Guile MTG Card


Guile ensures recurring card advantage, returning to your library if countered for endless strategic opportunities. It transforms opponent spells into powerful assets, potentially accelerating your own resource gain. Guile leverages opponent’s instants, adding tactical flexibility and unexpected plays to your arsenal.
Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost6
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Elemental Incarnation
Power 6
Toughness 6

Text of card

Guile can't be blocked except by three or more creatures. If a spell or ability you control would counter a spell, instead remove that spell from the game and you may play that card without paying its mana cost. When Guile is put into a graveyard from anywhere, shuffle it into its owner's library.


Cards like Guile

Guile is a unique card within the realm of blue creature spells in MTG. Its nearest counterparts are other creatures that influence the control aspect of the game, such as Patron Wizard and Ertai, Wizard Adept. Just like Guile, both offer ways to frustrate your opponent’s plans. However, Guile distinguishes itself through its ability to allow the owner to cast spells from their opponent’s deck, a trait not commonly found among Magic’s creatures.

Comparatively, Patron Wizard offers consistent control with the option to tap wizards you control, countering opponent spells, but it does not provide the same level of direct advantage Guile does by essentially allowing card theft. Ertai, Wizard Adept also permits countering spells, but at a significant mana cost and without the opportunity to put those spells into play under your control.

Guile stands out in its capacity to turn the tide of a game by not only negating enemy spells but also leveraging them. This strategic depth offers a profound impact during matches, setting Guile apart in the array of creature options for control-oriented players in MTG.

Patron Wizard - MTG Card versions
Ertai, Wizard Adept - MTG Card versions
Patron Wizard - MTG Card versions
Ertai, Wizard Adept - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Guile by color, type and mana cost

Sea Serpent - MTG Card versions
Sibilant Spirit - MTG Card versions
Drifting Djinn - MTG Card versions
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Sun Quan, Lord of Wu - MTG Card versions
Sliptide Serpent - MTG Card versions
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Mahamoti Djinn - MTG Card versions
Deepfathom Skulker - MTG Card versions
Sakashima's Protege - MTG Card versions
Zahid, Djinn of the Lamp - MTG Card versions
Shoreline Ranger - MTG Card versions
Vedalken Dismisser - MTG Card versions
Novijen Sages - MTG Card versions
Storm Elemental - MTG Card versions
Draining Whelk - MTG Card versions
Brine Elemental - MTG Card versions
Arcanis the Omnipotent - MTG Card versions
Quicksilver Dragon - MTG Card versions
Sea Serpent - MTG Card versions
Sibilant Spirit - MTG Card versions
Drifting Djinn - MTG Card versions
King Crab - MTG Card versions
Sea Monster - MTG Card versions
Sun Quan, Lord of Wu - MTG Card versions
Sliptide Serpent - MTG Card versions
Zanam Djinn - MTG Card versions
Mahamoti Djinn - MTG Card versions
Deepfathom Skulker - MTG Card versions
Sakashima's Protege - MTG Card versions
Zahid, Djinn of the Lamp - MTG Card versions
Shoreline Ranger - MTG Card versions
Vedalken Dismisser - MTG Card versions
Novijen Sages - MTG Card versions
Storm Elemental - MTG Card versions
Draining Whelk - MTG Card versions
Brine Elemental - MTG Card versions
Arcanis the Omnipotent - MTG Card versions
Quicksilver Dragon - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: One of the signatures of the Guile card is it excels at ensuring card advantage. Upon casting Guile, if it’s countered, it goes back into your library to be used once more. Not much in Magic can compare to the endless loop of possibilities and opportunities this recurring threat presents for maintaining superiority through card count.

Resource Acceleration: Though not directly influencing resources like some other cards, Guile gives you a strategic edge that could indirectly lead to resource acceleration. It allows you to hijack an opponent’s creature spells, turning their resources into your gain. Efficiently utilizing the spells of adversaries could be just the jolt your game needs.

Instant Speed: Guile itself may not have instant speed, but its ability to ply your opponent’s instants to your advantage cannot be overstated. The sheer potential to cast those coveted spells from your opponent’s deck at instant speed enhances your own tactical flexibility and surprise factor while diminishing their resources.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Guile’s effect is contingent upon a spell being countered, which, while not a discard, effectively requires a specific scenario to be maximally beneficial. If you’re not in a position to counter spells, Guile’s effectiveness is diminished.

Specific Mana Cost: Guile has an intensive mana requirement of three blue symbols in its cost. This makes it challenging to cast outside mono-blue or heavily blue-focused decks, potentially limiting its inclusion to specific archetypes.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a total casting cost of six mana, Guile can be a weighty investment in the early game. Other creatures or spells might provide immediate impact or fit into the mana curve more smoothly, potentially making Guile a less efficient choice in certain situations.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Guile is not restricted to a single deck archetype. It can be a game-changer in control decks or any blue-centric build that values casting spells from the opponent’s deck and capitalizing on countering strategies.

