Elgaud Shieldmate MTG Card


Instant speed soulbond mechanic allows for unexpected defensive maneuvers, ensuring crucial creatures survive threats. Elgaud Shieldmate’s versatility makes it a valuable addition, especially in decks that prioritize creature protection. The card’s specific mana cost and necessity for another creature may limit its inclusion in certain decks.
Elgaud Shieldmate - Avacyn Restored
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Human Soldier
Abilities Soulbond
Released2012-05-04
Set symbol
Set nameAvacyn Restored
Set codeAVR
Power 2
Toughness 3
Number50
Frame2003
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byAnthony Palumbo

Text of card

Soulbond (You may pair this creature with another unpaired creature when either enters the battlefield. They remain paired for as long as you control both of them.) As long as Elgaud Shieldmate is paired with another creature, both creatures have hexproof. (They can't be the targets of spells or abilities your opponents control.)


Cards like Elgaud Shieldmate

Elgaud Shieldmate holds a unique position in the realm of protective spells in Magic: The Gathering. When compared to cards like Tethmos High Priest, both have abilities that safeguard creatures, but Elgaud Shieldmate adds hexproof through its soulbond mechanic, ensuring the bonded creature can’t be the target of spells or abilities your opponents control. On the other hand, Tethmos High Priest doesn’t offer constant protection but rather a resurrection effect for smaller creatures when certain conditions are met.

Another card worthy of comparison is the Swiftfoot Boots equipment that confers both hexproof and haste. Although it requires mana to equip to a creature, once attached, it provides a reliable shield. In contrast, Elgaud Shieldmate can immediately bond to a creature on the battlefield without additional mana investment, albeit at the cost of limiting the protection to as long as both creatures remain on the battlefield together.

Ultimately, Elgaud Shieldmate’s ability to instantly pair and grant hexproof makes it a versatile option for creature-focused decks that value resilience. While it might not offer the long-term utility of other protective spells, its pairing flexibility could provide a critical advantage in defending key creatures at pivotal moments in the game.

Tethmos High Priest - MTG Card versions
Swiftfoot Boots - MTG Card versions
Tethmos High Priest - MTG Card versions
Swiftfoot Boots - MTG Card versions

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Wall of Vapor - MTG Card versions
Tradewind Rider - MTG Card versions
Archivist - MTG Card versions
Thieving Magpie - MTG Card versions
Inga Rune-Eyes - MTG Card versions
Sakashima of a Thousand Faces - MTG Card versions
Laboratory Drudge - MTG Card versions
Johnny, Combo Player - MTG Card versions
Dream Prowler - MTG Card versions
Clone - MTG Card versions
Cytoplast Manipulator - MTG Card versions
Crookclaw Transmuter - MTG Card versions
Dreamborn Muse - MTG Card versions
Turtleshell Changeling - MTG Card versions
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Fatestitcher - MTG Card versions
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Card Pros

Card Advantage: Elgaud Shieldmate is a utility creature that can offer indirect card advantage by protecting your key creatures from removal or negative effects with its soulbond ability. When paired, it bequeaths hexproof to another one of your creatures, potentially saving them from targeted spells or abilities that your opponents control.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly influencing your mana pool, by safeguarding valuable creatures which might enable your strategy or produce additional resources, Elgaud Shieldmate provides a form of resource acceleration. This ensures your important mana dorks or creatures with tap abilities remain on the battlefield and active.

Instant Speed: The real power of Elgaud Shieldmate lies in the reactive nature of the soulbond mechanic which can be activated at instant speed. The ability to grant hexproof to another creature as soon as it enters the battlefield makes Elgaud Shieldmate a surprise defensive option during your opponent’s turn or in response to a threat, keeping your creatures safe when it matters most.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Playing Elgaud Shieldmate requires you to have another creature on the battlefield to exploit its soulbond ability. Without one, it becomes a plain creature with no added value, potentially costing you card advantage.

Specific Mana Cost: Elgaud Shieldmate’s casting cost demands one blue and three generic mana, which may not align well with decks that aren’t heavily invested in the blue mana pool or multi-colored decks that could find this cost restrictive.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The mana investment for Elgaud Shieldmate can be steep considering its provided benefit. With a mana value of four, other options in the four-mana slot may present more impactful game state changes or offer more versatility in both offensive and defensive strategies.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Elgaud Shieldmate is notably flexible, able to adapt to various deck builds. Its soulbond ability can be paired with any creature, offering a shield of hexproof to more vulnerable key cards in your gameplay.

Combo Potential: This card opens up synergies particularly with creatures that have valuable triggers upon targeting. By granting hexproof, you can safeguard integral combos from disruption, allowing your strategies to unfold with more certainty.

Meta-Relevance: In an environment filled with targeted removal or spells that aim at individual creatures, the protective quality of Elgaud Shieldmate cannot be overstated. Integrating this card could be a game-changer, providing resilience against common removal tactics.


How to beat Elgaud Shieldmate

Elgaud Shieldmate weaves the fabric of strong defensive strategies within the world of MTG. As a notable embodiment of protection, it’s highly valued for its soulbond ability, which can make an allied creature nearly impenetrable. This makes it imperative to strategize effectively to dismantle the shield it provides. When facing an opponent’s Elgaud Shieldmate, it’s crucial to have removals that bypass hexproof; spells that don’t target, like board wipes, can effectively clear the field. Cards with the ability to exile, such as Wrath of God or Damnation, play a pivotal role in overcoming the barrier posed by such creatures.

In addition, employing targeted removal on Elgaud Shieldmate before the soulbond takes effect can prevent the formation of that protective bond. Timing disruption effects when the opponent is attempting to establish the soulbond can also turn the tide. In essence, the key to beating cards like Elgaud Shieldmate lies in preemptive actions, managing board states with global effects, and clever timing to ensure that the protection is never fully realized.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Elgaud Shieldmate MTG card by a specific set like Avacyn Restored, 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 Elgaud Shieldmate and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Elgaud Shieldmate has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PennyLegal