I think it has been shown that this format is more or less about decks with a good lategame that can be defensive against the various aggro decks. As such, Ghostbusters and Seraph of Dawn are some of the best commons in the set. Spectral Gateguards is a card that looks like trash on first sight, but the more I play with it the more impressed I get. It gives durdly decks the ability to attack while holding a defensive force back and in general blanks most early creatures. It's not a windmill slam of a card, but I think it's absolutely a maindeckable card and moreover I see myself taking it midpack and before.
He's quite ok. If you can link him with a Seraph, she becomes alot more powerful.
However: white has many good higher costed cards, so I don't think he'll always make the maindeck. Dropping a new big flyer is better than giving the existing one vigilance...
If he does make the deck though, he's never a bad draw.
In a control deck, he's absolutely playable. He's no Horned Turtle but he'll do. 2/5 for 5 mana is a staple of control decks.
In aggro, no way!
And even when you do have the deck that wants to play him, you should never have to pick him early. I would expect a card like this to be available in the 7th-10th pick range on a regular basis.
I thought he was bad (23rd card in my last draft) but then I paired him to a Seraph of Dawn. He's good. His ass is really fat for this format too, so he takes advantage of his own vigilance very nicely.
I don't like the card. The problem is that in a white deck, you have better things to do with 5 mana. And if you're not heavy white, your other color probably has better choices as well. The card is fine, but it's more like filler to me than a strong playable. You can't really compare it to the geist trappers, because reach is so important that the subpar body for the cost is irrelevant.
edit - it's also not fair to discuss the bond guys by saying what they pair well with. Seraph "pairs well" with everything because the card is already really good.
How good it is depends on whether or not your deck wants to be aggressive. But just keep in mind that five toughness is a big deal in this format.
I think your analysis is pretty much spot on. It's a solid card that you should be never be disappointed taking 7-12 pick. If you manage to pair it with another soulbound guy it becomes awesome.
I still haven't seen this guy in draft, but games where I got to cast Gateguards in the sealed I just did with another guy in play started to feel unlosable. 5 toughness is huge in this format against everything but green, and getting to keep progressing through the air while hanging back on defense is a pretty big game. I certainly won't be picking him high, but I'll probably look to include at least one copy whenever I get a chance.
I still haven't seen this guy in draft, but games where I got to cast Gateguards in the sealed I just did with another guy in play started to feel unlosable. 5 toughness is huge in this format against everything but green, and getting to keep progressing through the air while hanging back on defense is a pretty big game. I certainly won't be picking him high, but I'll probably look to include at least one copy whenever I get a chance.
Yeah, we're using different terminology, but I think we both agree it's basically playable filler.
Always happy to play him in my decks. Pairing him something and throwing a Tormentor's Trident on him is just silly. The other night I managed to pair him with Nearheath Pilgrim and equip him with said trident. 5/5 Lifelink's with vigilance make games very hard for your opponent.
I really like this as a middle of the pack pick. or third pack filler. If you're not building aggro this card is very solid. Pair it to any fat bottom flier and you've got a solid defense while still getting through over the top.
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What do people think about this unassuming guy?
Draft it on Cubetutor!
However: white has many good higher costed cards, so I don't think he'll always make the maindeck. Dropping a new big flyer is better than giving the existing one vigilance...
If he does make the deck though, he's never a bad draw.
In aggro, no way!
And even when you do have the deck that wants to play him, you should never have to pick him early. I would expect a card like this to be available in the 7th-10th pick range on a regular basis.
But yeah, he's much better than he would be in other formats. When I side him in reluctantly, I find myself actually happy when I draw him.
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edit - it's also not fair to discuss the bond guys by saying what they pair well with. Seraph "pairs well" with everything because the card is already really good.
*DCI Rules Advisor*
I think your analysis is pretty much spot on. It's a solid card that you should be never be disappointed taking 7-12 pick. If you manage to pair it with another soulbound guy it becomes awesome.
Yeah, we're using different terminology, but I think we both agree it's basically playable filler.
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