of them or none of them. If, for one of the targets, you can’t choose a new legal target, then it remains unchanged (even if the current target is illegal). |