Mosquito Guard MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	1
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Kithkin Soldier
Abilities	First strike,Reinforce
Released	2008-02-01
Set symbol
Set name	Morningtide
Set code	MOR
Power	1
Toughness	1
Number	18
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Randy Gallegos

Key Takeaways

Boosts board presence with creature enhancement upon entry, tilting the scales favorably during play.
Easy to cast with low mana cost, fitting seamlessly into rapid deployment strategies for early dominance.
Instant speed allows for tactical plays, surprising opponents and disrupting their well-laid plans.

Text of card

First strike Reinforce 1— (, Discard this card: Put a +1/+1 counter on target creature.)

His aim is as sure as a mosquito's sting, but with none of the warning.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Mosquito Guard adds significant value by providing a creature boost when entering the battlefield. The creature you choose gains strength, thereby giving you the upper hand in maintaining board presence.

Resource Acceleration: Offering a low mana cost, the card seamlessly fits into early-game strategies, helping you develop your board faster than your opponent. This speed in deployment can be crucial in outracing your opponent and gaining an advantage.

Instant Speed: The ability to cast Mosquito Guard at instant speed gives players the flexibility to react during their opponent’s turn, making it an excellent tool for surprising your adversary and disrupting their strategy.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: To play Mosquito Guard, you might be prompted to discard another card from your hand. This could pose a problem, particularly in tense moments where card advantage is critical, and every card in your hand counts toward your strategy.

Specific Mana Cost: Mosquito Guard comes with a mana cost that could be restrictive. Requiring specific mana types means that it isn’t as flexible for deck-building, particularly in multicolor decks where mana resources are more diversified and valuable.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although Mosquito Guard might offer a unique ability or align with certain strategies, its mana cost may be considered high for the benefits it provides. Players could opt for other cards that deliver similar effects or more value for a lower mana investment, making this card less appealing in competitive play.

Reasons to Include Mosquito Guard Mtg Card in Your Collection

Versatility: Mosquito Guard serves as an exceptional support card in decks where low-cost creatures are pivotal. Its ability to be played early on serves as both an offensive and defensive asset.

Combo Potential: This card shines in combinations with abilities that capitalize on bolstering soldier or token strategies, effectively enhancing the presence of your forces on the battlefield.

Meta-Relevance: Against a backdrop of ever-shifting meta-dynamics, Mosquito Guard holds up as a staple in environments where agile and adaptive play is rewarded, supporting key tempo plays in pivotal moments.

How to beat

Mosquito Guard brings a unique twist to creature cards in Magic. This small but resilient creature often sneaks under the radar, supplying consistent damage while bolstering defenses with its lifelink ability. Navigating around this pest requires a strategy that combines precision and timing.

One route to dominate against Mosquito Guard is to deal with it directly through removal spells. Spell options such as Shock or Fatal Push offer an efficient way to swat this annoyance from the battlefield before it can gain too much value through repetitive lifegain. It’s vital to address Mosquito Guard quickly due to its potential in a long game.

A different tactic is to circumvent the card’s strengths by utilizing flyers or creatures with reach, ideally nullifying the lifelink attribute through evasion tactics. Mass removal spells like Wrath of God can also reset the board, eliminating Mosquito Guard alongside any other threats. In essence, overcoming the nuisance of Mosquito Guard involves preemptively managing its presence or directly countering its abilities, ensuring it doesn’t outlast and outvalue you in the life totals.

Cards like Mosquito Guard

Mosquito Guard is an intriguing entrant in the suite of low-cost creature spells for Magic: The Gathering. It bears resemblance to other one-mana creatures like Elite Vanguard, which also presents as a 2/1 soldier. But Mosquito Guard distinguishes itself with the additional ability to reinforce other creatures through its Reinforce mechanic, adding versatility to your battlefield strategy. Whereas, Elite Vanguard offers no such utility.

Another creature within this category is Loyal Pegasus, which shares the one-mana cost but flies high with flying ability. However, it’s grounded unless it charges alongside other creatures, thus limiting its offensive potential when standing alone. Mosquito Guard, alternatively, can always stand its ground or bolster the ranks with its Reinforce ability. Alseid of Life’s Bounty is another creature that costs one mana and brings along lifelink, a different kind of staying power, and a protective ability to save key permanents at the cost of sacrificing itself.

While evaluating these one-mana creatures, Mosquito Guard carves out its niche with its dual functionality. It can be a quick aggressor or a strategic support enhancement, making it a versatile choice for various deck strategies in Magic: The Gathering.

Alseid of Life's Bounty - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Mosquito Guard MTG card by a specific set like Morningtide, 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 Mosquito Guard and other MTG cards: