Elderleaf Mentor MTG Card

Boost your army by creating a 1/1 Elf token, enhancing your creature count and synergy. Strategize with elf tokens leveraging flash abilities for surprising, quick play adaptability. Manage specific mana needs and higher casting cost when including Elderleaf Mentor.

Kaldheim (KHM)
2021-02-05 - Number 165

Jumpstart 2022 (J22)
2022-12-02 - Number 652

Card sets	Released in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Elf Warrior
Power	3
Toughness	2

Text of card

When Elderleaf Mentor enters the battlefield, create a 1/1 green Elf Warrior creature token.

"Our ancestors grew complacent in their divinity, allowing their lessers to topple them. Never again."

Cards like Elderleaf Mentor

Elderleaf Mentor brings unique value to Magic: The Gathering with its elf summoning ability. This card finds kinship with Siege Wurm, as both bring additional creature tokens into play. However, Siege Wurm requires convoke, a mechanic that allows creatures to help cast it, whereas Elderleaf Mentor is straightforward in its summoning process.

Analogous in function is Sengir Autocrat, which introduces multiple Serf tokens. While Elderleaf Mentor focuses on enhancing elf-themed decks, Sengir Autocrat does not have a specific creature type synergy but still provides a significant number of bodies on the board. Another card in this conversation is Cloudgoat Ranger, which, like Elderleaf Mentor, enters the battlefield with additional creature tokens. Although Cloudgoat Ranger offers greater flexibility by enabling its tokens to contribute to its power, it does come at a higher mana cost.

When it comes to populating the board with valuable creatures, Elderleaf Mentor proves to be a solid choice for players who appreciate a card that reliably expands their elf contingent. Its straightforward summoning and applicability in elf tribal strategies can make it a preferred option over its contemporaries.

Cards similar to Elderleaf Mentor by color, type and mana cost

Ulvenwald Oddity // Ulvenwald Behemoth - MTG Card versions

Viridian Lorebearers - MTG Card versions

Monkey Monkey Monkey - MTG Card versions

Matsu-Tribe Birdstalker - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Elderleaf Mentor provides immediate board presence by creating a 1/1 green Elf Warrior creature token, which increases the number of creatures you control and boosts your army size.

Resource Acceleration: Particularly in decks focused on tribal themes or synergies, the Elf token generated can be a key piece for strategies that benefit from the number of Elves in play, potentially unlocking powerful combos or abilities of other Elf-centric cards.

Instant Speed: While the Elderleaf Mentor itself can’t be deployed at instant speed, the elves it creates can immediately benefit from “flash” abilities and cards that allow you to play creatures as though they had instant speed, thus surprising opponents and adapting quickly to the unfolding game.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Elderleaf Mentor doesn’t directly call for discarding as part of its casting, any requirement to discard for an elf deck including this card can potentially disrupt your board presence, which is less than ideal since this card benefits more from a developed board state.

Specific Mana Cost: Elderleaf Mentor demands a specific mana combination to cast, needing both green and other colors. This requirement may hinder its inclusion in mono-green elf decks, which prioritize versatility and an abundance of green mana sources.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana, including one green, Elderleaf Mentor is competing with numerous other three-mana cost creatures. In some instances, there may be alternatives that offer greater immediate board impact or have synergy with popular elf strategies.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Elderleaf Mentor is a flexible addition to decks focusing on creature presence. Its ability to create a 1/1 green Elf Warrior creature token upon entering the battlefield fits well in swarm strategies, as well as in decks that utilize creatures as resources for convoke or sacrifice mechanics.

Combo Potential: The token generation synergizes with cards that capitalize on creatures entering the battlefield or dying, such as “Impact Tremors” or “Poison-Tip Archer”. This can lead to powerful chains of interactions, making Elderleaf Mentor a key component in combo decks.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where board presence is key, Elderleaf Mentor can give decks an early advantage. In matchups that require quick establishment of blockers or where strategies revolve around overwhelming with numbers, this card could prove essential.

How to Beat Elderleaf Mentor

Elderleaf Mentor presents an interesting challenge on the battlefield with its ability to create additional bodies upon entering the fray. It’s a creature card that, when played, not only adds a 1/1 green Elf Warrior creature token to your side but also has its own presence to contend with. This can quickly provide your opponent with a strategic advantage in numbers.

To effectively counter Elderleaf Mentor, it’s wise to employ board sweepers or removal spells that can handle multiple targets at once. Cards like Doomskar or Blasphemous Act can clear the board of both the Mentor and its tokens, minimizing the advantage your opponent gains. Spot removal can also be useful; instant-speed spells such as Murder or Cast Down allow you to react to the play immediately, dismantling the potential for token synergy before it takes hold.

In essence, managing the board and maintaining removal options are key to overcoming the tactical gain brought by Elderleaf Mentor. By prioritizing this approach, you’re able to neutralize the threat and keep your opponent’s creature count in check, preventing the overwhelming of your defenses through sheer numbers.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Elderleaf Mentor MTG card by a specific set like Kaldheim and Jumpstart 2022, 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 Elderleaf Mentor and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Elderleaf Mentor Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2021-02-05 and 2022-12-02. Illustrated by Zoltan Boros.

#	Released	Name	Code	Symbol	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	2021-02-05	Kaldheim	KHM		165	2015	Normal	Black	Zoltan Boros
2	2022-12-02	Jumpstart 2022	J22		652	2015	Normal	Black	Zoltan Boros

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Elderleaf Mentor has restrictions

Format	Legality
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Gladiator	Legal
Pioneer	Legal
Commander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Explorer	Legal
Penny	Legal
Timeless	Legal