Simic Guildmage MTG Card
2006-05-05 - Number 148
2024-01-12 - Number 223
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Elf Wizard |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Text of card
({GW} can be paid with either or .) : Move a +1/+1 counter from target creature onto another target creature with the same controller. : Attach target Aura enchanting a permanent to another permanent with the same controller.
Cards like Simic Guildmage
The Simic Guildmage stands out among Magic: The Gathering utility creatures thanks to its adaptable abilities. A direct comparison might be with Zameck Guildmage which also hails from the Simic. Both offer abilities influencing creature growth, yet Simic Guildmage has the flexibility to manipulate auras, an edge over Zameck’s focus on +1/+1 counters. Another similar card, Cytoplast Manipulator, shares the counter-based theme but commits to a singular, albeit powerful, control ability.
Diving into older sets, Aquastrand Spider introduces graft, another counter mechanic distinct to the Simic, offering a more passive way to distribute +1/+1 counters compared to the active role of Simic Guildmage. Finally, compared to Merfolk Thaumaturgist, which swaps power and toughness, Simic Guildmage provides more utility without being restricted by the characteristics of the creatures in play.
When evaluating the Simic Guildmage in the landscape of Magic: The Gathering, it holds a unique position with its combination of flexibility and control, offering strategic advantages to those skilled in maneuvering the intricacies of creature and aura interactions.
Cards similar to Simic Guildmage by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Simic Guildmage offers notable benefits in terms of card manipulation. With the ability to move +1/+1 counters from one creature to another, it gives players strategic advantages by enhancing the creatures on the battlefield as the game progresses. Optimizing creature abilities and interactions in this way can lead to card efficiency and advantage over your opponent.
Resource Acceleration: Not only does the Simic Guildmage allow you to maximize the value of your creatures, but it also plays a pivotal role in resource acceleration. Its abilities are a synergy enabler, working well with cards that generate +1/+1 counters, thus accelerating your game plan and giving you the upper hand by making the most of every turn.
Instant Speed: The abilities of Simic Guildmage can be activated at instant speed, providing considerable flexibility in response to your opponent’s actions. This grants you the freedom to adjust your strategy on the fly and to surprise your opponent with unexpected maneuvers, making the Simic Guildmage an unpredictable and tactical asset during the game.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One of the limitations of the Simic Guildmage card is the need to manage your hand efficiently. Without careful planning, the activatable abilities might force you to discard valuable cards, setting you back in the match.
Specific Mana Cost: This mage requires both green and blue mana to cast. For players running multicolored decks, this can be a hurdle, especially in the early game when mana resources are still being established.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With other creatures and spells vying for a spot in your four-mana curve, the Simic Guildmage’s cost can be a sticking point. There may be instances where deploying other cards with immediate impact on the board is more advantageous to your game strategy.
Reasons to Include Simic Guildmage in Your Collection
Versatility: Simic Guildmage is a card that can seamlessly adapt to various deck strategies, providing a dual utility of moving +1/+1 counters and auras. This adaptability makes it an invaluable tool in creature-focused builds, enhancing your gameplay options.
Combo Potential: With its ability to manipulate counters and auras, this card opens up numerous combo possibilities. It pairs well with proliferate mechanics or anything that benefits from counter manipulation, making it a linchpin in intricate combo setups.
Meta-Relevance: In a game environment where +1/+1 counters or enchantments play a key role, Simic Guildmage stands out as a relevant card. Its capabilities allow you to stay abreast of the evolving meta, continuously offering strategic value against diverse opponents.
How to beat
Simic Guildmage is a versatile card in MTG that can shift the balance of a match with its ability to move +1/+1 counters and auras from one creature to another. To gain an edge over this card, direct removal spells such as Doom Blade or Path to Exile are efficient answers, quickly dealing with the Guildmage before its controller can make full use of its abilities. Offering flexible solutions, counter magic plays a crucial role too. Consider a spell like Essence Scatter that prevents the Mage from hitting the battlefield entirely.
Moreover, strategies that don’t rely heavily on enchantments or counter interactions hinder the Guildmage’s potential impact. Favoring board wipes like Wrath of God can clear the field of all creatures, including the adept Mage, neutralizing its threat immediately. Lastly, keeping a close watch on your opponent’s mana availability is crucial, as activating the Guildmage’s abilities requires a fair amount of resources. If you can maintain pressure or force your opponent to use mana elsewhere, the Simic Guildmage won’t be as troublesome to confront.
Understanding and anticipating the adaptability of Simic Guildmage prepares any MTG player to craft a calculated approach, allowing them to navigate around this card’s influence and maintain control of the game.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Simic Guildmage MTG card by a specific set like Dissension and Ravnica Remastered, 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 Simic Guildmage 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 Simic Guildmage Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2006-05-05 and 2024-01-12. Illustrated by Aleksi Briclot.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2006-05-05 | Dissension | DIS | 148 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Aleksi Briclot | |
| 2 | 2024-01-12 | Ravnica Remastered | RVR | 223 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Aleksi Briclot |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Simic Guildmage has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Simic Guildmage card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2006-05-01 | For the first ability, if the two target creatures aren’t controlled by the same player when the ability resolves, the ability does nothing. The player who controls the two creatures doesn’t have to be the same player who controlled them when the ability was activated, and that player doesn’t have to be Simic Guildmage’s controller. |
| 2006-05-01 | For the first ability, the first target creature doesn’t need to have a +1/+1 counter on it. If it doesn’t, the ability does nothing. |
| 2006-05-01 | For the second ability, only the Aura is targeted. When the ability resolves, you choose a permanent to move the Aura onto. It can’t be the permanent the Aura is already attached to, it must be controlled by the player who controls the permanent the Aura is attached to, and it must be able to be enchanted by the Aura. (It doesn’t matter who controls the Aura or who controls Simic Guildmage.) If no such permanent exists, the Aura doesn’t move. |