Old Guard MTG Card
Text of card
, : Tap target creature without reminder text. (Reminder text is still any italicized text in parentheses that explains rules you already know.)
"You say you're capable of flying. You got any proof of that?"
Cards like Old Guard
Old Guard occupies a unique niche within the pantheon of creature spells in Magic: The Gathering. It shares functional similarities with certain other cards, such as Loyal Sentry from the Masters 25 release. Loyal Sentry also boasts a small body that can take down much larger creatures due to its powerful triggered ability upon blocking. Yet, it differs in that Old Guard keeps your defenses strong without the immediate sacrifice made by the Sentry.
Stepping into a broader lens, cards like Typhoid Rats come to mind. The Rats bring deathtouch to the table, ensuring that they can serve as a deterrent against large attackers without losing your valuable creature. Unlike the Old Guard, however, they don’t offer the same reassurance of standing guard after their defending act. That’s where Old Guard’s resistance to being sent straight to the graveyard shines, granting it extra utility over several turns.
Zooming out to the grand strategy, Old Guard awards players a persistent defensive fortification, a trait envied by other one-off defensive creatures. Its ability to survive combat might tip the scales in prolonged games, distinguishing itself in a way that solidifies its standing as a card of choice for players keen on enduring creature-based control.
Cards similar to Old Guard by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: One of the biggest benefits of the Old Guard card is it’s ability to effectively replace itself in your hand. Playing this card can lead to crucial deck cycling, ensuring you maintain a robust hand size for sustaining your strategy throughout the match.
Resource Acceleration: The Old Guard offers a strategic advantage by potentially ramping up your mana resources. This can be instrumental in outpacing your opponent and deploying key cards earlier than expected, giving you the edge in critical turns.
Instant Speed: The versatility of instant speed play cannot be overstated when it comes to the Old Guard. This allows for surprise defenses or strategic moves that can be pivotal in response to an opponent’s actions, all without compromising your plans for your own turn.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Old Guard card necessitates that you discard another card as part of its casting cost. This downside might be particularly hindering when your hand is already depleted, potentially costing you crucial plays later on.
Specific Mana Cost: This card requires a precise combination of mana types to play, which may not fit seamlessly into every deck’s mana base. Players using multiple colors may find this restrictive and potentially disruptive to their game flow.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Boasting a mana value that can be on the higher side, the Old Guard could be a challenging play, especially early in the game. Alternatives might provide a stronger board presence or more immediate impact at a lower cost, presenting a trade-off in terms of strategic resource allocation.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Old Guard is a resilient piece for various deck builds, adept at providing defense while also serving as a reliable offense in slower, grindy matchups. Its ability to adapt to various roles makes it a solid card for diverse strategies.
Combo Potential: This card offers synergies within decks that capitalize on tapping and untapping creatures for value or those that can take advantage of soldier-based synergies.
Meta-Relevance: Given its potential to act as both an early blocker and a tactical piece in creature-focused decks, Old Guard can make a significant impact in a meta that leans toward aggressive strategies, offering a low-cost solution to swarm tactics.
How to beat
The Old Guard card can pose quite the strategic conundrum for players in Magic: The Gathering. Its resilience and ability to control the board can be taxing to overcome. To beat Old Guard, flexibility in your approach is key. Disruption cards that force discard or counter abilities play a pivotal role here. Incorporating direct removal spells into your deck can also prove invaluable, as they efficiently manage any problematic permanents the Old Guard intends to protect.
Baiting out the activation of Old Guard’s ability before launching your more important plays can be an effective tactic as well. Additionally, employing cards that grant hexproof or indestructible to your valuable creatures ensures their survival in the face of Old Guard’s combat tricks. Always consider the environment that Old Guard creates and plan for long-term board control, rather than short-term advantages.
Understanding the timing of your moves and the nature of the resources at your disposal will ultimately swing the match in your favor. A careful study of the meta and in-game experience will further enhance your ability to outmaneuver an opponent leveraging Old Guard to their advantage.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Old Guard MTG card by a specific set like Unstable and Unsanctioned, 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 Old 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
See MTG Products
Printings
The Old Guard Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2017-12-08 and 2020-02-29. Illustrated by David Sladek.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2017-12-08 | Unstable | UST | 16 | 2015 | Normal | Silver | David Sladek | |
| 2 | 2020-02-29 | Unsanctioned | UND | 11 | 2015 | Normal | Silver | David Sladek |