Not the best 2-cost for Tau/Eld/DE,  as its blandness and lack of command icon lend it towards one strategy only: Rush.

Despite that, that very quality opens up a new buildspace for those factions, and is part of a puzzle that will let them play a rush game. 3/5,

Decent body for the Eldar, the lack of command Icons make it worse however. As mentioned, it does allow Eldar to rush a bit more, something they where not able to do before. 2.5/5.

Not that likely to see competative play due to other much better options.

(The Bork'an Recruits offer a "4/2" body for example with Command)

Vanilla cards like this should be in the coreset :-/

Still, nice to see a viable 2 drop for Eldar

Vanilla cards like this should be in the coreset :-/

Still, nice to see a viable 2 drop for Eldar

It probably should have but would also make Eldar really powerfull if included 2x in the Core set for example as many players start with the (30-ish) cards from a single Core set.

It's imporant to remember that Core sets not only should be balanced but also balanced within the Core set contents.

Well, my main gripe is that we got essentially three vanilla units in one pack (granted, Conquest is so neatly designed that even such vanilla units have a place), while in the last pack we got treated to Death Guard Infantry. I would rather see them a bit more apart, cause it's simply boring.

This is a decent representation of the rank and file troops of the Eldar. I like the Biel-Tan Guardians a bit more, but that is likely because of their advantage in Command. This will be nice for Eldar to have some tougher bodies, though.

If this wasn't an Eldar card I wouldn't even think about it. But turns out this is a solid body for Eldar/Dark Eldar control. I would pass on this allied with Tau, but it fills a weak two drop spot when allied with Dark Eldar.

Only downside is lack of command icons.

The lack of command icon kills it for me, personally.  Unless the card has a unique ability (see Coliseum Fighters, Fire Warrior Elite), I don't play it without a command icon.

The card's been made more or less redundant by the later arrival of Warlock Destructor, which fulfils the 2-cost rush roll without the downside of lack of command. Between that and Bork'an Recruits, Eldar doesn't need Black Guardians for any purpose now.

Ah well.

The puzzle is becoming clearer to me, or at least it was, as I currently run 3 copies in my Shadowsun deck. As its Shadowsun / DE, it has no shortage of efficient command bodies, and also has 3x Superiority. This gives me enough command redundancy to basically want nothing more than a body that has enough HP to stay alive a while, and which can receive fighting attachments. Black Guardians fulfils this function beautifully, and its lack of command is mitigated by the fact that you intend to send your warlord there anyway, and if the opposing warlord does turn up you've likely voltroned this unit up to 5/4 or 4/6, which is enough to scare most warlords.

The above clicked with me after many Shadowsun games when I realised that what the deck was really really missing was a cheap unit with decent HP, and that was what this card is.

As it turns out, my comment from Feb 4th isn't entirely right, as for Shadowsun this card is actually as good if not better than Warlock Destructor. It costs the same, doesn't have a maintenance cost, the loss of 1 attack is a shame but less meaningful when we're talking about 4 vs 5 attack rather than 2 vs 3 attack, and the lack of command, as explained, also means a lot less to the Shadowsun build.

However, the card that is likely to shortly make it redundant again is Prudent Fire Warrior, that is plainly fitter for purpose, and I don't think the Shadowsun deck needs BG as well as that card.

...when I realised that what the deck was really really missing was a cheap unit with decent HP, and that was what this card is.

 

 

Yes, this is the slot that this card is designed for IMO.  A similar need comes up with Baharroth, who has a low HP sig unit and basically low HP everything else.  This leaves him exposed to things like Ork Kannon, Cacophonic Choir, Ork Landa.  The last 2 aren't played much I realize. For me what got me to put Black Legion in the deck was playing agianst Aun' Shi, who can just shred a planet full of low HP units.