A-Elderfang Ritualist MTG Card

Elderfang Ritualist ensures card flow by recovering Elf cards, creating sustained momentum in gameplay. The Ritualist’s mana specificity and discard cost may limit its inclusion to particular deck strategies. Elderfang Ritualist shines in Elf-centric and graveyard-based decks, offering key retrieval combos.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Creature — Elf Cleric
Released	2021-02-05
Set symbol
Set name	Kaldheim
Set code	KHM
Power	3
Toughness	1
Number	A-385
Frame	2015
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Wisnu Tan

Text of card

When Elderfang Ritualist dies, you may exile it. If you do, return another target Elf or Tyvar card from your graveyard to your hand.

Cards like A-Elderfang Ritualist

Ancient rituals and dark alliances get a new twist with Elderfang Ritualist in the ever-evolving landscape of MTG. This card is akin to other death-triggered creatures that enable players to reclaim resources from the graveyard. Fellow creature Cadaver Imp springs to mind, also permitting the retrieval of a creature when it enters the battlefield. However, Elderfang Ritualist specifically targets an Elf card as its recovery choice, aligning perfectly with Elf tribal decks and strategies.

Then we encounter Order of the Ebon Hand, a blast from the past with its ability to provide protection from white while offering flexible mana abilities. Although not directly involved in graveyard mechanics, it resonates with Elderfang Ritualist in terms of tribal synergy, enhancing Elf-centric strategies. Furthermore, comparing Elderfang Ritualist to Eternal Witness could also offer insight. Whilst Eternal Witness allows for the return of any card from the graveyard and doesn’t restrict to a type like our Elf Ritualist does.

Evaluating Elderfang Ritualist within the sphere of creature recovery and tribal play, it stands out for its specific utility in Elf decks. The card offers a targeted approach to grave-plucking that many players seeking precise control may find highly beneficial.

Order of the Ebon Hand - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to A-Elderfang Ritualist by color, type and mana cost

Nezumi Graverobber // Nighteyes the Desecrator - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: A-Elderfang Ritualist provides a unique card advantage by allowing you to return another target Elf card from your graveyard to your hand when it dies. This keeps your hand replenished, ensuring you have options as the game progresses.

Resource Acceleration: By retrieving an Elf from your graveyard, you effectively circumvent the mana cost of drawing a card. The Ritualist acts as an economical bridge to swifter gameplay, assisting in building your board presence with minimal resource investment.

Instant Speed: While A-Elderfang Ritualist operates at sorcery speed, its death-trigger ability works seamlessly during any turn, instantly providing benefits. This not only disrupts your opponent’s strategy but also provides immediate reinforcement, ensuring that your gameplay remains vigorous and adaptive.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: A-Elderfang Ritualist obliges you to discard another card to harness its ability. This necessary trade-off can be particularly painful in scenarios where your hand is already dwindling, locking you into difficult decisions and potentially hampering your strategic options.

Specific Mana Cost: Casting A-Elderfang Ritualist demands an exact blend of mana, which includes black mana. This requirement may not seamlessly fit into all deck types, potentially narrowing its utility to a more mono-black or dual-colored environment where this resource is readily available.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Deploying A-Elderfang Ritualist comes at a cost that might be considered steep for its effect. With other cards in the MTG universe potentially providing similar or better benefits for less mana, players may find the cost-benefit ratio of including A-Elderfang Ritualist in their deck less favourable compared to lower-cost alternatives.

Reasons to Include Elderfang Ritualist in Your Collection

Versatility: Elderfang Ritualist fits well in decks emphasizing creature recursion or tribal synergies, such as those featuring Elves or Clerics. Its ability to return another Elf card from the graveyard makes it a valuable asset in keeping your board presence strong.

Combo Potential: When paired with sacrifice outlets or death-triggered abilities, Elderfang Ritualist can become a key component in powerful combos, facilitating a steady stream of Elf returns that keep your engine going.

Meta-Relevance: As games tend to involve numerous creature exchanges, Elderfang Ritualist holds its value by allowing you to maintain a foothold on the battlefield. Its utility in recurring pivotal creatures can turn the tide in a meta with high removal rates.

How to beat Elderfang Ritualist

Elderfang Ritualist has found its niche in MTG as a compelling piece in elf-centric and graveyard strategy decks. Its allure lies in its ability to retrieve fellow elves from the graveyard, setting the stage for a strategic cycle of play. However, outmaneuvering this ritualist involves disrupting this cycle. Employing graveyard hate cards such as Rest in Peace or Scavenging Ooze can be particularly effective, as they can remove the critical resources that Elderfang Ritualist depends on to be impactful.

Additionally, instant speed removal such as Fatal Push or Path to Exile can be key in handling Elderfang Ritualist. These swift answers can prevent your opponent from maximizing the ritualist’s graveyard-triggered ability by removing it before it can die during their own terms. Cards like Grafdigger’s Cage also pose a blockade to Elderfang Ritualist’s ability, denying the return of any creature cards from the graveyard to the battlefield. This can drastically reduce the efficiency of recursion strategies intrinsic to decks leveraging Elderfang Ritualist.

Resistance is not futile against Elderfang Ritualist; it comes down to clever deck construction and timely reactions. A mindful approach to disrupting grave-centric strategies will render the ritualist merely a speed bump rather than a roadblock to victory.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase A-Elderfang Ritualist 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 A-Elderfang Ritualist and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where A-Elderfang Ritualist has restrictions

Format	Legality
Brawl	Legal
Historic	Legal