Being able to block multiple creatures seems
like a cool ability, and occasionally it shows
up on white creatures. It's never been all that
powerful, for several reasons.
First, like life gain and damage prevention,
it's an entirely passive ability. It doesn't get
you closer to winning, just makes it harder for
the other guy to beat you. Although, it does
indirectly help you attack by letting you leave
fewer blockers open. And Guardian of the
Gateless is a 3/3 flyer on the offense, so she's
not a completely defensive card.
Second, when it's an ability on the creature,
the opponent can see it coming and choose who to
attack with accordingly. This may work in your
favor if your opponent just decides not to
attack, but the ability would work much better
on an instant. Sadly, the one instant that
grants this effect to a creature, Valor Made
Real, was a terrible card because its effect was
too narrow and circumstantial and thus it wasn't
worth making room in your deck for. Guardian of
the Gateless escapes that fate by merit of not
needing a target-- she is a creature with the
ability all in one card.
Third, the blocker needs to actually be able to
block the creatures in question-- abilities like
flying, landwalk, or the like will thwart it.
Guardian of the Gateless has flying at least.
Fourth, blocking more than one creature at a
time will usually result in the death of the
blocker, making it a one-turn trick. If your
opponent sees that you have a Guardian of the
Gateless, he will not attack with two or more
creatures unless any two of the creatures
attacking can kill the Guardian. The Guardian's
third ability helps with that problem, but
unless the attacking army all have one power, it
won't help much.
Fifth, a creature that has this ability but not
vigilance can't attack and stay back to exploit
its blocking ability. Since creatures with this
ability tend to have low power for their mana
cost, that leads to a creature that sits in play
and stares at the enemy but doesn't really
contribute. Guardian of the Gateless DEFINITELY
has this problem, as its costs five mana but
only hits for three.
If Guardian of the Gateless had vigilance, it
would be worthy of a spot on numerous white
control lineups as a means to maintain control
while still whittling the enemy down. Without
it, it's little more than a warm body on the
field.
Today's card of the day is Guardian of the
Gateless which is a five mana
3/3 with Fling that can block any number of
creatures and gets +1/+1 until end of turn for
each creature it blocks. This is an okay
stall, particularly against tokens, and can be
fun when combined with other effects that
benefit when a high power or toughness dies.
White has many other angels that can provide a
solid defense and a superior offense which
leaves this as sidedeck fodder outside of a very
token heavy metagame.
In Limited this is playable in Sealed as it has
Flying, moderate power and toughness for the
cost, and can stall an alpha strike if needed.
For Booster it is a midrange choice unless it is
the only viable pick in color and aside from
being a little too defensive it can be supported
with several in set cards that give First
Strike, Double Strike, any removal after
blocking is declared that resolves before damage
is dealt, or effects like Murder Investigation.
Welcome back readers today's card of the day is
an amazing limited card but doesn't show much
potential elsewhere. In Standard this card
doesn’t do enough for its mana cost and can be
easily dealt with and as the old adage goes, Who
Blocks? In modern the same concept applies the
card is slow and outclassed and no immediate
impact the same applies for legacy and vintage
this card is powerful and good but not for
constructed formats. In casual and multiplayer
being able to block multiple creatures can be a
powerful ability and the self pump for doing so
may mean your creature sticks around, this card
could have some impact around the kitchen table
and is an angel to boot. In limited this is
pretty much a bomb pick as it has evasion and
can hold back armies of creatures and trade with
some of your opponents powerful creatures.
Overall a card for limited and possible casual
circles.
Welcome to a new week of card of the day
reviews here at Pojo.com! We are looking today
at Guardian of the Gateless from Gatecrash.
Guardian of the Gateless is an uncommon creature
angel that costs four generic and one white mana
for a 3/3. Guardian of the Gateless has flying.
The Guardian of the Gateless is also able to
block any number of creatures, and gets +1/+1
for each creature it is blocking.
The Guardian of the Gateless is by no means the
best card ever. That being said however, it is
in its own right an amazing card, especially for
limited. The main reason being, Holy Mantle.
Guardian of the Gateless would be a nightmare
for an army of 1/1's, but combine it with tbe
Holy Mantle and you truly have a nightmare.
Sure, plenty of removal out there, but that
doesn't always work, and there are lots of ways
that you can respond with hexproof.
A solid uncommon, no real drawbacks. Should see
a decent amount of play, especially in
multiplayer and with extort based decks.
