Warden of the Woods MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 6 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Treefolk |
| Abilities | Vigilance |
| Released | 2020-07-03 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Core Set 2021 |
| Set code | M21 |
| Power | 5 |
| Toughness | 7 |
| Number | 213 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Svetlin Velinov |
Key Takeaways
- Warden of the Woods provides card advantage, drawing two cards when targeted by opponents.
- Its deterrent effect can indirectly speed up your game by maintaining your board.
- The card’s higher mana cost and specific color requirement may limit flexibility.
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.
Text of card
Vigilance (Attacking doesn't cause this creature to tap.) Whenever Warden of the Woods becomes the target of a spell or ability an opponent controls, you may draw two cards.
Weak and strong alike seek shelter beneath its branches.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: When Warden of the Woods is targeted by a spell or ability an opponent controls, you get to draw two cards. This triggers each time it’s targeted, potentially refilling your hand and keeping you ahead in resources.
Resource Acceleration: While not directly providing mana, the Warden can be seen as a deterrent for opponents to use removal due to the card advantage it provides you, thereby preserving your board presence and accelerating your game plan indirectly.
Instant Speed: While Warden of the Woods itself does not operate at instant speed, its ability to generate card advantage is always active. This means that any interaction from your opponents on their turn, such as trying to deal with the Warden through spells or abilities, may still end up benefitting you, keeping you prepared and responsive.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Warden of the Woods may not directly ask you to discard a card, it’s vital to consider cards in your hand as a resource. Including it in your deck means you might have to discard other potentially crucial cards to make room for its high mana demands, especially in the late game where every card in hand can be pivotal.
Specific Mana Cost: Commanding a specific mana alignment, Warden of the Woods requires a significant presence of green mana in its casting cost. This can make it a less flexible choice for decks that run multiple colors, or for players who might face color fixing issues during gameplay.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of six mana, Warden of the Woods can be a challenging card to play early in the game. In situations where the board state demands faster responses, its cost can be prohibitive, especially when other creatures or spells could potentially offer more immediate impact or versatility at a lower mana investment.
Reasons to Include Warden of the Woods in Your Collection
Versatility: The Warden of the Woods proves to be a flexible addition to your collection, slotting into various green-themed decks. Its ability to operate as both a formidable blocker and an effective deterrent against targeted removal makes it a solid pick for those looking to reinforce their defenses.
Combo Potential: This creature’s intrinsic ability to draw cards when targeted by spells adds a layer of threat to your strategy, coupling card advantage with a robust board presence. It synergizes well with effects that encourage your opponent to target your creatures, turning potential downsides into unexpected benefits.
Meta-Relevance: In a game state often dominated by removal spells, Warden of the Woods gains relevance by making opponents think twice before using their targeted removal. Its presence on the board impacts how the game unfolds, especially in creature-centric match-ups where maintaining board presence is crucial.
How to beat
Warden of the Woods is a powerful creature in Magic: The Gathering, known for its vigilant stance and the advantage it creates when targeted. The six mana cost for this vast 5/7 creature might seem steep, but it’s justified by its potential to draw cards if targeted by an opponent’s spell. To effectively counter this card, consider using removal spells that don’t target, such as board wipes like Wrath of God or Shatter the Sky, thus bypassing its ability to draw its controller extra cards.
Additionally, utilizing exile effects can be a sound strategy. Cards like Path to Exile or Settle the Wreckage can remove the Warden from the game without triggering its ability. As a creature with vigilance, it’s also essential to manage the battlefield by controlling your opponent’s creatures through pacifying effects or playing defensively until you can handle the Warden without losing resources.
Remember, the key to neutralizing the Warden of the Woods lies in choosing the right moment and method to remove it from play, thereby minimizing the benefits garnered by your opponent and maintaining the balance of the match in your favor.
Cards like Warden of the Woods
Warden of the Woods is an intriguing creature within the MTG universe, offering both a stalwart defense and valuable card draw. This six-mana Vigilant creature holds its own against others like Gargantuan Gorilla. Both tap into the card advantage game, yet Warden of the Woods has the added benefit of drawing cards whenever it becomes the target of creature-removing spells, whereas Gargantuan Gorilla does not have this capability.
Leaf-Crowned Elder also taps into a similar vein, allowing the top card of your library to be cast if it’s a creature. Although it doesn’t guarantee an immediate card in your hand, it can offer a consistent stream of card advantage. Elder Gargaroth is another comparable creature that draws cards but it steps up as a more versatile beast with options for creating tokens or gaining life whenever it attacks or blocks, which could tip the scales in its favor in a match.
Choosing between these creatures comes down to the specific needs of your deck and game strategy. While Warden of the Woods brings reliability with its card draw and sturdy Vigilance, others may prefer the broader utility found in creatures like Elder Gargaroth. In the realm of card advantage and board presence, Warden of the Woods certainly carves out its unique space in MTG play.
Cards similar to Warden of the Woods by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Warden of the Woods MTG card by a specific set like Core Set 2021, 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 Woods and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- 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
See MTG Products
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Warden of the Woods has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Warden of the Woods card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2020-06-23 | An ability that triggers when something becomes the target of a spell or ability resolves before the spell or ability that caused it to trigger. It resolves even if that spell or ability is countered. |
| 2020-06-23 | Players can cast spells and activate abilities after the triggered ability resolves but before the spell that caused it to trigger does. |
