Wanderguard Sentry MTG Card
2003-10-02 - Number 56
2005-07-29 - Number 111
2005-07-29 - Number 111★
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Drone |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Text of card
When Wanderguard Sentry comes into play, look at target opponent's hand.
Created by the vedalken to guard Lumengrid, the drones' empty eyes look beyond the Quicksilver Sea.
Cards like Wanderguard Sentry
The Wanderguard Sentry is an intriguing creature card in the immense universe of Magic: The Gathering. It stands in the vast lineup alongside other creatures that boast the ability to look at the top card of an opponent’s deck. Specifically, Lantern of Insight is a card that shares the Sentry’s glimpse-into-the-future trait, albeit with an artifact’s permanence and an effect applied to all players’ decks. The Sentry provides this sneak peek neatly packaged in a creature’s body, which may offer additional offensive or defensive utility.
Peek is another card that provides insight into an opponent’s deck, however, it shines in its instant speed and the option for drawing a card. While not a permanent fixture on the board like the Wanderguard Sentry, Peek’s immediate knowledge can be pivotal at crucial moments. Then there’s Telepathy, a one-mana blue spell that lays bare each opponent’s hand for the entire game. Unlike Wanderguard Sentry, which offers repetitive top deck surveillance, Telepathy reveals the hand only once, although it does provide complete information at that time.
When considering the strategic advantages of top deck awareness and gathering information on foes in Magic: The Gathering, Wanderguard Sentry presents a valuable option. It carves out a niche as a repeatable source of intelligence, all the while serving as an ever-present threat on the board.
Cards similar to Wanderguard Sentry by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Wanderguard Sentry can potentially offer card advantage by exploring upon entering the battlefield, revealing either a useful nonland card or a land to ensure your next draw is more impactful.
Resource Acceleration: Though not directly providing resource acceleration, Wanderguard Sentry’s explore mechanism can aid in smoothing out your mana curve, helping you hit land drops consistently or putting that extra land into your hand when needed.
Instant Speed: While the Sentry itself isn’t an instant, it interacts well within formats that value instant-speed play by possibly revealing instant spells or offering a surprise blocker that can affect the board state right after you draw from its ability.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Wanderguard Sentry requires discarding a card to activate its primary ability. This can be a significant drawback when your hand is already depleted, forcing difficult decisions about resource management or potentially leaving you at a disadvantage against opponents with fuller hands.
Specific Mana Cost: Commanding two blue mana to cast, Wanderguard Sentry demands a commitment to blue mana sources in your deck. This requirement can restrict the card’s inclusion to predominantly blue or blue-supportive decks, potentially excluding it from a broader range of archetypes.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that sits on the higher end for its defensive capabilities, Wanderguard Sentry competes with other cards in the same mana range. Players might find that other creatures or spells offer more impactful immediate effects or pose a greater threat to opponents for the same investment.
Reasons to Include Wanderguard Sentry in Your Collection
Versatility: Wanderguard Sentry offers flexibility to a variety of blue-based control or midrange decks. Its ability to surveil upon entering the battlefield makes it a solid choice for fine-tuning your draw and keeping the flow of powerful spells coming.
Combo Potential: The Sentry fits seamlessly into strategies that revolve around graveyard mechanics or deck manipulation. Its surveil ability can also help set up the perfect conditions for powerful combos by sifting through the deck to find key components.
Meta-Relevance: In a game that often hinges on information and preparation, Wanderguard Sentry grants players a crucial glimpse into the future of their decks. If the current meta values strategic setup and anticipatory play, Wanderguard Sentry is a card that should not be overlooked for its ability to influence the game state.
How to beat
Wanderguard Sentry presents an interesting challenge as a utility creature in MTG. With its ability to peek at an opponent’s hand when it enters the battlefield, it offers a strategic advantage. This, paired with a decent body, can deter aggressive strategies and complicate your opponent’s plays. To effectively counter this vigilant sentinel, consider removal spells that bypass its enter-the-battlefield trigger. Instant-speed removal like Fatal Push or Path to Exile can efficiently handle the Sentry before its ability has any impact.
Alternatively, employing non-targeted board wipes such as Wrath of God ensures that Wanderguard Sentry is swept away before causing further information leakage. If you’re facing a blue deck that might be packing counterspells to protect their Sentry, baiting out a counter with another threat before playing your removal or board wipe can clear the path for a successful removal.
Deck builders should also weigh the Sentry’s entry effect against cards that nullify enters-the-battlefield abilities. Torpor Orb, for example, is an excellent tech choice that renders the Sentry’s hand-revealing ability null and void. By considering these strategies, you can effectively neutralize Wanderguard Sentry’s influence and maintain control of the game.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Wanderguard Sentry MTG card by a specific set like Mirrodin and Ninth Edition, 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 Wanderguard Sentry 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
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Printings
The Wanderguard Sentry Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2003-10-02 and 2005-07-29. Illustrated by Luca Zontini.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2003-10-02 | Mirrodin | MRD | 56 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Luca Zontini | |
| 2 | 2005-07-29 | Ninth Edition | 9ED | 111 | 2003 | Normal | White | Luca Zontini | |
| 3 | 2005-07-29 | Ninth Edition | 9ED | 111★ | 2003 | Normal | Black | Luca Zontini |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Wanderguard Sentry has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |