Night Market Guard MTG Card
2017-01-20 - Number 166
2018-06-08 - Number 242
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Artifact Creature — Construct |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Text of card
Night Market Guard can block an additional creature each combat.
"One head watches for Consulate enforcers. The other watches for renegade thieves." —Crime Lord Gonti
Cards like Night Market Guard
Night Market Guard stands as an intriguing artifact creature for players diving into the battlefield with Magic: The Gathering. It shares design space with other three mana cost creatures like Bronze Sable and Pillarfield Ox but carries a distinctive edge with the ability to block an additional creature each combat. This ability mirrors that of Guardian of the Gateless to some extent, although that card has a higher mana cost and can block any number of creatures.
While comparing, it’s apt to look at Anointer Priest, which also costs three mana. The Priest’s advantage lies in its life-gain synergy with token strategies, contrasting with Night Market Guard’s defensive multitasking. Moreover, Mobile Garrison unlocks untapping potential when attacking, matching the Guard’s cost but focusing on offensive flexibility rather than on defending prowess. Perimeter Captain is another notable comparison that fortifies your defense but is more specialized, concentrating on bolstering life points during blocks. Each card has its niche, providing players with varied strategic angles in deck-building.
Thus, Night Market Guard presents a unique option for players seeking resilient board presence, especially in artifact-centric decks, making it a versatile defensive pick in Magic: The Gathering’s diverse card pool.
Cards similar to Night Market Guard by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Night Market Guard can help you keep the pressure on by allowing continuous combat presence. Though it doesn’t draw cards directly, it often requires multiple resources from your opponent to deal with due to its resilience, indirectly contributing to card advantage.
Resource Acceleration: While it doesn’t directly provide mana, its low cost makes it a viable early play, permitting you to reserve your mana for other developments and maintain a tempo advantage.
Instant Speed: While Night Market Guard doesn’t operate at instant speed, it synergizes well with cards that do. Being a persistent threat, it allows you to strategically hold back mana for instant-speed interactions, knowing your guard is up, securing your battlefield.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One potential downside to Night Market Guard is that it can sometimes be part of strategies requiring you to discard a card. This might happen less frequently with this particular card, but when it does, it’s not ideal if your hand is already depleted, or every card is crucial for your game plan.
Specific Mana Cost: Coming with a mana cost that demands a specific combination of energy, Night Market Guard fits into a narrower range of decks. This specificity might not align perfectly with more flexible or multicolored mana bases, which can lead to difficulties in casting it on time or at all in certain builds.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that’s not negligible, Night Market Guard may strain your mana resources, especially in the early game. There are alternatives that provide similar board presence or utility without the same mana investment. In faster formats or matchups, its cost might outweigh its benefits, sitting in your hand while opponents develop their board or disrupt yours.
Reasons to Include Night Market Guard in Your Collection
Versatility: Night Market Guard stands out with its ability to slot into various deck types. Its unique stat line and artifact nature make it a flexible option for both aggressive and defensive roles on the battlefield.
Combo Potential: As an artifact creature, Night Market Guard has synergy with strategies that revolve around artifacts. It can be a cog in machine decks that trigger effects with artifact taps or untaps, enhancing overall deck performance.
Meta-Relevance: In games that are currently favoring artifact-centric play or where blockers are vital, Night Market Guard proves its worth. It blocks numerous creature types effectively and can be a deterrent against opponent’s strategies, making it a smart include as the game environment evolves.
How to Beat
Night Market Guard is an intriguing creature in the world of Magic: The Gathering. This artifact creature stands out with its ability to block an additional creature during each combat phase. Understanding the strengths and limitations of Night Market Guard can significantly impact your strategy against it.
To overcome this defender, consider spells that can remove it without triggering its blocking capability. Direct damage spells, like Shock or Lightning Bolt, are efficient ways to dispatch it before it can become a nuisance on the battlefield. Alternatively, using enchantments that prevent it from blocking, such as Pacifism or Claustrophobia, can neutralize it effectively.
Furthermore, evasion tactics such as flying or trample enable your creatures to bypass Night Market Guard’s defensive stature. These methods can mitigate its potential to hinder your offensive maneuvers. In summary, while Night Market Guard presents a unique challenge, its weaknesses can be exploited with precise, well-timed actions tailored to its characteristics.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Night Market Guard MTG card by a specific set like Aether Revolt and Battlebond, 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 Night Market 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
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Printings
The Night Market Guard Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2017-01-20 and 2018-06-08. Illustrated by Steve Argyle.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2017-01-20 | Aether Revolt | AER | 166 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Steve Argyle | |
| 2 | 2018-06-08 | Battlebond | BBD | 242 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Steve Argyle |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Night Market 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 |