Teyo, the Shieldmage MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 7 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityUncommon
TypeLegendary Planeswalker — Teyo
Loyalty 5

Key Takeaways

  1. Teyo the Shieldmage excels at creating a defensive barrier with token generation and instant speed utility.
  2. Some drawbacks include a specific casting cost and a higher mana investment for a three-loyalty planeswalker.
  3. His hexproof ability and synergy potential make Teyo a worthy addition to MTG collections in certain metas.

Text of card

You have hexproof. (You can't be the target of spells or abilities your opponents control.)
-2: Create a 0/3 white Wall creature token with defender.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Teyo the Shieldmage offers protective capabilities which can be pivotal in maintaining board presence. His ability to create defender tokens can help you to preserve your life total and other valuable creatures on the board, indirectly contributing to card advantage by deterring attacks and preserving your resources.

Resource Acceleration: While Teyo does not directly accelerate resources in the typical manner of ramp spells or artifacts, his defenders can be invaluable in multiplayer formats where they can protect your more important permanents and planeswalkers, which are essential for accelerating your game plan.

Instant Speed: Teyo’s defensive abilities shine even more when combined with instant speed interaction. Being able to deploy defender tokens before damage is dealt or in response to big attacks means that Teyo can be a surprise element that alters the course of combat, not just a simple proactive play. This versatility adds strategic depth to how and when you deploy his abilities.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Teyo the Shieldmage does not have a discard cost but instead focuses on protecting you and your planeswalkers with its defensive abilities. This could lead to a more passive gameplay that may not suit aggressive strategies.

Specific Mana Cost: Teyo’s casting cost demands white mana, which might not seamlessly fit into multicolor mana bases that don’t prioritize white. Decks not aligned with white mana may find it a challenge to include Teyo.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a somewhat high casting cost for a three loyalty planeswalker, Teyo might seem less appealing when other planeswalkers or cards at similar mana costs provide more impactful immediate effects or have higher starting loyalty.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Teyo the Shieldmage provides a protective advantage in a variety of decks, especially those looking to shield important creatures or planeswalkers from harm. His ability to generate protective hexproof shields makes him a flexible addition to any protective strategy.

Combo Potential: Combining Teyo with cards that benefit from the presence of many permanents, like those with constellation or devotion mechanics, can amplify your board state significantly. Additionally, his Shields can synergize well with sacrifice or ‘enters the battlefield’ effects.

Meta-Relevance: In a game where targeted removal and hand disruption are prevalent, Teyo’s static ability to grant hexproof to you can be a game-changer. This makes him relevant in metas that are dominated by direct-player-interaction strategies.


How to beat

Teyo the Shieldmage presents a unique challenge on the battlefield, and understanding how to outmaneuver this planeswalker can tip the scales in your favor. With his ability to create 0/3 white Wall creature tokens with defender, Teyo effectively stalls aggressive strategies, forcing opponents to rethink their attack plans. To counter this defensive wall, consider incorporating spells that can bypass or dismantle Teyo’s protections. Board-wiping spells like Wrath of God or targeted removal such as Murder can clear out his defenders or directly remove Teyo from the game.

Cards that deal damage to each opponent regardless of creatures in play, such as Earthquake or Pyroclasm, offer a way to circumvent the wall token defense by focusing on reducing the player’s life total rather than combating creatures. Additionally, spells that allow creatures to bypass defenders, like Rogue’s Passage or cards with the trample ability, can apply pressure despite Teyo’s attempts to fortify his position. Keep your deck versatile, use direct damage spells, and you’ll find that beating Teyo the Shieldmage is a manageable task.


BurnMana Recommendations

Teyo the Shieldmage presents a unique addition to MTG decks focused on defense and protection. With his capacity to spawn defender tokens, he shines in formats that reward building a strong board presence. When weaving your strategy around Teyo, consider the synergy with cards bolstering defense mechanisms or benefiting from numerous permanents. Beyond his direct uses, Teyo can also enrich your collection due to his meta relevance, acting as a counter to targeted threats. Seeking more wisdom on optimizing your deck with Teyo the Shieldmage or mastering defensive play? Dive deeper with us and discover how to fortify your MTG arsenal.


Cards like Teyo, the Shieldmage

When we step into the world of protective planeswalkers in Magic: The Gathering, Teyo the Shieldmage stands out as a guardian of players’ life totals. A close relative in terms of functionality is the card Ajani Steadfast. Much like Teyo, Ajani provides a bolstering effect, increasing the defense of a player with life gain rather than creating a barrier with Teyo’s signature shield tokens.

Analogous in the theme of defense is the card Baird, Steward of Argive. This card discourages attacks not by generating protection but by imposing a tax on attacking creatures, essentially achieving a similar goal through economic deterrence. While Baird has a broader effect that Teyo by affecting all opponents’ creatures, Teyo’s ability to create a literal shield can be more robust in certain board states.

Assessing their niche in Magic: The Gathering, Teyo the Shieldmage is an excellent choice for players seeking to solidify their defenses with a proactive presence on the battlefield, offering a unique approach to protection that distinguishes him within the myriad of defensive strategies offered in the game.

Ajani Steadfast - MTG Card versions
Baird, Steward of Argive - MTG Card versions
Ajani Steadfast - San Diego Comic-Con 2014 (PS14)
Baird, Steward of Argive - Dominaria (DOM)

Cards similar to Teyo, the Shieldmage by color, type and mana cost

Gideon Blackblade - MTG Card versions
Basri Ket - MTG Card versions
Gideon of the Trials - MTG Card versions
Ajani, Caller of the Pride - MTG Card versions
Teyo, Geometric Tactician - MTG Card versions
Gideon Blackblade - Ravnica Remastered (RVR)
Basri Ket - Core Set 2021 (M21)
Gideon of the Trials - Amonkhet Remastered (AKR)
Ajani, Caller of the Pride - Starter Commander Decks (SCD)
Teyo, Geometric Tactician - Commander Masters (CMM)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Teyo, the Shieldmage MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Magic Online 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 Teyo, the Shieldmage and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Teyo, the Shieldmage Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2019-05-03 and 2019-12-02. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 722492015normalblackFoo Midori
22002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 779832015normalblackMagali Villeneuve
32019-05-03War of the SparkWAR 32★2015normalblackFoo Midori
42019-05-03War of the SparkWAR 322015normalblackMagali Villeneuve
52019-05-04War of the Spark PromosPWAR 32s★2015normalblackFoo Midori
62019-05-04War of the Spark PromosPWAR 32s2015normalblackMagali Villeneuve
72019-12-02Secret Lair DropSLD 5042015normalblackMagali Villeneuve

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Teyo, the Shieldmage has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
CommanderLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
TimelessLegal

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