Mausoleum Guard MTG Card

Innistrad (ISD)
2011-09-30 - Number 20

Mausoleum Guard - Duel Decks: Sorin vs. Tibalt (DDK)

Duel Decks: Sorin vs. Tibalt (DDK)
2013-03-15 - Number 13

Jumpstart 2022 (J22)
2022-12-02 - Number 213

Card sets	Released in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Creature — Human Scout
Power	2
Toughness	2

Key Takeaways

Spawns two 1/1 tokens for board presence and potential card advantage when destroyed.
Its triggered ability at instant speed offers strategic flexibility in response to threats.
Despite a specific mana cost, Guard’s afterlife effect and versatility justify inclusion.

Text of card

When Mausoleum Guard dies, put two 1/1 white Spirit creature tokens with flying onto the battlefield.

"Ghoulcallers trying to get in, geists trying to get out . . . . This duty is never dull."

Card Pros

Card Advantage: When Mausoleum Guard is put into a graveyard from the battlefield, it creates two 1/1 white Spirit creature tokens with flying. This gives you additional creatures to use, effectively increasing your board presence and potential for card advantage during play.

Resource Acceleration: Although Mausoleum Guard itself doesn’t directly accelerate resources, the two Spirit tokens it spawns upon its demise can be critical in various strategies. They serve as blockers, attackers, or potential sacrifices for other card effects that might demand a creature, helping you advance your game plan with more resources on the field.

Instant Speed: While Mausoleum Guard itself is not an instant, the creation of the Spirit tokens is a triggered ability that happens at instant speed when the Guard dies. This allows flexibility in your strategy, as you could block an attacker, trade the Guard in combat, and still get the tokens ready for your next plan of action, all without losing a step.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Mausoleum Guard does not specifically require a discard upon casting, but in a deck where card advantage is critical, it’s worth noting that you won’t draw or interact with your deck directly when playing this creature.

Specific Mana Cost: With a casting cost that includes two white mana, Mausoleum Guard may not suit multicolored decks that can’t consistently provide the necessary white mana, potentially making it a less flexible option for decks that operate on a tight color curve.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Costing four mana might be on the higher side when considering its overall impact on the game. The 2/2 body it provides may not be impactful enough on its own, as there are alternatives at a lower cost that could offer either more significant board presence or additional effects. Its afterlife ability does bring value, but the cost-benefit ratio is an essential factor to consider when building your deck.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Mausoleum Guard offers a flexible role in decks, serving not only as a solid defensive creature but also as a provider of additional board presence upon its departure. Its ability to generate tokens makes it a valuable card in strategies that thrive on creature count or sacrifice mechanics.

Combo Potential: The two 1/1 white Spirit creature tokens with flying can synergize with various decks focused on token strategies or buffs for flying creatures. It can be part of combos that capitalize on creature deaths or token generation for powerful synergies.

Meta-Relevance: With graveyard interaction and token strategies frequently appearing in various metagames, Mausoleum Guard maintains its relevancy. It can be a crucial piece in decks that are trying to stay resilient against removal-heavy opponents, preserving board state through its afterlife-like effect.

How to beat

Mausoleum Guard is an intriguing card within Magic: The Gathering, often finding a place in decks that thrive on creatures dying. This stalwart defender not only dissuades aggressive strategies with its death-triggered ability to create two 1/1 white Spirit creature tokens with flying, but it offers a tactical advantage by populating your board post-mortem. To outmaneuver the Guard, focus on exile removal spells, such as Path to Exile or Declaration in Stone, which can bypass the ability altogether.

Utilize board sweepers like Wrath of God or Damnation to clear the path without triggering Mausoleum Guard’s ability. Alternatively, you can take advantage of sacrifice-effects that force your opponent to pick and lose their creatures. Cards like Crackling Doom or Liliana of the Veil can be particularly effective here. It’s all about mitigating the bonus creatures the Guard provides, keeping your strategy streamlined towards victory.

Remember, the key is anticipating the Guard’s trigger and having a response ready, ensuring that even in death, the Mausoleum Guard doesn’t leave you haunted by a pair of soaring Spirits. Plan your moves wisely and keep control of the board to assert dominance in your Magic: The Gathering duels.

Cards like Mausoleum Guard

Mausoleum Guard holds a distinctive position among creature cards in Magic: The Gathering. Its closest relatives in functionality include Doomed Traveler and Selfless Cathar. Like Mausoleum Guard, Doomed Traveler offers value beyond its presence, spawning a 1/1 spirit creature token upon death. However, it falls short of Mausoleum Guard’s ability to create two tokens, making the comparison slightly tilted in the latter’s favor for those seeking a robust afterlife effect.

Another card with a semblance of similarity is Selfless Cathar, which is purposed towards a sacrifice mechanic to grant other creatures a temporary boost. This bolsters combat phases but doesn’t provide the lasting board presence that Mausoleum Guard does with its ability to replace itself with two creature tokens, thereby offering a more enduring advantage.

Critical examination of Mausoleum Guard against its counterparts reveals a specific edge for players who strategize around creature persistence and generating tactical field presence. In this niche, Mausoleum Guard indeed secures a commendable position within creature-based strategies in Magic: The Gathering.

Cards similar to Mausoleum Guard by color, type and mana cost

Coalition Honor Guard - MTG Card versions

Mangara, the Diplomat - MTG Card versions

Lightkeeper of Emeria - MTG Card versions

Cho-Manno, Revolutionary - MTG Card versions

Sunspire Gatekeepers - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Mausoleum Guard MTG card by a specific set like Innistrad and Duel Decks: Sorin vs. Tibalt, 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 Mausoleum Guard and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Mausoleum Guard Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2011-09-30 and 2022-12-02. Illustrated by David Palumbo.

#	Released	Name	Code	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	2011-09-30	Innistrad	ISD	20	2003	Normal	Black	David Palumbo
2	2013-03-15	Duel Decks: Sorin vs. Tibalt	DDK	13	2003	Normal	Black	David Palumbo
3	2022-12-02	Jumpstart 2022	J22	213	2015	Normal	Black	David Palumbo