Protector of the Crown MTG Card

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Protector of the Crown is capable of granting monarch status to its controller, which opens up an additional card draw at the end of their turn. This recurring mechanic is a significant source of card advantage, ensuring a steady flow of options each turn.

Resource Acceleration: Although Protector of the Crown doesn’t accelerate resources directly, becoming the monarch can indirectly lead to acceleration by drawing into more lands or ramp spells. Moreover, a well-defended monarch can deter opponents from attacking, allowing a player to allocate resources towards their own board development instead of defense.

Instant Speed: While Protector of the Crown is not itself an instant, it synergizes well with cards that operate at instant speed. Being able to flash in protection spells or activate abilities to safeguard the crown can catch an opponent off guard and maintain the advantage of drawing an extra card each turn.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Protector of the Crown does not require a discard, it demands a player to become the monarch, potentially making them a target for opponents seeking to draw an extra card. This shift in focus can deplete a player’s defensive resources quickly.

Specific Mana Cost: Protector of the Crown requires an exact mana investment of 6, with two of those being white mana. This specificity can constrain its integration into multicolored decks that may have issues generating the necessary mana consistently.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Costing six mana can be burdensome, as there are other defensive creatures or enchantments available at a lower mana cost. This can slow down your game strategy, especially in formats where speed is critical.

Reasons to Include Protector of the Crown in Your Collection

Versatility: Protector of the Crown can be a pivotal card in a variety of Commander decks, particularly in those that revolve around the monarch mechanic or that need a sturdy line of defense. Its ability to become the monarch upon entering the battlefield adds a consistent draw mechanism to any deck.

Combo Potential: When combined with cards that trigger on becoming the monarch or taking damage, Protector of the Crown adds robustness and resilience to your strategies. It fits well within political or pillow fort strategies where protecting your life total is key.

Meta-Relevance: In metas where aggro strategies are common, this card shines by absorbing potentially game-ending damage. Its role as a defender and facilitator of card draw makes it a card worth considering as the meta shifts towards more combat-focused interactions.

How to beat

When facing off against the Protector of the Crown card in Magic: The Gathering, it’s important to remember that this card can become a formidable obstacle. Its ability to redirect damage from you to itself under the monarch mechanic makes it a sturdy roadblock. To overcome this challenge, consider using targeted removal spells that bypass its defenses. Options such as Path to Exile or Murder offer swift and effective ways to remove Protector of the Crown from the battlefield.

Additionally, direct damage spells or those capable of dealing with multiple creatures, like Wrath of God, can be particularly useful. They ensure that even if the Protector is guarding your opponent as the monarch, you can still clear the way. Keep in mind, strategies like going wide with many creatures or utilizing ways to deal direct damage to your opponent can circumvent the protective aspect of Protector of the Crown and target the monarch status directly.

Ultimately, while Protector of the Crown presents a unique challenge, a well-prepared deck with various removal options or alternative approaches to dealing damage can overcome this royal defense and claim victory on the MTG battlefield.

BurnMana Recommendations

Protector of the Crown is an interesting choice for MTG players looking to enhance their game with monarch mechanics and defensive strategies. Its ability to draw extra cards and protect your life total makes it a valuable asset in winning the throne of the game. However, integrating this six-mana-cost card into your deck requires careful consideration due to its potential to slow down your play. If you’re curious about how its unique abilities can be leveraged to fortify your board and maintain card advantage, or if you need strategies to overcome decks employing this formidable card, step into our realm to gather insights and strengthen your MTG expertise.