Syndicate Guildmage MTG Card

Syndicate Guildmage - Ravnica Allegiance

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Creature — Human Cleric
Released	2019-01-25
Set symbol
Set name	Ravnica Allegiance
Set code	RNA
Power	2
Toughness	2
Number	211
Frame	2015
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Josh Hass

Key Takeaways

It shines by granting board control and influencing the game with its tactical abilities.
Mana-specific and costly abilities may restrict its use to certain decks and situations.
Despite its drawbacks, the guildmage’s versatility and meta-relevance make it a valuable card.

Text of card

, : Tap target creature with power 4 or greater. , : Syndicate Guildmage deals 2 damage to target opponent or planeswalker.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Syndicate Guildmage has the tactical ability to lock down an opponent’s creature, giving you potential battlefield control and allowing to shift the game’s momentum in your favor.

Resource Acceleration: By tapping into mana reserves, Syndicate Guildmage can expedite your offensive capabilities or provide a decisive defensive action at a critical juncture, impacting the game’s pace.

Instant Speed: The guildmage’s activated abilities can be utilized at instant speed, offering flexible responses to evolving threats. This enables strategic plays that can surprise opponents and disrupt their plans effectively.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Engaging in Syndicate Guildmage’s abilities requires a player to tap into their hand, potentially sacrificing valuable resources that could be instrumental later in the game.

Specific Mana Cost: Syndicate Guildmage demands both white and black mana for playability, which could constrain its inclusion to only Orzhov or multicolor decks that can meet its mana requirements.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Its activated abilities, while impactful, come at a steep cost. Allocating five mana to control an opponent’s turn or two mana to gain a mere two life points are investments that may not always translate into strategic advantage, especially when there are alternatives that can perform similar functions for less.

Reasons to Include Syndicate Guildmage in Your Collection

Versatility: Syndicate Guildmage is a multifunctional addition for any deck looking to manipulate both creatures and life totals. Capable of locking down opponents’ creatures or whittling away their life, it finds a place in various deck builds.

Combo Potential: This guildmage seamlessly integrates with strategies aimed at tapping and untapping creatures for value or exploiting life total changes to trigger effects, enhancing both offensive and defensive plays.

Meta-Relevance: In a game where creature control is vital, Syndicate Guildmage offers a relevant toolkit. Its ability to consistently interfere with the opponent’s field can tilt matches in your favor, making it a card to watch in the current and evolving meta.

How to beat Syndicate Guildmage

Syndicate Guildmage presents itself as a noteworthy card in MTG due to its capacity to control the battlefield. This card is adept at tapping opposing creatures and potentially dealing damage if conditions are met. To effectively counter this Orzhov guild member, consider using instant-speed removal spells. Cards like Lightning Bolt or Fatal Push allow you to remove the Guildmage before it can lock down your attacking game plan. Additionally, be mindful of the mana the opponent has available; the ability to stifle a significant attacker can swing momentum in their favor.

Another strategy involves limiting the Guildmage’s influence by playing creatures with hexproof or indestructible, which are impervious to its detrimental abilities. Playing around the Guildmage requires tactical play and an understanding of when to deploy threats or hold back resources. In a game where tempo matters, recognizing the moments to neutralize the Guildmage’s control can turn the tide in your favor, allowing you to maintain pressure and advance your board state without interruption.

In a broader perspective, disrupting the opponent’s mana or removing the Guildmage before it can become an issue reflects a deep level of strategic consideration. Winning against the Syndicate Guildmage hinges upon foresight and prompt disruption, making it a challenging but surmountable obstacle in MTG matches.

Cards like Syndicate Guildmage

Syndicate Guildmage stands as a versatile creature in MTG, bearing similarities to other two-cost creatures with activated abilities. When compared to Azorius Guildmage, for instance, both offer the ability to manipulate the game, albeit in different manners. Syndicate Guildmage allows for tapping another creature or draining life, promoting both defensive and aggressive strategies. Azorius Guildmage, however, focuses more on control by detaining opponent’s spells or creatures.

Another card in the spotlight is Vizkopa Guildmage, a card that, like Syndicate Guildmage, presents two abilities, each costing mana to activate. While Syndicate Guildmage offers immediate board impact or incremental life advantage, Vizkopa Guildmage alters the game with life gain synergy, potentially ending games with its second ability. This difference highlights the unique roles each card plays in their respective deck strategies.

Overall, while Syndicate Guildmage commands attention for its versatility and potential for board control in the right setting, other guildmages offer various advantages, emphasizing the need for players to consider their deck’s synergy and strategic goals when selecting the perfect guildmage for their MTG gameplay.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Syndicate Guildmage MTG card by a specific set like Ravnica Allegiance, 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 Syndicate Guildmage and other MTG cards:

Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See MTG Products

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Syndicate Guildmage has restrictions

Format	Legality
Historicbrawl	Legal
Historic	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Restricted
Oathbreaker	Legal
Gladiator	Legal
Pioneer	Legal
Commander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Explorer	Legal
Penny	Legal
Timeless	Legal