Torii Watchward MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	5
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Spirit
Abilities	Soulshift, Vigilance
Released	2005-06-03
Set symbol
Set name	Saviors of Kamigawa
Set code	SOK
Power	3
Toughness	3
Number	30
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Jeff Miracola

Key Takeaways

Grants card advantage and deters attacks, allowing players to accumulate resources unimpeded.
Syncs with vigilant creature synergies to facilitate quicker game progression.
Compatible with instant speed spells, making it a formidable strategic asset.

Guide to Vigilance card ability

In the strategic universe of Magic: The Gathering (MTG), the vigilance ability stands out as a powerful tool for players. This potent keyword allows creatures to attack without tapping, keeping them ready and alert to defend against incoming threats. It represents a perfect balance between aggression and defense, offering a dynamic approach to gameplay. Lets dive deeper into how vigilance shapes the battlefield.

Text of card

Vigilance (Attacking doesn't cause this creature to tap.) Soulshift 4 (When this is put into a graveyard from play, you may return target Spirit card with converted mana cost 4 or less from your graveyard to your hand.)

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Torii Watchward grants incremental card advantage by creating a strong battlefield presence which can potentially deter opponents from attacking, allowing a player to build their hand with minimal disturbance.

Resource Acceleration: The ability of Torii Watchward to be an asset in resource development hinges on its synergy with other cards. Specifically, leveraging any mechanics or abilities that benefit from having a vigilant creature can pave the way for faster progression in the game.

Instant Speed: Although Torii Watchward itself doesn’t interact at instant speed, it pairs well with spells that are. It can serve as a strategic front-liner ready to collaborate with instant speed interaction, protecting more significant threats on your board or complicating your opponent’s combat calculations.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Being saddled with a discard requirement can hamper your game, especially if your hand is brimming with essential cards. This can lead to a loss of valuable resources when playing the Torii Watchward.

Specific Mana Cost: Torii Watchward demands a precise mana combination to summon, which could be a stumbling block in decks that bend towards a wider color palette or more versatile mana bases.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a cost that’s heavier on the mana scale, Torii Watchward may not be the most economical choice for its effects, particularly when alternatives might serve a similar function at a lower mana investment.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Torii Watchward can be a flexible addition to various deck types. Its ability to provide protection from a chosen color each turn makes it adaptable to an array of board situations, enhancing your defensive strategies.

Combo Potential: This card offers synergy with decks that focus on protection and evasion tactics. Its repeatable color protection ability can be pivotal in sustaining key combos by shielding vital creatures from targeted removal or detrimental effects of a specific color.

Meta-Relevance: Given its capability to adapt to the predominant color threats in the current meta, Torii Watchward’s inclusion could be essential. It fits well in metas that are dominated by powerful decks focused on a primary color, as it provides consistent and reliable defensive utility.

How to Beat Torii Watchward

Torii Watchward presents itself as a quietly robust defender in the game of MTG. As a creature card, it provides an uncommon mix of vigilance and the capacity to bolster other creatures. Its primary defense against threats lies within its ability to boost its strength and toughness during combat. Players seeking to neutralize its effect should focus on removal spells that can surpass its vigilance trait. Cards that force a sacrifice, such as Diabolic Edict, bypass its enhanced combat abilities altogether.

Alternatively, evasive tactics can prove effective. Utilizing flying or unblockable creatures can sidestep Torii Watchward’s influence on the battlefield. Additionally, countering it upon cast is a straightforward approach. Counterspells like Cancel or Essence Scatter can prevent it from impacting the game, ensuring your plan remains uninterrupted.

Overall, strategizing around Torii Watchward involves recognizing it as a creature that ties down ground combat while potentially altering the dynamics of battle through its support. Implementing preemptive or evasive strategies will ensure your path to victory remains clear, even in the presence of this steadfast guardian.

Cards like Torii Watchward

The Torii Watchward is a distinctive card that offers players a strategic defensive advantage in Magic: The Gathering. Its ability to stand guard and protect your life total is reminiscent of other vigilant creatures such as the stalwart Sentry. However, while Sentry offers a straightforward defensive utility, Torii Watchward combines this vigilance with a subtle yet potentially game-altering life gain feature.

Another card that echoes this sentinel role is the vigilant Knight of Old Benalia. Both creatures share the ability to attack without tapping, yet the Knight lacks the additional life gain benefit of Torii Watchward. Moreover, the inherent enchantment synergy of Torii Watchward allows enchanted strategies to at once bolster your defenses and increment your life totals, an attribute not found with the Knight.

Cards like Guardian Oak round out this comparison. Though it shares a similar cost and provides a defensive boon, its lack of vigilance means it forgoes the offensive presence Torii Watchward can continuously assert on the battlefield. This balance of aggression and defense positions Torii Watchward as a unique addition to any strategy seeking to maintain pressure while bolstering life totals.

Knight of Old Benalia - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Torii Watchward by color, type and mana cost

Enduring Angel // Angelic Enforcer - MTG Card versions

Celestial Gatekeeper - MTG Card versions

Kiyomaro, First to Stand - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Torii Watchward MTG card by a specific set like Saviors of Kamigawa, 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 Torii Watchward and other MTG cards: