Warden of the Inner Sky MTG Card


Card draw with Warden of the Inner Sky ensures a fuller hand, increasing strategic options during play. Reducing future spell costs accelerates resources, giving players a crucial game pacing advantage. Instant speed activation with this card offers tactical flexibility, allowing for responsive in-game strategy.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Human Soldier
Abilities Scry
Power 1
Toughness 2

Text of card

As long as Warden of the Inner Sky has three or more counters on it, it has flying and vigilance. Tap three untapped artifacts and/or creatures you control: Put a +1/+1 counter on Warden of the Inner Sky. Scry 1. Activate only as a sorcery.


Cards like Warden of the Inner Sky

The Warden of the Inner Sky is an intriguing addition to the roster of flying creatures within Magic: The Gathering. It can be likened to other cards such as Skyknight Legionnaire, which also possesses flying and can attack as soon as it enters the battlefield. Yet, Warden of the Inner Sky distinguishes itself with its ability to scale in power throughout the game; it gains strength each time a player casts a spell from anywhere other than their hand.

Coinciding with this theme of scaling prowess, we can look at Sprite Dragon. This creature thrives on non-creature spells, gaining a +1/+1 counter with each casting. While both cards reward spell-slinging, the Sprite Dragon offers permanent growth as opposed to the temporary boost provided by Warden of the Inner Sky. Thunderclap Wyvern shares the skies as another option. Although it doesn’t scale individually, it does offer a power increase to other flying creatures, making it a worthy consideration for any aerial assault.

Analyzing these comparisons, Warden of the Inner Sky clearly holds its own as a powerful and flexible choice for decks that frequent casting from unconventional zones, articulating a unique advantage in such strategies.

Skyknight Legionnaire - MTG Card versions
Sprite Dragon - MTG Card versions
Thunderclap Wyvern - MTG Card versions
Skyknight Legionnaire - MTG Card versions
Sprite Dragon - MTG Card versions
Thunderclap Wyvern - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Warden of the Inner Sky by color, type and mana cost

Savannah Lions - MTG Card versions
Benalish Hero - MTG Card versions
Icatian Infantry - MTG Card versions
Icatian Scout - MTG Card versions
Icatian Javelineers - MTG Card versions
Kjeldoran Warrior - MTG Card versions
Trade Caravan - MTG Card versions
Vigilant Martyr - MTG Card versions
Honor Guard - MTG Card versions
Volunteer Militia - MTG Card versions
Nomads en-Kor - MTG Card versions
Soul Warden - MTG Card versions
Resistance Fighter - MTG Card versions
Honorable Scout - MTG Card versions
Devoted Caretaker - MTG Card versions
Faerie Guidemother // Gift of the Fae - MTG Card versions
Kor Duelist - MTG Card versions
Yoshimaru, Ever Faithful - MTG Card versions
Mother of Runes - MTG Card versions
Daru Mender - MTG Card versions
Savannah Lions - MTG Card versions
Benalish Hero - MTG Card versions
Icatian Infantry - MTG Card versions
Icatian Scout - MTG Card versions
Icatian Javelineers - MTG Card versions
Kjeldoran Warrior - MTG Card versions
Trade Caravan - MTG Card versions
Vigilant Martyr - MTG Card versions
Honor Guard - MTG Card versions
Volunteer Militia - MTG Card versions
Nomads en-Kor - MTG Card versions
Soul Warden - MTG Card versions
Resistance Fighter - MTG Card versions
Honorable Scout - MTG Card versions
Devoted Caretaker - MTG Card versions
Faerie Guidemother // Gift of the Fae - MTG Card versions
Kor Duelist - MTG Card versions
Yoshimaru, Ever Faithful - MTG Card versions
Mother of Runes - MTG Card versions
Daru Mender - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Warden of the Inner Sky. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Boros ConvokeBoros Convoke StandardBoros ConvokeStandard League 2024-05-12
Ensoul ArtifactEnsoul Artifact PioneerEnsoul ArtifactPioneer League 2024-05-17

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Warden of the Inner Sky enhances card advantage by offering the potential to draw additional cards. This is especially potent in decks designed to maximize the use of the spell or creature casts, keeping your hand full and options open.

