Swift Warden MTG Card

Swift Warden can foil removals, offering strategic creature protection with its flash ability. The card demands a specific mana mix and discarding, which may limit deck types. Versatility and defense against spot removal make Swift Warden a potent collection addition.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Creature — Merfolk Warrior
Abilities	Flash
Released	2018-01-19
Set symbol
Set name	Rivals of Ixalan
Set code	RIX
Power	3
Toughness	3
Number	146
Frame	2015
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Viktor Titov

Text of card

Flash When Swift Warden enters the battlefield, target Merfolk you control gains hexproof until end of turn. (It can't be the target of spells or abilities your opponents control.)

A warning shout would take too long.

Cards like Swift Warden

Swift Warden shines in the realm of Magic: The Gathering as a versatile flash creature. Its kinship is close with cards like Frilled Mystic, which also combines the utility of instant speed with a creature on the board. Both add a body to the field while sporting a disruption element; Frilled Mystic counters a spell whereas Swift Warden offers a protective shield for another creature.

Bouncing to another comparison, we look at cards like Vine Mare. This beast offers hexproof not just to itself but is also resilient against spells of a particular color, providing a form of assurance no lesser than Swift Warden’s timely intervention. However, unlike Swift Warden, Vine Mare doesn’t come with the surprise factor of flash.

Merfolk Trickster also enters the discussion, with its swift flash ability to temporarily tap and neutralize an opponent’s creature. While it doesn’t grant hexproof like Swift Warden, the Trickster can shift the tides of combat in your favor in a pinch. In sum, Swift Warden finds its niche in Magic: The Gathering, adeptly blending creature combat with strategic defensive timing.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Swift Warden offers the benefit of surprise, acting as an unexpected form of card advantage. When flashed in, it can protect a key creature from spot removal or detrimental abilities, essentially negating your opponent’s card without losing your own.

Resource Acceleration: Although it doesn’t generate additional mana or treasure tokens, the Swift Warden’s presence on the battlefield can be a form of tempo acceleration. By saving a creature, it helps maintain your board presence and can accelerate your strategy without losing crucial resources.

Instant Speed: Swift Warden’s flash ability provides flexibility, allowing you to adapt to the situation at hand. You can play other spells on your turn and wait to deploy the Warden at the most opportune moment, potentially during the combat phase or in response to an opponent’s action.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Swift Warden calls for the player to discard another card, which can be a setback, particularly when your hand is already depleted, or when every card counts during critical turns.

Specific Mana Cost: The casting requirements for Swift Warden include both green mana and generic mana, potentially restricting the card to green-centric or two-color decks where green is a primary color.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although providing a flash ability and hexproof until end of turn, the mana investment for Swift Warden is significant. There are cheaper alternatives that might fulfill a similar role without such a high mana expense, leaving your mana open for other spells or abilities.

Reasons to Include Swift Warden in Your Collection

Versatility: Swift Warden’s flash ability allows it to be a surprise defensive play in many green decks, particularly in formats where protecting valuable creatures is crucial to a strategy’s success.

Combo Potential: Not only can it safeguard key creatures in a pinch, but Swift Warden’s ability to grant hexproof can be combined with other cards in a player’s arsenal to create robust, untouchable combos on the battlefield.

Meta-Relevance: In an environment where spot removal is prevalent, having a card like Swift Warden that can instantly shield your most important creatures can tip the scales in your favor, making it a relevant addition to any collection geared for competitive play.

How to beat

Swift Warden is an intriguing card that provides significant defensive utility in Magic: The Gathering. It is known for its flash ability, allowing players to cast it at any time they could cast an instant. This gives it the element of surprise, effectively countering threats by entering the battlefield when least expected and bolstering your defenses by granting a creature you control hexproof until end of turn.

To overcome Swift Warden, timing is crucial. Since it thrives on ambush, avoiding engagement during your opponent’s untapped mana phase can minimize its impact. Focus on baiting out the Warden before committing to high-value spells or attacks. Additionally, spells that force your opponent to act during their turn, such as instant-speed removals or board wipes when they’re tapped out, work well against it. Board wipes in particular can be effective as they don’t target individual creatures, bypassing the hexproof ability. Lastly, utilizing instant-speed spells during your own turn can force the Swift Warden out prematurely, effectively negating its advantage and paving the way for a successful offensive strategy.

In essence, while Swift Warden can protect against targeted spells and prevent damage to other creatures, affecting multiple targets or circumventing the timing of its flash ability can effectively neutralize this advantage within the versatile world of Magic: The Gathering.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Swift Warden MTG card by a specific set like Rivals of Ixalan, 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 Swift Warden and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Swift Warden has restrictions

Format	Legality
Historicbrawl	Legal
Historic	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Restricted
Oathbreaker	Legal
Gladiator	Legal
Pioneer	Legal
Commander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Explorer	Legal
Penny	Legal
Timeless	Legal

Guide to Flash card ability

Explore the dynamic Flash ability in Magic: The Gathering (MTG), a feature that allows you to cast spells at lightning speed, often leaving your opponents reeling and your strategy several steps ahead. This versatile ability can turn the tide of a game, providing the element of surprise and tactical advantage. It places a premium on timing and foresight, transforming an ordinary deck into a formidable arsenal of instant threats and responses.