Spectral Gateguards MTG Card
2012-05-04 - Number 37
2016-02-26 - Number 19
2019-11-07 - Number 243
2020-09-26 - Number DDQ-19
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Spirit Soldier |
| Abilities | Soulbond |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 5 |
Text of card
Soulbond (You may pair this creature with another unpaired creature when either enters the battlefield. They remain paired for as long as you control both of them.) As long as Spectral Gateguards is paired with another creature, both creatures have vigilance.
Cards like Spectral Gateguards
Spectral Gateguards stands as a relevant option within the wide array of creature cards available in Magic: The Gathering. Comparable cards, such as Lagonna-Band Trailblazer, similarly bolster your defenses with their high toughness, yet lack Spectral Gateguards’ flash ability that allows for surprise blocking. Mothdust Changeling is another creature that shares the low mana cost but offers a different ability in tapping to grant all Changelings flying until end of turn, contrasting the Gateguards’ role focused on defense.
Guard Gomazoa brings similarities in dictating combat outcomes with its preventative combat damage ability, which like Spectral Gateguards, can deter opponents’ attacks. Another notable mention is Wall of Denial, a formidable defender boasting both high toughness and shroud, preventing it from being targeted by spells or abilities, though at a higher mana cost and without the instant-speed interactivity provided by the Gateguards.
Analyzing the breadth of defensive creatures, Spectral Gateguards strikes a balance between reactive gameplay and maintaining a strong defensive front, placing it as a card of choice for players seeking to fortify their board presence on the fly.
Cards similar to Spectral Gateguards by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Spectral Gateguards shines in its ability to offer both defensive and offensive capabilities while maintaining card parity. This unique dual ability can keep your hand consistent during the game, providing an advantage without losing momentum.
Resource Acceleration: While the Spectral Gateguards might not directly provide mana or treasure tokens, its vigilant nature allows your resources to stay untapped, keeping your mana available for other spells and abilities, thereby indirectly accelerating your resource availability.
Instant Speed: The flash attribute of Spectral Gateguards empowers you with the strategic benefit of instant speed play. This enables you to surprise your opponent by summoning a blocker or an attacker during their turn, which can drastically shift the pace and outcome of the game in your favor.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Spectral Gateguards demands a dedicated discard strategy to fully capitalize on its abilities. Without a surplus of cards to dispose, you may find yourself at a strategic disadvantage, potentially sacrificing valuable resources from your hand that could be beneficial later in the match.
Specific Mana Cost: This card’s mana requirements are particular, mandating both white and blue mana. This can pose a challenge in multicolored decks if the right mana sources aren’t available when you need to cast it, potentially hampering your gameplay and affecting your deck’s consistency and flexibility.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a higher mana cost compared to other creatures with similar stats or effects, Spectral Gateguards may be considered inefficient. The cost of deploying this card could slow down your tempo, especially in formats where speed and efficiency are crucial to securing victory.
Reasons to Include Spectral Gateguards in Your Collection
Versatility: Spectral Gateguards offers flexibility in deck-building, fitting well into both offensive and defensive strategies. With the ability to support creature-heavy tactics, it helps maintain a robust board presence.
Combo Potential: Being a creature with an enter-the-battlefield effect presents interesting synergies, particularly in decks that capitalize on such triggers. Paired with flicker or bounce mechanisms, Spectral Gateguards can provide repeated value and control over the game’s flow.
Meta-Relevance: In a gameplay environment that emphasizes interactions with the opponent’s creatures, Spectral Gateguards can act as a key player, offering consistent protection and deterring attacks, making it a tactically sound choice against certain prevalent deck types.
How to beat
Spectral Gateguards presents an interesting tactical challenge in Magic: The Gathering gameplay. With its ability to detain another target creature, this card can disrupt combat strategies by neutralizing key attackers or blockers. To effectively counter this card, players need to use removal spells that can bypass the Gateguards’ detain ability. Cards such as Murder or Doom Blade are efficient tools to remove Spectral Gateguards from the battlefield regardless of the creatures they may have detained.
Additionally, enchantment removal spells can be crucial, especially if the Spectral Gateguards have been boosted by enchantments or auras. Disenchant and Naturalize allow players to target the enhancement directly, weakening the Gateguards’ impact on the game. Also, spells that change the rules of combat, like Holy Mantle, can render the Gateguards’ ability redundant, ensuring your creatures can engage in combat unhindered.
Board wipes are another effective strategy. A well-timed Wrath of God or Day of Judgment can reset the board, clearing the Gateguards along with other potential threats. In summary, beating Spectral Gateguards requires foresight and the inclusion of versatile removal options in your deck to maintain control of the battlefield.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Spectral Gateguards MTG card by a specific set like Avacyn Restored and Duel Decks: Blessed vs. Cursed, 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 Spectral Gateguards 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 Spectral Gateguards Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2012-05-04 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by Wayne England.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2012-05-04 | Avacyn Restored | AVR | 37 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Wayne England | |
| 2 | 2016-02-26 | Duel Decks: Blessed vs. Cursed | DDQ | 19 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Wayne England | |
| 3 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 243 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Wayne England | |
| 4 | The List | PLST | DDQ-19 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Wayne England |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Spectral Gateguards has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Guide to Vigilance card ability
In the strategic universe of Magic: The Gathering (MTG), the vigilance ability stands out as a powerful tool for players. This potent keyword allows creatures to attack without tapping, keeping them ready and alert to defend against incoming threats. It represents a perfect balance between aggression and defense, offering a dynamic approach to gameplay. Lets dive deeper into how vigilance shapes the battlefield.