Wakandan Royal Guard is one of those cards players keep asking about. Here is, in plain words, what its official text says, the rulings published by Wizards of the Coast, and the combos players actually run.
Official card text
Vigilance When this creature enters, put a +1/+1 counter on target creature. If that creature is another Hero, put two +1/+1 counters on it instead.
Complete guide
Wakandan Royal Guard is a versatile green creature that brings both a sturdy presence and immediate board impact. With the ability to bolster your ranks upon arrival, this Hero turns your existing forces into formidable threats while remaining ready for defense thanks to vigilance.
What It Does
Wakandan Royal Guard has two main features: the Vigilance keyword and a powerful enters-the-battlefield triggered ability. When it enters, you choose a target creature to receive a +1/+1 counter; however, if that target possesses the Hero creature type and is not the Royal Guard itself, it receives a substantial bonus of two +1/+1 counters instead.
Step-by-Step Resolution
When Wakandan Royal Guard enters the battlefield, its triggered ability is placed on the stack, and you must choose a legal target creature. Upon resolution, the game checks the target's current creature types. If the target is 'another Hero' (meaning it has the Hero type and is a different permanent than the source of the ability), you place two +1/+1 counters on it. If the target is not a Hero, or if you target the Wakandan Royal Guard itself, it only receives one +1/+1 counter.
Common Mistakes
The most common error is forgetting that the 'two counter' bonus only applies to 'another' Hero. If you target the Wakandan Royal Guard with its own ability, it will only ever receive one +1/+1 counter, regardless of it being a Hero. Additionally, the Hero type must be present on the target as the ability resolves for the double counter effect to occur.
When to Play It
This card is best utilized in aggressive or midrange decks that care about creature types or +1/+1 counters. Because it has vigilance, it is an excellent target for other buff spells later, but you should prioritize playing it when you already have a Hero on the board to maximize the value of the enter-the-battlefield trigger.
Interaction examples
Solemn SimulacrumYou cast Wakandan Royal Guard while you control Solemn Simulacrum. When the Guard enters, you target Solemn Simulacrum. Since the Golem is not a Hero, it receives a single +1/+1 counter, becoming a 3/3.
Roaming ThroneYou cast Roaming Throne and choose 'Hero' as the creature type. Later, you cast Wakandan Royal Guard. When the Guard enters, Roaming Throne causes the Guard's ability to trigger twice because the Guard is a Hero. You can target the Roaming Throne with both triggers. Since Roaming Throne is now a Hero and is not the Guard, it receives two +1/+1 counters from each trigger, gaining four +1/+1 counters in total.
Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.
How it works : Wakandan Royal Guard
Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall
No additional ruling has been published for this card.
Popular combos
Real combos played by the community, sorted by popularity.
Eirdu, Carrier of Dawn // Isilu, Carrier of Twilight + Bartolomé del Presidio + Wakandan Royal Guard
- 1Activate Bartolomé del Presidio by sacrificing Wakandan Royal Guard.
- 2When Wakandan Royal Guard dies, its persist ability triggers, returning it from your graveyard to the battlefield with a -1/-1 counter on it.
- 3When Wakandan Royal Guard enters, it triggers, putting a +1/+1 counter on it.
- 4Resolve the Bartolomé del Presidio ability.
- 5Repeat.
Eirdu, Carrier of Dawn // Isilu, Carrier of Twilight + Bloodflow Connoisseur + Wakandan Royal Guard
- 1Activate Bloodflow Connoisseur by sacrificing Wakandan Royal Guard.
- 2When Wakandan Royal Guard dies, its persist ability triggers, returning it from your graveyard to the battlefield with a -1/-1 counter on it.
- 3When Wakandan Royal Guard enters, it triggers, putting a +1/+1 counter on it.
- 4Resolve the Bloodflow Connoisseur ability.
- 5Repeat.
Eirdu, Carrier of Dawn // Isilu, Carrier of Twilight + Ashnod's Altar + Wakandan Royal Guard
- 1Activate Ashnod's Altar by sacrificing Wakandan Royal Guard.
- 2When Wakandan Royal Guard dies, its persist ability triggers, returning it from your graveyard to the battlefield with a -1/-1 counter on it.
- 3When Wakandan Royal Guard enters, it triggers, putting a +1/+1 counter on it.
- 4Repeat.
Eirdu, Carrier of Dawn // Isilu, Carrier of Twilight + Altar of Dementia + Wakandan Royal Guard
- 1Activate Altar of Dementia by sacrificing Wakandan Royal Guard.
- 2When Wakandan Royal Guard dies, its persist ability triggers, returning it from your graveyard to the battlefield with a -1/-1 counter on it.
- 3When Wakandan Royal Guard enters, it triggers, putting a +1/+1 counter on it.
- 4Resolve the Altar of Dementia ability.
- 5Repeat.
Eirdu, Carrier of Dawn // Isilu, Carrier of Twilight + Goblin Bombardment + Wakandan Royal Guard
- 1Activate Goblin Bombardment by sacrificing Wakandan Royal Guard.
- 2When Wakandan Royal Guard dies, its persist ability triggers, returning it from your graveyard to the battlefield with a -1/-1 counter on it.
- 3When Wakandan Royal Guard enters, it triggers, putting a +1/+1 counter on it.
- 4Resolve the Goblin Bombardment ability.
- 5Repeat.
Eirdu, Carrier of Dawn // Isilu, Carrier of Twilight + Phyrexian Altar + Wakandan Royal Guard
- 1Activate Phyrexian Altar by sacrificing Wakandan Royal Guard.
- 2When Wakandan Royal Guard dies, its persist ability triggers, returning it from your graveyard to the battlefield with a -1/-1 counter on it.
- 3When Wakandan Royal Guard enters, it triggers, putting a +1/+1 counter on it.
- 4Repeat.
Eirdu, Carrier of Dawn // Isilu, Carrier of Twilight + Umbral Collar Zealot + Wakandan Royal Guard
- 1Activate Umbral Collar Zealot by sacrificing Wakandan Royal Guard.
- 2When Wakandan Royal Guard dies, its persist ability triggers, returning it from your graveyard to the battlefield with a -1/-1 counter on it.
- 3When Wakandan Royal Guard enters, it triggers, putting a +1/+1 counter on it.
- 4Resolve the Umbral Collar Zealot ability.
- 5Repeat.
Eirdu, Carrier of Dawn // Isilu, Carrier of Twilight + Carrion Feeder + Wakandan Royal Guard
- 1Activate Carrion Feeder by sacrificing Wakandan Royal Guard.
- 2When Wakandan Royal Guard dies, its persist ability triggers, returning it from your graveyard to the battlefield with a -1/-1 counter on it.
- 3When Wakandan Royal Guard enters, it triggers, putting a +1/+1 counter on it.
- 4Resolve the Carrion Feeder ability.
- 5Repeat.
Legal formats
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Meta decks with Wakandan Royal Guard
No archived Top 8 deck with this card yet.