Adriana, Captain of the Guard MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 5 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityRare
TypeLegendary Creature — Human Knight
Abilities Melee
Power 4
Toughness 4

Key Takeaways

  1. Enhances board presence, boosting attacking creatures with her melee ability for significant combat advantages.
  2. Strategic inclusions and combos in decks can exploit Adriana’s potential and bolster creature-based strategies.
  3. Opponents should focus on board control and removal to effectively counteract Adriana’s influence on the game.

Text of card

Melee (Whenever this creature attacks, it gets +1/+1 until end of turn for each opponent you attacked with a creature this combat.) Other creatures you control have melee. (If a creature has multiple instances of melee, each triggers separately.)

"My sword is pledged to the defense of this city, not to the throne or this usurper."


Card Pros

Card Advantage: When it comes to card advantage, Adriana, Captain of the Guard shines by increasing the overall impact of your other creatures. Her melee ability ensures that whenever she attacks, each other attacking creature gets an additional +1/+1 for each opponent you’re attacking. This means more powerful strikes and potentially drawing out more resources from your opponent just to handle your bolstered board.

Resource Acceleration: Adriana’s ability to empower multiple creatures simultaneously works as a form of resource acceleration. This is because you’re effectively getting more utility out of the creatures you already have on the battlefield. By amplifying your offensive capabilities, you’re maximizing your current resources without the need to overextend further into your deck for additional power.

Instant Speed: While Adriana herself doesn’t have an ability that operates at instant speed, her passive boost to your team can dramatically alter the outcome of your turns. This plays well with other cards in your deck that can be activated or cast at instant speed, allowing you to make swift and impactful decisions on how best to utilize your now more powerful creatures during the heat of battle.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Playing Adriana, Captain of the Guard requires a strategy that ensures your hand is well-stocked. Without enough cards to maintain her Melee ability’s potential, you might find yourself at a disadvantage, unable to replenish your resources quickly enough to keep up with opponents.

Specific Mana Cost: Adriana’s casting cost demands a specific combination of white and red mana, which can sometimes be a challenge to manage, especially early in the game. This requirement means she’s predominantly suited to Boros or multicolor decks that can reliably produce both colors.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of five mana, Adriana is relatively expensive compared to other creatures that might fit into the four- or five-cost slot. While her abilities are powerful, especially in multiplayer games, there may be situations where a lower-cost creature with a similarly impactful board presence would be preferable for maintaining an agile, responsive playstyle.


Reasons to Include Adriana, Captain of the Guard in Your Collection

Versatility: Adriana, Captain of the Guard is a flexible choice for any player building a deck around the melee mechanic or looking for cards that enhance creature-based strategies. Her ability to grant combat bonuses to creatures you control can turn the tide in a multiplayer game, making her an asset in various deck builds.

Combo Potential: Adriana’s ability to increase attack power during combat creates synergies with cards that capitalize on creature strength. Her potential in combos is vast, enabling explosive turns where you can deal surprisingly large amounts of damage.

Meta-Relevance: In formats where decks are centered around creature combat, Adriana shines by empowering your army each time they attack with a boost for each opponent you face. This can be incredibly relevant in certain metagames, especially in Commander where multiple opponents are the norm.


How to beat

Adriana, Captain of the Guard, is a force to be reckoned with in the world of Magic: The Gathering. This formidable card is known for empowering your attacking creatures thanks to her melee ability, making each combat a potential game-changer. With this sterling commander at the helm, any player’s army becomes significantly more dangerous as they scale in power with the number of opponents you face in battle.

To gain the upper hand against Adriana, it’s crucial to limit the number of creatures she can boost. Board control is key; consider using sweepers to clear multiple targets or spot removal to take her out directly. Cards like Wrath of God or Doom Blade can help keep the battlefield in check. Additionally, reducing the number of combat phases with cards like Frozen Aether can prevent Adriana from capitalizing on multiple attacks. It’s also effective to disrupt her synergy with cards like Authority of the Consuls to stifle the assault she orchestrates.

