Ambush Commander MTG Card
2003-05-26 - Number 111
2005-08-22 - Number B25
2007-11-16 - Number 1
2014-12-05 - Number 1
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Elf |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Text of card
Forests you control are 1/1 green Elf creatures that are still lands. , Sacrifice an Elf: Target creature gets +3/+3 until end of turn.
Cards like Ambush Commander
Ambush Commander is a unique figure in Magic: The Gathering, serving as a linchpin in many elf-based decks. Its closest cousins in terms of gameplay impact could be Elvish Archdruid or Imperious Perfect. Both cards amplify your elf strategy but in different ways. Elvish Archdruid provides a hefty mana boost for each elf under your control, which can fuel massive plays in a single turn. However, it doesn’t alter the landscape of the battlefield like Ambush Commander, which turns forests into elf warriors, potentially creating a vast army.
Another card to compare would be Ezuri, Renegade Leader. Ezuri offers a repeatable way to protect and strengthen your elf squad, with a built-in way to regenerate elves and an overdrive mode that can end games swiftly. It’s more narrowly focused on offense compared to Ambush Commander’s broader ecological transformation.
All in all, while each of these commanders carves its own niche in elf decks, Ambush Commander stands out for its ability to radically change game states by revamping your lands into active combatants, offering a dynamic twist on the elf tribal theme.
Cards similar to Ambush Commander by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Ambush Commander’s synergy with Forests can transform an abundant resource into an army of Elf creatures, effectively turning each Forest into a potential threat and creating multiple assets on the battlefield.
Resource Acceleration: By turning Forests into Elves, this card paves the way for explosive turns, granting you an abundance of creatures that can be harnessed for various uses, including mana generation. This can lead to powerful plays much earlier than usual.
Instant Speed: With the ability to sacrifice a Forest to untap an Elf, Ambush Commander offers a combat trick or a way to generate extra mana in a pinch, all at instant speed. This flexibility allows you to adapt to changing game states and capitalize on unforeseen opportunities.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Ambush Commander itself doesn’t require discarding as an inherent part of its ability, it does encourage a strategy that may lead to discarding cards to maintain an elf-based board presence. This can deplete your hand quickly, leaving you vulnerable if you can’t replenish your resources.
Specific Mana Cost: Ambush Commander has a strict mana requirement, needing both green mana and a substantial amount of it. This can make it challenging to cast in multicolored decks, potentially limiting its versatility and deck compatibility.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a five mana cost, Ambush Commander demands a significant investment before it starts influencing the game. This can be a drawback, especially when faster, lower-cost cards could be played to gain immediate board advantage or control.
Reasons to Include Ambush Commander in Your Collection
Versatility: Ambush Commander offers a unique twist to Elf tribal decks or strategies that benefit from a high forest count on the battlefield. Its ability to turn forests into Elves can create a monumental shift in board presence.
Combo Potential: This card synergizes with effects that reward you for controlling a large number of creatures or benefit from sacrificing Elves, presenting ample opportunities in combo-centric builds.
Meta-Relevance: With the current trend towards creature-based strategies, Ambush Commander can bolster an elf tribal synergy, making it a card worth considering for those wishing to maintain an edge in creature-heavy metas.
How to Beat Ambush Commander
Ambush Commander turns your Forests into 1/1 Elf creatures, which can present a serious threat, particularly in decks designed to exploit the synergy between Elves. Nevertheless, dealing with this card effectively is about managing the transformed Forests and controlling the board. One strategy could be to use cards that deal damage to all creatures, such as Pyroclasm, which can wipe out the newly created Elves without a substantial mana investment.
Additionally, spot removal spells that don’t specify ‘nonland’ creatures can also be useful. Direct removal spells like Path to Exile or Rapid Hybridization can neutralize the Forests even if they’ve become creatures. Enchantment removal spells like Disenchant or Naturalize will directly target and eliminate the Commander itself, rendering the Forests harmless as they revert to their original form.
Being vigilant about Ambush Commander’s potential arrival on the battlefield is crucial. Have removal at the ready, or even better, counterspells such as Cancel to prevent it from being played in the first place. Smart and prepared play makes the difference when facing the unique challenge posed by Ambush Commander.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Ambush Commander MTG card by a specific set like Scourge and Salvat 2005, 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 Ambush Commander and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
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Printings
The Ambush Commander Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2003-05-26 and 2014-12-05. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2003-05-26 | Scourge | SCG | 111 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Darrell Riche | |
| 2 | 2005-08-22 | Salvat 2005 | PSAL | B25 | 2003 | Normal | White | Darrell Riche | |
| 3 | 2007-11-16 | Duel Decks: Elves vs. Goblins | DD1 | 1 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Lucio Parrillo | |
| 4 | 2014-12-05 | Duel Decks Anthology: Elves vs. Goblins | EVG | 1 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Lucio Parrillo |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Ambush Commander has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Ambush Commander card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2008-08-01 | A noncreature permanent that turns into a creature can attack, and its abilities can be activated, only if its controller has continuously controlled that permanent since the beginning of their most recent turn. It doesn’t matter how long the permanent has been a creature. |