Backwoods Survivalists MTG Card
2016-07-22 - Number 150
2019-11-07 - Number 1128
2020-09-26 - Number EMN-150
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Human Warrior |
| Abilities | Delirium |
| Power | 4 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Text of card
Delirium — Backwoods Survivalists gets +1/+1 and has trample as long as there are four or more card types among cards in your graveyard.
Paranoia has driven some Kessig communities to hunt down anything—and anyone—that travels through their woods.
Cards like Backwoods Survivalists
Backwoods Survivalists is an intriguing creature card in Magic: The Gathering that finds its niche in decks focusing on delirium and combat strength. In comparison to other four-cost creatures, such as Serra Angel, Backwoods Survivalists offers a flexible angle. While Serra Angel presents flying and vigilance, Backwoods Survivalists shines with the potential to grow stronger through delirium, increasing its power and gaining trample.
Another comparable creature is Riparian Tiger. While both cards benefit from an increased power dynamic, Riparian Tiger accrues energy and leverages that for a temporary boost, contrasting with the sustained enhancement delirium ensures for Backwoods Survivalists. Exemplars of Strength also enters the fray as a similar costed creature, but it prioritizes placing a -1/-1 counter on another creature for a one-time benefit rather than a lasting board presence with scaling power.
In essence, Backwoods Survivalists may not always outshine its counterparts in direct attributes, but for players valuing versatility and a growing threat, it carves out its own robust position within the creature card arsenal of Magic: The Gathering.
Cards similar to Backwoods Survivalists by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Backwoods Survivalists can potentially offer a commanding presence on the battlefield that translates into card advantage. When it becomes delirious, meaning there are at least four different card types in your graveyard, it acquires the advantageous +1/+1 and trample abilities, enabling you to potentially deal damage through defenders and keep your hand full.
Resource Acceleration: Although not directly providing mana acceleration, the way Backwoods Survivalists fits into a deck can influence your resource allocation. By being a creature you can plan around, it allows you to optimize your plays for a more efficient curve, which is a critical part of maintaining momentum and utilizing your resources effectively in any match.
Instant Speed: While Backwoods Survivalists does not operate at instant speed, its influence during gameplay can alter how your opponent has to play their instant-speed spells. Anticipating the Survivalists’ delirium-enabled power-up, they might hold back removal spells or tricks, indirectly affecting the pace and decisions made at instant speed during the game.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Backwoods Survivalists’s delve mechanic tempts you to exile cards from your graveyard to cast it for less, but this comes at a cost. Exiling potential resources can hinder your long game and remove critical components from your graveyard that could be needed for other synergies or retrieval plays.
Specific Mana Cost: Costing two generic and two green mana makes this survivalist card less flexible, allowing only for decks with green mana sources to adopt it seamlessly. Such a requirement may constrain deck-building options and reduce the versatility of this creature in a multi-colored deck environment.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: While four mana for a 4/3 creature with delirium ability can be a fair deal, in many scenarios, players might find it laborious to activate delirium or simply opt for creatures that offer immediate impact or lower casting costs, enhancing their tempo and board presence earlier in the game.
Reasons to Include Backwoods Survivalists in Your Collection
Versatility: Backwoods Survivalists offers a flexible role in decks that favor delirium mechanics or those seeking robust creatures. Its ability to grow stronger when certain types of cards are in the graveyard makes it a solid choice for decks looking to exploit graveyard synergies.
Combo Potential: The delirium ability of this card can be a key component in combo setups. Coupled with self-mill or discard strategies, it can quickly become a formidable force, integrating seamlessly with decks designed to unlock its full power.
Meta-Relevance: In environments where longer, grindy matches are prevalent, Backwoods Survivalists shines by providing substantial value as both an offensive and defensive asset. Its relevance can escalate, especially when decks are built to consistently activate its delirium condition.
How to beat
Backwoods Survivalists, like any creature in Magic: The Gathering, presents a unique challenge on the battlefield. This particular card gains extra potency when delirium is active, as it boosts its power and toughness. To effectively counter Backwoods Survivalists, players should consider disruption techniques that impede the delirium mechanic. Preventing multiple card types from landing in the graveyard can limit the card’s strength.
Strategic removal spells are a key tactic. The use of instant removal like Fatal Push or Path to Exile will dispatch the creature before delirium takes effect. Board wipes such as Damnation or Wrath of God can also reset the playing field. Another angle to consider is graveyard hate—cards like Rest in Peace or Relic of Progenitus can keep delirium from being a factor. Playing these will ensure that Backwoods Survivalists remains just a modest threat.
Considering the tempo of the game is crucial; apply pressure by maintaining board presence and using removal efficiently. By controlling the flow, the impact of a beefed-up Backwoods Survivalists on your opponent’s side can be significantly minimized.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Backwoods Survivalists MTG card by a specific set like Eldritch Moon and Mystery Booster, 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 Backwoods Survivalists 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 Backwoods Survivalists Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2016-07-22 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by Chris Rallis.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2016-07-22 | Eldritch Moon | EMN | 150 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Chris Rallis | |
| 2 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 1128 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Chris Rallis | |
| 3 | The List | PLST | EMN-150 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Chris Rallis |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Backwoods Survivalists has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |