Granger Guildmage MTG Card


Granger Guildmage - Mirage
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Human Wizard
Released1996-10-08
Set symbol
Set nameMirage
Set codeMIR
Power 1
Toughness 1
Number220
Frame1997
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred byDan Frazier

Key Takeaways

  1. Granger Guildmage’s instant speed abilities grant players significant tactical advantages during gameplay.
  2. Its demand for specific mana types may limit the card’s deck versatility in MTG.
  3. While offering diverse functions, its abilities come at a higher mana cost compared to alternatives.

Text of card

o W, oc T: Target creature gains first strike until end of turn. o R, oc T: Granger Guildmage deals 1 damage to target creature or player and 1 damage to you.

Leave no mouth agape, no stomach unfilled. —Granger Guild maxim


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Granger Guildmage provides flexibility with its two distinct abilities, essentially giving you more options with a single card on the battlefield. This can translate into card advantage as you effectively have access to more actions without needing additional cards in hand.

Resource Acceleration: While Granger Guildmage doesn’t directly accelerate your resources, it can be a tool in strategies that capitalize on creatures entering the battlefield or dying, indirectly supporting your mana efficiency and paving the way for stronger plays.

Instant Speed: Both abilities of the Granger Guildmage can be activated at instant speed, allowing you to adapt to the flow of the game and make decisions with more information. This reactive capability can provide significant tactical advantages against your opponents.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Granger Guildmage demands you sacrifice a card to activate specific abilities. This can hamper your game plan, especially when you’re trying to maintain a card advantage against your opponent.

Specific Mana Cost: This creature card comes with a restrictive mana cost that necessitates both red and green mana. This combination binds it strictly to certain deck types, potentially limiting its versatility in a diverse format.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: When evaluated against other options in the MTG universe, the Guildmage’s abilities come at a premium mana cost. Players might find more bang for their buck with alternative cards that offer similar or better effects for a lower investment.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Granger Guildmage offers diverse options with its two separate abilities, allowing it to adapt to various game situations. It can serve as a source of direct damage or creature combat trickery, making it a flexible choice for different deck styles.

Combo Potential: The Guildmage’s ability to deal damage can be paired with other cards that capitalize on targeted effects or creature removal. Its tap ability also opens up synergies with cards that benefit from untapped creatures or those that tap for additional effects.

Meta-Relevance: As the game’s landscape shifts, a card like Granger Guildmage maintains relevance by offering both offensive and defensive capabilities. It can assist in controlling the board state, which is crucial in various meta environments.


How to beat Granger Guildmage

Granger Guildmage, a versatile red and white card from the Mirage set of Magic: The Gathering, has abilities that can be quite impactful on the battlefield. This Guildmage offers players options to burn away small creatures or heal themselves, providing not just utility but also resilience. The key to overcoming this adversary lies in strategic timing and resource management.

To counteract Granger Guildmage’s influence, one effective strategy is to leverage instant-speed removal when the opposing player is low on mana. By doing so, you constrain their ability to use the Guildmage’s abilities and maintain a reactive stance against potential threats. Another tactic is to deploy creatures with toughness greater than the Guildmage’s damage output, which can nullify its ability to control the board through its first ability.

Additionally, focusing on cards that shield your creatures or yourself from direct damage can diminish the Guildmage’s impact significantly. Remember, consistent pressure and denying your opponent’s opportunities to capitalize on the Guildmage’s abilities can be the deciding factor in outpacing and ultimately trumping the threat it represents on the table.


Cards like Granger Guildmage

Granger Guildmage is a versatile choice for deck builders in Magic: The Gathering who seek to add multifunctional creatures to their arsenal. Sharing the stage with comparable multitalent options like Centaur Healer, Granger Guildmage offers dual abilities that are pivotal in turning the tide during matches. While Centaur Healer provides an immediate life gain boost, the Guildmage requires a constant mana investment to either damage opponents or heal your creatures.

Looking at other alternatives, such as Cunning Sparkmage, players find similar tap abilities that can deal damage directly. However, Cunning Sparkmage’s single ability contrasts with Granger Guildmage, which provides both offensive and defensive utility. Other versatile creatures like Azorius Guildmage also present two distinct activated abilities, but their control-oriented effects cater to a different strategy compared to the combat-focused Guildmage.

The ability to choose between bolstering your creatures’ longevity or whittling down enemy forces makes Granger Guildmage an interesting card that stands out. It fits into a variety of MTG deck themes, particularly those that emphasize tactical flexibility over raw power, providing subtle yet significant advantages over the course of a game.

Centaur Healer - MTG Card versions
Cunning Sparkmage - MTG Card versions
Azorius Guildmage - MTG Card versions
Centaur Healer - Return to Ravnica (RTR)
Cunning Sparkmage - Worldwake (WWK)
Azorius Guildmage - Dissension (DIS)

Cards similar to Granger Guildmage by color, type and mana cost

Thornscape Apprentice - MTG Card versions
Cabaretti Initiate - MTG Card versions
Thornscape Apprentice - Duel Decks: Phyrexia vs. the Coalition (DDE)
Cabaretti Initiate - Streets of New Capenna (SNC)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Granger Guildmage MTG card by a specific set like Mirage, 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 Granger Guildmage and other MTG cards:

Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See Magic products

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Granger Guildmage has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

Recent MTG decks

Continue exploring other format decks
More decks