Mirrormere Guardian MTG Card
2023-06-23 - Number 630
2023-06-23 - Number 179
2023-06-23 - Number 12
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Dwarf Soldier |
| Power | 4 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Text of card
When Mirrormere Guardian dies, the Ring tempts you.
"But still the sunken stars appear In dark and windless Mirrormere; There lies his crown in water deep, Till Durin wakes again from sleep." —Gimli's song
Cards like Mirrormere Guardian
Mirrormere Guardian is an intriguing new creature card that invites comparison with other MTG protectors. It shares characteristics with Tolarian Kraken, a card that also uses mana to activate its ability. However, the Guardian is unique in that it becomes indestructible, a precious quality that can greatly enhance its survivability during the game’s tougher conflicts.
Another similar card worth noting is Alseid of Life’s Bounty. This card offers a protective boon—albeit in a different fashion. Where the Guardian fortifies itself, Alseid sacrifices itself to shield others. It costs less mana but doesn’t provide the sturdy board presence that Mirrormere Guardian can offer.
Delving deeper into creature comparisons, Selfless Spirit comes into the conversation. This creature can also ensure the protection of your board, but instead of becoming indestructible itself, it bestows that trait on others when it dies. Mirrormere Guardian, with its ongoing threat of indestructibility, presents a recurring challenge for opponents to face.
Each of these cards shines in various scenarios, but Mirrormere Guardian stands out for its resilience on the battlefield, offering a blend of threat and defense that is uncommon among protective creatures within MTG.
Cards similar to Mirrormere Guardian by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Mirrormere Guardian can be a boon for your hand since it can create a token copy of itself. This effectively doubles your presence on the board and potentially in your hand, depending on the situation. The resulting synergy with other cards can lead to significant card advantage in the long run.
Resource Acceleration: Despite not directly impacting your mana pool, Mirrormere Guardian’s ability to replicate itself accelerates your resource presence by increasing your creature count. This amplifies the impact of any spells or abilities that scale with the number of creatures you control, indirectly contributing to resource acceleration.
Instant Speed: With the ability to flash in Mirrormere Guardian, you maintain the element of surprise and flexibility. Playing creatures at instant speed disrupts your opponent’s expectations and can turn the tide at crucial moments during the game, making it a versatile tool in your strategic arsenal.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Mirrormere Guardian’s playability may be hindered in decks that are not prepared to handle additional discard costs. Forcing a discard can result in unwanted depletion of the player’s hand, potentially costing them valuable options later in the game.
Specific Mana Cost: Mirrormere Guardian commands a precise mana combination to be cast efficiently. This can present a challenge in multicolored decks that may not always have the right mana available at the crucial moment when casting this guardian is most beneficial.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost that’s on the higher end for its abilities, Mirrormere Guardian may compete unfavourably against other cards with similar functions but at a lower mana investment. Players must weigh the benefit of including this card against other options that may provide more immediate or flexible impacts to the board state.
Reasons to Include Mirrormere Guardian in Your Collection
Versatility: Mirrormere Guardian offers flexibility in deck building, able to serve as both an early blocker and a potential late-game threat due to its scalable power and toughness.
Combo Potential: This card has synergy with mechanics that care about creature type counts or artifact-focused strategies, making it a strong enabler in decks that exploit these elements.
Meta-Relevance: In environments where board presence and adaptability are key, Mirrormere Guardian stands out by fitting into various archetypes and responding well to the shifting dynamics of competitive play.
How to beat
Mirrormere Guardian has quickly gained attention in the world of Magic: The Gathering. As a puzzle within the battlefield, this guardian can seem like an impossible wall to break through. Its ability to become a copy of another creature at the mere hint of danger makes it a formidable opponent. Whether it’s mimicking creatures with high power and toughness or those with game-altering abilities, it presents a unique challenge.
When facing a card as versatile as Mirrormere Guardian, strategic removal is key. Consider timing your removal spells for moments when your opponent is low on mana, thus preventing them from utilizing the guardian’s ability effectively. Another approach involves using spells that force your opponent to sacrifice creatures, circumventing the guardian’s copying feature entirely. Board wipes can also be effective, clearing the field of not just the guardian, but any threats it may clone.
Ultimately, while the Mirrormere Guardian is undeniably powerful, it’s not unbeatable. It challenges players to think creatively and use their removal resources at the most impactful times. With careful planning and the right cards, overcoming this guardian becomes a well-earned triumph in a game of Magic: The Gathering.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Mirrormere Guardian MTG card by a specific set like The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth and Tales of Middle-earth Art Series, 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 Mirrormere Guardian 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
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Printings
The Mirrormere Guardian Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2023-06-23 and 2023-06-23. Illustrated by Anton Solovianchyk.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2023-06-23 | The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth | LTR | 630 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Anton Solovianchyk | |
| 2 | Tales of Middle-earth Art Series | ALTR | 12 | 2015 | Art series | Borderless | Anton Solovianchyk | ||
| 3 | 2023-06-23 | The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth | LTR | 179 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Anton Solovianchyk |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Mirrormere Guardian has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Alchemy | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Mirrormere Guardian card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2023-06-16 | As the Ring tempts you, you get an emblem named The Ring if you don't have one. Then your emblem gains its next ability and you choose a creature you control to become (or remain) your Ring-bearer. |
| 2023-06-16 | Each player can have only one emblem named The Ring and only one Ring-bearer at a time. |
| 2023-06-16 | Each time the Ring tempts you, you must choose a creature if you control one. |
| 2023-06-16 | If the creature you choose as your Ring-bearer was already your Ring-bearer, that still counts as choosing that creature as your Ring-bearer for the purpose of abilities that trigger "whenever you choose a creature as your Ring-bearer" or abilities that care about which creature was chosen as your Ring-bearer. |
| 2023-06-16 | Some spells and abilities that cause the Ring to tempt you may require targets. If each target chosen is an illegal target as that spell or ability tries to resolve, it won't resolve. The Ring won't tempt you. |
| 2023-06-16 | The Ring can tempt you even if you don't control a creature. In this case, abilities that trigger "whenever the Ring tempts you" will still trigger. |
| 2023-06-16 | The Ring gains its abilities in order from top to bottom. Once it gains an ability, it has that ability for the rest of the game. |