Selvala, Explorer Returned MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 6 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityRare
TypeLegendary Creature — Elf Scout
Abilities Parley
Power 2
Toughness 4

Key Takeaways

  1. Consistent card draw from Selvala maintains player advantage and drives strategic plays.
  2. Her mana-generating ability propels game-changing spells and can be a pivotal game element.
  3. Activation at instant speed of Selvala’s ability provides flexibility in responding to opponents.

Text of card

Parley — : Each player reveals the top card of his or her library. For each nonland card revealed this way, add to your mana pool and you gain 1 life. Then each player draws a card.

"The Lowlands refuse to suffer at the whims of the High City."


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Playing Selvala, Explorer Returned ensures a consistent flow of cards into your hand, which is critical for keeping up with opponents and executing your strategy effectively. Her ability to allow all players to draw and then getting an additional card and life for each card drawn by an opponent positions you favorably in terms of card economy.

Resource Acceleration: The mana generated by Selvala’s parley ability accelerates your resources, giving you access to more mana than your land drops alone would provide. This facilitates faster deployment of high-impact spells and can be the difference between a win and a loss, especially in ramp-centric decks that benefit from having ample mana.

Instant Speed: While Selvala herself is a creature, her parley ability can be activated at instant speed. This means you can choose to utilize her during an opponent’s turn, perhaps after they’ve committed to their own plays, to ensure you have the information and resources to respond effectively on your next turn.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Selvala, Explorer Returned requires a specific board presence to utilize her parley ability effectively. Having insufficient creature support can lead to lackluster results when activating her ability, making her less advantageous in decks that can’t consistently control a substantial presence on the field.

Specific Mana Cost: Bearing a mana cost that includes both green and white mana, Selvala can be challenging to cast in multicolored decks that do not prioritize these colors. This constraint means she is often relegated to specific deck archetypes, potentially hindering her inclusion in a diverse range of strategies.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a converted mana cost of three, including both colored and generic mana, Selvala may arrive on the battlefield a step behind other mana dorks or acceleration options. In fast-paced games, this can be seen as slower, especially when compared to one-mana accelerants or other ramp mechanisms that could provide an immediate impact.


Reasons to Include Selvala, Explorer Returned in Your Collection

Versatility: Selvala, Explorer Returned fits seamlessly into a wide array of deck strategies, primarily those that capitalize on group card draw and life gain. Her ability to add mana to your pool for each card drawn offers flexibility for various playstyles.

Combo Potential: Selvala’s unique parley ability presents multiple combo opportunities, synergizing with cards that profit from tapping for mana, drawing cards, or gaining life, thereby setting up powerful plays that can turn the tide of the game.

Meta-Relevance: In a game state where commanders that allow for consistent card advantage and resource acceleration are king, Selvala, Explorer Returned can hold her own. Her relevance in commander metas that favor utility and efficiency makes her a desirable addition to many collections.


How to beat

Selvala, Explorer Returned is a unique commander in Magic: The Gathering that combines mana acceleration with card draw. This potent combination makes her a target on the battlefield, as she can quickly fuel a player’s hand and resources. To successfully disrupt a strategy centered around Selvala, focus on removing her from play as efficiently as possible. Cards that can exile, such as Swords to Plowshares, or cause a player to sacrifice a creature, like Diabolic Edict, can be key in dismantling the card advantage she provides.

Timing your removal spells is also critical. Wait for your opponent to tap out, minimizing the chance for them to counter your play. Additionally, consider using cards like Cursed Totem or Linvala, Keeper of Silence which inhibit activated abilities, preventing Selvala from being utilized altogether. Paying attention to how the table reacts to Selvala can also guide your approach, as this card often draws focus, allowing for strategic collaboration to keep her off the field.

Strategies aside, staying one step ahead of the benefits Selvala brings to your opponent is the key to victory. Monitor the pace of the game, keep removal in hand, and remember, the most opportune moment to strike might be right after Selvala’s ability is activated but before they can use the amassed resources.


BurnMana Recommendations

The intricate mechanics of Selvala, Explorer Returned offer both strategic advantages and tactical depth to any MTG player’s arsenal. Her capacity to generate card advantage and accelerate mana resources provides a substantial edge in varied game scenarios. When building your collection, the inclusion of versatile cards such as Selvala can elevate your deck’s performance, especially within commander metas where every draw and mana point counts. If you’re aiming to utilize her combo potential or you’re simply looking to enrich your gameplay with a multifaceted commander, dive deeper with us into the world of MTG strategies. Enhance your understanding and mastery of Selvala, Explorer Returned to harness her full potential in your next duel.


Cards like Selvala, Explorer Returned

Selvala, Explorer Returned is a unique commander in Magic: The Gathering, often compared with other group hug and mana acceleration cards. Possessing a harmonious blend of card draw and mana generation, Selvala can be likened to Karametra’s Acolyte for its potential to produce vast amounts of mana based on devotion to green. However, Selvala offers an additional benefit by allowing all players to draw a card, subtly tipping the scales of multiplayer dynamics.

In terms of card advantage and mana ramp, Magus of the Vineyard may spring to mind as it gifts players with extra green mana during their pre-combat phases. But unlike Magus, Selvala’s ability is not restricted once per turn, and it hinges on the luck of the reveal, leading to varying and exciting outcomes. Then there’s Zhur-Taa Ancient, a creature that doubles the mana produced for all players, drawing a parallel with Selvala’s communal mana acceleration, yet lacking the card draw component and the controlled triggering of Selvala’s ability.

Assessing the qualities and exploring the synergies, Selvala, Explorer Returned demonstrates its versatility and popularity as a centerpiece for decks that revel in group hug strategies while still advancing one’s board state in Magic: The Gathering.

Karametra's Acolyte - MTG Card versions
Magus of the Vineyard - MTG Card versions
Zhur-Taa Ancient - MTG Card versions
Karametra's Acolyte - Theros Promos (PTHS)
Magus of the Vineyard - Future Sight (FUT)
Zhur-Taa Ancient - Dragon's Maze (DGM)

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Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Selvala, Explorer Returned MTG card by a specific set like Conspiracy and Vintage Masters, 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 Selvala, Explorer Returned and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Selvala, Explorer Returned Magic the Gathering card was released in 6 different sets between 2014-06-06 and 2024-02-09. Illustrated by Tyler Jacobson.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12014-06-06ConspiracyCNS 512003normalblackTyler Jacobson
22014-06-16Vintage MastersVMA 2602015normalblackTyler Jacobson
32016-11-11Commander 2016C16 2202015normalblackTyler Jacobson
42022-04-29New Capenna CommanderNCC 3502015normalblackTyler Jacobson
52022-09-09Dominaria United CommanderDMC 1672015normalblackTyler Jacobson
62024-02-09Murders at Karlov Manor CommanderMKC 2182015normalblackTyler Jacobson

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Selvala, Explorer Returned has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PennyLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Selvala, Explorer Returned card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

DateText
2014-05-29 Except in some very rare cases, the card each player draws will be the card revealed from the top of their library.
2014-05-29 If you activate Selvala's ability while casting a spell, and you discover you can't produce enough mana to pay that spell's costs, the spell is reversed. The spell returns to whatever zone you were casting it from. You may reverse other mana abilities you activated while casting the spell, but Selvala's ability can't be reversed. Whatever mana that ability produced will be in your mana pool and each player will have drawn a card.
2014-05-29 Selvala's parley ability is a mana ability. It doesn't use the stack and can't be responded to.

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