Strategy and timing are your faithful allies in overcoming Adriana’s tactical advantage. Utilize control elements wisely, and you stand a chance of countering the relentless march led by the Captain of the Guard.


BurnMana Recommendations

Bridging strategic depth with the stunning vibrance of MTG, Adriana, Captain of the Guard serves as a linchpin for synergistic deck builds. Embracing her abilities can transform each attack phase into a monumental occasion that can swiftly tilt the scales in your favor. As you curate your deck, consider the duality of Adriana’s potential and limitations, ensuring your arsenal is equipped to bring out the best in her command. Expand your horizons with varied tactics, join the legion of players who’ve discovered the might of this iconic card, and navigate your way to victory. Dive deeper with us and enrich your MTG expertise.


Cards like Adriana, Captain of the Guard

Adriana, Captain of the Guard, is a powerful force on the battlefield, sharing similarities with other notable commanders in Magic: The Gathering. Her presence is akin to cards like Aurelia, the Warleader, who also offers a significant boost in combat phases with double strike abilities. Where Adriana shines, however, is her communal approach, granting melee bonuses to each of your attacking creatures for each opponent you’re attacking. This differs from Aurelia’s focus on individual creature enhancement.

Another similar card is Iroas, God of Victory, who ensures your troops fight with a blend of offensive prowess and defensive assurance, though his influence is constant, without the need to attack different opponents like Adriana. Then there is Lovisa Coldeyes, who buffs up certain warrior tribes specifically, while Adriana’s influence is more generalized, benefiting a wider range of creature types as long as they meet the attacking clause.

Comparing these commanders shows Adriana’s unique ability to turn the tides of a multiplayer game, highlighting her as a strategic choice for players who favor an aggressive, wide-reaching combat strategy. She’s a solid option for anyone looking to command a deck that thrives in the chaos of melee.

Aurelia, the Warleader - MTG Card versions
Iroas, God of Victory - MTG Card versions
Lovisa Coldeyes - MTG Card versions
Aurelia, the Warleader - MTG Card versions
Iroas, God of Victory - MTG Card versions
Lovisa Coldeyes - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Adriana, Captain of the Guard MTG card by a specific set like Conspiracy: Take the Crown and Treasure Chest, 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 Adriana, Captain of the Guard and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Adriana, Captain of the Guard Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2016-08-26 and 2023-02-03. Illustrated by Chris Rallis.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12016-08-26Conspiracy: Take the CrownCN2 732015NormalBlackChris Rallis
22016-11-16Treasure ChestPZ2 452015NormalBlackChris Rallis
32020-04-17Commander 2020C20 2002015NormalBlackChris Rallis
42022-09-09Dominaria United CommanderDMC 1392015NormalBlackChris Rallis
52023-02-03Phyrexia: All Will Be One CommanderONC 1142015NormalBlackChris Rallis

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Adriana, Captain of the Guard has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2016-08-23 Creatures that enter the battlefield attacking were never declared as attackers, so they won't count toward melee's effect. Similarly, if a creature with melee enters the battlefield attacking, melee won't trigger.
2016-08-23 It doesn't matter how many creatures you attacked a player with, only that you attacked a player with at least one creature. For example, if you attack one player with Wings of the Guard and another player with five creatures, Wings of the Guard will get +2/+2 until end of turn.
2016-08-23 Melee will trigger if the creature with melee attacks a planeswalker. However, the effect counts only opponents (and not planeswalkers) that you attacked with a creature when determining the bonus.
2016-08-23 You determine the size of the bonus as the melee ability resolves. Count each opponent that you attacked with one or more creatures. It doesn't matter if the attacking creatures are still attacking or even if they are still on the battlefield. It also doesn't matter if the opponent you attacked is still in the game.

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