Gnarlwood Dryad MTG Card


Gnarlwood Dryad excels in graveyard-centric decks, where its Delirium ability significantly upscales its threat level. Costing one green mana, the dryad fits seamlessly into your mana curve and enhances early game strategies. Its deathtouch ability makes it an effective blocker, deterring attacks and protecting your life total from early on.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Dryad Horror
Abilities Deathtouch,Delirium
Power 1
Toughness 1

Text of card

Deathtouch Delirium — Gnarlwood Dryad gets +2/+2 as long as there are four or more card types among cards in your graveyard.

As Emrakul's influence radiated across Innistrad, evacuation from Kessig's remote villages became increasingly difficult.


Cards like Gnarlwood Dryad

Gnarlwood Dryad is a distinctive presence in the creature lineup of Magic: The Gathering. It shares the battlefield with other one-mana green creatures, such as the classic Llanowar Elves. While both cards help shape early gameplay, Gnarlwood Dryad stands out with deathtouch, making it a formidable defender despite its modest 1/1 stats.

Comparing it to Kessig Prowler, another one-drop in green, the dryad offers a more defensive angle, whereas the prowler is designed for aggression with the potential to transform into a stronger creature. Gnarlwood Dryad also finds a peer in Dryad Militant, which is a hybrid mana creature with an inherent graveyard disruption ability. However, the militancy lacks deathtouch, which gives the dryad an edge in deterring attackers.

Ultimately, Gnarlwood Dryad’s utility is underscored by its synergy with the delirium mechanic, growing into a more powerful threat as more card types enter your graveyard. This dynamic ability allows the dryad to transition from an early game deterrent to a late-game powerhouse, evidencing its considerable versatility among its kindred cards.

Llanowar Elves - MTG Card versions
Dryad Militant - MTG Card versions
Llanowar Elves - MTG Card versions
Dryad Militant - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Gnarlwood Dryad by color, type and mana cost

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Scryb Sprites - MTG Card versions
Llanowar Elves - MTG Card versions
Ghazbán Ogre - MTG Card versions
Shanodin Dryads - MTG Card versions
Wall of Wood - MTG Card versions
Rime Dryad - MTG Card versions
Village Elder - MTG Card versions
Willow Dryad - MTG Card versions
Spike Drone - MTG Card versions
Skyshroud Elite - MTG Card versions
Elvish Berserker - MTG Card versions
Tree Monkey - MTG Card versions
Wild Dogs - MTG Card versions
Elvish Herder - MTG Card versions
Pouncing Jaguar - MTG Card versions
Taunting Elf - MTG Card versions
Llanowar Elite - MTG Card versions
Scavenger Folk - MTG Card versions
Willow Geist - MTG Card versions
Fyndhorn Elves - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Gnarlwood Dryad has the potential to provide card advantage in decks focused on the graveyard. With a Delirium ability that activates once there are four or more card types in your graveyard, it essentially becomes a more potent threat without costing additional cards from your hand.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly providing mana acceleration, Gnarlwood Dryad’s low cost of one green mana makes it extremely efficient, fitting smoothly into your curve and allowing you to deploy other spells or abilities earlier in the game.

Instant Speed: Though Gnarlwood Dryad itself isn’t an instant, its Deathtouch ability makes it an excellent blocker against larger creatures. This puts pressure on opponents, deterring attacks and effectively functioning as a deterrent during their turn, similar to the versatile nature of instant speed interactions.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One of the challenges of integrating Gnarlwood Dryad into your deck is its dependence on delirium to enhance its abilities. Achieving delirium often means you’ll need to strategically discard or mill various card types, which not only can hinder your hand but also requires a deck built to support such a mechanic.

Specific Mana Cost: Gnarlwood Dryad requires green mana, which is favorable for mono-green or green-heavy decks; however, it could pose a constraint in multi-color decks or those relying on a different primary mana color. Its place is limited if your deck can’t consistently provide the necessary green mana.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Despite its initial low mana cost, the true potential of Gnarlwood Dryad is unlocked with delirium, essentially increasing its ‘cost’ when considering the effort to attain the required card types in the graveyard. Other creatures at a similar mana cost can offer more immediate impact without the additional setup.


Reasons to Include Gnarlwood Dryad in Your Collection

Versatility: Gnarlwood Dryad slides effortlessly into numerous deck archetypes thanks to its low mana cost and deathtouch ability. This makes it a strong defensive creature early on and a potent threat later in the game.

Combo Potential: With delirium, this one-drop creature transforms into a significant offensive asset, synergizing well with graveyard mechanics that are the cornerstone of delirium-oriented decks.

Meta-Relevance: As a one-mana creature that can threaten larger creatures or serve as an early game blocker, Gnarlwood Dryad remains relevant in a meta where aggressive, small creatures play a pivotal role.


How to Beat

Gnarlwood Dryad is a deceptively powerful card in MTG, known for its delirium ability which provides it with a significant boost if there are four or more card types in your graveyard. This feature makes the Gnarlwood Dryad a potential threat even in the early stages of the game.

Defeating this card involves a keen understanding of graveyard control. One effective strategy is to limit the types of cards going into your opponent’s graveyard. Playing cards like Rest in Peace or Tormod’s Crypt can disrupt the delirium condition by removing cards from graveyards completely. Another tactic is to use removal spells like Fatal Push or Path to Exile to deal with the Gnarlwood Dryad before the delirium condition is met, reducing its strength as a blocker or attacker to minimal threat levels.

Lastly, consider adjusting your strategy to avoid trading small creatures with the Gnarlwood Dryad. Doing so prevents your opponent from establishing an early board presence and makes it more difficult for them to reach delirium. By focusing on these approaches, players can effectively neutralize the advantages that Gnarlwood Dryad brings to the table.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering MTG is an ever-evolving journey, and with the deep dive into the intricacies of Gnarlwood Dryad, you’re well on your way to refining your deck-building strategies. Understanding the strengths and weaknesses of this card is vital for any player who wishes to harness the power of graveyard mechanics. Delirium decks, in particular, can benefit greatly from the inclusion of this versatile creature. Continue to expand your collection with strategic additions that complement and challenge your playstyle. The right card can turn the tide of battle, and Gnarlwood Dryad might just be the ace up your sleeve. Dive into our resources to enhance your MTG expertise and make each match a testament to your skill.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Gnarlwood Dryad MTG card by a specific set like Eldritch Moon and Shadows over Innistrad Remastered, 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 Gnarlwood Dryad and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Gnarlwood Dryad Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2016-07-22 and 2023-03-21. Illustrated by Raymond Swanland.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12016-07-22Eldritch MoonEMN 1592015NormalBlackRaymond Swanland
22023-03-21Shadows over Innistrad RemasteredSIR 1962015NormalBlackRaymond Swanland

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Gnarlwood Dryad has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
TimelessLegal