Elephant Graveyard MTG Card
1993-12-17 - Number 74
2011-01-10 - Number 244
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Land |
Text of card
Tap to add 1 colorless mana to your mana pool or regenerate an Elephant or Mammoth.
Cards like Elephant Graveyard
Elephant Graveyard is a unique land card in Magic: The Gathering that stands out due to its ability to regenerate elephants and mammoths. It’s somewhat akin to Havenwood Battleground, which provides green mana but has the added functionality of being able to sacrifice it for an additional green mana, at the cost of it entering the battlefield tapped. Elephant Graveyard provides consistent mana without the entry drawback, though it does come with its own specific creature-centric utility.
If we look to Selesnya Sanctuary, this land echoes the mana flexibility by providing two types of mana, green and white, but it bounces another land back to the player’s hand upon entry. Selesnya Sanctuary doesn’t offer the same protection for creatures but compensates with its mana fixing capabilities. Gavony Township, another utilitarian land, doesn’t regenerate but instead bolsters the strength of all creatures with its ability to put +1/+1 counters on them, which can be a game-changer in a drawn-out match.
Evaluating the scope of utility and gameplay impact, Elephant Graveyard fits a niche role catering to specific decks that benefit from its protective capabilities, particularly where elephants and mammoths are cornerstone creatures.
Cards similar to Elephant Graveyard by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Elephant Graveyard’s unique ability to regenerate target Elephant creature ensures that players can maintain a prominent board presence by protecting their key creatures from being destroyed. This leads to sustained card advantage as creatures that would otherwise be lost stay on the board ready to continue the fight.
Resource Acceleration: As a land, Elephant Graveyard can be tapped for colorless mana, which is essential for any MTG deck’s mana base. The ability to consistently provide mana every turn without using a spell slot adds subtle but valuable resource acceleration.
Instant Speed: The regenerative ability of the Elephant Graveyard can be activated at instant speed, enabling players to respond promptly to threats during the opponent’s turn. This defensive tactic can deter attacks or force opponents to use removal spells prematurely, shifting the tempo of the game to your favor.
Card Cons
Specific Mana Cost: Elephant Graveyard touts a mana requirement specifically colored in white and colorless, potentially restricting its seamless integration into multi-colored or colorless decks that do not run white mana.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Costing three mana to activate its ability to regenerate a chosen Elephant or Mammoth, this card demands a significant investment compared to other regeneration options, which might offer lower-cost alternatives.
Discard Requirement: While not directly imposing a discard, the high cost associated with Elephant Graveyard’s ability can indirectly lead to a card disadvantage by consuming resources that might otherwise be allocated for casting spells or deploying creatures.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Elephant Graveyard is particularly flexible, capable of slotting into various deck types that center around creatures. Its ability to regenerate Elephant creatures offers resilience against removal spells and board wipes.
Combo Potential: This land pairs well with decks that feature Elephant creatures or other decks that use tribal themes. It enables a range of synergies, from beefing up your pachyderm-based forces to ensuring their survival in protracted battles.
Meta-Relevance: In gameplay environments rich with targeted removals or where creature strategies are prominent, Elephant Graveyard can provide the necessary edge. It supports continuity in creature presence, keeping key creatures in play even in the face of adversity.
How to beat Elephant Graveyard
In the realm of MTG, Elephant Graveyard stands out not for its offensive prowess but for its unique ability to protect and regenerate certain creatures. Unlike other lands which provide mana alone, Elephant Graveyard offers a specialized function. It can regenerate target Elephant or Mammoth, a subtle yet defiant shield against removal spells.
The card thrives in a specialized deck, but therein lies its vulnerability. Its power is inherently tied to the presence of Elephant and Mammoth creatures in your deck. Therefore, to dismantle its advantage, target removal is less effective. You’ll want to focus on cards that limit the ability to tap for mana or that can alter the creature type, rendering Elephant Graveyard’s ability irrelevant. Additionally, strategies that bypass regeneration, such as exile or -1/-1 counters, can effectively negate the sanctuary this land offers to its Elephant and Mammoth denizens.
Adapting your deck to include a versatile suite of removal or creature-type altering spells could negate the Graveyard’s advantage. Players harnessing the card’s unique power will need to carefully weigh the odds, while opponents should prepare their arsenals to counter these gentle giants.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Elephant Graveyard MTG card by a specific set like Arabian Nights and Masters Edition IV, 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 Elephant Graveyard and other MTG cards:
BUY NOW BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
- 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
See MTG Products
Printings
The Elephant Graveyard Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1993-12-17 and 2011-01-10. Illustrated by Rob Alexander.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1993-12-17 | Arabian Nights | ARN | 74 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Rob Alexander | |
| 2 | 2011-01-10 | Masters Edition IV | ME4 | 244 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Rob Alexander |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Elephant Graveyard has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Oldschool | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |