Warden of the First Tree MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityMythic
TypeCreature — Human
Power 1
Toughness 1

Key Takeaways

  1. Transforms mana into advantageous board presence and skill adaptability over multiple game stages.
  2. Enhances early game tempo with scalability that can surprise opponents with instant speed level-ups.
  3. Mana requirements for ability advancements may restrict its use to specific deck compositions.

Text of card

{WB}: Warden of the First Tree becomes a Human Warrior with base power and toughness 3/3. {WB}{WB}: If Warden of the First Tree is a Warrior, it becomes a Human Spirit Warrior with trample and lifelink. {WB}{WB}{WB}: If Warden of the First Tree is a Spirit, put five +1/+1 counters on it.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Warden of the First Tree doesn’t inherently provide card draw, but it converts mana into board presence and flexibility. Its ability to become stronger with more investments means one card can effectively play multiple roles over the course of a game.

Resource Acceleration: As a one-mana creature, Warden of the First Tree offers a quick way to utilize resources early in the game. The real acceleration comes with its second and third level abilities, which, when mana is available, drastically increase its combat capabilities, outpacing the opponent’s development.

Instant Speed: While the creature itself is not an instant, its level up abilities can be activated at instant speed. This allows the player to adapt between phases and surprise the opponent by upgrading the Warden of the First Tree at the most opportune time, potentially as a response during the rival’s turn.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While the Warden of the First Tree does not directly require a discard, investing in its level up abilities means potentially sacrificing card advantage. Every mana sunk into this creature is a mana not spent on drawing cards or playing other spells, which can be problematic if you’re unable to protect it or if the game drags on.

Specific Mana Cost: The initial casting cost for Warden of the First Tree is indeed flexible, requiring only one green mana. However, its subsequent level up abilities necessitate very specific mana – both green and white. This restricts it somewhat to decks that can reliably produce both types of mana, potentially limiting the card’s versatility in multi-colored decks that might not focus on green and white.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: To fully realize the potential of Warden of the First Tree, a player needs to invest a total of six mana across different stages – one mana for casting and additional mana for each level up. In the fast-paced matches of competitive play, there are cards at similar or lower mana costs that could provide more immediate impact on the game or that might be more efficient in terms of resource investment.


Reasons to Include Warden of the First Tree in Your Collection

Versatility: Warden of the First Tree offers unparalleled flexibility in deck building. As a one-drop creature, it can adapt to any stage of the game by scaling its abilities, which can be particularly useful in decks that require a strong early presence or late-game threats.

Combo Potential: With its ability to become a formidable force by upgrading itself, this card synergizes exceptionally well with counter strategies and any effects that manipulate or profit from +1/+1 counters, amplifying its impact on the game.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta that favors interaction and board presence, having a card like Warden of the First Tree can give you a significant advantage. It’s a dynamic card that can continually adapt to the ever-changing battlefield conditions, ensuring your strategies remain competitive.


How to beat

Warden of the First Tree is a unique creature card in MTG that poses a significant threat with its ability to grow and gain powerful abilities throughout the game. Its versatility allows players to invest mana actively to evolve it, ultimately reaching a formidable state that can dominate the battlefield. Understanding the key to diminishing Warden of the First Tree’s impact involves timely disruption. Utilizing removal spells like Path to Exile or Fatal Push can efficiently address the Warden before the investment in its abilities becomes overwhelming. Moreover, countering pivotal growth spells with cards like Mana Leak or Negate can prevent the Warden from reaching its full potential.

Another strategy is to outpace the Warden with aggressive decks that can apply pressure and reduce an opponent’s ability to invest in the Warden’s growth. By forcing opponents to use their resources defensively, you limit the mana available for them to spend on the Warden’s abilities. Lastly, using cards that prevent abilities from being activated, such as Pithing Needle, can lock down the Warden of the First Tree, rendering its otherwise potent abilities futile and stopping its progression in its tracks.


Cards like Warden of the First Tree

Warden of the First Tree is a versatile creature card in Magic: The Gathering, offering players the ability to evolve its powers through various stages. It stands shoulder to shoulder with Figure of Destiny, a card famous for its level-up strategy. Both creatures start small but can become game-enders with the right amount of mana investment. Unlike Warden of the First Tree, Figure of Destiny doesn’t provide lifegain but can become a flying creature which gives it a form of evasion.

Comparably, Experiment One is another creature that has the capacity to grow over time. While it lacks the direct mana investment growth route, it utilizes the evolve mechanic, capturing the essence of accumulating counters through the casting of other, more powerful creatures. Experiment One, however, does not offer the range of abilities such as lifelink or trample, which Warden of the First Tree can acquire.

Overall, Warden of the First Tree finds its niche among creatures with scaling abilities. Its diverse skill set, contingent upon mana availability, makes it a unique and flexible choice for many MTG player decks seeking to adapt and overcome their opponents through strategic growth.

Figure of Destiny - MTG Card versions
Experiment One - MTG Card versions
Figure of Destiny - Eventide (EVE)
Experiment One - Gatecrash (GTC)

Cards similar to Warden of the First Tree by color, type and mana cost

Necra Disciple - MTG Card versions
Necra Disciple - Apocalypse (APC)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Warden of the First Tree MTG card by a specific set like Fate Reforged and Fate Reforged Promos, 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 First Tree and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Warden of the First Tree Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2015-01-23 and 2015-01-23. Illustrated by Ryan Alexander Lee.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12015-01-23Fate ReforgedFRF 1432015normalblackRyan Alexander Lee
22015-01-23Fate Reforged PromosPFRF 143s2015normalblackRyan Alexander Lee

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Warden of the First Tree has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

DateText
2014-11-24 Effects that modify Warden of the First Tree’s power or toughness, such as the one created by Titanic Growth, will apply to Warden of the First Tree no matter when they started to take effect. The same is true for any +1/+1 counters on Warden of the First Tree and effects that switch its power and toughness.
2014-11-24 Neither the first nor the second ability has a duration. If one of them resolves, it will remain in effect until Warden of the First Tree leaves the battlefield or some subsequent effect changes its characteristics.
2014-11-24 The first ability overwrites any previous effects that set the creature’s base power and toughness to specific values. Any power- or toughness-setting effects that start to apply after the first ability resolves will overwrite this effect.
2014-11-24 The first and second activated abilities cause Warden of the First Tree to lose any other creature types it has. It retains any card types or supertypes it may have.

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