Midnight Guard MTG Card
2012-02-03 - Number 14
2014-07-18 - Number 20
2018-06-08 - Number 99
2019-11-07 - Number 177
2022-12-02 - Number 216
2020-09-26 - Number BBD-99
| Card sets | Released in 6 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Human Soldier |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Text of card
Whenever another creature enters the battlefield, untap Midnight Guard.
"When you're on watch, no noise is harmless and no shadow can be ignored." —Olgard of the Skiltfolk
Cards like Midnight Guard
Midnight Guard is a staple figure in the realm of creature cards with untap abilities in Magic: The Gathering. When pitted against its brethren, such as Village Bell-Ringer, it becomes clear that the Guard stands its ground. Both share the ability to untap once another creature comes into play, providing potential for infinite combos. However, Midnight Guard only untaps itself whereas Village Bell-Ringer untaps all creatures you control, which could have wider implications on the battlefield for certain strategies.
Examining the commonalities, we encounter Tappingo Vanguard, a card that similarly untaps every time another creature enters the battlefield under your control. Yet, it requires an additional mana investment for each trigger, unlike the free ability of Midnight Guard. Lastly, we have Springleaf Drum which, in a different twist, taps another creature to generate mana. While not directly comparable, it tends to synergize well with creatures like Midnight Guard that have built-in untap mechanisms.
In the broader context of cards with untap abilities, Midnight Guard offers a unique and cost-effective place in MTG decks that look to exploit the power of multiple creatures entering the fray and unleashing potential combo mayhem.
Cards similar to Midnight Guard by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Midnight Guard. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Bant Tokens | Modern | BLUE - SAT - 3PM - Chicago Modern Cup | |
 | Naya Combo | Pauper | Boros Bully | BLUE - SAT - 1PM - Chicago Pauper Cup |
 | WG | Pauper | Pauper Challenge 32 2024-01-07 |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Midnight Guard may not provide direct card draw, but it excels in offering repeatable untapping potential, enabling combo opportunities. This can indirectly lead to card advantage as you leverage its ability to activate other cards’ abilities multiple times within a single turn.
Resource Acceleration: While Midnight Guard doesn’t directly ramp or generate additional mana, its untap ability is pivotal in decks that synergize with tapping and untapping creatures. By untapping every time another creature enters the battlefield, it allows you to repeatedly use mana-generating creatures or artifacts, effectively speeding up your resource accumulation.
Instant Speed: Although Midnight Guard itself doesn’t operate at instant speed, its ability triggers instantly whenever a creature enters the battlefield. This aligns perfectly with spells and abilities that function at instant speed, permitting unexpected combos and interactions during your opponent’s turn, keeping you a step ahead in the match.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Unlike other creatures that offer immediate value upon entering the battlefield, Midnight Guard doesn’t have any ability that compensates for card disadvantage, making any discard requirements for additional effects more impactful on your hand.
Specific Mana Cost: Midnight Guard requires a precise mana cost of two and one white, demanding a commitment to white mana resources, which can be restrictive in multicolored decks that may prioritize more flexible mana allocations.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: For a 2/3 creature, the mana cost is relatively high compared to other creatures with similar or better abilities. In Magic, efficiency is key, and there are various options that may offer more utility or power at a lower cost threshold.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Midnight Guard is a flexible inclusion that can adapt to various deck themes. Its ability to untap whenever another creature enters the battlefield allows for numerous synergies and defensive strategies, making it suitable for decks focusing on creature play.
Combo Potential: With the right accompanying cards, Midnight Guard can be a cornerstone in an infinite combo. Pairing it with cards such as Presence of Gond creates the potential for unlimited token generation, underlining its value for players seeking to discover and play powerful interactions.
Meta-Relevance: More than just a casual favorite, its utility in specific metas where creature-based strategies are prevalent makes it a relevant card. In such environments, Midnight Guard serves as both an enabler and a deterrent, providing continuous battlefield presence and interaction.
How to Beat
Midnight Guard holds a respectable position in decks that capitalize on untap mechanics and combos in Magic: The Gathering. This creature may seem innocuous at first glance with its ability to untap whenever another creature enters the battlefield – a trait that can be creatively abused in certain decks that thrive on triggering effects and summoning multiple creatures in quick succession.
An effective strategy to counter Midnight Guard is to limit creature plays, thus restricting its untapping ability. Removal spells that can bypass its untap trigger are great for handling it, such as instant speed removals like Fatal Push or Path to Exile which can interrupt the opponent’s play sequence before they get the chance to exploit the Guard’s ability. Another robust approach is to utilize board wipes such as Wrath of God or Damnation which can clear the battlefield including Midnight Guard regardless of its untapped state.
When planning your moves against a deck featuring Midnight Guard, remember that preventing or responding to the triggers is key. By keeping the board under control and selectively disrupting your opponent’s strategy, you ensure that Midnight Guard does not become the linchpin of an unstoppable combo on the battlefield.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Midnight Guard MTG card by a specific set like Dark Ascension and Magic 2015, 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 Midnight 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
Printings
The Midnight Guard Magic the Gathering card was released in 6 different sets between 2012-02-03 and 2022-12-02. Illustrated by Jason A. Engle.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2012-02-03 | Dark Ascension | DKA | 14 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Jason A. Engle | |
| 2 | 2014-07-18 | Magic 2015 | M15 | 20 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jason A. Engle | |
| 3 | 2018-06-08 | Battlebond | BBD | 99 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jason A. Engle | |
| 4 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 177 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jason A. Engle | |
| 5 | The List | PLST | BBD-99 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jason A. Engle | ||
| 6 | 2022-12-02 | Jumpstart 2022 | J22 | 216 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jason A. Engle |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Midnight Guard has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |