Neighborhood Guardian MTG Card
2024-02-09 - Number 339
2024-02-09 - Number 26
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Unicorn |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Text of card
Whenever another creature with power 2 or less enters the battlefield under your control, target creature you control gets +1/+1 until end of turn.
CURRENTLY DEFINES ITS NEIGHBORHOOD AS ALL OF DISTRICTS EIGHT AND NINE, EXTENDING LATELY INTO PARTS OF THE TENTH.
Cards like Neighborhood Guardian
The Neighborhood Guardian shares similarities with other figures in the MTG realm. Like Sunscape Battlemage, this Guardian brings versatility to the battlefield, offering additional utility beyond just a creature’s power and toughness. The Sunscape Battlemage, for one, allows players to choose between destroying an enemy flier or drawing cards. The utility is similar, but the Guardian, with its emphasis on creature support, showcases its uniqueness in a deck centered around vigilance, enriching that specific strategy.
Another card, Vigilant Sentry, offers a related mechanic, granting vigilance by fulfilling a threshold condition. While it interacts well within its environment, Neighborhood Guardian’s inherent vigilance ability, coupled with a protective aura for its neighbors, makes it a valuable option for any player seeking to bolster their defensive lines without the conditionality of the Sentry. The Guardian’s potential impact on the board state can be more consistent, fortifying positions with ease.
Consequently, in the orchestration of vigilant-themed decks, Neighborhood Guardian stands out. It reaffirms a player’s defensive scheme with a steadfast presence, ensuring its place among MTG’s varied protectors. This Guardian thrives in strategies focused on maintaining a formidable, unwavering front.
Cards similar to Neighborhood Guardian by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Neighborhood Guardian. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Decklist | Free form | UOL MKM Sealed League | |
 | Mono-White Aggro | Gladiator | Sword and Sandals Showdown: AM Week 15 2024 | |
 | Lilypadms MKM Sealed | Free form | UOL MKM Sealed League | |
 | Boros Aggro | Standard | Boros Convoke | ~~ Izzet Explosive Experiment Event |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Neighborhood Guardian provides undeniable value by letting you peek at the top card of your library at any time, ensuring you’re always a step ahead in the game. This continuous flow of information can be leveraged to make strategic decisions that keep your hand filled with actionable plays.
Resource Acceleration: With the ability to tap for a colorless mana, this vigilant creature aids in ramping up your resources without compromising your ability to react. It’s a reliable fixture on the battlefield that contributes to your mana pool while still being ready to defend at a moment’s notice.
Instant Speed: Its flash ability allows you to deploy Neighborhood Guardian as a surprise blocker or apply pressure at the end of your opponent’s turn. This flexibility ensures you are always maximizing your mana each turn while keeping your adversaries guessing about your next move.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Neighborhood Guardian demands that a player discards a card to unlock its full potential. This cost can set you back in card advantage, particularly critical in games where maintaining a full hand is essential.
Specific Mana Cost: This card requires a precise mana combination to cast, which could be challenging for decks that are not tailored to its color identity, potentially restricting its playability across diverse deck types.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a relatively steep mana investment to put Neighborhood Guardian into play, it may compete with other powerhouse cards in your curve. This could lead to tough decisions about which card to play when, especially in faster-paced matches where efficiency is key.
Reasons to Include Neighborhood Guardian in Your Collection
Versatility: Neighborhood Guardian offers a broad scope of deck-building flexibility. It can snugly fit into various archetypes that thrive on creature-based strategies, while its ability to become a human in any neighborhood ensures it synergizes with human-centric themes as well.
Combo Potential: This card has inherent synergy with effects that care about creature type changes or effects that trigger upon creature casting. It can create powerful interactions and open the door for numerous combo possibilities that can enhance gameplay and strategy.
Meta-Relevance: In game environments where versatility and adaptability are key, Neighborhood Guardian stands out. Its capacity to adjust roles according to the demands of the match-up makes it a relevant choice against an array of opposing strategies.
How to beat
Neighborhood Guardian emerges as a robust defender in Magic: The Gathering, positioning itself as a potent obstacle with its ability to demand an additional mana from opponents for their spells during your turn. This element of control can slow down an adversary’s tempo, echoing tactics seen in cards like Thalia, Guardian of Thraben, albeit in a different role. Thalia ups the cost of noncreature spells, creating a similar hurdle for spell-heavy decks.
Countering this vigilant protector requires strategic planning. Focusing on instant-speed interactions that resolve on your own turn can neutralize the additional cost imposed by the Neighborhood Guardian. Cards like Abrade or Heartless Act offer efficient removal without being hindered by the extra mana tax. Alternatively, deploying threats that demand an immediate answer can shift your opponent’s focus, forcing them to conserve mana for their own defensive measures rather than setting up the Guardian’s taxing effect.
Adapting to the ebb and flow of the game is crucial when facing the Guardian. Timing is key, as is the selection of spells that operate under its radar or capitalize on windows of opportunity. Understanding and exploiting these moments can tip the scales, allowing you to outmaneuver the Neighborhood Guardian’s influence and maintain the pacing of your game plan.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Neighborhood Guardian MTG card by a specific set like Murders at Karlov Manor and Murders at Karlov Manor, 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 Neighborhood 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
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
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Printings
The Neighborhood Guardian Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2024-02-09 and 2024-02-09. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2024-02-09 | Murders at Karlov Manor | MKM | 339 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Ionomycin | |
| 2 | 2024-02-09 | Murders at Karlov Manor | MKM | 26 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Daren Bader |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Neighborhood Guardian has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Standardbrawl | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Future | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |