Soul Warden MTG Card


Leverages every creature’s arrival for a consistent life gain, bolstering your overall staying power in the game. Its life-linking ability is a boon for decks built around synergistic life gain strategies, enhancing creature strengths. Despite its low mana cost, it may not fit all deck types, making its adaptability somewhat limited in MTG.
Card setsReleased in 15 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Human Cleric
Power 1
Toughness 1

Text of card

Whenever any other creature comes into play, gain 1 life.

Count carefully the souls and see that none are lost. —Vec teaching


Cards like Soul Warden

Soul Warden stands prominently among white creature cards in Magic: The Gathering. Sharing similarities with cards like Essence Warden, which also gains life whenever a creature enters the battlefield, Soul Warden takes a specific slot in the mono-white or multi-colored life gain decks. Where Soul Warden thrives is in its ability to join the battlefield for a single white mana, enabling a rapid setup for life gain strategies from turn one.

Looking at other cards, we have Authority of the Consuls. This enchantment provides life gain and additionally taps down opponents’ creatures as they come into play, offering not only life advantage but also tempo control. However, its higher casting cost and enchantment nature make it less vulnerable to creature removal but still a target for enchantment hate.

Soul’s Attendant is another card whose effect mirrors that of Soul Warden. The subtle difference between the two is the word “may” in Soul’s Attendant’s ability, providing control over the life gain trigger. Yet, in the realm of MTG life gainers, Soul Warden’s straightforward, no-option life gain and low-cost investment make it a fundamental choice for players building around the life gain archetype.

Essence Warden - MTG Card versions
Authority of the Consuls - MTG Card versions
Soul's Attendant - MTG Card versions
Essence Warden - MTG Card versions
Authority of the Consuls - MTG Card versions
Soul's Attendant - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Soul Warden by color, type and mana cost

Savannah Lions - MTG Card versions
Benalish Hero - MTG Card versions
Icatian Infantry - MTG Card versions
Icatian Scout - MTG Card versions
Icatian Javelineers - MTG Card versions
Kjeldoran Warrior - MTG Card versions
Trade Caravan - MTG Card versions
Vigilant Martyr - MTG Card versions
Honor Guard - MTG Card versions
Nomads en-Kor - MTG Card versions
Volunteer Militia - MTG Card versions
Resistance Fighter - MTG Card versions
Cho-Arrim Alchemist - MTG Card versions
Honorable Scout - MTG Card versions
Devoted Caretaker - MTG Card versions
Faerie Guidemother // Gift of the Fae - MTG Card versions
Kor Duelist - MTG Card versions
Yoshimaru, Ever Faithful - MTG Card versions
Mother of Runes - MTG Card versions
Daru Mender - MTG Card versions
Savannah Lions - MTG Card versions
Benalish Hero - MTG Card versions
Icatian Infantry - MTG Card versions
Icatian Scout - MTG Card versions
Icatian Javelineers - MTG Card versions
Kjeldoran Warrior - MTG Card versions
Trade Caravan - MTG Card versions
Vigilant Martyr - MTG Card versions
Honor Guard - MTG Card versions
Nomads en-Kor - MTG Card versions
Volunteer Militia - MTG Card versions
Resistance Fighter - MTG Card versions
Cho-Arrim Alchemist - MTG Card versions
Honorable Scout - MTG Card versions
Devoted Caretaker - MTG Card versions
Faerie Guidemother // Gift of the Fae - MTG Card versions
Kor Duelist - MTG Card versions
Yoshimaru, Ever Faithful - MTG Card versions
Mother of Runes - MTG Card versions
Daru Mender - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Soul Warden. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Mono-White AggroMono-White Aggro PauperPauper Jungle
Mono-White Death & TaxesMono-White Death & Taxes GladiatorSword and Sandals Showdown: EMEA Week 08 2024
Boros AggroBoros Aggro GladiatorGladiator Proving Grounds: Week 12 2024
Selesnya ComboSelesnya Combo GladiatorSword and Sandals Showdown: EMEA Week 12 2024
Rogue DecklistsRogue Decklists LegacyEternal Challenge 23
Naya ComboNaya Combo PauperBoros BullyBLUE - SAT - 1PM - Chicago Pauper Cup
WBWB PauperBLUE - SAT - 1PM - Chicago Pauper Cup
Four-color MidrangeFour-color Midrange GladiatorGladiator Proving Grounds: Week 08 2024
Four-color ZooFour-color Zoo GladiatorSword and Sandals Showdown: AM Week 08 2024
Abzan MidrangeAbzan Midrange GladiatorSword and Sandals Showdown: EMEA Week 08 2024

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Soul Warden provides ongoing value by continuously gaining you life whenever another creature enters the battlefield. This consistent life gain can gradually tip the scales in your favor, particularly in matchups that prolong into the late game or against decks that swarm the board.

Resource Acceleration: Although Soul Warden does not directly produce mana or tokens, the life gained potentially fuels other aspects of your strategy that hinge on high life totals. In decks synergistic with life gain such as those featuring cards like Ajani’s Pridemate, Soul Warden accelerates your board state by bolstering your creatures’ power and toughness.

