Elderfang Disciple MTG Card


Effective hand disruption can tip the balance of gameplay in your favor by limiting opponent’s strategic moves. Its synergy with reanimation and graveyard strategies enhances its role as a versatile component in elf-centric decks. Despite potential downsides, Elderfang Disciple’s discard effect remains a tactical advantage in many match-ups.
Elderfang Disciple - Kaldheim
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Elf Cleric
Released2021-02-05
Set symbol
Set nameKaldheim
Set codeKHM
Power 1
Toughness 1
Number93
Frame2015
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byMiranda Meeks

Text of card

When Elderfang Disciple enters the battlefield, each opponent discards a card.

"One day, the great serpent will rejoin us on Skemfar, and those who've wronged us will taste of our venom."


Cards like Elderfang Disciple

Elderfang Disciple is a unique creature card that finds its place in decks focused on causing your opponent to discard cards. A resemblance can be drawn with Burglar Rat, another creature that demands a card discard when entering the battlefield. However, Elderfang Disciple has the added advantage of being an Elf, which synergizes well with Elf-centric strategies in deck building.

Diving deeper into comparative analysis, Yarok’s Fenlurker expands on this effect by not only causing a discard but also granting the option to exile a card from an opponent’s graveyard if mana is spent. This versatility can be critical in certain game states. While Chittering Rats does not offer an Elf subtype or exile abilities, it serves a similar purpose to Elderfang Disciple. Chittering Rats also disrupts the opponent’s hand but it controls the next draw, thereby potentially setting the opponent back further.

In summary, Elderfang Disciple holds its significance for players who value the persistent discard strategy while benefiting from tribal synergies. It may not have the broad utility of some similar cards, but it stands strong within its specific role, complementing both discard and Elf tribal decks effectively within the Magic: The Gathering metagame.

Burglar Rat - MTG Card versions
Yarok's Fenlurker - MTG Card versions
Chittering Rats - MTG Card versions
Burglar Rat - MTG Card versions
Yarok's Fenlurker - MTG Card versions
Chittering Rats - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Elderfang Disciple by color, type and mana cost

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Drudge Skeletons - MTG Card versions
Erg Raiders - MTG Card versions
Cuombajj Witches - MTG Card versions
Order of the Ebon Hand - MTG Card versions
Bog Imp - MTG Card versions
Wall of Corpses - MTG Card versions
Blighted Shaman - MTG Card versions
Rabid Rats - MTG Card versions
Dakmor Bat - MTG Card versions
Ravenous Rats - MTG Card versions
Flesh Reaver - MTG Card versions
Bloodcurdler - MTG Card versions
Nantuko Shade - MTG Card versions
Piper of the Swarm - MTG Card versions
Undead Augur - MTG Card versions
Shepherd of Rot - MTG Card versions
Swarm of Rats - MTG Card versions
Skullsnatcher - MTG Card versions
Nezumi Cutthroat - MTG Card versions
Nezumi Graverobber // Nighteyes the Desecrator - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Elderfang Disciple may seem modest at a glance, but its true power lies in its ability to disrupt your opponent’s hand. Each time this creature enters the battlefield, your opponent must discard a card, incrementally tilting the scales in your favor and eroding their options.

Resource Acceleration: While Elderfang Disciple doesn’t accelerate resources in the traditional sense of ramping mana, it facilitates a leaner, more efficient deck operation. By forcing an opponent to discard, you effectively accelerate towards your strategic goals by reducing the resources available for their plans.

Instant Speed: Although Elderfang Disciple itself is a creature card and does not operate at instant speed, it slots into decks that utilize instant speed spells and abilities. Its low cost and impactful enter-the-battlefield effect make it a prime target for reanimation or bounce spells that can be cast at instant speed, thus allowing you to capitalize on the discard effect at pivotal moments during the game.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Elderfang Disciple asks each player to discard a card upon entering the battlefield. While this can disrupt your opponent’s strategy, it can also backfire if your hand is already lacking in options or if the opponent can capitalize on discarded cards.

