Pride Guardian MTG Card

Magic 2012 (M12)
2011-07-15 - Number 31

Conspiracy (CNS)
2014-06-06 - Number 77

Card sets	Released in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	1
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Cat Monk
Abilities	Defender
Power	0
Toughness	3

Key Takeaways

Pride Guardian bolsters defense, deterring attacks and indirectly maintaining battlefield resources.
Its casting requires white mana, which may limit versatility in non-white decks.
An early play, it’s ideal in life gain tactics, stalling aggressive opponents efficiently.

Text of card

Defender (This creature can't attack.) Whenever Pride Guardian blocks, you gain 3 life.

"Any hotheaded cub can raise a sword in anger."

Card Pros

Card Advantage: When discussing the merits of Pride Guardian, card advantage comes in the unique form of defense. Although it doesn’t allow you to draw more cards, it presents a sturdy blocker that can protect your other creatures and your life total, indirectly maintaining your resources on the battlefield.

Resource Acceleration: While Pride Guardian doesn’t directly accelerate your resources, it aids in resource preservation by discouraging attacks. This one-drop cat with a significant toughness acts as a deterrent, often preserving your life total without needing to invest more mana in additional creatures for defense.

Instant Speed: The Guardian itself may not be an instant, but it complements an instant-speed strategy well. Deploying this creature strategically can be a signal to your opponent that you have other instant-speed interactions, manoeuvring them into an unfavorable combat or deterring them from attacking altogether.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Having a card in your deck like Pride Guardian that necessitates the discard of another card can be a significant setback. This holds especially true when your hand is already strained for options, leaving you to forfeit valuable assets that could turn the tide of the game.

Specific Mana Cost: Pride Guardian requires a specific mana alignment to cast—white, which narrows its compatibility. Decks that don’t heavily feature white mana might find it challenging to reliably summon this card, making it less versatile across various deck designs.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While Pride Guardian’s defensive capabilities are notable, its mana cost is a point of contention. Allocating one white mana for a creature of its caliber might seem reasonable at first glance, but in the grand scheme of MTG, there are creatures that might provide a higher defense-to-cost ratio, rendering Pride Guardian a less economical choice in the competitive landscape.

Reasons to Include Pride Guardian in Your Collection

Versatility: Pride Guardian serves as an efficient defensive creature, suitable for decks that focus on life gain strategies or simply require an early blocker to deter aggressive opponents.

Combo Potential: With its ability to gain you life whenever it blocks, this card pairs well with other cards that trigger off life gain or increase the toughness of your creatures to further enhance its defensive capabilities.

Meta-Relevance: In a format where aggressive, creature-heavy decks are prevalent, Pride Guardian can be a key inclusion, effectively stalling early onslaughts while you set up for your late-game strategy.

How to beat

Pride Guardian is a unique creature card that serves as a robust defensive option for MTG players looking to shield themselves from early game aggression. This low-cost cat monk with its impressive defensive stats stands out in its ability to absorb incoming damage, and its “defender” attribute keeps it from attacking, positioning it firmly as a protective force.

Nevertheless, when facing Pride Guardian, the strategy shifts from direct confrontation to utilizing removal spells or abilities that can sidestep its high toughness. Effective spells like Murder or Path to Exile can cleanly remove it from the battlefield, bypassing its defensive stance entirely. Alternately, evasion tactics such as flying or menace can prove invaluable, as they allow attackers to circumvent the guardian entirely, pressing the offensive while the stout blocker remains unable to retaliate.

Thus, while Pride Guardian can hold the fort against a ground assault, it’s vulnerable to targeted removal and evasion strategies. Players must adapt their tactics accordingly, choosing the right moments to eliminate or bypass the guardian to maintain the momentum and pressure on their opponent.

Cards like Pride Guardian

Pride Guardian is a unique creature in MTG that offers a specific advantage in defensive play. As a 0/3 cat monk with the ability to gain you life each time it blocks, it’s similar to cards like Nyx-Fleece Ram. Both stand as exceptional defensive options; however, the ram has an added benefit of providing a consistent life boost during your upkeep, regardless of whether it blocks or not.

Another card to consider is Wall of Hope, which holds life-gain properties when it blocks, offering a similar function to Pride Guardian. The primary difference lies in their creature types and toughness. Wall of Hope has the advantage of potentially being included in a deck that favors walls, whereas Pride Guardian, as a cat monk, aligns well in feline or monk-themed strategies.

In terms of its place within MTG’s broad swath of creatures, Pride Guardian may not steal the spotlight for raw power. Nevertheless, it shines in specialized roles where stalling aggressive opponents and incrementally gaining life can tip the scales in the late game. Its defensive capability, paired with the tactical benefits it provides, makes it a card worth considering in certain deck builds that leverage its unique attributes.

Cards similar to Pride Guardian by color, type and mana cost

Faerie Guidemother // Gift of the Fae - MTG Card versions

Yoshimaru, Ever Faithful - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Pride Guardian MTG card by a specific set like Magic 2012 and Conspiracy, 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 Pride Guardian and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Pride Guardian Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2011-07-15 and 2014-06-06. Illustrated by Chris Rahn.

#	Released	Name	Code	Symbol	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	2011-07-15	Magic 2012	M12		31	2003	Normal	Black	Chris Rahn
2	2014-06-06	Conspiracy	CNS		77	2003	Normal	Black	Chris Rahn

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Pride Guardian has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Penny	Legal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Pride Guardian card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.