Leonin Den-Guard MTG Card
2003-10-02 - Number 9
2005-08-22 - Number L17
2005-08-22 - Number L30
2005-08-22 - Number L29
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Cat Soldier |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Text of card
As long as Leonin Den-Guard is equipped, it gets +1/+1 and attacking doesn't cause it to tap.
No one under the four suns can elude the watchful eye of the den-guard.
Cards like Leonin Den-Guard
Leonin Den-Guard is a well-recognized creature card in Magic: The Gathering. It shares the battlefield with other cards like Elite Vanguard, a similar creature that boasts a human soldier type. Both come with a power of 2 and toughness of 1, and each requires only two mana to cast. The distinction lies in their abilities. While Leonin Den-Guard, true to its feline nature, has the ability to boost its defense when equipped, Elite Vanguard lacks any additional features, standing as a straightforward, no-frills combatant.
Moreover, we spot another kin in Savannah Lions, a card much akin to Leonin Den-Guard in its cost and stats. However, Savannah Lions doesn’t offer any abilities to enhance its performance during a game. This contrasts with Leonin Den-Guard, which demonstrates higher flexibility and potential resilience in the fray thanks to its equipment synergy. Finally, the comparison wouldn’t be complete without mentioning Isamaru, Hound of Konda – a legendary creature with the same stats but costs only a single white mana, providing prowess from turn one. Though it lacks Leonin Den-Guard’s scalable nature with equipment, it’s esteemed for its early game pressure.
When exploring creature cards that meld cost-efficiency with combative capabilities, Leonin Den-Guard presents a notable option, especially for decks that can capitalize on its equip-friendly trait.
Cards similar to Leonin Den-Guard by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: While the Leonin Den-Guard itself does not directly contribute to drawing cards, it can safeguard key creatures or your lifetotal which indirectly assists in maintaining card advantage by protecting your valuable assets on the battlefield.
Resource Acceleration: One often overlooked aspect of Leonin Den-Guard is its potential in aggressive strategies to accelerate the resource damage against opponents, applying pressure and forcing them to deal with it or risk falling behind quickly on board presence.
Instant Speed: Leonin Den-Guard has the ability to boost its own statistics at instant speed, making it a formidable blocker or an unexpected threat during combat. This versatility allows you to adapt to various situations, keeping your opponents guessing and always on their toes.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Employing the Leonin Den-Guard can be less appealing in scenarios where maintaining a full hand is crucial. Any situation demanding the discard of another card to deploy the Leonin Den-Guard can set you back, especially when every card in hand is vital for your strategy’s success.
Specific Mana Cost: The mana cost of the Leonin Den-Guard is narrowly defined, requiring white mana. This requirement can restrict its integration into multicolored decks or those employing a broader spectrum of mana. Players operating outside of mono-white or similar color schemes might find this limitation hinders the card’s versatility in their deck construction.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Weighing the cost against its battlefield impact, the Leonin Den-Guard might not always offer the optimal return on investment. With a mana value that could be considered high for its stat line and effect, there are competing creatures that could deliver more value or come into play with more impressive abilities at a similar or lower cost threshold.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Leonin Den-Guard offers a flexible role in creature-based decks, notably those requiring a robust early game presence. Its ability to receive a boost during your turn makes it a reliable attacker and a decent defender, fitting seamlessly into various strategies.
Combo Potential: This card pairs well with equipment and aura spells that can make it a significant threat. As a Soldier, it also benefits from tribal synergies, enabling it to be a key piece in decks that capitalize on the strength of this creature type.
Meta-Relevance: In an environment where aggressive white strategies are prevalent, Leonin Den-Guard can serve as a cost-effective creature to maintain pressure. Its resilience and adaptability can give it an edge in matchups against other tempo-oriented decks.
How to beat
Leonin Den-Guard is a card that embodies the resilience of white creature spells in MTG. Known for its ability to bolster its defense, the Leonin Den-Guard can be a thorn in the side of many aggressive decks. The card is particularly robust during your turn, as it gains +1/+1, raising both its attack and defensive capabilities.
However, the key to overpowering the Leonin Den-Guard lies in using removal spells efficiently. Tapping into spells that can exile or destroy creatures regardless of their power and toughness can be pivotal. Similarly, combat tricks and spells that prevent it from blocking or reduce its toughness below one can circumvent its boosted stats during your opponent’s turn. Cards with flying or other evasive abilities can also bypass the guard, as it lacks reach characteristic.
In summary, taking down the Leonin Den-Guard requires a mixture of strategic removal and evasion. It’s not about overpowering it in a head-on battle, but rather sidestepping its strengths and exploiting its weaknesses during your opponent’s turn, where its guard is down, so to speak.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Leonin Den-Guard MTG card by a specific set like Mirrodin and Salvat 2005, 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 Leonin Den-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
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Printings
The Leonin Den-Guard Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2003-10-02 and 2005-08-22. Illustrated by Todd Lockwood.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2003-10-02 | Mirrodin | MRD | 9 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Todd Lockwood | |
| 2 | 2005-08-22 | Salvat 2005 | PSAL | L17 | 2003 | Normal | White | Todd Lockwood | |
| 3 | 2005-08-22 | Salvat 2005 | PSAL | L30 | 2003 | Normal | White | Todd Lockwood | |
| 4 | 2005-08-22 | Salvat 2005 | PSAL | L29 | 2003 | Normal | White | Todd Lockwood |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Leonin Den-Guard has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
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.