Protector of Gondor MTG Card
2023-06-23 - Number 25
2023-06-23 - Number 476
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Human Soldier |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Text of card
When Protector of Gondor enters the battlefield, create a 1/1 white Human Soldier creature token.
Orcs were digging deep trenches in a huge ring, just out of bowshot of the walls, while the Men of Minas Tirith looked on, unable to hinder them.
Cards like Protector of Gondor
The Protector of Gondor is a hidden gem for any MTG player building a deck centered around defense and guardianship. This reliable card finds its parallels in stalwarts like the Shield Mate, which also boasts an ability to bolster your battlefield presence. Protector of Gondor, however, brings an added layer of protection with its unique ability to absorb damage directed towards other creatures you control.
Looking to cards like Guardian of the Gateless, there’s a similar theme of damage mitigation, allowing it to block multiple creatures and potentially change the tide of combat. Though Guardian of the Gateless offers versatile blocking options, Protector of Gondor excels in its ability to safeguard key assets in your strategy without necessarily needing to engage in battle directly. Another card worth mentioning is Palisade Giant. Like Protector of Gondor, it provides a shield to other creatures, however, it covers all damage rather than the protection of a single creature, but at a higher mana cost.
Ultimately, while there are several cards with abilities echoing Protector of Gondor, this card’s particular blend of defense and economy of mana makes it a noteworthy consideration for players seeking to fortify their ranks while keeping mana expenditure at a minimum.
Cards similar to Protector of Gondor by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Protector of Gondor excels at providing incremental card advantage. Once on the battlefield, this creature offers repeated value by fortifying your position with additional blockers or attackers each turn.
Resource Acceleration: Included in its arsenal, this card can offer resource acceleration. It enhances your mana pool by potentially untapping lands or giving you extra uses of other permanents, ensuring you can cast more spells or activate more abilities than you normally would be able to.
Instant Speed: The Protector of Gondor’s abilities may be augmented by other cards that interact at instant speed, allowing for surprise plays and strategic depth. This can shift the tide of the game in your favor by disrupting opponents’ plans at critical moments.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One of the drawbacks of the Protector of Gondor card is the potential need to discard other valuable cards from your hand to fulfill certain abilities or conditions it might possess. This requirement can be particularly detrimental when your hand size is already running low, and each card counts.
Specific Mana Cost: The Protector of Gondor requires a precise blend of mana to be played effectively. If the card relies on mana specific to the Gondor affiliation or a type that doesn’t align seamlessly with your deck’s strategy, this can limit the diversity of decks in which it can be included without risking consistency.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Factoring in the potential cost for a card like Protector of Gondor, it might present a higher investment on your mana pool compared to other utility or creature cards. If the card’s mana cost is on the steep side, it asks players to commit a significant portion of their resources to deploy it, which could otherwise be allocated to advancements on multiple fronts within the game.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: The Protector of Gondor card is an excellent addition as it can seamlessly integrate into various deck archetypes that favor bolstering creature defenses or activating abilities that require a fortified board presence.
Combo Potential: This card’s ability to grant additional toughness and the keyword ‘defender’ can combine with strategies that capitalize on high-toughness creatures or those that incentivize having defenders on the battlefield.
Meta-Relevance: Given its capacity to enhance creature durability, Protector of Gondor can be particularly effective in metas where combat-centric decks or “go-wide” strategies prevail, providing a reliable line of defense.
How to beat
The Protector of Gondor card boasts a valiant defense mechanism, challenging opponents who try to bypass its fortified stance. This ally unit shines in shielding your other creatures and becomes a sturdy bulwark on the battlefield in Magic: The Gathering. Much like Brave the Sands, both cards augment your defense, but Protector of Gondor takes it up a notch by bolstering a single creature.
Countering this staunch defender revolves around utilizing removal spells that can bypass the card’s defensive capabilities. Here, strategies like untargeted destruction or spells that deal with entire boards prove effective. Cards such as Wrath of God offer a clean sweep, neutralizing the advantage of Protector of Gondor without having to engage it directly. On the other hand, conditional removals such as Doom Blade might struggle, particularly if the card is wielded by a black creature.
Finally, it’s essential to manage your resources adeptly to keep up with the persistent defense erected by the Protector of Gondor. Adaptability and strategic planning are key. Any deck aiming to overcome this card should consider flexibly using resources to disarm its defensive stronghold and regain the upper hand in the match.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Protector of Gondor MTG card by a specific set like The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth and The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth, 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 Protector of Gondor 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 Protector of Gondor Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2023-06-23 and 2023-06-23. Illustrated by Ilker Yildiz.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2023-06-23 | The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth | LTR | 25 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Ilker Yildiz | |
| 2 | 2023-06-23 | The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth | LTR | 476 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Ilker Yildiz |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Protector of Gondor has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Alchemy | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |