Elderfang Ritualist MTG Card
Mana cost | |
Converted mana cost | 3 |
Rarity | Uncommon |
Type | Creature — Elf Cleric |
Released | 2021-02-05 |
Set symbol | |
Set name | Kaldheim |
Set code | KHM |
Power | 3 |
Toughness | 1 |
Number | 385 |
Frame | 2015 |
Layout | Normal |
Border | Black |
Illustred by | Wisnu Tan |
Text of card
When Elderfang Ritualist dies, return another target Elf card from your graveyard to your hand.
Her fingers stiffened as the shrouded corpse stirred. Her final, ragged breath was one of triumph. "Return, my chosen, and grant our people victory!"
Cards like Elderfang Ritualist
Elderfang Ritualist is a unique addition to the suite of creature spells in MTG, filling a niche role in decks centric on Elves or death-trigger mechanics. It shares similarities with cards like Sultai Emissary, which also provides a beneficial effect upon death, as they both create value after leaving the battlefield. Elderfang Ritualist distinguishes itself by directly returning another Elf from your graveyard to your hand, rather than Emissary’s focus on manifesting the top card from your deck.
Comparably, Gladehart Cavalry is another Elf that interacts with death – not by returning cards to your hand but by fostering a wider strategy of bolstering your creatures with +1/+1 counters upon a creature’s demise. While Gladehart Cavalry leans towards building a robust board, Elderfang Ritualist is more specialized in recurring key pieces of an Elf-centric deck. Lastly, if you look at Cadaver Imp, this creature provides a similar graveyard retrieval effect, yet it isn’t constrained to Elf type, granting more flexibility but at an increased mana cost and without the synergistic tribal benefits that come with Elderfang Ritualist.
Taking a deep dive, Elderfang Ritualist holds its place in MTG as a tribal synergistic tool that can be crucial in recycling critical Elf allies, contributing to a continuous flow of resources and board presence within your Elf deck.
Cards similar to Elderfang Ritualist by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Elderfang Ritualist delivers a tactical edge by returning another Elf card from your graveyard to your hand upon death, effectively replacing itself and maintaining your hand’s momentum.
Resource Acceleration: While not directly boosting mana, returning an Elf to your hand can retrigger enter-the-battlefield abilities or provide additional casting opportunities, indirectly accelerating your available resources on the board.
Instant Speed: Although Elderfang Ritualist operates at sorcery speed, its death-triggered ability can be leveraged during any phase of the game, allowing for strategic blocks or sacrifices that can unexpectedly turn the tide of resource management in your favor.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Elderfang Ritualist’s effect hinges on having other Elves to return to your hand, which can be a drawback if your board is low on these specific creature types. This discard aspect can restrict your gameplay, particularly if your graveyard isn’t well-stocked.
Specific Mana Cost: With a casting cost that includes black mana, the Elderfang Ritualist’s utility is somewhat limited to decks that can reliably produce that mana. This means that it might not fit seamlessly into multicolored decks or those that don’t focus on black mana.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: For three mana, this card could be considered costly given the restriction of its ability and the need for other Elves either in play or in the graveyard to make full use of its ability. Players may find that in a fast-paced game, investing three mana in such a creature doesn’t provide the expected value compared to other cards within the same mana range.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Elderfang Ritualist fits seamlessly into a variety of black decks, especially those centered around sacrifice themes or tribal synergies. Its ability to return another Elf from your graveyard to your hand when it dies makes it a resilient pick in multiple scenarios.
Combo Potential: This elf cleric has great synergy with other Elves, enabling you to craft powerful combos by recurring key creatures. Whether you’re looking to loop sacrifice effects or generate card advantage, Elderfang Ritualist can be a lynchpin in your strategy.
Meta-Relevance: Given its role in recurring elf-based strategies and its synergistic value in black-centric decks, Elderfang Ritualist remains a relevant choice, especially in formats where Elves are a popular and formidable archetype.
How to beat
Elderfang Ritualist is a creature card that brings a unique dynamic to the battlefield in Magic: The Gathering. This black creature excels at retrieving other Elves from your graveyard when it dies, reinforcing your board presence. To effectively counter Elderfang Ritualist, you need to adopt strategies that disrupt graveyard synergy or prevent death triggers from occurring.
One approach is to utilize exile effects that can remove the Ritualist from the game entirely, circumventing its death-triggered ability. Cards like Path to Exile or Silent Gravestone hinders opponents from benefiting from their graveyard. Additionally, applying continuous graveyard hate through cards like Leyline of the Void can provide a permanent solution against strategies relying on graveyard interactions.
Moreover, applying pressure with aggressive creatures or strategies that go over the top can force your opponent to block with their Elderfang Ritualist in unfavorable ways. In these scenarios, saving your removal for more critical targets can pay off while you deal with the Ritualist in combat. Remember, denying the opponent the chance to recur their resources is key to stifling their game plan and giving you the upper hand.
BurnMana Recommendations
Mastering MTG is an art of precision and foresight, especially when leveraging the subtle power of cards like Elderfang Ritualist. Its ability to resurrect Elves from the graveyard ensures you never lose momentum, making it a gem in black-centered or tribal Elf decks. Understanding both strengths and limitations is crucial in optimizing your deck. For those seeking to refine their strategy and boost their arsenal, we offer a treasure trove of insights and analyses. Embark on a journey of continuous improvement, and let us guide you to unlock the full potential of your collection. Dive deeper into MTG with us and transform your gameplay.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Elderfang Ritualist MTG card by a specific set like Kaldheim, 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 Elderfang Ritualist 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 Elderfang Ritualist has restrictions
Format | Legality |
---|---|
Commander | Legal |
Legacy | Legal |
Paupercommander | Restricted |
Modern | Legal |
Oathbreaker | Legal |
Vintage | Legal |
Duel | Legal |
Explorer | Legal |
Gladiator | Legal |
Pioneer | Legal |
Timeless | Legal |