Soulbound Guardians MTG Card

The card provides strategic board control with its multi-creature blocking and flying ability. It complements instant speed decks and serves as a stalwart defense, balancing offensive maneuvers. Soulbound Guardians’ specific mana and high cost must be weighed against its utility in your deck.
Soulbound Guardians - Rise of the Eldrazi
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Kor Spirit
Abilities Defender,Flying
Released2010-04-23
Set symbol
Set nameRise of the Eldrazi
Set codeROE
Power 4
Toughness 5
Number45
Frame2003
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byErica Yang

Text of card

Defender, flying

The kor's most righteous dead are given the greatest reward: an eternity tied to the land they so cherish.

Cards like Soulbound Guardians

Soulbound Guardians heralds a unique essence in the realm of defensive creatures within Magic: The Gathering. Its kinship is found with cards like Wall of Omens which share the defender attribute but diverge as Wall of Omens holds the advantage of drawing a card upon entering the battlefield. While Soulbound Guardians does not facilitate card draw, it compensates with flying, providing a reliable aerial block.

Gleaming Barrier is another card that mirrors the protective nature of Soulbound Guardians. Although it stands on the ground without the ability to fly, upon its destruction, it gifts the controller with a Treasure token, presenting a different sort of tactical asset. Contrarily, the flying mechanic of Soulbound Guardians ensures persistent defensive coverage from above, an attribute Gleaming Barrier cannot claim.

Guardian of the Ages is also a defender but designed for the later game with its larger stature and a transformational ability once attacked. Despite their shared defensive purpose, Soulbound Guardians offers an earlier play with its lower converted mana cost, standing as a steadfast sentinel in the skies from the early to mid-game. In the orchestra of MTG’s defensive cards, Soulbound Guardians plays a notable part with its own symphony of characteristics.

Wall of Omens - MTG Card versions
Gleaming Barrier - MTG Card versions
Guardian of the Ages - MTG Card versions
Wall of Omens - MTG Card versions
Gleaming Barrier - MTG Card versions
Guardian of the Ages - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Soulbound Guardians offer a unique form of card advantage by providing a creature with flying that can also block multiple creatures each turn. This ability can help maintain control over the board, ensuring you get the most out of each card played.

Resource Acceleration: While Soulbound Guardians doesn’t directly provide resource acceleration, it can be an integral part of a strategy that looks to protect key permanents or planeswalkers. By safeguarding your valuable assets, it indirectly contributes to your resource growth over time.

Instant Speed: Although Soulbound Guardians itself is not an instant, it synergizes well in decks that operate at instant speed. Its Defender ability makes it a reliable protective asset you can count on every turn, complementing instant speed plays by ensuring your defenses remain solid while you manage other spells and effects on your opponent’s turn.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Playing Soulbound Guardians requires a dedicated slot in your deck, which may not always be optimal, especially if your strategy does not synergize with its abilities.

Specific Mana Cost: With its specific white mana requirement, Soulbound Guardians demands a commitment to white mana producing sources, which restricts deck diversity and could strain your mana base in a multi-colored deck.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While Soulbound Guardians offers a 1/5 body and flying, its four mana cost is substantial, considering other cards could provide similar defensive capabilities with added benefits at a lower cost, increasing the importance of evaluating its impact in your game plan.

Reasons to Include Soulbound Guardians in Your Collection

Versatility: Soulbound Guardians is a card with a versatile role primarily in defensive strategies. Its flying ability allows it to serve as an excellent blocker against other flying creatures, a common threat in various MTG formats.

Combo Potential: This card can be a key piece in combos involving cards that benefit from defenders or creatures with flying. Its role in such combinations can be essential, ranging from activating abilities to enabling specific win conditions.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta that’s heavy on aerial assaults or where defender synergies are prominent, including Soulbound Guardians in your deck is a strategic move. Its capability to stand ground against popular flying creatures makes it a relevant choice for constructing a competitive deck.

How to beat

Soulbound Guardians stand as a sturdy wall in the land of MTG, boasting not only a formidable defense but also the ability to fly. This combination makes it a solid protector against creatures without reach or flying abilities. Combat damage is often futile against these vigilant sentinels due to their impressive toughness.

To outmaneuver them, you’d fare better with spells that deliver direct damage or use removals that bypass their combat attributes. Cards like Doom Blade or Path to Exile can send these guardians packing without engaging in battle. Additionally, having enchantments that diminish their strength or prevent them from blocking can turn the tide in your favor. Consider deploying counterspells as well when they’re cast, nipping the problem in the bud. With these strategies, your path to victory can steer clear of the steadfast Soulbound Guardians’ defenses.

Victory lies in strategic foresight and a well-constructed deck, well-prepared to dismantle barriers set by cards like Soulbound Guardians. By tailoring your game plan to eliminate such defenders, you elevate your gameplay to new heights in the realm of MTG.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Soulbound Guardians MTG card by a specific set like Rise of the Eldrazi, 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 Soulbound Guardians and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Soulbound Guardians has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal