Arboreal Alliance MTG Card
2023-06-23 - Number 541
2023-06-23 - Number 497
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Enchantment |
| Abilities | Populate |
Text of card
When Arboreal Alliance enters the battlefield, create an X/X green Treefolk creature token. Whenever you attack with one or more Elves, populate. (Create a token that's a copy of a creature token you control.)
"First name the four, the free peoples: Eldest of all, the elf-children . . ." —Long List of the Ents
Cards like Arboreal Alliance
Arboreal Alliance is an intriguing card from the enchanting realm of Magic: The Gathering that allows players to grow their presence on the battlefield with each landfall trigger. The closest kin in function and form is Retreat to Kazandu, a card that also benefits players each time a land enters the battlefield under their control. Where Arboreal Alliance focuses on bolstering a single creature, Retreat to Kazandu provides the flexibility to either place a +1/+1 counter on a creature or gain 2 life.
Another comparable card is Vinelasher Kudzu, a creature that gains a +1/+1 counter whenever a land comes into play. Although Vinelasher Kudzu is limited to increasing its own power, the simplicity of its ability can be easier to incorporate into decks focused on land ramp strategies. Yet, it doesn’t share Arboreal Alliance’s potential for distributing strength across different creatures, a tactical advantage in diversifying threats on the board.
Considering these comparisons, Arboreal Alliance finds a unique position within MTG cards that synergize with land play. Its singular focus on creature enhancement through landfall makes it a valuable card for players crafting strategies around continuous creature growth and battlefield dominance.
Cards similar to Arboreal Alliance by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Arboreal Alliance shines by offering card advantage, letting you muster an additional creature onto the battlefield. This can tip the scales in your favor by increasing your board presence and giving you more options during combat and strategy phases.
Resource Acceleration: This card not only bolsters your line-up but accelerates your resources as well. By putting a land card onto the battlefield tapped, it sets you up for subsequent turns, allowing you to unleash more powerful spells earlier than your opponent might expect.
Instant Speed: The versatility of Arboreal Alliance is greatly enhanced by its instant speed, permitting reactive play during your opponent’s turn. This can lead to significant strategic advantages, as you can adapt to the evolving game state, potentially creating blockers or applying pressure at the most opportune moments.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Arboreal Alliance demands a discard as part of its casting cost, putting you potentially at a disadvantage if your hand is already depleted. This can be quite a setback in games where maintaining card advantage is crucial.
Specific Mana Cost: The spell necessitates a particular combination of mana colors, which can be restrictive. This specific mana requirement may not align with all deck types, limiting its versatility across various strategies in the MTG landscape.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: For its effects, Arboreal Alliance requires a considerable investment of mana resources. When casting it, you might find yourself pondering whether the output justifies your expenditure, especially compared to other cards available within the same mana range that may offer a more immediate or impactful advantage.
Reasons to Include Arboreal Alliance in Your Collection
Versatility: Arboreal Alliance is a card that adapts well to different playstyles. It serves well in decks emphasizing creature synergies and those that capitalize on the power of land cards.
Combo Potential: This card opens up possibilities for combinations with cards that benefit from creature tokens or that have effects triggering upon casting creature spells, thereby enhancing intricate strategy layers.
Meta-Relevance: Given its ability to efficiently populate the board with tokens, Arboreal Alliance holds its ground in a game environment that rewards wide board states or underpins the strategy of “go wide” tactics.
How to beat
Arboreal Alliance is a dynamic element in MTG that offers a unique challenge due to its ability to bolster creatures’ strength. Similar to other cards which support creature growth, such as Giant Growth, the Arboreal Alliance has the distinct capability of persistent effect, continuously boosting your creatures as long as certain conditions are met. To successfully navigate against this card, it is essential to undermine these conditions promptly.
Key strategies include removal of critical creatures that could become too powerful due to Arboreal Alliance’s effects or countering the card before it can manifest its full potential on the battlefield. Cards like Murder or Counterspell come into play here, providing the means to either destroy creatures that have been buffed or prevent Arboreal Alliance from resolving in the first place.
Effective management of the board and keeping a keen eye on the Alliance’s triggers can be the difference between victory and defeat. Deck builders would do well to incorporate contingency plans for such scenarios, ensuring Arboreal Alliance doesn’t tilt the scales too far in the opponent’s favor. This foresight is key to maintaining a competitive edge in MTG’s intricate landscape of play.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Arboreal Alliance MTG card by a specific set like Tales of Middle-earth Commander and Tales of Middle-earth Commander, 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 Arboreal Alliance 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
See MTG Products
Printings
The Arboreal Alliance Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2023-06-23 and 2023-06-23. Illustrated by Alexander Mokhov.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2023-06-23 | Tales of Middle-earth Commander | LTC | 541 | 2015 | Normal | Borderless | Alexander Mokhov | |
| 2 | 2023-06-23 | Tales of Middle-earth Commander | LTC | 497 | 2015 | Normal | Borderless | Alexander Mokhov |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Arboreal Alliance has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |