Tomakul Honor Guard MTG Card
2022-11-18 - Number 195
2022-11-18 - Number 28
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Human Soldier |
| Abilities | Ward |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Text of card
Ward (Whenever this creature becomes the target of a spell or ability an opponent controls, counter it unless that player pays .)
In the Great Desert, one law is enforced over all others: water belongs to all.
Cards like Tomakul Honor Guard
Tocatli Honor Guard has a distinctive presence in Magic: The Gathering as a creature that stops other creatures from triggering their enter-the-battlefield abilities. A comparable card is Hushbringer, which not only stops enter-the-battlefield abilities but also shutters creatures’ dying effects. However, Tocatli Honor Guard stands out with its sturdier body at a 1/3, giving it an edge in survivability compared to Hushbringer’s more fragile 1/2 stats.
Another similar card worth mentioning is Torpor Orb. This artifact has a broader impact than Tocatli Honor Guard as it halts all players’ creatures’ abilities, not just the opponents’. Yet, the Honor Guard has the advantage of being a creature, which means it can participate in combat and be buffed or utilized by synergizing with other creature-based strategies in your deck.
Analyzing these cards, Tocatli Honor Guard proves to be a reliable option for decks looking to mitigate opponent strategies that heavily rely on enter-the-battlefield triggers. Its balanced mix of function and form offers both tactical advantage and field presence, cementing its role in decks designed to control the tempo and flow of MTG games.
Cards similar to Tomakul Honor Guard by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Although Tomakul Honor Guard doesn’t draw cards directly, it inhibits opponents’ abilities that could otherwise generate card advantage for them, effectively skewing the card balance in your favor.
Resource Acceleration: While the guard itself doesn’t accelerate resources, its relatively low mana cost allows for a quick setup, leaving mana available for further board development or disruption.
Instant Speed: Tomakul Honor Guard operates at sorcery speed which encourages strategic placement on the battlefield. However, the passive advantage it provides can be as valuable as instant speed interaction by cutting opponents off from creature-based abilities they would rely on during their turn.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Tomakul Honor Guard doesn’t ask players to discard cards, it’s important to acknowledge that its specific utility could lead to strategic discards to make room for more adaptable creatures in your deck.
Specific Mana Cost: The Honor Guard requires white mana, which can be restrictive. Decks that don’t run white mana or have a limited mana base may not be able to accommodate this card without significant adjustments.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a two-white-one-generic mana cost, some players may find this a bit steep for a 2/3 creature. Especially when you consider that the ability to bypass other creatures’ “enter-the-battlefield” effects might not always justify the slot in a deck that could instead use lower-cost creatures or more versatile spells.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Tocatli Honor Guard serves as a useful tool in many deck archetypes. Its ability to shut down creature-based enter the battlefield (ETB) effects can help to hamstring numerous opponent strategies, from aggressive to the more nuanced control decks.
Combo Potential: This card is not just defensive; it can also be a linchpin in combos that aim to negate your own negative ETB triggers, allowing you to harness the full potential of powerful creatures without downside.
Meta-Relevance: In a format where ETB creatures are prevalent and often decisive, Tocatli Honor Guard can turn the tide of the game. Its presence on the board can severely disrupt your opponents’ plans, making it a solid choice for those looking to gain an edge in the current metagame.
How to beat
The Tomikul Honor Guard presents a significant hurdle for strategies relying on creature abilities in MTG. Unlike other creatures that might simply boost themselves or your creature army, Tomikul Honor Guard stands out with its ability-negating effect, impacting a vast array of commonly used creature abilities such as enter-the-battlefield triggers or activated abilities that can be game-changers.
To overcome the defensive bastion that is Tomikul Honor Guard, players should pivot towards using spells that do not rely on creature abilities. Board wipes such as Wrath of God, spot removal like Doom Blade, or even countering it before it hits the battlefield with a Negate can effectively nullify its influence on the game. Additionally, engaging in combat with creatures that have favorable base stats, without relying on abilities to outmatch, can also provide a pathway to claiming victory over a player defending with Tomikul Honor Guard.
As MTG matches can often hinge on the ability to adapt and counter your opponent’s strategy, understanding how to dismantle the protection Tomikul Honor Guard offers becomes essential. Clever deck-building and strategic gameplay will lead players to triumph over this particular challenge.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Tomakul Honor Guard MTG card by a specific set like The Brothers' War and The Brothers' War Art Series, 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 Tomakul Honor Guard 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
Printings
The Tomakul Honor Guard Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2022-11-18 and 2022-11-18. Illustrated by Francisco Miyara.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2022-11-18 | The Brothers' War | BRO | 195 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Francisco Miyara | |
| 2 | The Brothers' War Art Series | ABRO | 28 | 2015 | Art series | Borderless | Francisco Miyara |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Tomakul Honor Guard has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Alchemy | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Future | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |