Standard Bearer MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Human Flagbearer |
| Released | 2001-06-04 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Apocalypse |
| Set code | APC |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 1 |
| Number | 18 |
| Frame | 1997 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Ron Spencer |
Text of card
If an opponent plays a spell or ability that could target a Flagbearer in play, that player chooses at least one Flagbearer as a target.
The standard was a rallying point for the army and a target for the enemy.
Cards like Standard Bearer
Standard Bearer is a unique card within the Magic: The Gathering arsenal, playing a pivotal role in the protection mechanic. It’s often juxtaposed with cards like Coalition Honor Guard or Benevolent Bodyguard. While both serve the purpose of shielding other creatures, Standard Bearer requires opponents to target it if able, acting as a lightning rod for removal spells. Coalition Honor Guard shares this trait but presents a larger body on the field.
Benevolent Bodyguard differs by offering a one-time sacrifice to protect a chosen creature, giving players a calculative edge at a critical moment during the game. The Bodyguard’s ability lies in precise momentary defense, whereas Standard Bearer provides ongoing deterrence.
When evaluating these cards, Standard Bearer stands out for continuous board impact, making it a strategic inclusion in decks that aim to safeguard valuable creatures and assets throughout the match. This card finds its strength in the ability to persist on the battlefield, consistently influencing opponent decisions and interactions.
Cards similar to Standard Bearer by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Standard Bearer. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Abzan Heliod | Pauper | Jeskai Affinity | Sprint Wheel Event - Geddon Series 3^ tappa MILANO 2024 |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Engaging a Standard Bearer in your deck offers a tactical edge by redirecting all auras and abilities that target creatures you control. This can disrupt opponents’ strategies, maintaining your card’s quality and indirectly contributing to your card advantage.
Resource Acceleration: As a low cost creature, Standard Bearer can be played early in the game. Its presence necessitates an immediate answer, often forcing the opponent to divert resources that could have been used for their own acceleration, thus indirectly accelerating your resource management.
Instant Speed: While Standard Bearer itself is a creature and not an instant, its ability to interact with spells and abilities at instant speed makes it incredibly versatile. You can play it just before the opponent’s auras or spells are cast, ensuring their plans are derailed in real time, enhancing its utility and giving you an edge during the heat of battle.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Engaging your Standard Bearer in battle comes with a strategic pitfall, challenging you to part ways with another card in your hand. This test of resource management can leave you at a disadvantage, particularly when your options are already waning.
Specific Mana Cost: To summon the Standard Bearer onto the field, a precise mana combination is required — an intricate tapestry of colors that might not seamlessly fit into the kaleidoscope of every deck’s mana base.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: The investment to call forth this sentinel isn’t negligible. With a heftier mana demand, its summoning cost can eclipse that of other alternatives which could possibly offer you more tactical advantage or versatility in the ebb and flow of the game.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Standard Bearer can serve as a flexible addition to a variety of decks, especially those aiming to protect key creatures. Its ability to attract targeted spells or abilities makes it a tactical defensive measure.
Combo Potential: This card pairs exceptionally well with auras or equipment that benefit targeted creatures, potentially transforming it into a formidable blocker or a recurring nuisance for opponents.
Meta-Relevance: In a game landscape where single-target removals are prevalent, introducing Standard Bearer can change the dynamics of interaction, forcing opponents to rethink their strategy and potentially giving you an upper hand.
How to beat
The Standard Bearer presents a distinctive challenge for players in Magic: The Gathering. As a card that draws the focus of all auras and spells that could target creatures, it acts as a strategic shield for your opponent’s more valuable creatures. Overcoming this unique ability requires a careful approach, one that sidesteps direct confrontation.
Board sweepers like Shatter the Sky or Doomskar bypass the Standard Bearer’s effect by not targeting it specifically but instead clearing all creatures on the board. Efficiency is key; opt for removal that negates the need to target, or leverage abilities that don’t count as spells, such as those from Planeswalkers. Moreover, using auras or equipments that benefit from the forced targeting can be a clever way to strengthen your own board presence against an opponent using Standard Bearer.
Ultimately, it’s about understanding the rules interactions and selecting the right tools to navigate around the Bearer’s protection. Success lies in the flexible adaptation of your strategy while keeping the game’s tempo in your favor despite the presence of this card.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Standard Bearer MTG card by a specific set like Apocalypse, 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 Standard 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
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Standard Bearer has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |