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Pojo's Magic The Gathering
Card of the Day

Daily Since November 2001!

Warden of the First Tree
Image from Wizards.com

Warden of the First Tree
- Fate Reforged

Reviewed Feb. 17, 2015

Constructed: 4.00
Casual: 4.42
Limited: 4.38
Multiplayer: 3.88

Ratings are based on a 1 to 5 scale:
1 - Horrible  3 - Average.  5 - Awesome

Click here to see all of our 
Card of the Day Reviews 

BMoor

Deck Garage

Warden of the First Tree

Players who remember Eventide block will find today's card awfully familiar. The main difference between that card and this one, is that the final ability on this one can be used multiple times to build up more and more +1/+1 counters. With a reasonably reliable mana base, any G/W or G/B deck could easily make this a 3/3 on Turn Two, and a 3/3 with trample and lifelink on Turn Four. Protecting it until Turn Six, when you can start throwing counters onto it, could be trickier, especially since your opponent can see the writing on the card and knows he has to get rid of this thing before it gets out of control.

Alternatively, you can hold it back until you have enough mana to drop it and immediately upgrade it. With seven mana, it's already a Human Warrior Spirit and ready to start receiving counters next turn. This makes it one of my favorite kinds of cards-- the kind that are good in your opening hand, and also good if you topdeck them late game.

Constructed- 4.5
Casual- 4.75
Limited- 4.5
Multiplayer- 4.5

David Fanany

Player since 1995

Warden of the First Tree
 
I love cards like this that hint at a larger story behind them. I also like trees as imagery - they represent family ties, the universe in microcosm, and the Fibonacci sequence. (Since this card doesn't have flavor text, it could even go in a later Viking block as a reference to Yggdrasil!) Philosophical ramblings aside, it's also a card in the proud traditions of Figure of Destiny, Tarmogoyf, and Student of Warfare, that offers more of a threat than some people's entire deck, draws the heat from other, only slightly less dangerous creatures, and ends the game frighteningly fast when it starts attacking. There's so much to like on either side of the analysis!
 
Constructed: 4/5
Casual: 4/5
Limited: 4/5
Multiplayer: 3/5
Michael "Maikeruu" Pierno

Today's card of the day is Warden of the First Tree which is a one mana
Green 1/1 with three paid abilities to transform it into stronger
forms.  This is very much reminiscent of Figure of Destiny, but changed
in several ways with the requirement a second color of mana in addition
to that of the casting cost being the most notable.  Two mana to make it
a 3/3 is a bit better than one mana for Figure's 2/2 form and four mana
to add Trample and Lifelink is very strong, particularly if supported
with other power and toughness increases.  The six mana final form
adding five +1/+1 counters is reusable and makes this stronger in the
later stages of the game and a resource for mana generation to be spent
on.  Overall this is an excellent aggressive card for Green/White or
Green/Black that will see play across recent formats and in different
deck types as it is a strong draw at any stage of the game.
 
In Limited this is a very easy first pick in Booster that is playable
from the first turn to the endgame topdeck as with mana it is never
useless.  Lifelink, Trample, and self-boosting power and toughness in
one makes this a top card in the format and should not be passed barring
extreme circumstances.  It does force at least two colors, but Green is
generally easy to work with as a fixer and White or Black should be
strong in a Sealed pool.
 
 
Constructed: 4.0
Casual: 4.0
Limited: 4.5
Multiplayer: 4.0

Mattedesa

Deck Garage

Warden of the First Tree
 
This is essentially a "level-up" card like the ones printed in Zendikar block, except that the leveling up can be done at instant speed. The Warden can be a 3/3 attacker on turn 2, which is nothing to scoff at, and can be a big asset in an aggressive deck if this is played turn 1. 
 
If you draw it later in the game, you can pay a total of 7 to make it a 3/3 with trample and lifelink. Not exactly a great investment, but it's better than most 1-drops can say when top-decked late in a game. If it survives a turn, you can then pay 6 more to make it a real monster of a 8/8 - or perhaps more. 
 
Keep in mind that while you could activate the first two abilities more than once, there's no real benefit to it, but you can activate the last one multiple times if you have the time and the mana. 
 
Of course, the problem with all this is that it is a huge investment of mana and turns into one card. A single kill spell can ruin your whole investment. So, while this has the potential to be a great, huge creature, most often, it's use will be the second turn attacking 3/3.
 
Constructed: 3.5
Casual: 4.5
Limited: 4.5
Multiplayer: 4.0


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