Specific Mana Cost: Playing Elderfang Disciple requires one black mana. This makes it less adaptable for multicolored decks that may not always have the necessary mana open, potentially slowing down your game plan.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Despite its seemingly low cost of two mana, when considering the effect to both players, other cards may provide better value or one-sided effects for similar or less investment, making Elderfang Disciple a sometimes lesser choice for optimized discard strategies.


Reasons to Include Elderfang Disciple in Your Collection

Versatility: Elderfang Disciple offers a straightforward yet effective ability to disrupt an opponent’s hand. As a low-cost creature, it can be slotted into various decks, especially those that thrive on an opponent being forced to discard.

Combo Potential: This card shines in strategies that synergize with discard mechanics and graveyard play. Run it alongside cards that trigger when an opponent discards or in decks that benefit from creatures entering and leaving the battlefield.

Meta-Relevance: In a gameplay environment where players hold onto key cards for their winning combos, Elderfang Disciple can tilt the scales in your favor by strategically limiting their options and providing you with an advantage during critical turns.


How to beat Elderfang Disciple

Elderfang Disciple brings a mix of pressure and utility to the battlefield in the world of MTG. This crafty creature forces your opponent to discard a card upon entry, chipping away at their resources. Its power lies not in strength but strategy, creating advantage through hand disruption. However, there are tactics to mitigate its impact. Firstly, consider playing cards that benefit from having fewer cards in hand or those that can recover resources from the graveyard. Holding onto instant-speed removal can also be wise, allowing you to respond after the discard effect has resolved, minimizing its influence. In decks where card synergy is key, it pays to have a surplus of interchangeable pieces to ensure Elderfang Disciple doesn’t derail your game plan.

When facing decks that utilize this pesky elf, focus on maintaining hand advantage or employing cards with flashback or other casting-from-graveyard abilities. That way, you turn Elderfang Disciple’s disruption into your graveyard fuel, outmaneuvering opponents and consistently drawing on the strength of your strategic reserves. Building around this concept can transform Elderfang Disciple from a thorn in your side to merely a bump in the road on your path to victory in MTG.


BurnMana Recommendations

The subtle power of Elderfang Disciple lies in its hand disruption abilities, making it a clever addition to any MTG deck that values strategic advantage over brute strength. While this card presents both pros and cons, its potential in discard-focused strategies cannot be understated. Whether it strengthens your existing deck or inspires a new build around its discard mechanic, Elderfang Disciple has a role to play in the nuanced game of MTG. For those intrigued by the possibilities this card offers and eager to outmaneuver opponents, we welcome you to advance your tactical edge. Discover more strategic insights and card synergies with us, and let’s refine your deck together into a formidable force.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Elderfang Disciple MTG card by a specific set like Kaldheim, there are several reliable options to consider. One of the primary sources is your local game store, where you can often find booster packs, individual cards, and preconstructed decks from current and some past sets. They often offer the added benefit of a community where you can trade with other players.

For a broader inventory, particularly of older sets, online marketplaces like TCGPlayer, Card Kingdom and Card Market offer extensive selections and allow you to search for cards from specific sets. Larger e-commerce platforms like eBay and Amazon also have listings from various sellers, which can be a good place to look for sealed product and rare finds.

Additionally, Magic’s official site often has a store locator and retailer lists for finding Wizards of the Coast licensed products. Remember to check for authenticity and the condition of the cards when purchasing, especially from individual sellers on larger marketplaces.

Below is a list of some store websites where you can buy the Elderfang Disciple and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Elderfang Disciple has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
BrawlLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Elderfang Disciple card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2021-02-05 As the triggered ability resolves, first the next opponent in turn order (or, if it’s an opponent’s turn, the opponent whose turn it is) chooses a card in hand and sets it aside without revealing it. Then each other opponent in turn order does the same. Finally, all chosen cards are revealed and discarded at the same time.