Warden of the Eye MTG Card
2014-09-26 - Number 212
2019-11-07 - Number 1507
2020-09-26 - Number KTK-212
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Djinn Wizard |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Text of card
When Warden of the Eye enters the battlefield, return target noncreature, nonland card from your graveyard to your hand.
The wardens guard the sacred documents of Tarkir's history, though they are forbidden to read the words.
Cards like Warden of the Eye
In the vast universe of Magic: The Gathering, Warden of the Eye echoes aspects of other notable cards that return spells from the graveyard to a player’s hand. It can be likened to Archaeomancer, a creature that performs a similar task but targets only instant and sorcery cards. Warden of the Eye is more flexible in that regard as it can retrieve any non-creature, non-land card, making it a versatile choice in decks that emphasize on leveraging a wider array of spells.
Analogous in function is Mnemonic Wall. This creature also retrieves an instant or sorcery card from the graveyard. However, it is less agile due to its higher mana cost and lack of the Jeskai colors, whereas Warden of the Eye benefits from the synergetic potential in a multicolor deck. Additionally, Izzet Chronarch presents a parallel option, still offering a retrieval effect with an identical casting cost, but again, with the limitation of reclaiming only instant or sorcery cards.
Stepping back to review these comparisons, Warden of the Eye proves to be a commendable choice for Magic: The Gathering players who aim to craft a strategy around recurring a broad spectrum of non-creature spells, enriching the flexibility and efficacy of their play.
Cards similar to Warden of the Eye by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Warden of the Eye returns a target noncreature, nonland card from your graveyard to your hand when it enters the battlefield. This ability provides valuable card advantage by allowing you to reuse powerful spells and pivotal game pieces.
Resource Acceleration: While not directly providing resource acceleration, retrieving an impactful card from the graveyard can indirectly accelerate your resources. For instance, if the returned card is a ramp spell or artifact, you can effectively enhance your mana base or accelerate your plays on subsequent turns.
Instant Speed: Although Warden of the Eye itself is not an instant, it gives you a significant advantage by potentially bringing back instant-speed spells from the graveyard. This recycled versatility allows you to adapt to the changing game state swiftly and keep opponents guessing about the contents of your hand.
Card Cons
Specific Mana Cost: The Warden of the Eye calls for a precise combination of colors, which may not blend seamlessly into every deck, particularly those that do not run all three colors in its casting cost.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of five mana, the Warden of the Eye might be seen as steep for its effect, especially when you’re facing faster decks aiming to win before you can leverage its value.
Discard Requirement: Warden of the Eye does not have a direct discard requirement, but in the grand scheme of gameplay, it can indirectly lead to discard decisions. Having a higher mana cost can pressure your hand management, causing you to potentially discard other cards to keep a balanced composition of lands and spells.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Warden of the Eye fits seamlessly into multicolored decks, particularly those that require repeated access to spells in the graveyard. Its ability to return an instant, sorcery, or creature card from your graveyard to your hand makes it a flexible tool in various strategic setups.
Combo Potential: This card efficiently recycles key pieces for combos, making it indispensable for players looking to execute complex strategies over multiple turns. It’s a catalyst for chaining powerful effects, turning the tide in your favor with just the right spell at the right time.
Meta-Relevance: Warden of the Eye holds its ground in a shifting meta by providing consistent value in control or midrange decks. Its presence on the board keeps opponents wary of what you might retrieve from your graveyard, ensuring that your past plays continue to influence the game’s outcome.
How to beat
Warden of the Eye is a unique creature in Magic: The Gathering that acts as a bridge between the past and the present, allowing players to regain instants and sorceries from their graveyard when it enters the battlefield. Its utility is undeniable, providing a significant advantage by recycling powerful spells.
To counteract the Warden of the Eye’s ability, strategic removal of the card before its effect triggers is crucial. Employ preemptive measures, like instant-speed removal spells or abilities that can exile it from the battlefield or the graveyard. Counterspells are also effective when the Warden is on the stack, preventing it from ever taking effect. Timing is everything.
Another angle is to limit valuable targets in your opponent’s graveyard through cards that offer graveyard hate. These ensure that even if the Warden resolves, it won’t profit much from a grave that’s kept barren. Regularly disrupting the opponent’s graveyard can turn Warden of the Eye into nothing more than a simple creature with limited impact on the game.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Warden of the Eye MTG card by a specific set like Khans of Tarkir and Mystery Booster, 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 Warden of the Eye 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 Warden of the Eye Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2014-09-26 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by Howard Lyon.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2014-09-26 | Khans of Tarkir | KTK | 212 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Howard Lyon | |
| 2 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 1507 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Howard Lyon | |
| 3 | The List | PLST | KTK-212 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Howard Lyon |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Warden of the Eye 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 |