Woodland Patrol MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Human Scout
Abilities	Vigilance
Released	2016-07-22
Set symbol
Set name	Eldritch Moon
Set code	EMN
Power	3
Toughness	2
Number	180
Frame	2015
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	James Ryman

Key Takeaways

Vigilance enables Woodland Patrol to maintain offense and defense, strengthening board control.
Its efficient mana cost fits well within early game curves, enabling a quicker deployment.
Lacking direct card advantage abilities, its strategic use rather lies in tactical positioning.

Guide to Vigilance card ability

In the strategic universe of Magic: The Gathering (MTG), the vigilance ability stands out as a powerful tool for players. This potent keyword allows creatures to attack without tapping, keeping them ready and alert to defend against incoming threats. It represents a perfect balance between aggression and defense, offering a dynamic approach to gameplay. Lets dive deeper into how vigilance shapes the battlefield.

Text of card

Vigilance

Each had seen friends and family taken by the corruption, so each carried an axe at the other's request.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Although Woodland Patrol itself doesn’t directly offer card advantage, its vigilance attribute allows it to attack without tapping. This means you can keep pressure on your opponent while still having a blocker available, potentially deterring enemy attacks and indirectly leading to card advantage through superior board presence.

Resource Acceleration: Woodland Patrol doesn’t provide resource acceleration in the traditional sense of mana ramp or treasure creation. However, by costing only three mana to cast, this card fits efficiently into your mana curve, enabling you to deploy threats on board while saving resources for other spells. This can lead to a more effective and accelerated game plan.

Instant Speed: While Woodland Patrol itself is a creature card and doesn’t have instant speed, its presence in your deck means you can maintain mana for instant-speed interactions. Knowing you have a solid creature like Woodland Patrol to play on your turn, you can confidently pass with mana open to react to your opponent’s moves with instant speed spells, preserving the element of surprise and tactical flexibility.

Card Cons

Specific Mana Cost: Woodland Patrol comes with a mana requirement that is specific to green mana sources. This can narrow its flexibility, as decks without green mana may not be able to cast it efficiently, which could be a hurdle when diversifying your deck elements.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana, including two generic and one green, Woodland Patrol’s cost is slightly on the higher side for its vanilla stats. Some players might find other creatures or spells that utilize mana more effectively, thus providing a greater advantage on the battlefield.

Discard Requirement: While the Woodland Patrol does not have a discard requirement itself, supporting cards that work well with it might. This could lead to potential card disadvantage, causing you to lose valuable cards from your hand which otherwise could be crucial for your game strategy.

Reasons to Include Woodland Patrol in Your Collection

Versatility: Woodland Patrol is a solid choice for green-based decks, particularly those emphasizing creature presence. Its inherent vigilance allows it to attack without tapping, keeping it ready for defence, making it a dependable option for both offensive and controlling strategies.

Combo Potential: As a creature with vigilance, Woodland Patrol pairs well with equipment and auras that amplify its combat capabilities. Additionally, its vigilance trait is synergistic with mechanics that key off untapped creatures, enhancing both your battlefield stance and your combo plays.

Meta-Relevance: In a game state where creature-based aggro decks are prominent, the constant pressure and defensive readiness offered by Woodland Patrol can give an edge. Being able to commit to attacks while maintaining a line of defence adapts well to various tempo plays within the meta.

How to Beat Woodland Patrol

Woodland Patrol, a creature card in Magic: The Gathering, is a modest inclusion in the green deck lineup. It’s not a powerhouse by any means, but its vigilance attribute allows it to stand guard, attacking without tapping. This can place some pressure on an unprepared opponent. However, defeating this card doesn’t require complex strategies. The key is to manage the battlefield with removal spells or creatures that can either overpower it or offer unfavorable trades for your opponent.

Consider using cards like Shock or Lightning Bolt for an efficient removal at a low mana cost. These can swiftly deal with Woodland Patrol before it begins to make an impact. In combat scenarios, favor creatures with higher toughness to block and survive or those with deathtouch to ensure a one-to-one trade. Additionally, flying creatures can easily evade Woodland Patrol’s defenses, applying pressure from above and circumventing its vigilance entirely.

Understanding and anticipating your opponent’s plays are crucial. With the right tactics and a little bit of foresight, overcoming a card like Woodland Patrol is a straightforward task, making it less of a threat and more of a minor hurdle in your path to victory.

Cards like Woodland Patrol

In the realm of Magic: The Gathering, Woodland Patrol is a creature card that shares similarities with other green creatures often used for basic combat roles. If we look at Centaur Courser, it presents a comparable stat line for a generic three mana cost, delivering a sturdy body for early to mid-game board presence. However, unlike Woodland Patrol, the Courser lacks the vigilance ability, which allows Woodland Patrol to attack without tapping and still be available for defense.

Moving along the same lines, Oakenform is an aura that gives another twist on enhancing creatures. Even though it is not a creature itself, when attached to a simple creature, it elevates its potential beyond that of Woodland Patrol’s initial offering. The boosted creature surpasses Woodland Patrol in terms of sheer power, but at the expense of an additional card and setup time.

Lastly, we find Tireless Tracker, a more nuanced card that scales in value over time. While initially it offers less power than Woodland Patrol, it has the potential to outgrow it and draw additional cards, providing long-term advantage. Selecting Woodland Patrol over these alternatives often hinges on requiring consistent, immediate board presence and defensive utility without further investment.

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Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Woodland Patrol MTG card by a specific set like Eldritch Moon, 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 Woodland Patrol and other MTG cards: