Generic card effects I wish to see explored further

By Brage Sekse Aarset · Jul 23, 2026

Table of Contents

Since Guardian cards are quite constrained into a few specific archetypes such as crush, wager and auras, generic cards are a helpful addition to many guardian decks. Here’s a listicle showcasing some lesser utilized cards with interesting effects that could make their way into guardian decks at some point.

Sound the Alarm

This card is a treat against attack reaction-based decks, not only for its ability to secure a defense reaction in our next hand, but for giving us a lot of information. Only the arsenal remains a mystery once you have played this card.

The main issue with this card is probably its cost. 1-cost cards don’t really fit into guardian cost curves, except if you play them off of a Fyendal’s Spring Tunic resource, which is a scarce commodity in decks that play tunic. Perhaps we will one day see a guardian with reliable access to Vigor tokens that can play lots of 1-cost cards, or a 3-cost version of Sound the Alarm’s effect.

Down But Not Out

DBNO is such a power house if you are able to satisfy its long list of conditions. It even creates an Agility token, which is a rare sight for guardians. Ultimately, it’s just a bit too situational to work. The Civic equipment suite (Civic steps and so on) is probably the closest thing we have to efficient enablers for this card since they can destroy themselves with temper and give the opponent a token, possibly satisfying two of the conditions. Unfortunately, it’s a little bit too difficult to pull this off in a real game, but the concept of a comeback card that helps us get back into the game is a gratifying concept that suits the guardian class, both narratively and mechanically. We’ve already got Never Yield as a somewhat more modular iteration on the concept, but more is always welcome.

The Revered cards such as Turning Point, Cries of Encore and Comeback Kid are of course riffing on the same idea, but they are limited to Pleiades for the time being.

Talisman of Tithes

Talismans are some of the most quirky generic cards, and ToT has an effect that feel kinda right for Guardian. It plays into a controlling, disruptive gameplan that doesn’t let your opponent do their crazy shenanigans – at least not on your turn! The synergy is already there with cards like Hostile Encroachment, Draw a Crowd, This Round’s On Me and Drink ‘Em Under the Table. If we could get this effect on a blue card, an equipment piece or a card that can at least block, that would be great.

Talisman of Warfare

This is yet another Talisman with an interesting effect, namely disruption you can cash in on demand (sort of). The condition on this is a bit too narrow to be usable since your opponent can choose to defend in such a way that it can’t possibly trigger, and it is useless in multiples, but it’s still an interesting concept that could one day be a great tool for Guardians.

Board pieces that can smooth out our turns where we don’t draw a disruption card and really need one would be a great asset to the class. It would reward us for playing planning ahead and our opponent for doing the same. Some may disagree, but a smidgen of board state does add some tension and excitement, I think.

Probably the most hilarious interaction with this card as it stands is Cheap Shot. Go forth, Lyath players, and cook!

Standing Order

Alongside Crown of Providence, Sink Below, Enlightened Strike, Tough Smashup and Right Behind You, Standing Order allows us to put powerful red cards on the bottom of the deck without needing to bear the cost of pitching a red card. Since this card is red on its own, its inclusion does incur a certain cost. Our reds are usually expected to be powerful defense reactions or disruptive attacks, and this card is only powerful on defense if you happen to have an arsenal card you’re willing to give away. It’s also something you don’t really want to attack with in a typical Guardian gameplan, so the card really only does one thing. A new take on Standing Order that has a bit more flexibility would be a welcome addition to the generic card pool.