Paliano Vanguard MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Human Soldier |
| Released | 2016-08-26 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Conspiracy: Take the Crown |
| Set code | CN2 |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
| Number | 20 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Chris Rallis |
Text of card
Draft Paliano Vanguard face up. As you draft a creature card, you may reveal it, note its creature types, then turn Paliano Vanguard face down. Other creatures you control of a type you noted for cards named Paliano Vanguard get +1/+1.
Cards like Paliano Vanguard
Paliano, the High City is a unique card that offers a fascinating draft experience within Magic: The Gathering. Its closest counterpart is perhaps Arcane Savant, which also blends the draft mechanic into play. However, Paliano has a distinct upper hand by permitting a player to choose two cards in the draft, thereby shaping the immediate game strategy significantly. Arcane Savant, contrastingly, focuses on combining spells with its creature ability, providing a varying form of gameplay advantage.
Another card that echoes Paliano’s draft manipulation is Cogwork Librarian. Although it doesn’t have the ability to draft two cards at once, it shares the strategy-altering premise that comes with draft-related cards. Draft manipulation, while niche, is a potent tool in a player’s arsenal and adds an unconventional layer to MTG matches. Cogwork Librarian, like Paliano, alters the draft flow but with less direct impact on deck composition compared to Paliano’s dual card choice feature.
Thus, in the specialty arena of draft-affecting MTG cards, Paliano stands out with its powerful capacity to influence both draft and play. It’s a card that not only affects immediate choices but also sets a tone for how the game unfolds, making it a compelling choice for draft-style play.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: When Paliano Vanguard comes into play, having the ability to potentially impact the draw or composition of your deck is significant. This singular card can increase the effectiveness of your strategy by influencing which cards you or your opponent may draw, hence bolstering your game position.
Resource Acceleration: The Paliano Vanguard can serve as an accelerator for your resources. By adjusting the draft and affecting deck content, it grants you the possibility to manipulate the game’s pace and resource flow, which can be pivotal in setting up your board state and gaining a significant advantage over the opponent.
Instant Speed: Though not an instant itself, the effects of Paliano Vanguard in a draft can be seen as parallel to the flexibility of instant speed in a game. It allows you to tailor your draft picks with knowledge of this card’s abilities, thereby creating reactive strategies and unexpected shift in game dynamics, keeping your opponents on their toes.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Paliano Vanguard imposes a discard penalty upon you, which may disrupt your hand and overall strategy, particularly if you’re already struggling with card availability.
Specific Mana Cost: The casting cost of Paliano Vanguard requires a precise combination of mana, making it less flexible and potentially clashing with the mana curve in decks not specifically tailored to accommodate it.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: The Paliano Vanguard can be considered a sizable investment of resources, as the mana required to put it into play is substantial without guaranteeing an immediate impact on the game state, contrasted with other cards that might offer more immediate or impactful results for the same or lower mana expenditure.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Paliano Vanguard offers a unique form of adaptability, suitable for decks aiming to enhance the strength of their Human creatures. With its ability to potentially benefit a wide array of Human-centric strategies, it becomes a versatile choice for deck builders looking to exploit synergies.
Combo Potential: The card allows players to craft intricate combos by granting your Human creatures an additional ability. Its combo potential can be a game-changer, enabling powerful plays that can synergize with other cards that capitalize on creature abilities and types.
Meta-Relevance: In games where creature-based strategies dominate, Paliano Vanguard can be particularly effective. Its relevance in such metas ensures your deck keeps pace, leveraging the strengths of your Human creatures against a wide range of opposing decks.
How to beat Paliano Vanguard
Paliano Vanguard has a unique role in MTG as a card that boosts the presence of Soldier creatures. Its importance in multi-player formats like Conspiracy where drafting strategies can be pivotal is clear. Effectively countering or “beating” Paliano Vanguard involves a few strategic measures.
Firstly, since it empowers a specific creature type, removing key Soldier creatures from the battlefield can mitigate its impact. Spot removal spells or board wipes that clear away multiple creatures at once can drastically diminish the Vanguard’s value. Cards like Doom Blade or Wrath of God come to mind, directly answering the threat Paliano Vanguard poses.
Another approach is to prevent it from entering the battlefield altogether. Counterspells like Counterspell or Negate are perfect for this job, ensuring that your opponent’s key cards never get the chance to affect the game state. Additionally, manipulating the draft itself, if possible, by prioritizing Soldier creature picks or snatching away complementary cards can be a form of indirect opposition to Paliano Vanguard. In short, direct removal, countering strategies, and pre-emptive draft planning are key factors in successfully overcoming the card’s influence in the game.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Paliano Vanguard MTG card by a specific set like Conspiracy: Take the Crown, 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 Paliano 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
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
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Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Paliano Vanguard has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |