Burlfist Oak MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Treefolk |
| Released | 2020-07-03 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Core Set 2021 |
| Set code | M21 |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 3 |
| Number | 174 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Milivoj Ćeran |
Text of card
Whenever you draw a card, Burlfist Oak gets +2/+2 until end of turn.
If a tree fells you in the forest and no one is around to hear it, "does it make a sound" is the last thing you need to worry about.
Understanding Burlfist Oak
The intriguing dynamics of Burlfist Oak in Magic the Gathering add depth to green creature decks renowned for their sturdy, towering trees and beasts. This powerful card resonates with the natural growth theme green players adore, evolving in strength with each card draw.
Cards like Burlfist Oak
Burlfist Oak shares the forest with other growth-centric creatures like Dungrove Elder, which gains power and toughness equal to the number of Forests you control. Both creatures thrive on the battlefield but grow in very distinct ways – Burlfist Oak develops its might each turn you draw, while Dungrove Elder’s power is rooted in the land count. Lumberknot is another woodland comrade, increasing in size through a different kind of nourishment — the death of other creatures.
Alternatively, Kalonian Twingrove presents an interesting parallel. It’s not just a sole tree in the fight, but brings a twin into play, each mirroring the number of Forests standing tall on your side. Though not drawing its power from the hand, Twingrove’s presence can swiftly become overwhelming. Conversely, Burlfist Oak leans on the player’s strategy to keep the hand flowing with cards, aligning more with tactical playstyles that aim for continuous growth over multifaceted might.
When evaluating Burlfist Oak against its verdant kin, consider the synergy with the rest of your deck’s ecosystem. Will card draw fuel your growth, or do the roots of your strategy lie elsewhere? Within the realm of green giants, the versatility of Burlfist Oak allows for an ascent in might turn by turn, embracing the natural cycle of growth in the Magic the Gathering domain.
Cards similar to Burlfist Oak by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Burlfist Oak has the ability to grow in power with each card drawn, giving it potentially unlimited power scaling. This trait offers significant card advantage as it can become a major threat that opponents must deal with, thereby using more of their resources.
Resource Acceleration: While not directly providing resource acceleration like generating mana, Burlfist Oak’s increasing power can translate into an accelerated board presence, putting pressure on opponents and forcing them to allocate resources defensively rather than advancing their own board state.
Instant Speed: The power of Burlfist Oak can increase at instant speed due to its ability triggering whenever a card is drawn. This synergizes perfectly with instant-speed card draw effects that not only net you an advantage on your turn but can also turn Burlfist Oak into a surprise blocker or an unexpectedly large threat during your opponent’s turn.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Playing Burlfist Oak often demands that you have a card to discard in order to take full advantage of its abilities. This can be counterproductive when your hand size is already depleted, potentially forcing tough decisions about resource management.
Specific Mana Cost: The card has a green color mana requirement, which might not align with the mana base of multicolored decks. This could lead to situations where Burlfist Oak becomes a less viable option for players who don’t run a deck with sufficient green mana sources.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that may be considered steep for its initial stat line, Burlfist Oak could be seen as a less than ideal play on curve. In fast-paced games, or in environments where mana efficiency is key, this might make Burlfist Oak a less attractive choice compared to other options in the same mana slot.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Burlfist Oak works well across various deck styles, particularly those that draw a lot of cards. Every draw step turns into an opportunity to bolster this creature’s power, making it a continually growing threat on the board.
Combo Potential: This card shines in strategies that revolve around card draw or quantity in hand, enabling powerful synergies and interactions. Burlfist Oak can easily become a formidable force when paired with effects that allow you to draw multiple cards in a turn.
Meta-Relevance: In meta-games where creature-based strategies are prevalent, Burlfist Oak offers a dynamic and scalable challenge for your opponents. Its power scales with the number of cards drawn, which aligns with numerous popular strategies in current MTG gameplay.
How to beat
Dealing with Burlfist Oak in MTG can be tricky given its ability to grow with card draws, which are common in green-centric decks. The key is to remove it before it becomes too large. Spot removal spells like Murder or Doom Blade are effective because they can instantly send the Oak to the graveyard regardless of its size. Similarly, board wipes like Wrath of God or Damnation can reset the board, clearing Burlfist Oak alongside any other threatening creatures your opponent controls.
Another strategy is to counteract the card draw mechanic that fuels Burlfist Oak’s growth. Cards like Narset, Parter of Veils or Notion Thief can hinder your opponent’s ability to draw multiple cards, thereby limiting the Oak’s power and toughness increment. Alternatively, you can employ enchantments like Pacifism or Frogify to neutralize Burlfist Oak without having to destroy it, effectively rendering it harmless despite any power boosts it may receive from card draws.
Timely interaction is paramount when fighting against Burlfist Oak. It’s essential to monitor the game closely and choose the moment to strike, keeping in mind that once Burlfist Oak’s power escalates, it can become much more challenging to handle. By employing these tactics, you can level the playing field and maintain control over the match when facing this formidable green creature.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Burlfist Oak MTG card by a specific set like Core Set 2021, 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 Burlfist Oak 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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Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Burlfist Oak has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Burlfist Oak card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2020-06-23 | If a spell or ability causes a player to put a card into their hand without specifically using the word “draw,” it's not a card drawn. |