Munda's Vanguard MTG Card
2016-01-22 - Number 29
2016-01-22 - Number 29s
2016-01-22 - Number 29
2002-06-24 - Number 59659
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Kor Knight Ally |
| Abilities | Cohort |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Text of card
Cohort — , Tap an untapped Ally you control: Put a +1/+1 counter on each creature you control.
"Do not let yourselves fall now. Zendikar is depending on us—on you!"
Cards like Munda's Vanguard
Munda’s Vanguard is an interesting card to evaluate in the pantheon of ally-centered cards in MTG. Alongside cards like Hada Freeblade and Kazandu Blademaster, Munda’s Vanguard offers a unique tactical advantage. While Hada Freeblade gains a +1/+1 counter every time another ally enters the battlefield, Munda’s Vanguard offers the ability to place a +1/+1 counter on each creature you control with its cohort ability. On the other hand, the Blademaster gains a +1/+1 counter for each ally that comes into play, including itself, but does not provide the group-wide boost that Munda’s Vanguard does.
Comparing Munda’s Vanguard further, we look at Captain’s Claws, an equipable artifact that, rather than enhancing existing creatures, focuses on creating 1/1 Kor Ally tokens with each attack. This strategy can synergize well with Munda’s Vanguard’s ability by subsequently strengthening the tokens. Yet, Captain’s Claws does not in itself escalate the power of your current board like Munda’s Vanguard does.
These are vital considerations for players building an ally-focused deck, as balancing individual ally strength with collective enhancements shapes the dynamics of gameplay. Thus, Munda’s Vanguard competes favorably due to its potential for comprehensive board development.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Munda’s Vanguard doesn’t draw cards directly, but it enhances each Ally you control, effectively increasing the value of your existing board presence. By bolstering multiple creatures, you extend the advantage you gain from each Ally played beforehand.
Resource Acceleration: While Munda’s Vanguard itself doesn’t accelerate your mana resources, it can quickly change the dynamics on the board by giving you an army of bolstered creatures. This can lead to a faster victory, which is a form of indirect resource acceleration as you are expediting the game’s conclusion in your favor.
Instant Speed: Although Munda’s Vanguard operates at sorcery speed, its cohort ability can be activated at any time you could cast an instant, assuming you control another Ally. This flexibility allows you to surprise an unsuspecting opponent by enhancing your creatures right before combat or end of their turn, making your army a more formidable force to reckon with.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Munda’s Vanguard compels you to discard a card to activate its cohort ability. This could deplete your hand, making it a risky play if you’re already struggling with card availability.
Specific Mana Cost: Costing two generic and three white mana, the Vanguard requires a heavy commitment to white mana sources. This specific demand could be restrictive for multi-color decks and may not fit seamlessly into every build.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a total casting cost of five mana, Munda’s Vanguard is a considerable investment. There are alternatives that may bring a more immediate board presence or provide other synergies at a lower cost to your mana pool.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Munda’s Vanguard offers adaptability in decks that focus on creature strategies, especially those centered around the Ally creature type. Its ability to bolster multiple creatures simultaneously makes it a solid addition that can strengthen your board presence.
Combo Potential: This card synergizes well with decks that capitalize on +1/+1 counters. It can easily become a pivotal piece in combos that exploit these counters, magnifying the effects of cards that interact with them or that benefit from having numerous creatures.
Meta-Relevance: As the game evolves, maintaining a footprint in the meta can be challenging. Munda’s Vanguard holds potential relevance in metas where smaller creatures need the extra edge to compete with larger threats, allowing them to scale and maintain pressure on the opponent.
How to beat
Munda’s Vanguard is a card that demands immediate attention when it hits the battlefield in MTG. As an ally that boosts other allies, it can quickly turn a modest board into a significant threat. When facing Munda’s Vanguard, timing is crucial. Ideally, you want to remove it before an ally rally can occur, preventing the accumulation of +1/+1 counters.
Removal spells are your best friend here. Instant-speed removal like Fatal Push or Path to Exile can dispatch the Vanguard before it activates. If you’re in a proactive position, board wipes like Wrath of God can reset the playing field before the vanguard’s effects spiral out of control. Similarly, countering this creature upon casting with spells like Counterspell or Mana Leak is effective in preventing any of its abilities from being used. Alternatively, keeping the board clear of other allies will limit its impact.
In essence, quick removal, counterspells, or limiting ally growth are key to minimizing Munda’s Vanguard’s impact in MTG games. Remember, the longer it stays on the field, the more formidable the opposing ally army becomes, so act fast and decisively to maintain control of the game.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Munda's Vanguard MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Oath of the Gatewatch Promos, 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 Munda's Vanguard 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 Munda's Vanguard Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2016-01-22 and 2016-01-22. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Magic Online Promos | PRM | 59659 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Deruchenko Alexander | ||
| 2 | 2016-01-22 | Oath of the Gatewatch Promos | POGW | 29 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Deruchenko Alexander | |
| 3 | 2016-01-22 | Oath of the Gatewatch Promos | POGW | 29s | 2015 | Normal | Black | Steve Prescott | |
| 4 | 2016-01-22 | Oath of the Gatewatch | OGW | 29 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Steve Prescott |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Munda's Vanguard has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Munda's Vanguard card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2016-01-22 | To activate a cohort ability, the Ally with that ability must have been under your control continuously since the beginning of your most recent turn. Informally, it can’t have “summoning sickness.” However, the other Ally you tap can be one that just came under your control. (Note that tapping the second Ally doesn’t use -he tap symbol].) |