Instant Speed: While Soul Warden itself is not an instant-speed spell, its effect is always ‘on’ and reacts instantly to any creature entering the battlefield—be it during your turn, your opponent’s, or even in the midst of complex combat scenarios. This ability to interact with the game without using the stack means you’re constantly gaining resources in the form of life points, no matter when the action occurs.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: In a fast-paced gaming environment, having a creature card that offers benefits solely on other creatures’ presence might not suffice. Soul Warden doesn’t require discarding, yet this means it also lacks the potential synergies found in cards that interact with hand or graveyard mechanics.

Specific Mana Cost: Soul Warden’s mono-white mana cost confines it to white or multicolored decks. Players running decks without white mana cannot utilize this card, limiting its versatility across the diverse range of MTG deck archetypes.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although its mana cost of one white may seem low, in a game where efficiency is key, there are cards that provide immediate impact or higher versatility for the same or lower cost. This cost consideration becomes a deterrent when weighing Soul Warden against other one-drop creatures or spells.


Reasons to Include Soul Warden in Your Collection

Versatility: Soul Warden is an asset in a variety of decks, shining in Lifegain and White Weenie strategies. Its ability to gain life with each creature’s entrance to the battlefield caters to multiple game plans, bolstering your life total steadily.

Combo Potential: The card has synergy with numerous combos and can be a cornerstone in decks that capitalize on life gain. It pairs well with cards that create creature tokens, amplifying its effect and leading to significant life gain over the course of a game.

Meta-Relevance: As aggro strategies often populate the meta, Soul Warden serves as a useful tool to offset the damage sustained from rapid creature deployment. Its continued presence on the battlefield can deter opponents from spamming creatures and provide you with a growing advantage.


How to beat

Soul Warden poses an ongoing challenge on the battlefield with its ability to gain life every time another creature enters the battlefield. At face value, it seems like a small increment but over the course of a game, it can add up to a significant advantage for your opponent in MTG. Dealing with Soul Warden effectively requires a mix of removal and strategy.

Removal spells that can deal with creatures at a low mana cost are your first line of defense. Direct damage spells or spells that force a sacrifice are especially potent against a solitary Soul Warden. It’s also beneficial to sequence your creature plays in a manner that minimizes the lifegain from Soul Warden or to apply pressure in a way that forces your opponent to make unfavorable trades. Moreover, consider employing cards that counteract life gain or turn it into a disadvantage for the Soul Warden’s controller. A persistent approach to control the board and keep Soul Warden’s influence in check is key to overcoming this persistent little life-gainer.

Understanding the decks that commonly use Soul Warden can also give you an advantage. These decks tend to focus on creature synergy and going wide on the board, so mass removal can be particularly devastating after Soul Warden has gained your opponent a false sense of security.


BurnMana Recommendations

Exploring the nuances of Soul Warden in your MTG collection can open pathways to optimized play and strategic advantage. With its potential to harness life gain as a resource, you’re not just playing cards; you’re crafting experiences on the battlefield. Incorporating Soul Warden into your deck elevates your strategy, especially in lifegain-centric and white weenie archetypes. We invite you to delve deeper and discover how Soul Warden can become a pivotal asset to your MTG endeavors. Learn more about deck synergy, match tactics, and ways to counter potential threats through our comprehensive guides and discussions. Enhance your gameplay and join a community focused on MTG mastery.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Soul Warden MTG card by a specific set like Exodus and World Championship Decks 1998, 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 Soul Warden and other MTG cards:

TCGPlayerBUY NOW
BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See MTG Products

Printings

The Soul Warden Magic the Gathering card was released in 13 different sets between 1998-06-15 and 2019-11-21. Illustrated by Randy Gallegos.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11998-06-15ExodusEXO 211997NormalBlackRandy Gallegos
21998-08-12World Championship Decks 1998WC98 bh211997NormalGoldRandy Gallegos
31999-11-12Battle Royale Box SetBRB 761997NormalWhiteRandy Gallegos
42005-07-29Ninth Edition9ED 46★2003NormalBlackRandy Gallegos
52005-07-29Ninth Edition9ED 462003NormalWhiteRandy Gallegos
62005-08-22Salvat 2005PSAL J142003NormalWhiteRandy Gallegos
72005-08-22Salvat 2005PSAL J272003NormalWhiteRandy Gallegos
82007-07-13Tenth Edition10E 442003NormalBlackRandy Gallegos
92009-07-17Magic 2010M10 342003NormalBlackRandy Gallegos
102009-09-04PlanechaseHOP 72003NormalBlackRandy Gallegos
112014-05-30Modern Event Deck 2014MD1 12003NormalBlackRandy Gallegos
122017-03-17Modern Masters 2017MM3 242015NormalBlackRandy Gallegos
132019-11-07Mystery BoosterMB1 2412015NormalBlackRandy Gallegos
142019-11-21Historic Anthology 1HA1 22015NormalBlackRandy Gallegos
152020-09-26The ListPLST MM3-242015NormalBlackRandy Gallegos

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Soul Warden has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
PauperLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2004-10-04 Does not trigger on a card on the battlefield being changed into a creature.
2004-10-04 The ability will not trigger on itself entering the battlefield, but it will trigger on any other creature that is put onto the battlefield at the same time.
2005-08-01 The life gain is mandatory.
2005-08-01 Two Soul Wardens entering the battlefield at the same time will each cause the other’s ability to trigger.