Combo Potential: When combined with cards like “Dovescape,” Guile elevates your strategy by converting any spell you counter into a free creature spell, thus potentially flooding the board with tokens while disrupting your opponent.

Meta-Relevance: Given the fluctuating meta, Guile remains a relevant choice for its ability to disrupt opponents’ strategies, essentially acting as a control finisher that can catch many unprepared, making it a card worthy of collection consideration.


How to beat

Guile is a formidable card in the realm of MTG, known for its ability to turn the tide in counter wars with its unique mechanic of replacing countered spells back into the owner’s hand. Dealing with this persistent threat requires strategic planning and understanding of its mechanics. Firstly, exile effects are essential since Guile, when destroyed, can slip back into a player’s library. Utilizing cards like Path to Exile can ensure Guile doesn’t make a reappearance.

Secondly, minimizing the opportunities for your opponent to counter spells limits Guile’s impact. Playing at a pace that allows you to reserve mana for countermeasures or removal can thwart your opponent’s strategy. Additionally, cards that restrict spell casting or counter abilities, such as Cavern of Souls or Pithing Needle, can neutralize Guile’s advantages. Lastly, taking control of the game with cards that don’t rely on the stack, like powerful creatures or planeswalkers, forces your opponent to react, potentially leaving Guile without targets for its ability.

By applying these tactics, you can effectively manage the threat of Guile and maintain the equilibrium of the game. It’s about playing smart, holding back key spells until the moment is right, and always being ready to neutralize Guile before it can dominate the game.


BurnMana Recommendations

If Guile has sparked your interest with its prowess in card advantage, intentional design for control decks, and its distinctive place among blue creatures, it’s evident why this card could be a linchpin in your collection. Its strategic gravity can shift games in your favor through cunning use of your opponent’s spells, making every counterplay a step towards victory. However, remember to consider mana curves and deck synergy to maximize Guile’s potential. We invite you to dive deeper into its multifaceted uses and the world of MTG strategies where Guile might just be the ace up your sleeve. Step up your game and learn more with us.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Guile MTG card by a specific set like Lorwyn and Duel Decks: Jace vs. Chandra, 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 Guile and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Guile Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2007-10-12 and 2015-05-22. Illustrated by 5 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12007-10-12LorwynLRW 692003NormalBlackZoltan Boros & Gabor Szikszai
22008-11-07Duel Decks: Jace vs. ChandraDD2 142003NormalBlackZoltan Boros & Gabor Szikszai
32014-12-05Duel Decks Anthology: Jace vs. ChandraJVC 142015NormalBlackZoltan Boros & Gabor Szikszai
42015-05-22Modern Masters 2015MM2 462015NormalBlackZoltan Boros & Gabor Szikszai

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Guile has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2007-10-01 A spell exiled this way was never actually countered.
2007-10-01 Although this ability triggers when the Incarnation is put into a graveyard from the battlefield, it doesn’t *specifically* trigger on leaving the battlefield, so it doesn’t behave like other leaves-the-battlefield abilities. The ability will trigger from the graveyard.
2007-10-01 Exiling the spell is mandatory. Casting it is not.
2007-10-01 Guile’s second ability replaces “counter
- certain spell]” with “exile
- certain spell] and you may cast it without paying its mana cost.” You have the option to cast it immediately upon its exile. If you choose not to, it remains exiled and you don’t get another chance to cast it. If the spell or ability that tried to counter the spell has additional effects, it then continues to resolve.
2007-10-01 If a spell or ability you control attempts to counter a spell that can’t be countered, it doesn’t. Since the spell wouldn’t be countered, Guile’s ability has no effect on it. The spell will continue to resolve normally.
2007-10-01 If the Incarnation had lost this ability while on the battlefield (due to Lignify, for example) and then was destroyed, the ability would still trigger and it would get shuffled into its owner’s library. However, if the Incarnation lost this ability when it was put into the graveyard (due to Yixlid Jailer, for example), the ability wouldn’t trigger and the Incarnation would remain in the graveyard.
2007-10-01 If the Incarnation is removed from the graveyard after the ability triggers but before it resolves, it will remain in its new zone when its owner shuffles their library. Similarly, if a replacement effect has the Incarnation move to a different zone instead of being put into the graveyard, the ability won’t trigger at all.
2007-10-01 The last ability triggers when the Incarnation is put into its owner’s graveyard from any zone, not just from on the battlefield.