Lim-Dûl's High Guard MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 5 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Skeleton
Abilities First strike
Power 2
Toughness 1

Key Takeaways

  1. Enhances hand consistency with reanimation, providing indirect card advantage without depleting resources.
  2. Utilizes the graveyard for strategic advantage, creating sustainable board presence and increased pressure.
  3. Flash ability allows for surprise plays, keeping opponents wary of unpredictable defensive moves.

Text of card

First strike o1o B: Regenerate

"Death does not prevent us from service to our absent master. As long as Tresserhorn stands, so shall we." —Chaeska, Keeper of Tresserhorn


Card Pros

Card Advantage: One of the noteworthy abilities of Lim-Dûl’s High Guard is its ability to possibly fortify your hand. The moment it enters the battlefield, if part of a reanimation strategy, you get a creature back on duty without losing a card from your hand. This guard could also pave the way for favorable exchanges with opponents’ creatures, possibly netting you more value on the battlefield.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly affecting your mana pool, Lim-Dûl’s High Guard’s efficiency lies in its undead nature. Trading with creatures or coming back from the graveyard can be seen as a form of acceleration, where you’re effectively using your graveyard as a resource. This can lead to a more sustainable board presence and keeps the pressure on your opponent.

Instant Speed: Versatility defines much of MTG’s competitive gameplay. Lim-Dûl’s High Guard, with its flash ability, provides this in spades. Being able to summon the guard during your opponent’s turn, perhaps after they’ve made a play, allows for strategic surprise blocks or end-of-turn threats. This ability places additional pressure on your opponents, as they have to consider the instant speed deployment of this formidable defender.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: A key downside to Lim-Dûl’s High Guard is the discard obligation, demanding you to lose another card from your hand. In the heat of the game, this can deplete your strategic options and leave you at a disadvantage if you’re already trailing in card advantage.

Specific Mana Cost: With a specific mana requirement that includes swamps, Lim-Dûl’s High Guard may not fit seamlessly into multicolor decks. This restriction could hamper deck building strategies and limit the adaptability of your game plan, especially in formats that prioritize mana flexibility.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Having to allocate three mana might be costly when considering tempo and resource allocation. In some cases, players might prefer creatures or spells with lower mana costs that offer similar battlefield presence or impact, keeping their plays more efficient and diverse.


Reasons to Include Lim-Dûl’s High Guard in Your Collection

Versatility: Lim-Dûl’s High Guard offers flexibility due to its modular ability to be used as either a formidable blocker or a proficient attacker. This adaptability makes it a fit for a multitude of deck archetypes looking for sturdy two-drops.

Combo Potential: As a creature with first strike, Lim-Dûl’s High Guard can synergize with equipment and enchantments that benefit from swift and hard-hitting creatures, thus enabling powerful combat interactions or even infinite combos with the right setup.

Meta-Relevance: Given its efficiency in combat, Lim-Dûl’s High Guard holds its ground well in environments known for aggressive creature strategies. Being able to deter attackers or safely attack into potential blockers can give you a significant edge in the game’s current strategic landscape.


How to Overcome Lim-Dûl’s High Guard

Lim-Dûl’s High Guard presents a unique challenge for MTG players due to its protection from white and the ability to regenerate. This card, typically found in black decks, can be tricky to remove from the battlefield, as common white removal spells simply won’t affect it.

To effectively counter Lim-Dûl’s High Guard, you’ll want to consider using spells that don’t target it directly or that aren’t white, thus bypassing its protection. Sweeping board clearances, such as “Damnation” or a colorless spell like “All Is Dust,” work wonders as they don’t target individual creatures and can wipe out even those with regeneration abilities. Additionally, choosing to engage it in combat with a creature that has deathtouch or using cards with effects that subtract from the guard’s toughness can lead to its demise without needing to target it specifically. While Lim-Dûl’s High Guard can be a formidable foe, strategic deck-building and playing around its strengths can turn it into a surmountable obstacle in your path to victory.