Resource Acceleration: This card can be a catalyst for resource acceleration, giving you an extra edge by potentially reducing the cost of future spell casts. Efficient resource management is key in pacing the game to your favor and this card aids in achieving that.

Instant Speed: The ability to activate its effect at instant speed provides a tactical advantage, allowing flexibility in response to game states. This can lead to more informed decisions and strategic plays during critical moments of a match.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Warden of the Inner Sky necessitates that you discard another card in order to utilize its fullest potential. In the heat of a match, this could deprive you of crucial resources at a time when every card in hand matters.

Specific Mana Cost: This card’s casting cost is stringent, demanding both green and blue mana. For players who are not running a deck tailored to these colors, slotting in the Warden becomes less feasible, limiting its versatility across various deck archetypes.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost asking for a fair sum of mana, the Warden of the Inner Sky might be seen as a substantial investment in the early-to-mid game. There exist alternative creatures or spells that could accomplish similar tasks or exert board presence at a lower mana cost, presenting a relative disadvantage when considering deck efficiency and tempo.


Reasons to Include Warden of the Inner Sky in Your Collection

Versatility: The Warden of the Inner Sky can be an asset in a wide array of deck builds, offering both aerial defense and offense. Its ability to adapt to various situations and its flying attribute make it a formidable presence on the battlefield that can easily shift roles from blocker to attacker as your game strategy evolves.

Combo Potential: This card’s unique abilities provide a range of combo opportunities. Its synergistic potential with cards that benefit from flying creatures or those that manipulate +1/+1 counters can lead to powerful interactions and potent offensive strategies that can catch opponents off guard. Crafting a deck with Warden of the Inner Sky in mind can unlock a new level of creativity and effectiveness.

Meta-Relevance: Keeping up with the ever-changing meta is crucial, and having cards that can perform well against a variety of strategies is vital. Warden of the Inner Sky’s versatility makes it a strong contender, fitting well within multiple deck archetypes and capable of holding its own in a dynamic competitive landscape.


How to beat

The Warden of the Inner Sky showcases its might in the playing field with an ability that can bolster its power tremendously with each spell cast. This capacity to grow makes it a tricky adversary on the battlefield. Tackling it effectively requires strategy and the right card selection. One effective approach is ensuring removal spells are at the ready, such as Murder or Doom Blade, allowing for swift elimination before it becomes too bulky with counters. Another tactic involves neutralizing its abilities through cards like Pacifism, which can stop the creature from attacking or being activated without necessitating its removal.

Control decks may utilize counterspells, such as Counterspell or Mana Leak, to prohibit the Warden’s arrival altogether. It’s paramount to either deal with the Warden early in the game or keep a close eye on the stack, prepared to counter not only the Warden itself but also any spells that might escalate its presence. The keys to victory include anticipation, adaptation, and maintaining control over the flow of the game to ensure that the Warden of the Inner Sky does not get the chance to exercise its full potential on the field.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Warden of the Inner Sky MTG card by a specific set like The Lost Caverns of Ixalan and The Lost Caverns of Ixalan, 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 Inner Sky and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Warden of the Inner Sky Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2023-11-17 and 2023-11-17. Illustrated by Raoul Vitale.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12023-11-17The Lost Caverns of IxalanLCI 3592015NormalBlackRaoul Vitale
22023-11-17The Lost Caverns of IxalanLCI 432015NormalBlackRaoul Vitale

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Warden of the Inner Sky has restrictions

FormatLegality
StandardLegal
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
AlchemyLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
FutureLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
BrawlLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Warden of the Inner Sky card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2023-11-10 You can tap any three untapped artifacts and/or creatures you control, including Warden of the Inner Sky itself and other creatures you haven't controlled continuously since the beginning of your most recent turn, to pay the cost of Warden of the Inner Sky's activated ability.
Vigilance card art

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.