Jade Guardian MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Merfolk Shaman
Abilities	Hexproof
Released	2017-09-29
Set symbol
Set name	Ixalan
Set code	XLN
Power	2
Toughness	2
Number	194
Frame	2015
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Chris Seaman

Key Takeaways

Jade Guardian provides card advantage by growing stronger with targeted spells you control.
Hexproof ensures Jade Guardian is a resource-saving card with potential for superior board control.
Instant-speed synergies with Jade Guardian can surprise opponents with mid-battle power shifts.

Text of card

Hexproof (This creature can't be the target of spells or abilities your opponents control.) When Jade Guardian enters the battlefield, put a +1/+1 counter on target Merfolk you control.

The River Heralds believe that jade gives weight to their magic.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Jade Guardian’s ability to put a +1/+1 counter on it whenever it’s the target of a spell you control can lead to a steady increase in power. This potential for growth not only threatens your opponents but can also become a recurring source of advantage as the game progresses.

Resource Acceleration: Hexproof grants Jade Guardian protection from targeted spells or abilities your opponents control, which can save resources you might otherwise spend on protecting it. This efficient utilization of resources can accelerate your board presence by allowing you to focus mana and cards on other plays.

Instant Speed: While Jade Guardian itself doesn’t have an ability that operates at instant speed, it pairs exceptionally well with instant-speed spells or abilities that target it, such as combat tricks or protective spells, leveraging its hexproof and +1/+1 counter synergy to create unexpected swings in power mid-battle.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Magic the Gathering decks that feature Jade Guardian need to be prepped for its hexproof ability. This requirement for setup may lead to discarding valuable cards to pave the way for its optimal use, thereby reducing hand advantage which can be critical in tight matches.

Specific Mana Cost: Jade Guardian’s casting cost necessitates both green mana and generic mana, which could restrict this creature’s inclusion only within green or green-inclusive decks. Monocolored or color-restrictive decks might not have the mana diversity to cast it without affecting their mana base consistency.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a four mana value to bring Jade Guardian into play, it competes with other four-mana creatures in the MTG universe that might offer stronger board presence or additional abilities. For some strategies, Jade Guardian may not represent the best value for the mana invested, especially when compared to other creatures in the same cost range that could offer more aggressive stats or impactful effects.

Reasons to Include Jade Guardian in Your Collection

Versatility: Jade Guardian is a flexible card that pairs well with a wide range of deck styles. Its ability to gain hexproof means it can serve as a persistent threat on the board, impervious to many forms of targeted removal.

Combo Potential: With its hexproof trait and being a Merfolk, Jade Guardian synergizes with other Merfolk or cards that care about +1/+1 counters. It’s a natural fit for decks looking to exploit these mechanics.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta heavy with targeted removal, Jade Guardian shines by providing a resilient creature that can evade common spells. Its presence can be a thorn in the side of opponents running those strategies.

How to beat

Jade Guardian is a well-known creature card in MTG that comes with Hexproof, making it immune to spells or abilities your opponents control. Unlike other creatures that can be easily removed through targeted spells, Jade Guardian requires a different strategy to defeat. One effective tactic is to use board wipes or global effects that do not target individual creatures. This will circumvent Jade Guardian’s Hexproof ability, allowing you to clear the board without needing to target it specifically.

Another method is to engage in combat with creatures that are unstoppable by Jade Guardian. Since it has a modest base power and toughness, creatures with higher stats or those that have deathtouch are particularly useful in overpowering it – they can simply outweigh this defender in battle. Additionally, you can manipulate combat outcomes with spells that affect the entire field, like those that lower the power and toughness of all creatures, ensuring that even a boosted Jade Guardian falls in battle.

Understanding its limitations allows strategic players to craft a game plan that renders Jade Guardian’s strengths moot. By using non-targeted removal or overwhelming force, one can adeptly navigate around the protective barrier Hexproof provides and maintain control of the battlefield.

Cards like Jade Guardian

Jade Guardian shines as a unique creature within MTG’s diverse library of cards. Its affinity with the hexproof ability places it in league with cards like Silhana Ledgewalker. While the Ledgewalker is less mana-intensive, Jade Guardian brings a stronger presence with its +1/+1 counters thanks to the explore mechanic. This ability not only potentially strengthens the creature on entry but can also push your strategy forward by ensuring land drops or drawing into needed cards.

Merfolk Mistbinder is another creature that operates in the same green-blue synergy space, offering a static boost to other Merfolk. Unlike Jade Guardian, it doesn’t possess the individual protection that hexproof provides but instead strengthens your entire Merfolk board presence, which can lead to an overwhelming advantage against the opponent.

Lastly, in the same realm of protected creatures, we have Benthic Biomancer. It also pairs well with other Merfolk cards and offers an adapt mechanic, which can be a potent draw engine while increasing its power. It lacks the natural protection of Jade Guardian but compensates with versatility and board impact when played early in the game.

Overall, while other cards share similarities with Jade Guardian, its combination of hexproof and the potential for growth through exploration makes it a card that should not be underestimated in MTG decks focusing on durability and gradual power buildup.

Cards similar to Jade Guardian by color, type and mana cost

Ulvenwald Oddity // Ulvenwald Behemoth - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Jade Guardian MTG card by a specific set like Ixalan, 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 Jade Guardian and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Jade Guardian has restrictions

Format	Legality
Historicbrawl	Legal
Historic	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Gladiator	Legal
Pioneer	Legal
Commander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Explorer	Legal
Penny	Legal
Timeless	Legal

Rules and information

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