Vernadi Shieldmate MTG Card
Text of card
"Selesnya's soil is sacred, and you're about to meet it with your face."
Cards like Vernadi Shieldmate
Vernadi Shieldmate adds reliable utility to the suite of two-drop creatures within Magic: The Gathering. This card aligns closely with the likes of Selfless Savior, which also approaches the battlefield ready to protect more valuable creatures. Vernadi Shieldmate takes a different approach by offering users the ‘Vigilance’ ability, permitting it to attack without tapping, which echoes the functionality of creatures such as Concordia Pegasus.
Correlating further through the MTG library, Knight of Grace stands out. It’s another two-drop but brings a higher power ceiling with first strike and a potential buff in the presence of black cards. Although Vernadi Shieldmate doesn’t boast these attributes, it compensates with simplicity and the assurance of being untapped to defend after an attack. Lastly, we can’t overlook the Loyal Pegasus. Despite its one-mana cost and flying ability, it requires an additional creature to attack or block, whereas Vernadi Shieldmate operates independently.
Despite the variety of choices available, Vernadi Shieldmate holds its ground in MTG as a straightforward card with a role in decks that capitalize on uninterrupted defense strategies, differentiating itself with versatility in both offense and protective tactics.
Cards similar to Vernadi Shieldmate by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Vernadi Shieldmate can bolster your hand size by replacing itself. When it supports a card draw upon entering the battlefield, it helps you maintain parity or even edge out an advantage against your opponent’s resources.
Resource Acceleration: Although not directly impacting your mana pool, Vernadi Shieldmate’s vigilance characteristic allows you to defend without compromising your offense. This indirectly accelerates your resources by keeping your defense up without additional cost.
Instant Speed: While Vernadi Shieldmate itself may not operate at instant speed, its presence supports instant-speed strategies. You can cast spells with assurance, knowing you have a reliable blocker ready that doesn’t tap to attack, thus keeping your guard up for any surprises your adversary might play on their turn.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Playing Vernadi Shieldmate often demands a specific deck structure to leverage its Vigilance ability, requiring players to carefully consider what to discard to optimize play.
Specific Mana Cost: Vernadi Shieldmate comes with a green and white mana cost which, while offering flexibility in Selesnya-themed decks, can restrict its inclusion in more diverse mana bases.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that is somewhat high for its stats, Vernadi Shieldmate sits in a competitive slot where other creatures may provide greater immediate impact or value over time.
Reasons to Include Vernadi Shieldmate in Your Collection
Versatility: Vernadi Shieldmate is a solid addition to any deck looking for a dependable two-drop creature. It complements both aggressive and defensive strategies given its Vigilance ability, allowing it to attack without tapping and still be available to block during your opponent’s turn.
Combo Potential: This card synergizes well with decks that capitalize on +1/+1 counters or those that aim to assemble creature-based combos. As a Human Soldier, it can also be relevant in tribal-themed decks that benefit from these subtypes.
Meta-Relevance: Depending on the shifting tides of the meta, Vernadi Shieldmate can be particularly effective. In environments where maintaining board presence and creature-based interactions are key, its resilience in combat and synergy with other creatures make it a card worth considering for your collection.
How to Beat Vernadi Shieldmate
Vernadi Shieldmate serves as a robust line of defense in Magic: The Gathering, particularly valued for its vigilance trait and its potential as a mentor. This synergy allows it to bolster smaller creatures, making them significantly more threatening as the game progresses. The challenge lies in bypassing this card’s strategic advantages.
Adept players often recommend using removal spells that target creatures regardless of their power, such as Lava Coil or Cast Down, to neutralize this two drop creature before it can mentor others. Alternately, utilizing counterplays like board wipes can prove effective against Vernadi Shieldmate and the creatures benefiting from its mentor ability. Timing is crucial; acting swiftly to disrupt your opponent’s board before the Shieldmate’s influence grows can be a decisive move towards victory.
Ultimately, assessing the battlefield and choosing the appropriate removal or disruption is key to overcoming the defense this card provides. Understanding your deck and preparing versatile responses to threats like Vernadi Shieldmate can tip the scales in your favor during a match.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Vernadi Shieldmate MTG card by a specific set like Guilds of Ravnica and Ravnica Remastered, 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 Vernadi Shieldmate 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
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Printings
The Vernadi Shieldmate Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2018-10-05 and 2024-02-23. Illustrated by Matt Stewart.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2018-10-05 | Guilds of Ravnica | GRN | 219 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Matt Stewart | |
| 2 | 2024-01-12 | Ravnica Remastered | RVR | 236 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Matt Stewart | |
| 3 | 2024-02-23 | Ravnica: Clue Edition | CLU | 216 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Matt Stewart |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Vernadi Shieldmate has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Timeless | 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.