Warden of the Wall MTG Card

Warden of the Wall provides dual utility, acting as both mana source and creature depending on game conditions. Transformation at instant speed enables surprise blocks or attacks, disrupting opponent strategies. Managing graveyards and using removal spells are effective strategies against Warden of the Wall’s versatility.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Artifact
Released	2012-02-03
Set symbol
Set name	Dark Ascension
Set code	DKA
Number	153
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Daniel Ljunggren

Text of card

Warden of the Wall enters the battlefield tapped. : Add to your mana pool. As long as it's not your turn, Warden of the Wall is a 2/3 Gargoyle artifact creature with flying.

Cards like Warden of the Wall

Warden of the Wall offers a dynamic presence in MTG, providing players with a versatile artifact that transforms into a sturdy creature. Its closest relative is the Guardian Idol, an artifact that similarly morphs into a creature. However, Warden of the Wall has the advantage of being conditionally indestructible while it’s not a creature, and it has the potential to become a more powerful creature than Guardian Idol under the right circumstances.

Comparing it to Darksteel Sentinel is also interesting. Both the Sentinel and the Warden provide defensive utility, but Warden of the Wall brings more utility during your turn by producing mana. Another card worth mentioning is Key to the City; while not a creature, it assists in mana development and provides a different utility by making creatures unblockable which demonstrates the diverse ways artifacts can influence gameplay strategies.

All in all, Warden of the Wall finds its place among utility artifacts with transformational abilities that can both advance your mana pool and contribute a formidable creature to the battlefield when the conditions are met.

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

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Card Pros

Card Advantage: Warden of the Wall has the potential to contribute to card advantage by transforming into a creature that can act both defensively and offensively. While not drawing cards directly, its dual functionality ensures you have a resource that can adapt to the game’s needs without requiring additional card investment.

Resource Acceleration: In its artifact form, Warden of the Wall serves as a mana rock, offering resource acceleration by providing additional mana. This accelerates your game plan, enabling you to deploy threats or answers ahead of the standard curve. Once transformed, it still provides mana, ensuring you don’t lose out on that crucial acceleration.

Instant Speed: While Warden of the Wall itself doesn’t operate at instant speed, its transformation ability does. This enables it to switch from a passive mana source to an active blocker or attacker, often catching opponents by surprise at the end of their turn. This adaptability at instant speed can give you the edge in maneuvering through complex board states.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One drawback of Warden of the Wall is its dependency on a specific card state to unleash its potential. Without a discard trigger, it remains an inert artifact, missing opportunities to maximize value on the battlefield.

Specific Mana Cost: Requiring a precise two colorless and one generic mana to deploy, Warden of the Wall might not seamlessly fit into multi-colored decks, potentially slowing down your mana curve and affecting strategy.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While Warden of the Wall can evolve into a land or creature, its initial investment is significant. Other three-mana cards could offer immediate and more versatile benefits, thus questioning its efficiency in a game where tempo is crucial.

Reasons to Include Warden of the Wall in Your Collection

Versatility: Warden of the Wall offers a unique flexibility within your deck, seamlessly transitioning from land to creature without consuming extra turns or resources. Its dual function as both mana acceleration and a mid-game defensive option makes it valuable in many scenarios.

Combo Potential: With the ability to become a creature during your opponent’s turn, this card can surprise your adversaries and synergizes well with strategies that capitalize on untapped creatures or artifacts. This opens the door to a number of creative and potentially game-winning combos.

Meta-Relevance: In a constantly evolving game like MTG, having cards that can adapt to various opponents is crucial. Warden of the Wall fits into this space by providing a versatile response to different threats and maintaining relevance across diverse meta shifts.

How to beat

Warden of the Wall adds a layer of strategy for both players in an MTG game. As an artifact, it morphs into a guardian golem during your opponent’s turn if you have a land in your graveyard, potentially presenting a blocker or an aggressor. However, its static state on your own turn can open up opportunities to strategize against it.

To counter this card effectively, consider using land destruction strategies to keep graveyards free of lands, therefore preventing its transformation. Another tactic is to focus on artifact removal spells during your own turn before Warden of the Wall becomes a creature, circumventing its creature protection abilities. Utilizing instant speed removal when it turns into a creature during your opponent’s phase can also neutralize the threat without your opponent being able to capitalize on its defensive capabilities.

Furthermore, graveyard management like Tormod’s Crypt can exile graveyards, ensuring that Warden of the Wall never gets the chance to transform. Recognizing the times it’s a vulnerable artifact and when it’s a creature is key to developing an effective approach to bypass the complications Warden of the Wall can create on the board.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Warden of the Wall MTG card by a specific set like Dark Ascension, 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 Wall and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Warden of the Wall has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Modern	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Penny	Legal

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2011-01-22	Warden of the Wall still has the ability to tap for mana when it’s not your turn.