Elite Archers MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 5 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost6
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Human Soldier Archer
Power 3
Toughness 3

Key Takeaways

  1. Elite Archers can control the board by taking out multiple creatures, saving your removal spells for bigger threats.
  2. Inclusion in a deck necessitates a specific mana mix, potentially limiting its application in multi-color decks.
  3. Despite their higher mana cost, their defensive capabilities make them a valuable asset in creature-focused strategies.

Text of card

oc T: Elite Archers deals 3 damage to target attacking or blocking creature.

Arrows fletched with the feathers of angels seldom miss their mark.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Elite Archers can potentially pick off multiple smaller creatures over the course of a game, giving you an edge by whittling down an opponent’s forces without expending additional cards.

Resource Acceleration: Although Elite Archers does not directly accelerate resources, its ability to control the board can save the mana you’d otherwise spend on removal spells, indirectly contributing to your mana efficiency.

Instant Speed: With the ability to deal damage at instant speed, Elite Archers provides flexible defense during your opponent’s turn, allowing you to disrupt their strategy and respond to threats as they emerge.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One of the setbacks of running Elite Archers in your deck is the necessity to discard other valuable cards to optimize its use. This can be particularly detrimental during the late game when hand resources are crucial for maintaining an advantage.

Specific Mana Cost: Elite Archers demands a precise combination of mana to cast, which includes a substantial amount of white mana. This might restrict the card’s versatility, often confining it to mono-white or two-color decks where mana fixing is less of an issue.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: When assessing the efficiency of creature cards, Elite Archers lands on the higher end of the mana spectrum. With other creatures and spells offering similar or better abilities for less mana, it can often be overshadowed in competitive play, where mana efficiency is key.


Reasons to Include Elite Archers in Your Collection

Versatility: Elite Archers offer flexibility in deck building, being a solid choice in both offensive and defensive strategies. Their ability to deal damage to attacking or blocking creatures can turn the tides in combat, making them a valuable addition to decks that aim for board control.

Combo Potential: These Archers work well in synergy with cards that increase tap and untap effects, offering potential for combo plays that can repetitively deal damage and control opposing creatures. Similarly, their ability to deal damage directly to creatures makes them excellent for interactions with cards that trigger upon dealing damage or destroying creatures.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where creature-based aggro decks are prevalent, Elite Archers can become a key defensive card. Their presence can dissuade opponents from attacking and provide a constant threat to opposing creatures, making them a strategic choice for those looking to counter such strategies.


How to Beat Elite Archers

Elite Archers poses a real challenge on the battlefield with its ability to pick off smaller creatures turn after turn. Players may initially struggle with its pesky constant damage, but this card can be outmaneuvered. It becomes easier to handle if you focus on removing it swiftly from play. Spells that can target creatures regardless of their toughness or offer a broad removal effect, such as Oblivion Ring or Doom Blade, are particularly effective.

To successfully counter its long-range attacks, consider using instant-speed removal that gets around its potential to dodge sorcery-speed removal due to summoning sickness or other instant-speed interactions. Board wipes such as Wrath of God can also be a clean sweep solution. Additionally, boosting your creature’s toughness outside of Elite Archer’s damage range can nullify their impact, making combat more favorable for you. Lastly, cards with hexproof or shroud can render Elite Archer’s ability useless, as they won’t be valid targets. However, weigh all options carefully, as the right solution may vary depending on the context of your game and deck composition.


Cards like Elite Archers

Elite Archers offer MTG players a robust defensive option, resembling cards that provide high toughness and reach abilities. A card that mirrors the utility of Elite Archers is the well-known Sentry of the Underworld. Both cards can deter flying attackers and survive because of their considerable toughness. However, unlike Elite Archers, Sentry comes with vigilance and a built-in regeneration ability for sustained board presence.

Comparatively, Towering Indrik also prevents flying creatures from getting through, functioning as a wall against airborne threats. Despite this, it differs from Elite Archers as it can’t actively deal damage like the Archers who can pick off intruders from a distance. On the utility spectrum, Luminarch Aspirant carves out a niche role, incrementally strengthening your creatures turn-by-turn. While this card doesn’t have reach or directly interact with flying creatures, the versatility it offers in enhancing any creature, including Elite Archers, is notable.

Ultimately, Elite Archers stand their ground in MTG’s array of defensive creatures, providing a specific answer to skies laden with threats, thereby holding its own in comparison to similar creature cards with a defensive slant.

Sentry of the Underworld - MTG Card versions
Towering Indrik - MTG Card versions
Luminarch Aspirant - MTG Card versions
Sentry of the Underworld - Theros (THS)
Towering Indrik - Return to Ravnica (RTR)
Luminarch Aspirant - Zendikar Rising (ZNR)

Cards similar to Elite Archers by color, type and mana cost

Personal Incarnation - MTG Card versions
Pearl Dragon - MTG Card versions
Alabaster Dragon - MTG Card versions
Cho-Arrim Bruiser - MTG Card versions
Radiant Solar - MTG Card versions
Guardian Archon - MTG Card versions
Archon of Coronation - MTG Card versions
Shieldmage Elder - MTG Card versions
Gempalm Avenger - MTG Card versions
Noble Templar - MTG Card versions
Silverstorm Samurai - MTG Card versions
Oathsworn Giant - MTG Card versions
Kjeldoran Gargoyle - MTG Card versions
Duskrider Peregrine - MTG Card versions
Crovax, Ascendant Hero - MTG Card versions
Lairwatch Giant - MTG Card versions
Spirit of the Hearth - MTG Card versions
Sun Titan - MTG Card versions
Auriok Survivors - MTG Card versions
Aegis Angel - MTG Card versions
Personal Incarnation - Foreign Black Border (FBB)
Pearl Dragon - Mirage (MIR)
Alabaster Dragon - Weatherlight (WTH)
Cho-Arrim Bruiser - Mercadian Masques (MMQ)
Radiant Solar - Forgotten Realms Commander (AFC)
Guardian Archon - Commander 2021 (C21)
Archon of Coronation - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Shieldmage Elder - Onslaught (ONS)
Gempalm Avenger - Legions (LGN)
Noble Templar - Duel Decks: Elspeth vs. Kiora (DDO)
Silverstorm Samurai - Betrayers of Kamigawa (BOK)
Oathsworn Giant - Ravnica: City of Guilds (RAV)
Kjeldoran Gargoyle - Dominaria Remastered (DMR)
Duskrider Peregrine - Time Spiral Remastered (TSR)
Crovax, Ascendant Hero - Planar Chaos (PLC)
Lairwatch Giant - Lorwyn (LRW)
Spirit of the Hearth - Salvat 2011 (PS11)
Sun Titan - Commander 2021 (C21)
Auriok Survivors - New Phyrexia (NPH)
Aegis Angel - Magic Origins (ORI)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Elite Archers MTG card by a specific set like Urza's Saga and Seventh Edition, 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 Elite Archers and other MTG cards:

Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See Magic products

Printings

The Elite Archers Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 1998-10-12 and 2003-07-28. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11998-10-12Urza's SagaUSG 131997normalblackGreg Staples
22001-04-11Seventh Edition7ED 151997normalwhiteDan Frazier
32001-04-11Seventh Edition7ED 15★1997normalblackDan Frazier
42003-07-28Eighth Edition8ED 18★2003normalblackGreg Staples
52003-07-28Eighth Edition8ED 182003normalwhiteGreg Staples

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Elite Archers has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Recent MTG decks

Continue exploring other format decks
More decks