Vanguard of Brimaz MTG Card


Vanguard of Brimaz excels in boosting creature count by creating tokens during spell casts. It enables advanced deck mechanics, particularly in token and convoke strategies. While powerful, it demands specific mana and lacks discard synergies.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Cat Soldier
Abilities Heroic, Vigilance
Power 2
Toughness 2

Text of card

Vigilance Heroic — Whenever you cast a spell that targets Vanguard of Brimaz, put a 1/1 white Cat Soldier creature token with vigilance onto the battlefield.

"The humans and their gods never blessed me. Only the pride deserves my allegiance."


Cards like Vanguard of Brimaz

Vanguard of Brimaz offers a unique dynamic to token generation strategies in Magic: The Gathering. It finds kinship with cards such as Raise the Alarm, which quickly brings troops to the battlefield. However, Vanguard of Brimaz adds a layer of complexity with its Heroic ability, allowing for the creation of tokens whenever it is targeted by spells you cast. This gives it a recurring token generation potential compared to the one-time effect of Raise the Alarm.

Another close relative in terms of token strategy is Leonin Warleader. While not providing the immediate board presence of Vanguard of Brimaz, the Warleader exhibits a different kind of staying power by creating token creatures each time it attacks, potentially resulting in a larger army over time. But unlike the vigilant Vanguard, Leonin Warleader requires a tap to attack, which can expose you to counterattacks.

Analyses of these cards highlight Vanguard of Brimaz’s place in decks focused on synergies with spells and abilities that target your own creatures. While it may not provide the brute strength of others like Leonin Warleader or the surprise factor of Raise the Alarm, Vanguard of Brimaz stands out for players who favor interactive gameplay and enjoy the tactical depth of Heroic abilities.

Raise the Alarm - MTG Card versions
Leonin Warleader - MTG Card versions
Raise the Alarm - MTG Card versions
Leonin Warleader - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Vanguard of Brimaz by color, type and mana cost

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Cloudreach Cavalry - MTG Card versions
Samite Healer - MTG Card versions
White Knight - MTG Card versions
Soul Shepherd - MTG Card versions
Soltari Monk - MTG Card versions
Talon Sliver - MTG Card versions
Keeper of the Light - MTG Card versions
Faith Healer - MTG Card versions
Angelic Page - MTG Card versions
Avenger en-Dal - MTG Card versions
Royal Falcon - MTG Card versions
Spirit Weaver - MTG Card versions
Voice of the Blessed - MTG Card versions
Stoneforge Mystic - MTG Card versions
Drannith Magistrate - MTG Card versions
Leonin Lightscribe - MTG Card versions
Silver Knight - MTG Card versions
Longbow Archer - MTG Card versions
Silverflame Squire // On Alert - MTG Card versions
Flumph - MTG Card versions
Cloudreach Cavalry - MTG Card versions
Samite Healer - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Vanguard of Brimaz creates additional creature tokens on casting soldier spells, efficiently multiplying your board presence and potential card equity.

Resource Acceleration: While the Vanguard of Brimaz itself doesn’t directly ramp, the tokens it creates can enhance strategies such as convoke, effectively acting as a resource acceleration tool.

Instant Speed: Although Vanguard of Brimaz is a creature card and not an instant, its ability to generate tokens can be synergized with instant-speed spells, providing strategic advantages during combat or at the end of your opponent’s turn.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One key drawback of Vanguard of Brimaz is the absence of any discard mechanic, which limits synergy with strategies that could benefit from card interaction in the graveyard.

Specific Mana Cost: This card requires a specific mana arrangement of one white and two other mana. This can be restrictive, as it necessitates a commitment to white mana and can make the card awkward to cast in multi-colored decks that may not always have white mana readily available.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: At three mana, Vanguard of Brimaz competes with a range of other creatures and spells within the aggressive White Weenie and Token strategies. Given that this is a rare slot that could instead be occupied by cards with potentially greater immediate impact or value, some players might find its cost a bit steep relative to its power level and the ability to only get a 1/1 token with Vigilance when you cast a spell that targets it.


Reasons to Include Vanguard of Brimaz in Your Collection

Versatility: Vanguard of Brimaz is highly adaptable, easily finding a place in White Weenie or token-based strategies. Its ability to produce tokens lends itself well to various build-around decks that capitalize on creature numbers.

Combo Potential: Together with cards that trigger upon creatures entering the battlefield or attacking, this card’s token generation can become a formidable engine, setting off cascades of synergy within your tactics.

Meta-Relevance: In an environment where going wide with creatures is beneficial, Vanguard of Brimaz adds consistent pressure to your opponents, making it a solid choice in metas favorable to creature-heavy strategies.


How to beat

Vanguard of Brimaz introduces a dynamic aspect to creature-based strategies in MTG. As a card that thrives on the heroic mechanic, it becomes stronger whenever you target it with spells that trigger heroism, presenting a potential obstacle with its ability to generate additional creature tokens. Handling this swiftly is crucial to prevent your opponent from amassing an overwhelming battlefield presence.

To effectively counter Vanguard of Brimaz, consider incorporating removal spells that can bypass its token generation. Instant-speed removal like Fatal Push or Path to Exile are excellent choices, as they can eliminate the Vanguard before its ability triggers. Board wipes such as Wrath of God or Damnation also provide a comprehensive solution, clearing out any tokens generated in the process. In the realm of counter-magic, a well-timed Counterspell or Negate offers a preventive measure to stop the Vanguard from hitting the board in the first place. Overall, strategic use of removal, board wipes, or counter-measures can ensure this card doesn’t tip the scales in your opponent’s favor.

In analyzing MTG strategies and card interactions, understanding and applying suitable counters to cards like Vanguard of Brimaz can turn the tide of the game. Timely disruption is key to maintaining control and ultimately conquering the challenges posed by such character-driven cards.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Vanguard of Brimaz MTG card by a specific set like Born of the Gods and The List, 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 Vanguard of Brimaz and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Vanguard of Brimaz Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2014-02-07 and 2014-02-07. Illustrated by Mark Zug.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12014-02-07Born of the GodsBNG 292003NormalBlackMark Zug
22020-09-26The ListPLST BNG-292003NormalBlackMark Zug

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Vanguard of Brimaz has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2013-09-15 Heroic abilities will resolve before the spell that caused them to trigger.
2013-09-15 Heroic abilities will trigger only once per spell, even if that spell targets the creature with the heroic ability multiple times.
2013-09-15 Heroic abilities won’t trigger when a copy of a spell is created on the stack or when a spell’s targets are changed to include a creature with a heroic ability.
Vigilance card art

Guide to Vigilance card ability

In the strategic universe of Magic: The Gathering (MTG), the vigilance ability stands out as a powerful tool for players. This potent keyword allows creatures to attack without tapping, keeping them ready and alert to defend against incoming threats. It represents a perfect balance between aggression and defense, offering a dynamic approach to gameplay. Lets dive deeper into how vigilance shapes the battlefield.