Elf Warrior MTG Card
2007-10-12 - Number 9
2007-11-16 - Number T2
2008-05-02 - Number 5
2008-05-02 - Number 12
2014-11-07 - Number 24
2014-12-05 - Number 2
2015-07-17 - Number 9
2016-06-10 - Number 12
2016-11-11 - Number 15
2017-03-31 - Number 6
2017-06-09 - Number 12
2018-03-16 - Number 11
2018-07-13 - Number 13
2020-08-07 - Number 21
2020-11-20 - Number 8
2021-02-05 - Number 15
2022-04-29 - Number 23
2022-10-14 - Number 9
2023-06-23 - Number 11
2023-08-04 - Number 72
| Card sets | Released in 20 setsSee all |
| Type | Token Creature — Elf Warrior |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Cards like Elf Warrior
Within the vast universe of Magic: The Gathering, Elf Warrior cards present themselves as fundamental units in many green-mana decks. Their function is akin to that of other creature cards like Goblin Warrior or Human Soldier, where the synergy within their respective tribes fuels the deck’s strategy. Elf Warrior shines by often boasting not only combat prowess but also utility in mana generation, a notable feature in cards like Llanowar Elves. This taps into a recurring theme amongst Elf cards – the ability to accelerate your game by ramping up your mana pool.
Drawing a parallel, Elvish Mystic reflects the same mana dork role, a colloquial term for creatures that can be tapped for mana. Though with a contemporary design, it supports the same overarching strategy of acceleration that is vital in many competitive formats. Comparing further, Fyndhorn Elves mirror the functionalities of Elf Warrior types with its almost identical abilities. This redundancy in capability ensures that players can maintain momentum even with varied draws.
While Elves across various sets may share these similar traits, Elf Warrior often stands out with the potential for tribal bonuses provided by other Elf cards. Decks built around these synergies can exploit these bonuses, differentiating Elf Warrior from other creature types.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: This Elf Warrior offers the player a strategic edge by creating card advantage. Many Elf Warrior cards have the ability to tutor other elves directly from your library to your hand or the battlefield. This type of synergy not only populates your board with valuable creatures but also keeps your hand ready with options.
Resource Acceleration: Elf Warriors are renowned in the MTG universe for their ability to accelerate resources. They do this by producing additional mana, allowing you to cast more powerful spells earlier than your opponents. It’s a fundamental strategy for green decks that rely on outpacing adversaries with superior mana curves.
Instant Speed: Some Elf Warrior cards can be cast at instant speed, giving players the flexibility to make decisive and unexpected plays. This tactical advantage can turn the tide in combat or in response to an opponent’s actions, creating opportunities to outmaneuver and control the pace of the game.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Engaging in the strategies associated with Elf Warrior cards often demands that you part with other valuable cards in your hand. This trade-off can be detrimental when your options are already sparse, forcing you to make tough decisions about resource allocation at crucial game moments.
Specific Mana Cost: Deck construction can be constrained by the precise mana requirements of Elf Warrior cards. These cards typically call for green mana, which could present a barrier to seamlessly integrating them into multi-colored deck compositions that don’t emphasize forests or green mana sources.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Elf Warrior cards can come at a steep mana price. While their abilities can be game-changing, the initial investment might slow you down, especially when pitted against decks built for speed and efficiency. This can often lead players to search for more cost-effective creatures that strike a better balance between power and accessibility.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Elf Warrior cards have a solid presence in various deck types, particularly those that operate on synergies with creature types or tap abilities. Their usually low mana cost also allows them to be an integral part of ramp strategies, enabling you to summon more powerful creatures or spells much earlier in the game.
Combo Potential: Elf Warriors are known for their ability to work cohesively and can be a powerhouse when combined with other elves. Many Elf Warrior cards come with abilities that either buff fellow elves or generate additional benefits, such as creating mana, which can spiral into powerful combos and overwhelming board states.
Meta-Relevance: Given the adaptability and the synergy of Elf Warrior cards with current popular strategies involving creature-based tactics, they fit well into the meta. Whether you’re facing off against aggressive decks or trying to outpace control decks, a well-crafted Elf Warrior collection can provide the answers you need to deal with a diverse range of opponents.
