Veteran Bodyguard MTG Card


Veteran Bodyguard excels in protecting other creatures, saving valuable board resources and negating removal efforts. Its protective passive ability can indirectly accelerate resource allocation by minimizing the need for defensive plays. Limited by a specific mana cost and high mana value, Veteran Bodyguard is best suited for mono-white or dual-color decks.
Card setsReleased in 11 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Human
Power 2
Toughness 5

Text of card

Unless Bodyguard is tapped, any damage done to you by unblocked creatures is done instead to Bodyguard. You may not take this damage yourself, though you can prevent it if possible.

Good bodyguards are hard to find, mainly because they don't live long.


Cards like Veteran Bodyguard

Veteran Bodyguard, a noteworthy protector in the realm of creature spells in Magic: The Gathering, offers a unique defense mechanism for its controller. In the same category, we see cards like Paladin en-Vec and True Believer, both of which have abilities aimed at safeguarding the player. Yet, Veteran Bodyguard’s ability to redirect damage from the player to itself makes it a standout in terms of board presence and protecting valuable life points.

Another analogous card is the Guardian of the Guildpact. While it doesn’t provide the same direct protection for the player, its damage prevention ability stands tall against multicolored spells and creatures, presenting a resilient roadblock. The Bodyguard, on the opposite spectrum, doesn’t offer inherent protection for itself, relying instead on its user-facing shield duty.

In summary, Veteran Bodyguard has a notable place among Magic’s defensive creatures. Its skill set focuses on player-centric defense, distinguishing it from creatures with self-preservation skills or those guarding against specific type of threats. This gives it an edge in strategies that revolve around preserving the longevity of the player at any cost.

Paladin en-Vec - MTG Card versions
True Believer - MTG Card versions
Guardian of the Guildpact - MTG Card versions
Paladin en-Vec - MTG Card versions
True Believer - MTG Card versions
Guardian of the Guildpact - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Veteran Bodyguard by color, type and mana cost

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Angel of Light - MTG Card versions
Rashida Scalebane - MTG Card versions
Avenging Angel - MTG Card versions
Lancers en-Kor - MTG Card versions
Radiant, Archangel - MTG Card versions
Karmic Guide - MTG Card versions
Master Healer - MTG Card versions
Angel of Mercy - MTG Card versions
Serra Angel - MTG Card versions
Border Patrol - MTG Card versions
Enduring Angel // Angelic Enforcer - MTG Card versions
Sigardian Savior - MTG Card versions
Glory - MTG Card versions
Celestial Gatekeeper - MTG Card versions
Collector Protector - MTG Card versions
Kiyomaro, First to Stand - MTG Card versions
Belfry Spirit - MTG Card versions
Petra Sphinx - MTG Card versions
Barrenton Medic - MTG Card versions
Ivory Gargoyle - MTG Card versions
Angel of Light - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Despite not directly offering new cards into your hand, Veteran Bodyguard provides a form of card advantage through board protection. By safeguarding your valuable creatures, it effectively saves the cards in play, maintaining your board presence and negating opponents’ removal efforts.

Resource Acceleration: While Veteran Bodyguard itself does not accelerate resources, its presence can indirectly lead to resource saving. The need to commit fewer creatures for block duty allows you to invest mana and plays elsewhere, potentially accelerating your overall gameplay and resource deployment.

Instant Speed: Veteran Bodyguard does not operate at instant speed, but its passive ability is always “on,” providing a constant deterrent against attacks or spells targeting your other creatures. This unyielding shield can force opponents to alter their strategies, often in your favor, and potentially disrupt their tempo.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Veteran Bodyguard provides a valuable protective feature, a significant downside is reaching its full potential requires you to maintain a varied board presence. Without other creatures to shield, its utility diminishes, which is akin to a discard requirement in terms of board resource management.

Specific Mana Cost: A challenge posed by the Veteran Bodyguard comes from its specific mana cost which requires two white mana. This cost may not seamlessly fit into multi-colored decks, thus limiting its inclusion to mainly mono-white or two-color decks where the white mana is sufficiently available.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Clocking in at three mana, Veteran Bodyguard’s cost is considerable for its defensive capabilities. In a card pool rich with options, there are other creatures and spells that provide similar or better protection at a lower mana cost, making this card’s value potentially less efficient in a tightly constructed deck.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Veteran Bodyguard offers a unique form of protection for your important creatures. It can slot into various decks, particularly those that rely on key creatures for winning strategies.

Combo Potential: When combined with cards that prevent damage to itself, Veteran Bodyguard can create a durable shield for your creatures, freeing you to execute your game plan without fear of disruption.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where targeted removal is prevalent, Veteran Bodyguard can maintain your board presence and give you an edge by safeguarding your essential creatures.


How to beat

The Veteran Bodyguard is a classic card in MTG, offering a unique form of protection for your other creatures. While it stands as a bulwark against threats, it’s not invincible. One strategic approach to counter it is to leverage spells that can bypass its protective ability – think spot removals, board wipes, or direct damage spells that don’t target other creatures.

Control decks can also manage the Veteran Bodyguard effectively by preventing it from hitting the battlefield in the first place. Counterspells are perfect for keeping this card in your opponent’s hand or sending it to the graveyard before it can have an impact on the game. Another tactic is to utilize sacrifice effects; since the Bodyguard’s ability only functions when it is untapped, forcing the opponent to tap it during their turn could leave an opening. Lastly, make sure to check the updated list of cards from Wizard’s official content to stay ahead of any changes to rules or card interactions.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Veteran Bodyguard MTG card by a specific set like Limited Edition Alpha and Limited Edition Beta, 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 Veteran Bodyguard and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Veteran Bodyguard Magic the Gathering card was released in 10 different sets between 1993-08-05 and 2022-11-28. Illustrated by Douglas Shuler.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11993-08-05Limited Edition AlphaLEA 411993NormalBlackDouglas Shuler
21993-10-04Limited Edition BetaLEB 421993NormalBlackDouglas Shuler
31993-12-01Unlimited Edition2ED 421993NormalWhiteDouglas Shuler
41993-12-10Collectors' EditionCED 421993NormalBlackDouglas Shuler
51993-12-10Intl. Collectors' EditionCEI 421993NormalBlackDouglas Shuler
61994-04-01Foreign Black BorderFBB 421993NormalBlackDouglas Shuler
71994-04-01Revised Edition3ED 421993NormalWhiteDouglas Shuler
81994-06-21Summer Magic / EdgarSUM 421993NormalWhiteDouglas Shuler
92011-01-10Masters Edition IVME4 321997NormalBlackDouglas Shuler
102022-11-2830th Anniversary Edition30A 3381997NormalBlackDouglas Shuler
112022-11-2830th Anniversary Edition30A 412015NormalBlackDouglas Shuler

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Veteran Bodyguard has restrictions

FormatLegality
OldschoolLegal
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Veteran Bodyguard 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 Damage goes to the Bodyguard as long as he is untapped. This works even if he is blocking.
2004-10-04 If a creature is blocked but Trample damage is still done to a player, this damage can’t be redirected to the Bodyguard because the Bodyguard only takes damage from unblocked creatures.
2004-10-04 If you have multiple Veteran Bodyguards, you can decide which one receives the redirected damage each time damage would be dealt to you.