Shield Bearer MTG Card
1995-06-03 - Number 52
1997-03-24 - Number 62
2008-09-22 - Number 35
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Human Soldier |
| Abilities | Banding |
| Power | 0 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Text of card
Banding
"You have almost completed your four years, my son. Soon you shall be a Skyknight." —Arna Kennerüd, Skyknight
Cards like Shield Bearer
Shield Bearer finds its place among the pantheon of defensive creatures in Magic: The Gathering. Notably, it bears comparison to cards like Wall of Omens, which also provides a defense boost on the board. Shield Bearer stands out as it often comes with additional abilities that protect other creatures, not just bolstering your line of defense. Wall of Omens might grant you an immediate card draw, but it lacks the utility to safeguard your more valuable creatures.
Another close relative in gameplay is the venerable Guard Gomazoa. This creature prevents all combat damage that would be dealt to it, making it an exceptional blocker. However, its potential doesn’t extend to defending allies like Shield Bearer. On the other hand, we see a card like Benevolent Bodyguard, which can be sacrificed to give a targeted creature protection from a color of your choice. This one-off effect offers a different angle of board control through targeted protection, rather than the ongoing benefit provided by Shield Bearer’s potential to enhance multiple creatures’ survivability.
Scrutinizing their uses and strategic advantages, Shield Bearer clinches its unique role within defensive strategies. Its versatility in safeguarding an array of creatures makes it a card worthy of consideration in decks designed around fortitude and endurance.
Cards similar to Shield Bearer by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Shield Bearer’s abilities ensure that you can protect and enhance your valuable creatures, extending your board presence and potentially swinging the game in your favor.
Resource Acceleration: Through synergies with other cards that benefit from defensive actions, the Shield Bearer can indirectly contribute to your mana pool or resources, keeping you ahead in the race for dominance.
Instant Speed: The ability to activate Shield Bearer’s defensive power at instant speed ensures you have flexibility during the heat of battle, making it easier to surprise an opponent and disrupt their strategy without sacrificing your turn.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: To deploy Shield Bearer, a player may need to discard another card. This could deplete valuable hand assets, especially if strategic reserves are already dwindling.
Specific Mana Cost: Shield Bearer demands a precise combination of mana types, which might not seamlessly fit into all deck archetypes, potentially limiting its versatility across various builds.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With its mana cost leaning on the higher side for its abilities, players might find that there are alternative creatures or spells that offer similar protections or benefits at a lower cost, increasing the importance of judicious mana spending.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Shield Bearer offers a value addition to any deck in need of robust defensive options. It can adapt across various play styles, serving as both early-game protection and late-game board stabilizer.
Combo Potential: This card pairs well with mechanics like exert and enchantments that magnify its defensive capabilities. It can become a cornerstone in a combo designed to outlast opponents.
Meta-Relevance: With an evolving competitive scene, Shield Bearer’s effectiveness in deterring aggressive archetypes makes it a relevant card, potentially shifting the pace of play in your favor.
How to beat
Shield Bearer is a unique card in the world of MTG, presenting a challenge for those looking to navigate past its defensive capabilities. This card’s primary strength lies in its ability to bolster a player’s defenses, making assaults against them more difficult. To effectively counter this card, focus on removal spells that can bypass the protection it offers. Spells that offer unconditional removal or exile effects like Path to Exile or the ever-popular Doom Blade are particularly effective against Shield Bearer.
Additionally, considering Shield Bearer’s role in “buffing” other creatures, a player could look to apply pressure on the controller directly, using direct damage spells or abilities that circumvent the battlefield. Cards like Lightning Bolt or Lava Spike can bypass Shield Bearer’s supportive role by targeting the player or planeswalkers directly. In games where board wipes are more appropriate, cards such as Wrath of God can clear the field of Shield Bearer along with any creatures it may be protecting, leveling the playing field once more.
In essence, overcoming Shield Bearer in MTG requires a strategic combination of direct removal, board control, and alternative attack routes. By leveraging well-timed spells and focusing on versatile strategies, defeating an opponent making use of this card becomes a manageable task.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Shield Bearer MTG card by a specific set like Ice Age and Fifth Edition, 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 Shield Bearer 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
See MTG Products
Printings
The Shield Bearer Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 1995-06-03 and 2008-09-22. Illustrated by Dan Frazier.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1995-06-03 | Ice Age | ICE | 52 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Dan Frazier | |
| 2 | 1997-03-24 | Fifth Edition | 5ED | 62 | 1997 | Normal | White | Dan Frazier | |
| 3 | 2008-09-22 | Masters Edition II | ME2 | 35 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Dan Frazier |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Shield Bearer has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Shield Bearer card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2008-10-01 | A maximum of one nonbanding creature can join an attacking band no matter how many creatures with banding are in it. |
| 2008-10-01 | Creatures in the same band must all attack the same player or planeswalker. |
| 2008-10-01 | If a creature with banding attacks, it can team up with any number of other attacking creatures with banding (and up to one nonbanding creature) and attack as a unit called a “band.” The band can be blocked by any creature that could block a single creature in the band. Blocking any creature in a band blocks the entire band. If a creature with banding is blocked, the attacking player chooses how the blockers’ damage is assigned. |
| 2009-10-01 | If a creature in combat has banding, its controller assigns damage for creatures blocking or blocked by it. That player can ignore the damage assignment order when making this assignment. |