Warrant // Warden MTG Card
2019-01-25 - Number 230
2024-01-12 - Number 240
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 7 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Sorcery |
Text of card
Create a 4/4 white and blue Sphinx creature token with flying and vigilance.
Cards like Warrant // Warden
Warrant // Warden is an adaptable modal double-faced card in MTG that offers players both disruption and board presence. Similar to other detention spells, Warrant can send an attacking or blocking creature back to its owner’s library, a useful trick akin to Azorius Charm’s ability to place a creature on top of its owner’s library. However, Azorius Charm offers additional modes, giving it flexibility in various scenarios.
When it comes to creature generation, Warden can be compared to cards like Geist of Saint Traft. Both create sizable flying creatures; however, Warden doesn’t carry the same level of aggression nor the hexproof trait that Geist of Saint Traft possesses. Moreover, Warden offers more control over when you bring the creature into play, providing strategic depth based on the game’s state.
Overall, Warrant // Warden shines with its split functionality, going head-to-head with other versatile cards. Its power to disrupt and then later transition to a threatening flyer gives it a unique position, especially among Azorius-style control decks that prioritize flexibility in their spell repertoire.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Warrant // Warden is a unique and versatile card that can potentially provide card advantage. When used as Warrant, it ensures that an opponent’s creature is not only removed from combat but also placed on top of their library, delaying their draw and setting back their board presence. If the situation calls for a creature instead, casting Warden provides you with a vigilant flyer that can pressure the opponent and defend your own life total, all while keeping your hand stocked.
Resource Acceleration: Despite not directly accelerating resources, the sheer flexibility of Warrant // Warden can be a form of indirect resource acceleration. By efficiently handling threats or expanding your board with a single card slot, you allow your other cards to be paced more effectively, stretching your resources further over the course of a match.
Instant Speed: The split nature of this card, with Warrant able to be cast at instant speed, gives you the tactical advantage of adaptability during the game. You are free to make the decision based on the current state of the game – whether to disrupt your opponent’s plan now or later deploy a threat that can alter the game’s course in your favor.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: To capitalize on Warrant // Warden’s versatility, you’ll need to make strategic decisions, namely discarding it for one effect or another, limiting how you leverage this card in play.
Specific Mana Cost: Warrant // Warden’s split nature necessitates both blue and white mana, which could pose deck-building restrictions, particularly if you’re looking to streamline your mana base or operate within a multicolored strategy.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: When considering the cost-efficiency of your deck, the five mana required to cast Warden could dampen your tempo, as other creatures or spells of similar cost may provide greater immediate board presence or impact.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Warrant // Warden offers flexibility in gameplay, allowing players to either stall an opponent’s attacking creature or, late game, deploy a sturdy flyer. This dual nature makes it an adaptable pick for various deck builds.
Combo Potential: The card has synergies with bounce mechanics and detain effects, creating opportunities for combo plays that can disrupt your opponent’s board while establishing your presence.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where aggressive creatures often dominate, having Warrant // Warden provides a timely answer to threats, and the Warden side offers a competitive creature for control and midrange strategies.
How to beat
The Warrant // Warden card offers flexible gameplay options, making it a challenge to face off against in a Magic: The Gathering match. To tackle the Warrant half, the key is to anticipate and preemptively play around it. For instance, cards with hexproof or uncounterable spells can effectively bypass the removal aspect of Warrant. Additionally, being mindful of mana availability and baiting out the spell before committing to more significant threats ensures that your pivotal creatures remain on the battlefield.
Confronting the Warden side requires a different approach. Since it creates a vigilant flying creature, one can counter it by maintaining removal spells or creatures with reach or flying to establish aerial control. Instant-speed removals are particularly potent, as they deal with the bird token before it can have a substantial effect on the game’s state. Cards that nullify the power of flying creatures, like ones granting reach to your creatures, also diminish the Warden’s impact.
Understanding these nuances and preparing your deck to handle dual-faced cards like Warrant // Warden enhances your strategic edge, enabling you to maintain control and eventually triumph over the adaptability it brings to the game.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Warrant // Warden MTG card by a specific set like Ravnica Allegiance 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 Warrant // Warden and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
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- MTG Mint Card
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Printings
The Warrant // Warden Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2019-01-25 and 2024-01-12. Illustrated by Matt Stewart.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2019-01-25 | Ravnica Allegiance | RNA | 230 | 2015 | Split | Black | Matt Stewart | |
| 2 | 2024-01-12 | Ravnica Remastered | RVR | 240 | 2015 | Split | Black | Matt Stewart |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Warrant // Warden has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Warrant // Warden card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2019-01-25 | An “attacking creature” is one that has been declared as an attacker or put onto the battlefield attacking during this combat. Unless that creature leaves combat, it continues to be an attacking creature through the end of combat step, even if the player it was attacking has left the game or the planeswalker it was attacking has left combat. Similarly, a “blocking creature” is one that has been declared as a blocker or put onto the battlefield blocking during this combat. |
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.