How to beat
Elf Warrior cards exemplify the synergy and swarm strategies inherent to Elves in Magic: The Gathering. With the ability to summon many creatures quickly and bolster their power through tribal bonuses, an Elf Warrior can become overwhelming if left unchecked. To counter this, consider board control cards like Wrath of God or Damnation, which effectively clear the board of multiple creatures, regardless of their size. Additionally, spot removal, such as Fatal Push or Path to Exile, can remove key Elf Warriors that are crucial to your opponent’s strategy.
Another effective strategy is to employ cards with the ‘reach’ ability or airborne creatures to maintain a dominant presence in the skies, where ground-bound Elf Warriors cannot contest. This way, you can apply pressure from above while keeping your defenses ready. Moreover, utilizing cards with life gain may give you the necessary buffer to withstand the Elves’ initial onslaught and stabilize your position in the later stages of the game. It’s important to act swiftly, as an unobstructed Elf Warrior deck can quickly tip the scales in their favor with their exponential growth and collaborative might.
Overall, when facing Elf Warrior cards, prioritize removals, lengthen the game, and leverage your airborne or life-gaining advantages to dismantle their tribal-based momentum and secure victory on the battlefield.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Elf Warrior MTG card by a specific set like Lorwyn and Duel Decks: Elves vs. Goblins, 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 Elf Warrior 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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Printings
The Elf Warrior Magic the Gathering card was released in 19 different sets between 2007-10-12 and 2023-08-04. Illustrated by 5 different artists.
Show/hide all sets| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2007-10-12 | Lorwyn | LRW | 9 | 2003 | Token | Black | Dominick Domingo | |
| 2 | 2007-11-16 | Duel Decks: Elves vs. Goblins | DD1 | T2 | 2003 | Token | Black | Dominick Domingo | |
| 3 | 2008-05-02 | Shadowmoor | SHM | 5 | 2003 | Token | Black | William O'Connor | |
| 4 | 2008-05-02 | Shadowmoor | SHM | 12 | 2003 | Token | Black | Carl Frank | |
| 5 | 2014-11-07 | Commander 2014 | C14 | 24 | 2015 | Token | Black | William O'Connor | |
| 6 | 2014-12-05 | Duel Decks Anthology: Elves vs. Goblins | EVG | 2 | 2015 | Token | Black | Dominick Domingo | |
| 7 | 2015-07-17 | Magic Origins | ORI | 9 | 2015 | Token | Black | William O'Connor | |
| 8 | 2016-06-10 | Eternal Masters | EMA | 12 | 2015 | Token | Black | William O'Connor | |
| 9 | 2016-11-11 | Commander 2016 | C16 | 15 | 2015 | Token | Black | William O'Connor | |
| 10 | 2017-03-31 | Duel Decks: Mind vs. Might | DDS | 6 | 2015 | Token | Black | William O'Connor | |
| 11 | 2017-06-09 | Commander Anthology | CMA | 12 | 2015 | Token | Black | William O'Connor | |
| 12 | 2018-03-16 | Masters 25 | A25 | 11 | 2015 | Token | Black | William O'Connor | |
| 13 | 2018-07-13 | Core Set 2019 | M19 | 13 | 2015 | Token | Black | William O'Connor | |
| 14 | 2020-08-07 | Double Masters | 2XM | 21 | 2015 | Token | Black | Carl Frank | |
| 15 | 2020-11-20 | Commander Legends | CMR | 8 | 2015 | Token | Black | William O'Connor | |
| 16 | 2021-02-05 | Kaldheim | KHM | 15 | 2015 | Token | Black | Randy Vargas | |
| 17 | 2022-04-29 | New Capenna Commander | NCC | 23 | 2015 | Token | Black | William O'Connor | |
| 18 | 2022-10-14 | Game Night: Free-for-All | GN3 | 9 | 2015 | Token | Black | William O'Connor | |
| 19 | 2023-06-23 | Tales of Middle-earth Commander | LTC | 11 | 2015 | Token | Black | Daniel Correia | |
| 20 | 2023-08-04 | Commander Masters | CMM | 72 | 2015 | Token | Black | Randy Vargas |