Benevolent Bodyguard MTG Card

Card Pros

Card Advantage: While Benevolent Bodyguard itself does not directly allow you to draw cards, it is key in preserving valuable creatures on your board. By sacrificing itself to protect a high-value creature, the Bodyguard effectively maintains your board presence and keeps your card advantage over the opponent intact.

Resource Acceleration: Benevolent Bodyguard may not produce mana or tokens, but it accelerates your game plan by allowing you to develop your board without the fear of losing central pieces to targeted removal. Its presence can deter opponents from using their removal spells prematurely, saving you valuable resources in the long run.

Instant Speed: This card’s ability to grant protection at instant speed cannot be overstated. The flexibility to respond to your opponent’s actions on their turn gives you significant leverage. Not only does this allow for tactical surprises, but it can also throw off your opponent’s strategy, making Benevolent Bodyguard a versatile tool in any game situation.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Benevolent Bodyguard does not have an innate discard requirement, its ability to protect a creature might force players to preemptively use it or risk losing the bodyguard to removal, functionally acting as a discard.

Specific Mana Cost: Although costing a single white mana can be advantageous in a mono-white deck, it restricts its inclusion to decks that can produce that specific color, potentially limiting its versatility in multi-color decks.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: In the context of requiring one white mana, Benevolent Bodyguard’s cost is not high. However, because it is a one-time-use creature whose only purpose is to sacrifice itself, some may view it as a comparatively high investment for a singular protective effect when there might be other cards that offer ongoing or repeatable protection.

Reasons to Include Benevolent Bodyguard in Your Collection

Versatility: Benevolent Bodyguard provides both creature protection and combat tricks in one package. This flexibility allows it to be a safeguard for your high-value creatures or a surprise element during battles, making it a fit for several decks that value resilience.

Combo Potential: Its ability to sacrifice itself for the benefit of another creature sets up various combo possibilities. It can be a key piece in decks that revolve around protecting a combo component, or in strategies that gain advantages from creatures entering the graveyard.

Meta-Relevance: In a metagame with heavy removal or targeted spells, Benevolent Bodyguard’s utility skyrockets. It acts as a deterrent, forcing opponents to reconsider their removal strategies, thereby preserving your board state and maintaining the tempo.

How to beat

Benevolent Bodyguard occupies a unique role in MTG, offering protection for your most prized creatures against targeted spells or abilities. Just by sacrificing it, you can shield another creature from potentially game-altering removals, which makes it both a tactical asset and a thorn in the side of opponents looking to disrupt your board presence.

To effectively neutralize the Bodyguard’s influence, timing is key. Employing mass removal spells that don’t target specific creatures can bypass the Bodyguard’s safeguarding abilities. Spells such as Wrath of God or Damnation can clear the board without triggering the Bodyguard’s protective response. Another strategy includes forcing your opponent to use the Bodyguard’s ability prematurely, using less critical removal spells to bait out the sacrifice, or employing spells that require multiple targets, diluting the effectiveness of its protection.

At the end of the day, overcoming a Benevolent Bodyguard in MTG hinges on strategic planning and maintaining flexibility in your plays. Anticipate the sacrifice, manage your threats wisely, and remember that cards like the Bodyguard are most potent when they can dictate the flow of the game. Disrupt that flow, and you’ve mastered the art of countering a Benevolent Bodyguard.

BurnMana Recommendations

With its knack for shielding key pieces and adding strategic depth to your MTG matches, the Benevolent Bodyguard is a card that can pivot the tides of battle in your favor. Whether you’re guarding against pinpoint removals or setting up for a game-winning combo, understanding its optimal use is crucial. The MTG landscape is vast and continuously evolving, and fine-tuning your deck takes knowledge and a collection crafted with purpose. We encourage MTG enthusiasts at all levels to learn more about incorporating valuable protectors like the Bodyguard into their arsenals. Dive deeper with us to refine your strategy and ensure your deck commands respect at the table.