Guardian Scalelord
Guardian Scalelord Price Summary
As of Aug 9, 2026, the cheapest tracked printing of Guardian Scalelord is $0.38 (SOC #149), and the most expensive is $4.56 (MOC #103, Extended Art). The benchmark price (cheapest playable nonfoil) is $0.38, up 11.8% over 7 days, up 18.8% over 30 days, down 40.6% over 90 days. All-time tracked high: $5.17 (2026).
Guardian Scalelord Printings & Prices
Guardian Scalelord has 3 tracked printings across 2 sets, in nonfoil and foil finishes, including extended art treatments.
Sell Guardian Scalelord: Buylist Offers
Card Kingdom currently pays $0.45 cash for MOC #103; the retail-buylist spread on that printing is 84% (wide).
| Buyer | Printing | Finish | Cash offer | Retail | Spread |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Card Kingdom | MOC #103 | Nonfoil | $0.45 | $2.79 | 84% |
| Card Kingdom | MOC #16 | Nonfoil | $0.35 | $2.29 | 85% |
| Card Kingdom | SOC #149 | Nonfoil | $0.03 | $0.49 | 94% |
Guardian Scalelord Rules Text & Legality
Backup 1 (When this creature enters, put a +1/+1 counter on target creature. If that's another creature, it gains the following abilities until end of turn.)
Flying
Whenever this creature attacks, return target nonland permanent card with mana value X or less from your graveyard to the battlefield, where X is this creature's power.
Guardian Scalelord is legal in Legacy and Commander, and not legal in Standard, Pioneer, Modern and Pauper.
Guardian Scalelord Rulings
- Apr 14, 2023 Backup confers only abilities that are actually printed below it. Any abilities that are gained by the permanent are ignored, including abilities gained due to a resolving spell or ability or copy effects.
- Apr 14, 2023 If a backup ability causes another creature to gain abilities, the creature with backup will still have those abilities.
- Apr 14, 2023 If a backup ability targets the creature with backup, that creature will get +1/+1 counters, but it won't gain additional abilities.
- Apr 14, 2023 If a backup ability targets the creature with backup, that creature will get +1/+1 counters, but it won’t gain additional abilities.
- Apr 14, 2023 If a permanent enters the battlefield as a copy of a card with a backup ability or a token is created that is a copy of that card, the order of the printed abilities is maintained.
Reprints & Reprint Risk
Guardian Scalelord has been reprinted 4 times. The Secrets of Strixhaven Commander reprint cut the price 87% in 30 days.
| Set | Date | Rarity | Treatment | Price before | Day 1 | 30 days | 90 days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SOC #149 | 2026-04-24 | Rare | Standard | $3.43 | $3.20 | $0.46 | $0.34 |
| SOC #149 | 2026-04-24 | Rare | Standard | — | — | — | — |
| MOC #103 | 2023-04-21 | Rare | Extended Art | — | — | — | — |
| MOC #16 | 2023-04-21 | Rare | Standard | — | — | — | — |
SOC #149 
MOC #103 Guardian Scalelord in Commander
Guardian Scalelord is the #4,768 most-played card on EDHREC, up 31 places over the last 30 days.
Guardian Scalelord FAQ
How much is Guardian Scalelord worth?
Guardian Scalelord is worth about $0.38 for its cheapest playable printing as of Aug 9, 2026. Prices range from $0.38 to $4.56 across 3 tracked printings.
Is Guardian Scalelord legal in Commander?
Yes — Guardian Scalelord is legal in Commander. It is also legal in Legacy.
Has Guardian Scalelord been reprinted?
Yes — Guardian Scalelord has been reprinted 4 times, with 3 printings tracked on The Index.
Why is Guardian Scalelord cheap?
Guardian Scalelord trades at about $0.38 — 4 reprints keep supply plentiful.