Join Shields MTG Card


Join Shields provides multi-creature protection enhancing battlefield stamina with a single cast. The card’s instant speed allows for unexpected combat phase or board wipe countering. Demands careful mana and hand resource management due to its specific casting requirements.
Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityUncommon
TypeInstant

Text of card

Untap all creatures you control. They gain hexproof and indestructible until end of turn. (They can't be the targets of spells or abilities your opponents control. Damage and effects that say "destroy" don't destroy them.)

"We are the shield that never breaks, the bough that never burns, the song that can never be silenced."


Cards like Join Shields

Join Shields shines as an intriguing option within the suite of combat tricks in Magic: The Gathering. It bears resemblance to cards like Rootborn Defenses, which also offers the ability to make your creatures indestructible. Yet, Join Shields ups the ante by granting not only indestructibility but also hexproof to all of your creatures, thereby fully shielding them from both destruction and targeted spells or abilities for a turn.

When looking at Heroic Intervention, another comparable card, the two mana cost makes it more efficient, providing indestructibility and hexproof as well, but only until end of turn. While cheaper, Join Shields differentiates itself with its ability to affect each creature you control, making it a potential game-changer in multiplayer formats. Then there’s Make a Stand, which costs less but only offers indestructibility, missing the protective hexproof characteristic that Join Shields provides.

Assessing these cards side by side reveals the distinct tactical advantage that Join Shields supplies. Its dual protection capabilities make it a formidable card in MTG, especially in scenarios where maintaining a robust battlefield presence is crucial.

Rootborn Defenses - MTG Card versions
Heroic Intervention - MTG Card versions
Make a Stand - MTG Card versions
Rootborn Defenses - MTG Card versions
Heroic Intervention - MTG Card versions
Make a Stand - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Join Shields by color, type and mana cost

Fracturing Gust - MTG Card versions
Sylvan Reclamation - MTG Card versions
Fracturing Gust - MTG Card versions
Sylvan Reclamation - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Join Shields stands out by offering the ability to protect multiple creatures or even your entire board with a single card, effectively negating multiple threats from your opponent and maintaining your presence on the battlefield.

Resource Acceleration: Despite not directly accelerating resources, Join Shields saves resources by preventing the need to cast multiple protection spells. This consolidation of power into one card frees up mana and cards for subsequent turns.

Instant Speed: The instant nature of Join Shields means you can surprise your opponent, turning their attacks or board wipe attempts into opportunities to fortify your position. This strategic flexibility can swing the game in your favor when timed correctly.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Players must be wary with Join Shields as it does not directly require discarding cards, but being a reactive card, maintaining a hand with this card until the right moment can indirectly impact hand resource management.

Specific Mana Cost: Join Shields demands both green and white mana to cast, which can be restrictive. Decks that do not run these colors or have a less stable mana base may not be able to utilize this card effectively.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a five-mana investment required to cast Join Shields, players might find the cost steep for its combat trick capabilities. This could be detrimental in faster-paced games where lower-costing spells may offer a quicker advantage.


Reasons to Include Join Shields in Your Collection

Versatility: Join Shields offers flexible defensive options that can be advantageous in many game scenarios. This card can turn the tide during your opponent’s turn by unexpectedly bolstering your creatures’ defenses.

Combo Potential: By granting your creatures indestructible and untapping them, Join Shields opens the door for combos with cards that capitalize on creatures being untapped, or those that benefit from survive ability.

Meta-Relevance: In a gameplay environment that’s heavy on board wipes and combat tricks, having Join Shields in your arsenal can provide a critical edge, allowing your creatures to withstand challenges and swing back with force.


How to beat Join Shields

Overcoming the Join Shields card can be quite the challenge. Known for its ability to surprise opponents and turn the tides of a game, Join Shields effectively endows your creatures with indestructible and hexproof until end of turn while untapping them. This can be a game-changer during your opponent’s combat phase or when someone is relying on targeted removal to disrupt your board.

However, to navigate around Join Shields, you should consider employing board wipes that don’t target, like Wrath of God or Damnation, as these are unaffected by hexproof. You might also try forcing a discard before your opponent has the opportunity to cast Join Shields, using cards such as Thoughtseize to strip it from their hand preemptively. Additionally, countering it with spells like Negate can stop it before its effects come into play.

It’s essential to stay aware of your opponent’s mana and potential plays. Preparing your counter strategies when they have five mana open, especially in colors representing doing it, could mean the difference between victory and defeat. In this way, by being proactive and strategically developing your deck with tools to address such surprises, you can efficiently work around the prominence of Join Shields in the combat metagame.


BurnMana Recommendations

Dive deeper into the strategic world of MTG with insights and plays that could transform your approach to the game. Join Shields is a versatile card that could reshape your deck’s dynamic and catch opponents off-guard with clever timing. Understanding its strengths and weaknesses is just the beginning. There’s a universe of combinations and plays that can capitalize on its potent defensive capabilities. If you’re ready to optimize your deck and make each match a showcase of skill and strategy, discover more with us and propel your MTG expertise to new heights. Your next victorious playthrough starts here.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Join Shields MTG card by a specific set like Guilds of Ravnica and Mystery Booster, 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 Join Shields and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Join Shields Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2018-10-05 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by Winona Nelson.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12018-10-05Guilds of RavnicaGRN 1812015NormalBlackWinona Nelson
22019-11-07Mystery BoosterMB1 14392015NormalBlackWinona Nelson
32020-09-26The ListPLST GRN-1812015NormalBlackWinona Nelson

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Join Shields has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
CommanderLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2018-10-05 Untapped creatures you control can’t be untapped again, but those creatures still gain hexproof and indestructible.