Sworn Guardian MTG Card

Sworn Guardian excels as a durable early blocker, deterring initial attacks and preserving board state. Merfolk synergies and decent toughness give it a niche role in tribal and control strategies. Though not a game-changer, its defensive capabilities can influence match tempo in your favor.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Merfolk Warrior
Power 1
Toughness 3

Cards like Sworn Guardian

Sworn Guardian is an aquatic ally from the depths of the MTG multiverse, with a knack for protective magic. With its simplicity as a 1/3 creature for two mana, it finds kinship with other defensive two-drop creatures like Walking Corpse or Merfolk of the Pearl Trident. While Walking Corpse offers a better power to toughness ratio being a 2/2 creature, it lacks the Merfolk creature type that is synergistic in a blue deck focusing on tribal bonuses.

Analyzing further, we see similarities with Coral Merfolk, both being 2-mana cost blue creatures with a Merfolk lineage. Where Sworn Guardian gains an edge is in its 1/3 body, granting it greater resilience against one-damage spells or attacks, unlike Coral Merfolk’s 2/1. Despite these features, Sworn Guardian may not always be the optimal choice for aggressive decks seeking higher damage output.

Lastly, the Guardian’s ability to block potentially larger creatures due to its 3 toughness makes it a reasonable option in control setups where stalling the game is key. Therefore, Sworn Guardian can be an adequate role-player in the world of MTG, particularly in decks where endurance and creature type alignment are crucial.

Walking Corpse - MTG Card versions
Merfolk of the Pearl Trident - MTG Card versions
Coral Merfolk - MTG Card versions
Walking Corpse - MTG Card versions
Merfolk of the Pearl Trident - MTG Card versions
Coral Merfolk - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Sworn Guardian isn’t typically a card that directly provides card advantage. However, it does offer a durable blocker that can help maintain your presence on the board and deter early aggression from opponents.

Resource Acceleration: While Sworn Guardian doesn’t accelerate resources in terms of mana, it occupies the early game efficiently. Its role is to support later stages of the game where you can deploy more impactful spells, overall easing your mana curve.

Instant Speed: Although Sworn Guardian itself isn’t an instant speed spell, its presence in decks often suggests that you’re running a list with other instant-speed interactions. This implies a strategy that keeps the opponent guessing whether you’re playing a guardian or holding up mana for instant-speed responses.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Unlike some other creatures, Sworn Guardian does not offer card advantage or recycling options; it simply occupies a slot in your hand until played, potentially delaying more impactful choices.

Specific Mana Cost: Sworn Guardian necessitates a particular mana alignment, requiring one blue along with one other mana to cast. This specific mana cost can make it less flexible for multi-colored decks or formats where mana efficiency is crucial.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of two mana for a mere 1/3 creature, other cards at the same threshold may provide greater utility or a stronger board presence, making Sworn Guardian a less tempting option for the same investment.

Reasons to Include Sworn Guardian in Your Collection

Versatility: Sworn Guardian’s ability to serve as an early blocker makes it a practical addition to decks that need to stall aggressors while setting up their board.

Combo Potential: As a Merfolk, this card synergizes with tribal themes, often enabling other cards in your deck that rely on having Merfolk in play.

Meta-Relevance: With many decks aiming to build quick, powerful board states, having an early-game card that can potentially thwart early aggressive creatures may influence the pace of the match in your favor.

How to Beat Sworn Guardian

Sworn Guardian is an intriguing creature card in MTG, slotting neatly into decks with a Merfolk or defender theme. It serves as a budget-friendly option that can fit the curve well in limited formats. However, despite its ability to block early-game threats, the Guardian is not unbeatable. Its somewhat low stats of 1/3 make it susceptible to various removal spells and combat strategies.

To surpass the defensive stance of Sworn Guardian, cards with high power are effective, swiftly overwhelming its modest toughness. Burn spells or those allowing you to deal direct damage, like Shock or Lightning Strike, can also dispatch the Guardian before it becomes a nuisance on the battlefield. Additionally, evasion abilities such as flying or trample can bypass the Sworn Guardian, rendering it far less of a blockade against more aggressive deck builds.

In essence, while Sworn Guardian can be a speed bump on the road to victory, its limited offensive presence and vulnerability to common removal tactics make it a manageable foe. Whether you’re utilizing overpowering creatures or strategic spells, there are a multitude of ways to neutralize this stalwart Merfolk and maintain momentum in your quest for MTG dominance.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Sworn Guardian MTG card by a specific set like Rivals of Ixalan and Arena Beginner Set, 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 Sworn Guardian and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Sworn Guardian Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2018-01-19 and 2020-08-13. Illustrated by Sara Winters.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12018-01-19Rivals of IxalanRIX 582015NormalBlackSara Winters
22020-08-13Arena Beginner SetANB 352015NormalBlackSara Winters

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Sworn Guardian has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
AlchemyLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal