Seal of the Guildpact MTG Card
2015-11-13 - Number 54
2015-11-18 - Number 128
2024-01-12 - Number 266
2024-01-12 - Number 394z
2024-01-12 - Number 394
| Card sets | Released in 5 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Artifact |
Text of card
As Seal of the Guildpact enters the battlefield, choose two colors. Each spell you cast costs less to cast for each of the chosen colors it is.
"I'd rather see the guilds contend together with words in the halls of power, than in the streets with swords." —Jace Beleren
Cards like Seal of the Guildpact
Seal of the Guildpact creates an enticing dynamic for commander decks in Magic: The Gathering, standing alongside mana-fixing artifacts like Darksteel Ingot. Both serve to streamline mana production, but the Seal offers an additional layer of customization by reducing the cost of multicolored spells for two chosen colors. Unlike Darksteel Ingot’s indestructible trait, Seal of the Guildpact doesn’t offer such protection but compensates with its strategic cost reduction.
Further along the spectrum, Coalition Relic presents itself as a competitor by providing not just mana fixing but also an option to bank mana for subsequent turns. While it lacks the cost reduction for spells, the versatility in mana acceleration is a significant advantage. Command Tower, by contrast, taps for any color in a player’s commander’s color identity, ensuring immediate, unbounded access to all colors needed without any reduction in spell costs.
In essence, Seal of the Guildpact’s unique offering caters to a specific need in Magic: The Gathering decks, positioning it as a valuable piece in the commander’s toolkit, primarily when focusing on synergies within multicolored spells.
Cards similar to Seal of the Guildpact by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Seal of the Guildpact offers a unique approach to card advantage by potentially reducing the casting cost of multicolored spells. This advantage becomes more pronounced as you cast more spells matching the chosen colors, letting you deploy more threats or answers with the resources you have available.
Resource Acceleration: While not directly producing mana or tokens, Seal of the Guildpact can be seen as a form of resource acceleration. By reducing the mana cost of certain spells, it allows players to use their mana more efficiently, freeing up resources to be used elsewhere or allowing for multiple spells to be cast in a single turn.
Instant Speed: Although the artifact itself does not have an ability that operates at instant speed, its lasting effect on the cost of spells ensures that any instant speed multicolored spells in your deck are even more accessible. This can lead to unexpected plays and gives you a better chance at surprising opponents with robust responses during their turns.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One of the drawbacks of Seal of the Guildpact is the necessity to discard a card in order to activate its ability. This can be fairly taxing in gameplay when your hand is already depleted or when every card is crucial to your strategy.
Specific Mana Cost: Although the Seal of the Guildpact offers a choice in mana color reduction, its initial casting cost requires a precise blend of mana. This specific mana cost can pose a challenge in decks that are not adept at generating multiple colors of mana readily.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: The Seal of the Guildpact comes with a relatively steep casting cost for its effect. While the potential benefit of reducing future spell costs is enticing, players may find the upfront investment hefty, especially in a game where tempo and early board presence are key.
Reasons to Include Seal of the Guildpact in Your Collection
Versatility: Seal of the Guildpact is an adaptable addition to decks aiming for mana efficiency. Its capacity to reduce the cost of multicolored spells allows players to tailor their strategy according to their deck’s color scheme and needs.
Combo Potential: This artifact is perfect for decks that thrive on casting numerous spells in a single turn. It can be combined with cards that benefit from or enable casting multiple spells to create explosive plays and maintain momentum.
Meta-Relevance: In a gameplay environment where multicolor decks are prevalent, Seal of the Guildpact shines by offering a competitive edge. It enhances the effectiveness of your deck, making it a solid choice for players looking to stay relevant in the evolving meta.
How to Beat Seal of the Guildpact
Seal of the Guildpact presents a unique challenge for players in MTG due to its ability to reduce the cost of multicolored spells by one mana of your choice. This feature can give an economical advantage to your opponent by allowing them to cast powerful spells ahead of schedule. To counteract the Seal, consider using artifact destruction cards like Abrade or Nature’s Claim, which can remove the Seal from play before its benefits fully manifest. By doing so, you maintain the balance of mana expenditure between both players.
Additionally, implementing counter spells such as Negate or Dispel can be effective strategies to prevent your opponent from ever taking advantage of the Seal’s cost reduction. Timing your removal or counter spells is crucial as it can disrupt your opponent’s strategy and tempo, putting you in a more advantageous position. Directly targeting your opponent’s strategy rather than just their artifacts could also shift the game in your favor. Cards that restrict spell casting or increase its cost, like Damping Sphere or Thalia, Guardian of Thraben, could also mitigate the Seal’s impact, leading to a more controlled gameplay on your part.
Always remember that MTG is as much about knowing your own deck as it is about anticipating and countering your opponents’. Understanding the Seal’s potential and employing swift removal will help ensure that you stay one step ahead, maintaining control of the game and leading you closer to victory.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Seal of the Guildpact MTG card by a specific set like Commander 2015 and Legendary Cube Prize Pack, 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 Seal of the Guildpact and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
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- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
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Printings
The Seal of the Guildpact Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2015-11-13 and 2024-01-12. Illustrated by Franz Vohwinkel.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2015-11-13 | Commander 2015 | C15 | 54 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Franz Vohwinkel | |
| 2 | 2015-11-18 | Legendary Cube Prize Pack | PZ1 | 128 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Franz Vohwinkel | |
| 3 | 2024-01-12 | Ravnica Remastered | RVR | 266 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Franz Vohwinkel | |
| 4 | 2024-01-12 | Ravnica Remastered | RVR | 394z | 2015 | Normal | Black | Franz Vohwinkel | |
| 5 | 2024-01-12 | Ravnica Remastered | RVR | 394 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Franz Vohwinkel |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Seal of the Guildpact has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Seal of the Guildpact card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2015-11-04 | If a spell you cast has in its mana cost, you choose the value of X before calculating the spell’s total cost. For example, if that spell’s mana cost is and you’ve chosen red and green, you could choose 5 as the value of X and pay to cast the spell. |
| 2015-11-04 | If there are additional costs to cast a spell, or if the cost to cast a spell is increased by an effect (such as the one created by Thalia, Guardian of Thraben’s ability), apply those increases before applying cost reductions. |
| 2015-11-04 | Seal of the Guildpact’s last ability can’t reduce the amount of colored mana you pay for a spell. It reduces only the generic component of that cost. |
| 2015-11-04 | Seal of the Guildpact’s last ability doesn’t change the mana cost or converted mana cost of any spell. It changes only the total cost you pay. |
| 2015-11-04 | The cost reduction can apply to alternative costs such as evoke costs. |
| 2015-11-04 | You must choose two different colors. |