Giltspire Avenger MTG Card


Giltspire Avenger - Conflux
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Human Soldier
Abilities Exalted
Released2009-02-06
Set symbol
Set nameConflux
Set codeCON
Power 2
Toughness 2
Number108
Frame2003
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byChris Rahn

Key Takeaways

  1. Giltspire Avenger delivers significant card advantage by neutralizing threats and optimizing resource use.
  2. The card’s demand for specific mana types may limit its use in diverse deck strategies.
  3. With both offensive and defensive utility, Giltspire Avenger enhances control decks effectively.

Text of card

Exalted (Whenever a creature you control attacks alone, that creature gets +1/+1 until end of turn.) : Destroy target creature that dealt damage to you this turn.

"To trespass so far from home is to ask for a lonesome grave."


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Giltspire Avenger can provide players with significant card advantage, owing to its ability to neutralize opposing threats. When you successfully control this card, it can demolish key pieces on your opponents’ board, paving the way for advantageous trades or clearing a path to victory.

Resource Acceleration: Though not directly linked to resource acceleration, the tactical deployment of Giltspire Avenger can indirectly accelerate your resources. By maintaining board presence and selectively removing blockers or attackers, you optimize the use of your existing resources and position yourself for more impactful plays.

Instant Speed: Giltspire Avenger benefits from being utilized at the speed of an instant due to its Exalted trigger mechanism. It allows for reactive play, letting you decide on the best moment to engage its ability, whether it’s during combat on your turn or in response to an opponent’s aggression. Its interruptive potential at instant speed makes it a formidable tool in any MTG player’s arsenal.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Giltspire Avenger doesn’t explicitly demand a discard, it’s important for players to recognize the potential resource setback when relying on cards that synergize with it, which may necessitate discarding as part of their cost or effect.

Specific Mana Cost: Giltspire Avenger’s activation demands a precise breed of mana, white, blue, and green. This can be quite restrictive since it dictates a definite three-color deck, potentially hindering its inclusion in more streamlined or dual-color strategies.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Giltspire Avenger’s casting cost may pose a challenge for players. Three mana of distinct colors can be taxing on a developing mana base, especially early in the game when establishing board presence is critical. Additionally, in the fast-paced modern game environment, there are alternatives that can be more mana-efficient for the effect provided.


Reasons to Include Giltspire Avenger in Your Collection

Versatility: Giltspire Avenger offers a dynamic presence on the battlefield, able to act defensively as a deterrent to attacks with its potential to destroy creatures that damage you. It slides neatly into decks that capitalize on multi-colored cards or those that utilize the Exalted mechanic.

Combo Potential: This card thrives in synergistic environments, particularly when combined with other cards that benefit from or enhance Exalted triggers, allowing for strategic plays and the potential to turn the tide in your favor with decisive blocks.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where aggressive strategies prevail, Giltspire Avenger can serve as a key component in stalling your opponents’ onslaught and providing the necessary time to swing the game with its controlled creature removal and versatile defensive capabilities.


How to beat

Giltspire Avenger is a dynamic card that presents quite the challenge on the battlefield. It shines in control decks, especially when bolstered by its formidable triggered ability that destroys a creature that has dealt damage to you. To counter this defensive titan, players need to think strategically. Utilizing removal spells that don’t require your creatures to engage in combat with the Avenger can circumvent its ability. Consider spells like Doom Blade or Path to Exile, which can send the Avenger packing before it gets the chance to retaliate.

Another approach is to disable its triggered ability by playing cards that can negate abilities, such as Pithing Needle. Naming Giltspire Avenger prevents the activation of its ability, essentially neutralizing its defence. Additionally, leveraging the power of board wipes, like Wrath of God or Damnation, can clear the field including the Avenger, regardless of its on-board tricks.

By carefully choosing your spells and managing the timing of their execution, overcoming the challenge posed by Giltspire Avenger becomes an achievable task. Always keep in mind that proactively dealing with it before it can leverage its power will tip the scales in your favour.


BurnMana Recommendations

Understanding the strengths and limitations of Giltspire Avenger is crucial in MTG. This card’s ability to disrupt opponent strategies while fortifying your position makes it a worthwhile consideration for your deck. It’s particularly good in environments where it can shine alongside other cards that leverage the Exalted mechanic or benefit from versatile creature removal. However, be mindful of the deck-building decisions to optimize its inclusion given its tri-color identity. We invite you to dive deeper into the intricacies of this card and discover more tactics and combos that will refine your gameplay. Learn more about becoming adept at wielding Giltspire Avenger on the battlefield with us.


Cards like Giltspire Avenger

Giltspire Avenger stands out in the realm of creature cards with its blend of offense and defense. A creature that bears some resemblance is Knight of Grace. Both share a similar mana cost and feature a first strike ability. However, Giltspire Avenger takes it up a notch by allowing you to destroy a target creature an opponent controls if you’re attacked or blocked, showcasing a built-in control element that Knight of Grace lacks.

Comparatively, Selfless Squire also provides a defensive edge, preventing damage the turn it enters the battlefield and potentially growing stronger. Though both serve as formidable defensive options, Giltspire Avenger maintains an ongoing board presence through its offensive retaliation capability, making it a dual-threat on the battlefield.

When evaluating creature cards with vigilant retaliation, Mirran Crusader also enters the conversation. While it doesn’t offer the direct creature control of Giltspire Avenger, its protection from two colors and double strike provide a different type of combat advantage. The Avenger’s ability to directly remove threats, however, often gives it the edge in maintaining board control.

Knight of Grace - MTG Card versions
Selfless Squire - MTG Card versions
Mirran Crusader - MTG Card versions
Knight of Grace - MTG Card versions
Selfless Squire - MTG Card versions
Mirran Crusader - MTG Card versions

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Sunscape Battlemage - MTG Card versions
Rhox War Monk - MTG Card versions
Derevi, Empyrial Tactician - MTG Card versions
Bant Battlemage - MTG Card versions
Jenara, Asura of War - MTG Card versions
Tuvasa the Sunlit - MTG Card versions
Rigo, Streetwise Mentor - MTG Card versions
Disciplined Duelist - MTG Card versions
Lagrella, the Magpie - MTG Card versions
Spara's Bodyguard - MTG Card versions
Gorion, Wise Mentor - MTG Card versions
Shanna, Purifying Blade - MTG Card versions
Jedit Ojanen, Mercenary - MTG Card versions
Vexyr, Ich-Tekik's Heir - MTG Card versions
Katilda and Lier - MTG Card versions
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Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Giltspire Avenger MTG card by a specific set like Conflux, 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 Giltspire Avenger and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Giltspire Avenger has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

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