Elven Cache MTG Card
1997-02-03 - Number 105
1997-05-01 - Number 164
1997-05-01 - Number 164s
1999-04-21 - Number 224
2010-11-08 - Number A68
| Card sets | Released in 5 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Sorcery |
Text of card
Return target card from your graveyard to your hand.
"The elves can hide better than most can look." —Mwani, Mtenda herder
Cards like Elven Cache
Elven Cache stands out in the world of Magic: The Gathering as a noteworthy card for reclaiming valuable spells from the graveyard. In the realm of green sorceries that allow returning cards from graveyard to hand, Restock is worth mentioning. It brings two cards back instead of Elven Cache’s single target, albeit at the cost of being exiled thereafter. This makes Elven Cache a preference for those looking for repetition rather than a one-time larger retrieval.
Nature’s Spiral offers an alternative with a lower mana cost, though limiting its reach to only permanents, Elven Cache’s flexibility to recover any card type gives a strategic advantage. Regrowth stands as another comparable card, also allowing any card to be returned to hand at lower cost, yet Elven Cache’s triggering of green spells that have benefits from being played multiple times might better suit certain deck strategies.
Considering the possible synergy with repeatable card effects and its selective advantage over its peers, Elven Cache is an intriguing choice for decks aiming to maximize long-term value of individual cards in Magic: The Gathering. Its place within the pantheon of recuperative green sorceries is well-earned and can be critical for the seasoned player’s strategy.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Elven Cache excels in letting players retrieve a card directly from their graveyard, not only preserving card advantage but also enabling strategic replay of key resources.
Resource Acceleration: While not directly producing mana or tokens, Elven Cache facilitates resource acceleration by recovering powerful ramp cards, ensuring a continuous growth of your mana base for successive turns.
Instant Speed: Although Elven Cache doesn’t function at instant speed, its impact is felt immediately as the retrieval of a pivotal card can be set up during your own turn, prepared to be unleashed without delay when most advantageous.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Playing Elven Cache demands that you return a card from your graveyard to your hand as part of its effect, potentially depleting your graveyard resources that could be used for other synergies.
Specific Mana Cost: This card requires one green mana, and three of any color to cast. This specific mana combination might not blend well with multi-colored decks, limiting its versatility.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a total cost of four mana to retrieve a single card, Elven Cache might be less appealing compared to other lower-cost options that can offer similar or better graveyard retrieval effects.
Reasons to Include Elven Cache in Your Collection
Versatility: Elven Cache offers the flexibility to recover key creatures from your graveyard, making it a valuable addition to any green-focused deck. Its adaptability in various game situations can be a pivotal advantage.
Combo Potential: This card can repeatedly bring back creatures with enter-the-battlefield effects or those that synergize with the rest of your board, enabling powerful combo plays that can turn the tide of a game.
Meta-Relevance: Given that graveyard strategies are frequently present across different formats, having Elven Cache in your arsenal ensures you’re equipped to exploit these tactics or counteract an opponent’s disruptive graveyard hate.
How to beat Elven Cache
Elven Cache is a unique card in the realm of Magic: The Gathering that allows players to return a card from their graveyard to their hand. Its strength lies in its ability to rejuvenate your game by bringing back pivotal creatures or spells that have been discarded or destroyed earlier. However, while its utility is undeniable, there are strategies to disrupt this recurral process.
Counterspells are your first line of defense against Elven Cache. By keeping mana open, you can deny your opponent the chance to retrieve their key card, halting their momentum. Graveyard hate cards also play a critical role, providing the means to remove potential targets from the graveyard before Elven Cache can be activated. Cards like Rest in Peace or Tormod’s Crypt can preemptively strip the potency of a future Elven Cache play.
Another approach is to apply constant pressure on your opponent, forcing them to answer your threats rather than spending their turn and four mana to recover a card. Aggressive, fast-paced decks can often close games before Elven Cache’s utility becomes a factor. Tempo plays and efficient threat allocation can go a long way in undermining the effectiveness of this card. By understanding and employing these tactics, you can negate the advantages Elven Cache may bring to your opponent’s strategy.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Elven Cache MTG card by a specific set like Visions and Portal, 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 Elven Cache 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
See MTG Products
Printings
The Elven Cache Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 1997-02-03 and 2010-11-08. Illustrated by 3 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1997-02-03 | Visions | VIS | 105 | 1997 | Normal | Black | John Matson | |
| 2 | 1997-05-01 | Portal | POR | 164 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Rebecca Guay | |
| 3 | 1997-05-01 | Portal | POR | 164s | 1997 | Normal | Black | 张艺娜 | |
| 4 | 1999-04-21 | Classic Sixth Edition | 6ED | 224 | 1997 | Normal | White | Rebecca Guay | |
| 5 | 2010-11-08 | Magic Online Theme Decks | TD0 | A68 | 1997 | Normal | Black | John Matson |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Elven Cache has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |