# 1997 Magic: The Gathering Oversized League Prizes #23

> The Guardian Beast from the 1997 Magic: The Gathering Oversized League Prizes set, a distinctive oversized card highly sought after by TCG collectors.

Canonical URL: https://supercatch.com/product/magic-the-gathering-oversized-league-prizes-guardian-beast-23

## Identity

- **Year**: 1997
- **Manufacturer brand**: Magic: The Gathering
- **Set / series**: Oversized League Prizes
- **Card number**: #23
- **Product type**: TCG_CARD

## Description

The Guardian Beast, designated as card number 23 in the 1997 Magic: The Gathering Oversized League Prizes set, represents a unique chapter in TCG history. Released exclusively as a league prize, this oversized card diverges from standard tournament-legal dimensions, making it a prized item for dedicated Magic: The Gathering collectors who value historical exclusivity. Designed by Ken Meyer, Jr., the card features a powerful black creature with a mana cost of {3}{B} and a 2/4 power/toughness ratio.

Collectors often seek this piece for its distinctive format and the strategic prowess it offers within the game. The Guardian Beast provides a robust defensive utility, preventing noncreature artifacts from being enchanted or controlled by opponents while granting them indestructible status. For investors and hobbyists building a comprehensive Magic: The Gathering collection, this oversized variant serves as a significant milestone, offering both gameplay utility and tangible nostalgia from the late 1990s era of the game. Its inclusion in the Oversized League Prizes series highlights the evolving ways Wizards of the Coast engaged with their community during this foundational period.

## FAQ

### What is the Oversized League Prizes set in Magic: The Gathering?

The Oversized League Prizes set consists of large-format cards distributed as rewards to participants in official Magic: The Gathering league events during 1997. These oversized cards are not tournament-legal but are highly collectible for their historical significance and unique size.

### What are the stats of the Guardian Beast card?

Guardian Beast is a black Creature — Beast with a mana cost of {3}{B}, a mana value of 4, and power/toughness of 2/4. Its ability prevents noncreature artifacts you control from being enchanted or controlled by other players while granting them indestructible.

### Who illustrated the Guardian Beast card?

The artwork for the Guardian Beast card in the Oversized League Prizes set was created by artist Ken Meyer, Jr.

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Last verified: 2025-11-29.