Shield Mate MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	1
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Human Soldier
Released	1998-06-15
Set symbol
Set name	Exodus
Set code	EXO
Power	1
Toughness	1
Number	19
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Randy Elliott

Key Takeaways

Shield Mate provides card advantage, increasing resources with additional card draw and land untapping.
It offers strategic flexibility with instant-speed play, but demands a card discard, affecting hand size.
While versatile, the mana cost may restrict its use to specific decks, and alternatives might be considered.

Text of card

Sacrifice Shield Mate: Target creature gets +0/+4 until end of turn.

They bear weightier burdens than the shields they carry.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Shield Mate can be incredibly beneficial for players as it permits the drawing of an additional card upon entering the battlefield, helping maintain a steady flow of resources throughout the match.

Resource Acceleration: This valuable asset can increase your mana pool expeditiously by allowing you to untap a land, potentially catalyzing your game plan by enabling you to deploy threats earlier than expected.

Instant Speed: The flexibility of casting Shield Mate at instant speed provides the advantage of surprise and interaction on your opponent’s turn, disrupting their strategy while bolstering your own position without sacrificing the tempo of your play.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Shield Mate demands a card discarded from your hand, which could thin out your critical resources, especially when you’re strategizing for a combo or need options to counter your opponent’s moves.

Specific Mana Cost: Requiring a precise mix of mana to play, Shield Mate could potentially strain your mana resources and limit its inclusion to decks running the required colors, diminishing its versatility in a multi-color deck scenario.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost that might be considered steep for its effects, Shield Mate could potentially be overshadowed by alternative creatures or spells that offer more significant board impact or defensive capabilities for a similar or even lower mana investment.

Reasons to Include Shield Mate in Your Collection

Versatility: Shield Mate offers a unique flexibility that can be integral to various deck archetypes. It can serve as an early blocker or as a means to synergize with strategies that capitalize on creature presence or sacrifice mechanics.

Combo Potential: The card pairs well with abilities that are triggered when a creature enters the battlefield or dies. This facilitates intricate combos in decks that utilize enter the battlefield or graveyard interactions and enhances their effectiveness.

Meta-Relevance: Within the shifting landscape of MTG, having cards that can adapt to counter prevalent strategies is vital. Shield Mate’s ability to slot into myriad deck styles makes it a valuable asset against a range of opponent tactics.

How to beat

Shield Mate is a card known for its defensive prowess within the MTG universe. It acts as a reliable guard against aggressive strategies, often warding off opponents’ attacks with its robust shield. To effectively counter Shield Mate, one must prioritize removal spells that can bypass its defensive stance. A strategy involving spells such as Doom Blade or Murder, which can directly destroy a target creature without engaging in battle, would prove effective.

Combat tricks also serve as a splendid countermeasure. Cards that can temporarily boost your creatures’ power, like Giant Growth, or that provide additional abilities such as flying or trample with spells like Leap or Rancor, can turn the tides in your favor. Additionally, using wrath effects that clear the board, such as Day of Judgment or Wrath of God, can efficiently overcome Shield Mate’s resilience by not targeting it directly but rather purging the battlefield of all creatures.

Overcoming Shield Mate’s sturdy defence requires a blend of cunning and power. With the right combination of spells and strategies, you can pierce through its shield and lead your deck to victory.

Cards like Shield Mate

Shield Mate stands out in the realm of creature spells in Magic: The Gathering. Its similarities to cards like Concordia Pegasus are notable since both provide a flying creature for a low mana cost. Yet Shield Mate brings the unique benefit of bolstering another creature’s defense, giving it an edge in battles and providing a defensive boost. The Pegasus, while offering a reliable flying blocker, lacks this synergy-boosting ability.

Delving into other comparisons, we find cards such as Alaborn Trooper, which also presents as a lower-cost creature. However, it doesn’t carry the same supportive role that Shield Mate offers to its allies. Furthermore, Shield Mate’s cooperative nature can be a game-changer in decks that focus on counter strategies, whereas Alaborn Trooper is more straightforward in its application with no direct support to other creatures.

Assessing the depth of utility and the tactical advantages, Shield Mate holds a commendable position among low-cost creatures in MTG, particularly when factored in with its capability to strengthen its compatriots on the battlefield.

Cards similar to Shield Mate by color, type and mana cost

Faerie Guidemother // Gift of the Fae - MTG Card versions

Yoshimaru, Ever Faithful - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Shield Mate MTG card by a specific set like Exodus, 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 Shield Mate and other MTG cards: