Leonin Relic-Warder MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 5 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Cat Cleric
Power 2
Toughness 2

Key Takeaways

  1. Disruption utility shines by exiling artifacts or enchantments, impacting opponents’ strategies and board presence.
  2. Can swing games by synergizing with flash mechanics, though it demands a tactically focused deck to excel.
  3. Potential drawback – restricts deck building to white mana decks and may be less impactful in rapid formats.

Text of card

When Leonin Relic-Warder enters the battlefield, you may exile target artifact or enchantment. When Leonin Relic-Warder leaves the battlefield, return the exiled card to the battlefield under its owner's control.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Leonin Relic-Warder offers a strategic edge by temporarily removing an opponent’s artifact or enchantment from the game. This can disrupt their game plan and net you an advantage, all while providing a body on the battlefield.

Resource Acceleration: Although not directly providing mana, by removing key resources from opponents, the Warder can slow their development and advance your board state relative to theirs, effectively serving as a form of indirect resource acceleration.

Instant Speed: While the Leonin Relic-Warder itself isn’t an instant, it synergizes exceptionally with cards that can flash it onto the battlefield. This interaction allows savvy players to exploit surprise tactics, much like at instant speed, maximizing the disruption potential of the Warder during critical phases of the game.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Leonin Relic-Warder does not require a discard, but it’s important to consider that having it in your deck without a clear strategy for its exile ability could inadvertently aid an opponent if they can remove it and return the exiled card.

Specific Mana Cost: With a mana cost that includes both white and generic mana, this card demands a deck focused on white mana production, potentially restricting its integration into multi-color decks where mana flexibility is key.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While two mana doesn’t seem steep, decks competing in faster-paced environments may find Leonin Relic-Warder’s cost a bit high for its immediate board impact, especially when quicker, albeit temporary, exile options are preferred.


Reasons to Include Leonin Relic-Warder in Your Collection

Versatility: The Leonin Relic-Warder is not just any cat soldier; it offers dynamic responses to various threats on the battlefield. With its ability to exile another target artefact or enchantment until it leaves the battlefield, it provides immediate board impact in many game scenarios.

Combo Potential: This card has significant combo potential and can be instrumental in intricate gameplay. Pairing Leonin Relic-Warder with effects that can remove it from the game temporarily can lead to repeated exiling of opponents’ artefacts or enchantments, crippling their strategy.

Meta-Relevance: As the meta fluctuates, having flexible answers is key. Leonin Relic-Warder thrives in environments filled with crucial artifacts and enchantments, making it a reliable sideboard card or even a main deck choice depending on the current meta-game landscape.


How to beat

Leonin Relic-Warder is a creature card that can quickly become a thorn in your side by exiling another artifact or enchantment. This ability not only disrupts your plans but can be a cornerstone of combo decks using its exile mechanic to their advantage. Facing this card requires a solid strategy.

One effective approach is to limit its impact by playing cards that protect your vital artifacts and enchantments or employing instant-speed removal before the Leonin Relic-Warder’s ability resolves. Removal spells like Doom Blade or Path to Exile can efficiently deal with the Relic-Warder itself. Additionally, since it’s a creature, board wipes or damage-based spells can eliminate it along with other threats on the board.

Remember, the Leonin Relic-Warder has the potential to return the exiled card upon leaving the battlefield. Therefore, manipulating this leave-play trigger is another strategy to consider. By ensuring the Warder’s departure is permanent or by timing your plays to mitigate negative repercussions, you can maintain control over your important cards and keep the upper hand in the game.


BurnMana Recommendations

Commanding the battlefield in MTG is an art, and the Leonin Relic-Warder is a fine brush in the hands of a strategic player. Its ability to exile key components of your opponent’s strategy can be a game-changer. Informed players capitalize on such abilities, understanding the ebb and flow of the game. Whether it’s adjusting your own strategy to include indirect resource acceleration or countering meta-dominant decks, the Relic-Warder offers a range of applications. Curious about integrating this versatile cat soldier into your deck, or mastering its full potential? Expand your knowledge and amplify your gameplay with our insights.


Cards like Leonin Relic-Warder

The presence of Leonin Relic-Warder in MTG brings to mind other cards that interact with opponents’ permanents, particularly those that handle artifact and enchantment removal. Banisher Priest and Fiend Hunter offer a similar effect, providing exile capabilities for creatures when they enter the battlefield. Nonetheless, Leonin Relic-Warder is unique in its focus on artifacts and enchantments, which can be pivotal in disrupting enemy strategies that rely on these card types.

Deputy of Detention is another card that shares exile mechanics. Even though it can excommunicate a wider range of card types, including creatures, its effect is not tied to its presence on the battlefield, unlike the Leonin Relic-Warder. This means that if Deputy of Detention is removed, the exiled cards do not return. This makes Leonin Relic-Warder a strategic choice for players seeking temporary control of the board with the side option of permanently dealing with a threat if they can sacrifice it while its ability is on the stack.

Overall, Leonin Relic-Warder offers a specialized role in MTG decks that need precise answers to artifacts and enchantments. Its potential for interacting with other cards and its conditional permanent exile ability gives it a distinct place among similar MTG cards.

Banisher Priest - MTG Card versions
Fiend Hunter - MTG Card versions
Deputy of Detention - MTG Card versions
Banisher Priest - MTG Card versions
Fiend Hunter - MTG Card versions
Deputy of Detention - MTG Card versions

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Faith Healer - MTG Card versions
Angelic Page - MTG Card versions
Spirit Weaver - MTG Card versions
Voice of the Blessed - MTG Card versions
Stoneforge Mystic - MTG Card versions
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Silverflame Squire // On Alert - MTG Card versions
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Kor Firewalker - MTG Card versions
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Starlight Invoker - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Leonin Relic-Warder MTG card by a specific set like Mirrodin Besieged and Commander 2017, 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 Leonin Relic-Warder and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Leonin Relic-Warder Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2011-02-04 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by Greg Staples.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12011-02-04Mirrodin BesiegedMBS 102003NormalBlackGreg Staples
22017-08-25Commander 2017C17 652015NormalBlackGreg Staples
32019-11-07Mystery BoosterMB1 1582015NormalBlackGreg Staples
42020-09-26The ListPLST MBS-102003NormalBlackGreg Staples
52020-09-26The ListPLST C17-652015NormalBlackGreg Staples

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Leonin Relic-Warder has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Leonin Relic-Warder card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2011-06-01 If Leonin Relic-Warder leaves the battlefield before its first ability has resolved, its second ability will trigger and when it resolves, do nothing. Then its first ability will resolve and exile the targeted artifact or enchantment with no way to return it to the battlefield.

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