Maritime Guard MTG Card

Early defense is crucial, and Maritime Guard provides a cost-effective way to establish it in MTG. Adaptability through flash enablers can turn the Guard into a tactical surprise against opponents. While not overly powerful, its 1/3 stat line makes it a practical option for blue-focused decks.

Magic 2011 (M11)
2010-07-16 - Number 63

Magic Origins (ORI)
2015-07-17 - Number 63

Card sets	Released in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Merfolk Soldier
Power	1
Toughness	3

Cards like Maritime Guard

Maritime Guard stands as a reliable creature in the Magic: The Gathering landscape, much like other two-mana defensive staples. Notably, it bears resemblance to cards such as Kraken Hatchling, which also boasts a sturdiness uncommon among creatures in its mana range. Maritime Guard offers a 1/3 body for two mana, coming ready to block early attackers, similar to the Hatchling’s 0/4 stats.

Guard Gomazoa presents another interesting comparison. While it commands one mana more and comes with a slightly different ability, it too is designed to halt opposing creatures in their tracks. In contrast to Maritime Guard, Guard Gomazoa prevents all combat damage that would be dealt to it, thanks to its jellyfish-like resilience. Then, we have the more aggressive Omenspeaker, which shares the same mana cost but swaps defensive capability for scrying utility, sharpening your strategic edge in determining future draws.

Ultimately, Maritime Guard fits comfortably within the variety of early game defense options in Magic: The Gathering, with its straightforward safeguarding role and immediate impact on the board, serving players who prioritize stability over potential utility offered by similar creatures.

Cards similar to Maritime Guard by color, type and mana cost

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Card Pros

Card Advantage: While the Maritime Guard itself may not directly allow you to draw cards, its presence on the battlefield can protect your more valuable creatures and planeswalkers. This indirectly helps maintain card advantage by deterring attacks and preserving your high-impact cards.

Resource Acceleration: This card doesn’t provide resource acceleration in the traditional manner of producing mana or treasure tokens. However, with a low casting cost, Maritime Guard slots easily into your early game, allowing you to establish a board presence quickly without committing too many resources upfront.

Instant Speed: Despite being a creature card with sorcery speed, the inclusion of Maritime Guard in decks with flash enablers can give you the flexibility similar to an instant. Casting it at the end of your opponent’s turn can surprise an unprepared adversary and is superb for defending against incoming threats when timing is crucial.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Maritime Guard doesn’t directly have a discard requirement as part of its casting cost or effect, it becomes an implicit drawback in games where every card in hand is critical. This can occur when utilizing cards that synergize with hand size or when piloting strategies that rely on card advantage to overpower opponents.

Specific Mana Cost: Maritime Guard’s casting cost necessitates one blue mana, which makes it less flexible for multi-colored decks that may not always have the right mana available. This is a challenge especially in fast-paced games where mana efficiency can make or break your strategy.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: For two mana, Maritime Guard provides a basic 1/3 creature. Considering this investment, there are other creatures and spells at similar or lower costs that could offer greater utility or power on the battlefield. Seasoned players often look for creatures that provide more impact through abilities or synergy with their deck’s overarching themes.

Reasons to Include Maritime Guard in Your Collection

Versatility: Maritime Guard serves as a reliable early blocker, making it a solid inclusion in blue decks that need to safeguard against aggressive starts.

Combo Potential: As a creature with a low casting cost, it can easily be combined with cards that benefit from creature spells or use creatures as resources for larger plays later in the game.

Meta-Relevance: In a gameplay environment teeming with fast red and green creatures, the Guard can be a cost-effective way to ensure your defenses are up while setting up your own strategy.

How to beat

Maritime Guard is a simple yet functional creature card in Magic: The Gathering’s vast collection. As a blue creature with stats of 1/3, it serves as an early game defensive option primarily designed to block incoming threats. Despite its low cost and fair toughness, overcoming Maritime Guard requires a strategic approach.

To efficiently deal with Maritime Guard, consider using removal spells that can bypass its average toughness. Spells like Shock or Lightning Bolt are excellent direct damage options that can dispatch the guard without committing to combat. Other strategies involve using higher power creatures that can outmatch the guard’s toughness, forcing the defending player to make unfavorable blocks or lose their creature. Cards with flying or other evasion abilities also render the guard ineffective, as it lacks reach or flying itself.

In summary, while Maritime Guard has merits in the realm of Magic: The Gathering as an early blocker, various common removal tactics and stronger creatures can nullify its presence on the battlefield. By leveraging these techniques, players can effectively surpass Maritime Guard’s defensive role.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Maritime Guard MTG card by a specific set like Magic 2011 and Magic Origins, 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 Maritime Guard and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Maritime Guard Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2010-07-16 and 2015-07-17. Illustrated by Allen Williams.

#	Released	Name	Code	Symbol	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	2010-07-16	Magic 2011	M11		63	2003	Normal	Black	Allen Williams
2	2015-07-17	Magic Origins	ORI		63	2015	Normal	Black	Allen Williams

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Maritime Guard has restrictions

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