Wayward Guide-Beast MTG Card
2020-09-25 - Number 176p
2020-09-25 - Number 176
2020-09-25 - Number 176s
2020-09-25 - Number 356
2002-06-24 - Number 83796
| Card sets | Released in 5 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Beast |
| Abilities | Haste,Trample |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Text of card
Trample, haste Whenever Wayward Guide-Beast deals combat damage to a player, return a land you control to its owner's hand.
Goblin cavalry tactics consist of pointing a beast in a direction and hanging on for as long as possible.
Unveiling the Wayward Guide-Beast
The gather of mystic energies and the clashing of mighty creatures is what defines the battlefield in MTG. Among such creatures, the Wayward Guide-Beast stands as a compelling option for players favoring aggressive Red decks. With its trample characteristic and a mere one red mana cost, it can serve as both a fast attacker and an intriguing tactical resource, particularly for its unique land bounce ability which can reset your land drops or retrigger Landfall abilities.
Cards like Wayward Guide-Beast
Wayward Guide-Beast channels the energy of swift and impactful early game creatures. It shares the stage with Goblin Guide, another one mana cost creature, known for its immediacy and player deck insight, offering an unpredictable advantage. Yet, the Guide-Beast introduces a different twist with its potential for strategic land plays, as opposed to the Goblin Guide’s straightforward assault.
Akin to the Wayward Guide-Beast is Akoum Hellhound, favouring the Landfall mechanic but trading the ability to return a land to hand for a stronger attacking edge when lands are played. Another relative is Steppe Lynx, which, much like the Hellhound, capitalizes on Landfall for short-term power spikes. However, the Guide-Beast’s synergy with Landfall and land recycling strategies can craft a longer-term value, making it a versatile tool in a pilot’s arsenal.
In weighing these creatures, the Wayward Guide-Beast presents a singular blend of aggressive and tactical play that is unmatched, signaling its prowess in the right deck built around Landfall mechanics or needing land drops every turn.
Cards similar to Wayward Guide-Beast by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Wayward Guide-Beast. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Mono-Red Aggro | Pioneer | Mono-Red Aggro | Pioneer Preliminary 2023-11-22 |
 | Boros Blitz | Modern | Generic Ragavan | #16 Last Chance Qualifier: Modern |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Wayward Guide-Beast may at first glance seem like a drawback with its land bounce mechanic, but savvy players can turn this into an advantage. By returning a land to your hand, this creature can help you reuse landfall abilities or ensure land drops in later turns, potentially leading to a significant advantage as the game progresses.
Resource Acceleration: When utilized appropriately, the Guide-Beast becomes an engine for resource acceleration. With decks built around landfall or fast mana strategies, this little creature can become a powerhouse, effectively ramping your mana each turn by repeatedly playing the same land, thus boosting your ability to cast more expensive spells sooner than your opponents.
Instant Speed: Although Wayward Guide-Beast does not operate at instant speed itself, its ability to put lands back into your hand pairs well with land cards that have flash or spells that allow you to play lands as though they had flash. This grants you the flexibility to keep up the pace and stay reactive, surprising opponents with land-related tricks on their turn.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Playing Wayward Guide-Beast puts you in a tough spot where you need to bounce a land back to your hand when it deals combat damage. This effect can disrupt your mana curve and delay critical plays, especially in the early game where land drops are crucial.
Specific Mana Cost: As a mono-red creature, Wayward Guide-Beast demands a dedicated red mana source. This can restrict its inclusion in multicolored decks or those that require a more flexible mana base.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Given that Wayward Guide-Beast costs one red mana, which is reasonable, its 2/2 stats are on par. However, its land-bouncing ability can indirectly incur a higher cost over time as it impacts your board development, potentially giving opponents a tempo advantage.
Reasons to Include Wayward Guide-Beast in Your Collection
Versatility: With its ability to return a land to its owner’s hand upon dealing combat damage, Wayward Guide-Beast offers dynamic play options. It integrates well into landfall decks, inspiring numerous play sequences each turn.
Combo Potential: This hasty creature excels in combinations that exploit landfall triggers or need recurrent land plays to maximize value. It’s a synergistic piece in strategies aiming to generate multiple landfall activations in a single turn.
Meta-Relevance: In environments where aggressive strategies prosper, the Guide-Beast can be a key player. Constantly bouncing lands may set back opponents while you reap bonuses from landfall mechanics, keeping you at an advantage even when the game pace accelerates.
How to Beat Wayward Guide-Beast
Wayward Guide-Beast presents a unique challenge for MTG players. The ability of this creature to return a land to its owner’s hand whenever it deals combat damage can be both a benefit and a drawback. To tackle this creature effectively, control of the battlefield becomes paramount. Utilize removal spells that can handle cheaper creatures swiftly, such as Fatal Push or Shock, to keep the Guide-Beast at bay. Alternately, countering it upon casting with a spell like Essence Scatter can prevent its potential threat altogether.
Deterrents such as enchantments that penalize the opponent for attacking, like Ghostly Prison, can also be strategic as they make attacking with the Guide-Beast less appealing. Building a strategy around landfall could also diminish the downside of its land-bouncing ability. However, the most straightforward method might involve simply outpacing your opponent with a more aggressive deck, rendering the Guide-Beast’s potential land disruption inconsequential. Key is to either respond promptly to its presence or adjust your play to negate the impact of its land returning mechanic.
Therefore, encountering Wayward Guide-Beast on the opposing side does not spell defeat if you adeptly manage your resources and removals. Understanding when to halt its attacks or turn its downside into your advantage will secure your upper hand throughout the match.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Wayward Guide-Beast MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Zendikar Rising Promos, 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 Wayward Guide-Beast 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 Wayward Guide-Beast Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2020-09-25 and 2020-09-25. Illustrated by Filip Burburan.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Magic Online Promos | PRM | 83796 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Filip Burburan | ||
| 2 | 2020-09-25 | Zendikar Rising Promos | PZNR | 176p | 2015 | Normal | Black | Filip Burburan | |
| 3 | 2020-09-25 | Zendikar Rising | ZNR | 176 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Filip Burburan | |
| 4 | 2020-09-25 | Zendikar Rising Promos | PZNR | 176s | 2015 | Normal | Black | Filip Burburan | |
| 5 | 2020-09-25 | Zendikar Rising | ZNR | 356 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Filip Burburan |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Wayward Guide-Beast 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 |