Elven Lyre MTG Card

Elven Lyre provides board presence and strategic depth with its equipping ability and instant speed adjustments. Its discard requirement and specific mana cost may limit its effectiveness and deck compatibility. A versatile artifact with potential for combos, Elven Lyre adjusts to evolving metagames and varied strategies.

Fallen Empires (FEM)
1994-11-01 - Number 87

Masters Edition II (ME2)
2008-09-22 - Number 208

Card sets	Released in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Rare
Type	Artifact

Text of card

o1, oc T: Sacrifice Elven Lyre to give a target creature +2/+2 until end of turn.

Scholars are uncertain whether it was the actual sound or some other magical property of the Elven Lyre that transformed its player.

Cards like Elven Lyre

In the realm of artifact equipment in Magic: The Gathering, Elven Lyre holds a quaint spot. It bears resemblance to other low-cost equipment like Bone Saw and Footman’s Club, which are designed to boost a creature’s might at a minimal investment. Where Elven Lyre shines is in its versatility, permitting a creature to gain a more considerable power increase than Bone Saw while only slightly higher in cost. Unlike Footman’s Club, however, Elven Lyre doesn’t lock you into a sole toughness boost, offering a balance between offense and defense enhancements for your creatures.

Another peer to Elven Lyre is Trusty Machete, which, like the Lyre, complements creatures with an increase in both power and toughness. Still, Trusty Machete does so without the need for a mana investment after the initial equip cost. Despite this, the initial cost is heftier, making Elven Lyre a preferable choice for those seeking an immediate and inexpensive power boost. On the other hand, for players who prioritize consistent, mana-free buffs, Trusty Machete might be the go-to.

Comparing Elven Lyre’s pros and cons with its peers, we can see it offers a unique blend of low cost and power flexibility, making it a fitting choice for players sculpting a strategy around dynamic equipment interactions in their MTG decks.

Cards similar to Elven Lyre by color, type and mana cost

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Card Pros

Card Advantage: Enhances your board presence by providing an accessible way to equip creatures, which can lead to significant strategic advantages in your matches.

Resource Acceleration: Enables you to untap a creature that the Elven Lyre is equipped to, offering a form of pseudo-ramp by allowing that creature to be used for both offense and mana generation in the same turn.

Instant Speed: The ability to equip at instant speed gives you the flexibility to respond to your opponent’s actions, potentially surprising them with an unexpected blocker or additional mana source during their turn.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Elven Lyre requires a player to discard another creature card to bring a creature back from the graveyard to their hand. This can be a significant drawback during late-game scenarios when hand size might be limited.

Specific Mana Cost: Played in decks that primarily focus on green mana, Elven Lyre’s specific mana cost can restrict its inclusion in multi-colored or colorless decks that may not always have green mana readily available.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: At three mana for an activation cost on top of the two mana needed to cast it, the total investment for Elven Lyre can be high considering the effect. In some cases, players may find that other cards provide more efficient ways to return creatures from the graveyard to their hand at a lower cost.

Reasons to Include Elven Lyre in Your Collection

Versatility: Elven Lyre offers a flexible role in decks that require artifacts or enchantments. It can be an equipment that boosts a creature’s ability, or it can be a passive artifact that’s just waiting for the right moment to be utilized, fitting seamlessly into multiple strategies.

Combo Potential: With its capacity to be sacrificed, Elven Lyre can be a key component in strategies that revolve around recurring artifacts from the graveyard. It pairs well with effects that capitalize on such synergies to power various combo finishes.

Meta-Relevance: As players pivot their decks to respond to evolving metagames, Elven Lyre remains a modest yet potent addition. Its low cost and ability to equip creatures of any size make it relevant in formats where incremental advantages can sway the tide of battle.

How to beat

Elven Lyre can be a tricky card to contend with in MTG, but understanding its mechanics is the first step to overcoming it. This artifact has the ability to boost a creature’s stats, which can be particularly vexing if you’re facing an opponent who uses it to strengthen their offensive line. However, it’s important to note that Elven Lyre requires a creature to forgo attacking to become equipped, which provides a strategic opening.

One effective approach to countering Elven Lyre is using removal spells that target artifacts. By eliminating the Lyre itself, you can prevent your opponent from gaining its benefits. Additionally, creature removal spells serve well to disrupt the synergy that players might be constructing with the Lyre. If you’re able to keep the board clear of threats, or better yet, strategically remove the creature that’s intended to be equipped with Elven Lyre, you can significantly reduce its impact on the game.

In essence, swift and targeted removal, as well as maintaining control over the board, are key strategies in neutralizing the advantages brought forth by an Elven Lyre. Stay vigilant and take decisive action to ensure that this artifact doesn’t become a thorn in your side.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Elven Lyre MTG card by a specific set like Fallen Empires and Masters Edition II, 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 Lyre and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Elven Lyre Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1994-11-01 and 2008-09-22. Illustrated by Kaja Foglio.

#	Released	Name	Code	Symbol	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	1994-11-01	Fallen Empires	FEM		87	1993	Normal	Black	Kaja Foglio
2	2008-09-22	Masters Edition II	ME2		208	1997	Normal	Black	Kaja Foglio

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Elven Lyre has restrictions

Format	Legality
Oldschool	Legal
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal
Penny	Legal