Shield Broker MTG Card
2022-04-29 - Number 29
2022-04-29 - Number 130
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Cephalid Advisor |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 4 |
Text of card
When Shield Broker enters the battlefield, put a shield counter on target noncommander creature you don't control. You gain control of that creature for as long as it has a shield counter on it. (If it would be dealt damage or destroyed, remove a shield counter from it instead.)
Cards like Shield Broker
Shield Broker is an intriguing creature card in Magic: The Gathering. Its comparable peers in the realm of negotiation and strategy might include cards like Cunning Negotiator, which similarly uses knowledge and skill to maneuver the game to its caster’s advantage. However, Shield Broker is unique with its ability to offer protection in the form of shield counters. This is a slick move that provides not just board influence but also a defensive advantage.
Another close acquaintance in this strategic ensemble is the Syndicate Messenger. While it offers a different angle of utility by creating afterlife tokens, the essence of adding value upon its departure from the battlefield echoes the anticipatory tactics evoked by the Shield Broker. Additionally, Shield Broker stands out with its “Will of the Council” mechanic, elevating player interaction and making its strategic impact less predictable and more dynamic. This offers a more engaging experience as opposed to the straightforward afterlife tokens generated by Syndicate Messenger.
In weighing the strengths and intricacies of Shield Broker against other similar cards, it brings a unique combination of protection and politics to the table, positioning it as a card that can shield and maneuver in the constantly evolving tactical landscape of Magic: The Gathering.
Cards similar to Shield Broker by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Shield Broker shines in decks that leverage card advantage as a key strategy. It enables a player to potentially draw additional cards, ensuring a steady flow of options and maintaining pressure on the opponent.
Resource Acceleration: This card’s ability to facilitate resource acceleration cannot be understated. By offering alternative costs or benefits, it allows players to effectively utilize their resources, leading to more efficient plays and a quicker path to victory.
Instant Speed: The flexibility of instant speed plays a significant role in the effectiveness of Shield Broker. Being able to act on an opponent’s turn adds a layer of surprise and strategy, often tilting the game in the favor of the player who wields this card wisely.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Shield Broker comes with the drawback of needing to discard a card to utilize its full potential. This can be a hefty price to pay, especially in tight situations where every card in hand counts.
Specific Mana Cost: The mana cost of Shield Broker is quite particular, demanding both white and black mana. This can make it challenging to include in a deck that doesn’t consistently produce both colors, possibly restricting its versatility.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana value that is on the higher side, Shield Broker might not be as mana-efficient as other options available in the game. Players need to assess whether the card’s benefits justify the cost when building their decks.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Shield Broker can be a valuable addition to decks that seek to protect key creatures or planeswalkers. Its ability to grant hexproof makes it a flexible tool in both offensive and defensive strategies.
Combo Potential: This card can be instrumental in combos that revolve around safeguarding combo pieces from targeted removal, ensuring your key strategies go uninterrupted.
Meta-Relevance: With a meta where targeted removal spells are prevalent, Shield Broker’s service of granting hexproof can be incredibly impactful, making it a timely addition to any deck looking to outmaneuver opponent’s disruption.
How to Beat Shield Broker
Shield Broker is an intriguing creature card offering both offensive and defensive utilities in MTG. Its ability to provide protection to other creatures makes it a tactical element on the battlefield. To effectively counter this card, it’s crucial to disrupt the synergy it creates. Direct removal spells that can bypass the protection Shield Broker grants, such as board wipes or exile effects, are key to undermining its defensive stronghold.
Targeted spells like Doom Blade or Murder are less effective due to Shield Broker’s ability to shield another creature. Thus, focusing on versatile removal that doesn’t target, like Wrath of God or Settle the Wreckage, can be vital. Additionally, cards that restrict the abilities of creatures, such as Cursed Totem or Linvala, Keeper of Silence, can prevent Shield Broker from activating its protective ability. By prioritizing these strategies, players can mitigate the impact of Shield Broker and maintain control over the game’s pace and board state.
Understanding the core function and limitations of Shield Broker can significantly enhance your gameplay, allowing you to maintain the upper hand even when this persistent creature hits the table.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Shield Broker MTG card by a specific set like New Capenna Commander and New Capenna Commander, 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 Broker 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
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Printings
The Shield Broker Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2022-04-29 and 2022-04-29. Illustrated by Daniel Ljunggren.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2022-04-29 | New Capenna Commander | NCC | 29 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Daniel Ljunggren | |
| 2 | 2022-04-29 | New Capenna Commander | NCC | 130 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Daniel Ljunggren |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Shield Broker has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Shield Broker card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2022-04-29 | A creature with a shield counter on it may still be destroyed by state-based actions if it has damage marked on it equal to its toughness or has been dealt unpreventable damage by a source with deathtouch. |
| 2022-04-29 | If a permanent that would be dealt damage has more than one shield counter on it, that damage is prevented and only one shield counter is removed. |
| 2022-04-29 | If a permanent with a shield counter is dealt unpreventable damage, that damage will be dealt and a shield counter will still be removed. |
| 2022-04-29 | If the creature loses its shield counter during combat, it will be removed from combat when it changes controllers. If it hasn't already assigned combat damage by that time, it won't get to deal combat damage. |
| 2022-04-29 | Removing a shield counter in this way isn't the same as regenerating a creature. |
| 2022-04-29 | Shield counters don't prevent players from sacrificing creatures. |
| 2022-04-29 | “Shield” is not an ability that creatures have and shield counters are not keyword counters. If a creature with a shield counter loses its abilities, the shield counter will still protect it as normal. |