TL;DR Summary

Keeper of the Accord is a 3/4 Human Soldier that provides value through its two triggered abilities. Its first ability creates a 1/1 white Soldier token whenever an opponent controls more creatures than the player controlling Keeper, making it an excellent tool for keeping opponents' creature counts in check.

• Typical uses:
  • Combo with Serra's Guardian or other tokens to swarm the board
  • Counter aggressive decks that rely on high creature numbers
• Impact: Its ability to create tokens is particularly effective against opponents with a strong mid-game presence, while its land-draw component allows for flexibility in responding to changing circumstances.

Keeper of the Accord: A Unique Combo Enabler

The Keeper of the Accord is a rare Human Soldier creature from the Masters of the Forge set. Its unique abilities make it an intriguing addition to Commander decks focused on tokens and mana acceleration.

At the Beginning of Each Opponent's End Step

The card's oracle text consists of two distinct abilities triggered at the beginning of each opponent's end step. The first ability creates a 1/1 white Soldier creature token if the opponent controls more creatures than the player controlling Keeper of the Accord. The second ability allows the player to search their library for a basic Plains card, put it onto the battlefield tapped, and then shuffle.

Notable Edge Cases

• Multiple Opponents: In multiplayer games with three or more players, only one opponent's end step will trigger both abilities simultaneously.
• Tied Creatures: If the player controlling Keeper of the Accord has as many creatures as their opponent, neither ability is triggered.

Keeper of the Accord is a versatile and powerful creature that excels at maintaining a strong board presence while also exerting control over the opponent's lands. Its ability to create 1/1 Soldier tokens at the beginning of each end step makes it an excellent addition to token-generating strategies, particularly in combo decks.

One common archetype that benefits from Keeper of the Accord is the classic "Token Swarm" deck, which aims to produce a large army of creatures to overwhelm the opponent. Cards like Serra Avenger, Knight of the Reliquary, and Gavony Township are staples of this archetype, and Keeper of the Accord provides an additional layer of recursion by creating tokens even when the player is behind in creature count.

In addition to its token-generating potential, Keeper of the Accord's ability to search for a basic Plains card can also be used to accelerate mana development. This is particularly useful in decks that rely on white's late-game spells, such as Path to Exile, Ajani's Pridemate, and Eidolon of Ransom. By searching for a Plains at the beginning of their end step, players can quickly generate additional white mana to play these powerful cards.

Keeper of the Accord also sees play in more control-oriented strategies, where its ability to disrupt the opponent's land count is crucial. Cards like Chandra's Defiance and [Ajani's Pridemate ] often pair well with Keeper of the Accord, as they can provide additional pressure while keeping the opponent's land count under control.

In terms of deck slots, Keeper of the Accord is typically played in the four- to five-mana slot, where it can take advantage of its powerful abilities and interact with other cards in the deck. Its 3/4 power-toughness makes it a solid addition to any mid-game creature portfolio, while its ability to create tokens and disrupt the opponent's land count sets it apart from more generic creatures like [Serra Avenger ].

Overall, Keeper of the Accord is an excellent addition to many Commander decks, particularly those focused on token generation, control, or late-game spells. Its versatility makes it a valuable asset in any strategy that values card advantage and board presence.

Synergy with Tokens and Tokens-Generating Spells

Keeper of the Accord excels in token-heavy decks, particularly those featuring Aurelia, the Warleader or Belenon, Last Hope. When opponents control more creatures than you, Keeper creates a 1/1 Soldier token at the start of their end step. This token generation is amplified when combined with tokens-generating spells like Fulminator Mage or Spectral Procession, which can create multiple tokens in one turn.

Combining with Land-Counting Strategies

Keeper's ability to search for a basic Plains card if opponents control more lands than you offers an opportunity for creative deck-building. Pair Keeper with cards that manipulate land counts, such as Ranger-Captain of Eos or Waxermane's ability from Moxopet. These combinations enable you to maintain a consistent land count while generating Plains tokens.

Potential Combo Targets

• Kari Zev, Skyship Raider: With Keeper's ability to generate Soldier tokens and Kari Zev's ability to turn them into 3/4 flyers, this combo can create an overwhelming air presence.
• Aurelia, the Warleader: As mentioned earlier, Aurelia pairs well with Keeper, as her own token generation is amplified by Keeper's abilities.

Keeper of the Accord: Timing and Triggers

One common mistake players make with Keeper of the Accord is misjudging the timing of its abilities. The card's oracle text states that the first ability triggers at the beginning of each opponent's end step, but only if they control more creatures than you. This can be tricky to keep track of, especially in multiplayer games.

For example, imagine a game with two players, both controlling three creatures. If Player A and Player B trade creature blows, resulting in a 2-2 standoff at the beginning of each end step, Keeper of the Accord's ability will not trigger. However, if one player suddenly adds an extra creature to their board, triggering the ability is dependent on recognizing that specific moment.

Lands Advantage

The second ability of Keeper of the Accord is often misunderstood or overlooked. The card allows you to search your library for a basic Plains card at the beginning of each opponent's end step, if they control more lands than you. This can be an excellent way to accelerate your land drop and ramp into bigger spells.

However, players frequently forget that this ability only triggers if their opponent controls more lands than them. If both players are on a 2-land mana curve or have the same number of lands, Keeper of the Accord's second ability will not trigger. A possible solution is to pair Keeper with cards like Vorthos Chant , which can help you maintain a consistent land advantage.

Synergy and Combos

While Keeper of the Accord has some potential for synergies with other cards, its abilities are relatively straightforward and don't easily combine with complex combos. However, playing alongside Gideon, Ally of Zendikar could be interesting, as both cards benefit from having more creatures on the board.

Keep in mind that Keeper of the Accord's power level is relatively low for a Rare card, making it less competitive compared to other options. In Commander games, players often prefer to play more impactful creatures or combo pieces.

Other Considerations

When evaluating Keeper of the Accord as part of your deck, consider its power and toughness (3/4) and compare it to other creatures in your collection. While the card has a moderate mana cost of 4, its abilities may not be as impactful as those from cards like Kor Spirit Guide or Serra Ascendant.

As with any Magic: The Gathering deck, ensuring that Keeper of the Accord synergizes well with existing cards and strategies is crucial for success.

Keeper of the Accord is a solid addition to any mono-white Commander deck, particularly those focused on token generation and mana development. Its ability to create 1/1 white Soldier tokens at the beginning of each opponent's end step provides a consistent source of board presence, making it an excellent complement to cards like Conclave Cavalier or Ghaven's Pride. Additionally, its secondary ability allows for some flexibility in ramping up mana development, especially when paired with cards that benefit from having more lands on the battlefield.

In terms of overall value, Keeper of the Accord is a rare card with a moderate price point (around 0.38 USD). While it may not offer as much impact as some other Commander staples, its reliability and consistency make it a valuable addition to any mono-white deck. Players looking to include more token generation or mana development in their builds should consider including Keeper of the Accord.

When considering Keeper of the Accord for a specific build, players should weigh its benefits against the space it occupies in the 60-card decklist. In general, its ability to provide consistent board presence and some degree of mana development makes it an attractive inclusion, especially when paired with other cards that benefit from these effects.