Cards like Lim-Dûl's High Guard

Lim-Dûl’s High Guard stands out in the realm of skeletal warrior cards within MTG. It can be closely compared to Drudge Skeletons, a staple in skeletal themed decks, both offering the useful regeneration ability. However, Lim-Dûl’s High Guard brings added value with its higher power level, enabling it to deal more damage than its counterpart.

Another card worth mentioning is Skeletal Wurm, which embodies the regeneration trait but comes with a heftier mana investment. This comparison highlights Lim-Dûl’s High Guard as a more accessible option for players aiming for early-game board presence. Additionally, Restless Bones also shares the regeneration feature, but with the added versatility of being able to boost its own power and toughness temporarily.

In scrutinizing the particular niche of skeletal warriors, Lim-Dûl’s High Guard is indeed a solid contender. It harmonizes the elements of offensive capability and survivability through regeneration, presenting a balanced option for players who favor resilience and reliability in their creature choices.

Drudge Skeletons - MTG Card versions
Skeletal Wurm - MTG Card versions
Restless Bones - MTG Card versions
Drudge Skeletons - Limited Edition Alpha (LEA)
Skeletal Wurm - Rise of the Eldrazi (ROE)
Restless Bones - Guildpact (GPT)

Cards similar to Lim-Dûl's High Guard by color, type and mana cost

Nettling Imp - MTG Card versions
Royal Assassin - MTG Card versions
El-Hajjâj - MTG Card versions
Plague Rats - MTG Card versions
Frozen Shade - MTG Card versions
Scathe Zombies - MTG Card versions
Sorceress Queen - MTG Card versions
Wall of Bone - MTG Card versions
Lost Soul - MTG Card versions
Mindstab Thrull - MTG Card versions
Mischievous Poltergeist - MTG Card versions
Strongarm Thug - MTG Card versions
Razortooth Rats - MTG Card versions
Ghastly Remains - MTG Card versions
Lord of the Undead - MTG Card versions
Deepwood Ghoul - MTG Card versions
Dross Prowler - MTG Card versions
Nim Lasher - MTG Card versions
Nim Abomination - MTG Card versions
Vesper Ghoul - MTG Card versions
Nettling Imp - Limited Edition Alpha (LEA)
Royal Assassin - 30th Anniversary Edition (30A)
El-Hajjâj - Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border (4BB)
Plague Rats - Foreign Black Border (FBB)
Frozen Shade - 30th Anniversary Edition (30A)
Scathe Zombies - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Sorceress Queen - Rivals Quick Start Set (RQS)
Wall of Bone - Rivals Quick Start Set (RQS)
Lost Soul - Introductory Two-Player Set (ITP)
Mindstab Thrull - Masters Edition (ME1)
Mischievous Poltergeist - Classic Sixth Edition (6ED)
Strongarm Thug - Mercadian Masques (MMQ)
Razortooth Rats - Seventh Edition (7ED)
Ghastly Remains - Legions (LGN)
Lord of the Undead - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Deepwood Ghoul - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Dross Prowler - Mirrodin (MRD)
Nim Lasher - Mirrodin (MRD)
Nim Abomination - Darksteel (DST)
Vesper Ghoul - Salvat 2005 (PSAL)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Lim-Dûl's High Guard MTG card by a specific set like Alliances and Alliances, 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 Lim-Dûl's High Guard and other MTG cards:

Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See Magic products

Printings

The Lim-Dûl's High Guard Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 1996-06-10 and 2008-09-22. Illustrated by Anson Maddocks.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11996-06-10AlliancesALL 55b1993normalblackAnson Maddocks
21996-06-10AlliancesALL 55a1993normalblackAnson Maddocks
32001-12-01DeckmastersDKM 6b1997normalwhiteAnson Maddocks
42001-12-01DeckmastersDKM 6a1997normalwhiteAnson Maddocks
52008-09-22Masters Edition IIME2 1031997normalblackAnson Maddocks

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Lim-Dûl's High Guard has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

Recent MTG decks

Continue exploring other format decks
More decks