Rhox Bodyguard MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	5
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Rhino Monk Soldier
Abilities	Exalted
Released	2009-02-06
Set symbol
Set name	Conflux
Set code	CON
Power	2
Toughness	3
Number	122
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Sal Villagran

Key Takeaways

A Rhox Bodyguard adds immediate life and creature presence, countering fast opponents effectively.
Its specific mana cost may limit deck flexibility, catering mainly to Selesnya synergies.
Life gain and exalted mechanics give Rhox Bodyguard a unique role in creature-based strategies.

Text of card

Exalted (Whenever a creature you control attacks alone, that creature gets +1/+1 until end of turn.) When Rhox Bodyguard comes into play, you gain 3 life.

An enlightened soul caged in a body made for battle.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Rhox Bodyguard is not typically known for granting card advantage in the traditional sense. However, what it does offer is a two-for-one deal in terms of functions. Upon entering the battlefield, it provides you with a sizeable creature and simultaneously grants you life thanks to its lifelink ability, setting you ahead in the race against aggressive strategies.

Resource Acceleration: This MTG card might not accelerate resources in the form of mana or tokens, but Rhox Bodyguard does accelerate your life total, which can be invaluable. By preserving your life points, it essentially buys you more time to deploy other resources and create a board presence that can eventually overwhelm your opponent.

Instant Speed: While Rhox Bodyguard operates at sorcery speed due to being a creature, its presence can influence the battlefield instantaneously. When you play the Bodyguard, you not only put a strong creature into play but you also gain an immediate life cushion, which can be tactically similar to an instant-speed intervention – it can disrupt your opponent’s calculations or combat strategies at a critical moment.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Playing Rhox Bodyguard comes with no particular discard requirement, but it’s important to balance your hand when playing cards that do have this limitation. Being mindful of your hand size and resources is essential when integrating any creatures with additional costs into your deck strategy.

Specific Mana Cost: Rhox Bodyguard requires a specific mana combination to cast—one that includes green and white. This may restrict the card primarily to Selesnya decks or those that can accommodate a green-white mana base, potentially limiting its versatility across various deck archetypes.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of five mana (3 generic and 1 each of green and white), Rhox Bodyguard has a relatively high mana value for its offered stats and life gain effect. In the current meta, players might find other creatures or spells that offer more impact or efficiency for a similar or lower investment, making Rhox Bodyguard a less optimal choice in competitive play.

Reasons to Include Rhox Bodyguard in Your Collection

Versatility: Rhox Bodyguard provides a dual function of enhancing your life total while establishing board presence, making it a solid addition to decks that appreciate life gain alongside creature-based strategies.

Combo Potential: This card has synergy with strategies that capitalize on life gain, such as triggering abilities that depend on gaining life or powering up creatures like Ajani’s Pridemate.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where aggressive strategies are prevalent, Rhox Bodyguard can act as a deterrent, offering a defensive option while its life gain helps to offset early pressure from opponents.

How to beat

Rhox Bodyguard is a well-rounded creature card in Magic: The Gathering, acting as both a solid defender and a life booster. It stands not only as a barrier with decent power and toughness but also carries the lifelink ability, providing a stable life gain for players each time it engages in combat. Overcoming this imposing creature requires a tactical approach.

To efficiently handle a Rhox Bodyguard, removal spells are your best bet. Instant-speed removal such as “Doom Blade” or “Path to Exile” can catch an opponent off guard, eliminating the Bodyguard before it can become a recurring source of life. Board wipes like “Wrath of God” or “Damnation” can also sweep the battlefield clean, dealing with the Bodyguard and other potential threats in one fell swoop.

Targeting Rhox Bodyguard with bounce spells that return it to its owner’s hand also hinders your opponent’s momentum. This forces them to spend more mana to replay the creature, buying you valuable time. It’s clear that while the Rhox Bodyguard packs a punch, there are numerous ways to even the playing field and neutralize its advantages in Magic: The Gathering.

Cards like Rhox Bodyguard

Rhox Bodyguard stands out in Magic: The Gathering as a robust addition to the lineup of creatures that combine life gain with solid board presence. This card bears resemblance to creatures like Centaur Healer, which also enters the battlefield with a life-gaining benefit. Yet, Rhox Bodyguard brings its own twist with Exalted, a mechanic that enhances the combat potential of single attackers. Unlike Centaur Healer, Rhox Bodyguard can buff your attacking creatures, pushing the strategy toward a more offensive play.

Looking at creatures with Exalted, we next consider Aven Squire. With a lower mana cost and the same Exalted attribute, the Squire presents a more agile, albeit less robust, option for players looking to leverage Exalted early in the game. While it doesn’t offer the life gain Rhox Bodyguard does, its early game tactical advantage can’t be ignored.Then we encounter Qasali Pridemage, another Exalted creature. Its added utility lies in its ability to destroy enchantments or artifacts, making it a versatile card in matches where artifact and enchantment removal is crucial. However, it lacks the direct life gain that Rhox Bodyguard provides upon entering the battlefield.

When evaluating the merits and different roles similar cards can serve, Rhox Bodyguard certainly carves a niche for itself among MTG creatures that can support a player’s life total while encouraging a single-creature attack strategy through Exalted.

Cards similar to Rhox Bodyguard by color, type and mana cost

Kjeldoran Frostbeast - MTG Card versions

Maja, Bretagard Protector - MTG Card versions

Dromoka, the Eternal - MTG Card versions

Juniper Order Ranger - MTG Card versions

Sigarda, Host of Herons - MTG Card versions

Sigarda, Heron's Grace - MTG Card versions

Arahbo, Roar of the World - MTG Card versions

Tolsimir, Friend to Wolves - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Rhox Bodyguard 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 Rhox Bodyguard and other MTG cards: