Elven Riders MTG Card
1994-06-01 - Number 183
1995-04-01 - Number 242
1995-04-01 - Number 242
1995-08-01 - Number 133
1996-07-01 - Number 39
1996-12-31 - Number 40
1997-03-24 - Number 291
1999-04-21 - Number 225
2002-10-07 - Number 254
2007-07-13 - Number 259
2010-06-04 - Number 59
| Card sets | Released in 11 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Elf |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Text of card
Cannot be blocked by any creatures except walls and flying creatures.
"Sometimes it is better to be swift of foot than strong of swordarm." —Elven Proverb
Cards like Elven Riders
Elven Riders is a classic within the realm of creature cards in Magic: The Gathering, offering both flavor and function to elf-themed decks. It shares common ground with other elf cards, like Llanowar Elves and Elvish Mystic, due to its elf lineage. Yet, Elven Riders stands out by presenting a unique obstacle for opponents, as it can only be blocked by creatures with flying or walls, giving it an evasion advantage in ground stalemates.
Comparably, Skyshroud Elite, while not sharing the unblockable trait, is another elf that excels in forest-based decks by putting early pressure on opponents. There’s also Wirewood Symbiote, an elf that offers utility in returning other elves to hand, often key in protecting valuable creatures or reusing enter-the-battlefield effects. Although Elven Riders does not possess such utility, its strength lies in being a resilient offensive component.
When examining these cards side by side, Elven Riders is distinctive with its evasion ability, making it a strategic option for players seeking to bypass ground defenses. The card embodies the quintessential elf traits—lore-infused, synergistic, and a steadfast presence on the battlefield—echoing the rich heritage of MTG’s elf cards.
Cards similar to Elven Riders by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Elven Riders presents an intrinsic card advantage due to its ability to often evade blockers that lack the “can block creatures with forestwalk” attribute. This capability often ensures that Elven Riders remain a persistent threat on the board, forcing opponents to deal with it or face consistent damage. This persistent pressure can divert resources or focus away from other strategic plans the opponent may have.
Resource Acceleration: While not directly contributing to resource acceleration, Elven Riders harmonizes with decks designed around elves. Many elf-themed decks include methods of ramping up mana quickly, allowing for a swift deployment of Elven Riders and other high-impact cards, establishing an overwhelming board presence early in the game.
Instant Speed: While Elven Riders itself is not an instant, its presence on the battlefield can play well with other instant-speed interactions. Since opponents often need to commit resources to find a way to block or remove it, this can set them back, conserving your instant-speed resources and responses for more critical moments in a match.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: When playing Elven Riders, you don’t specifically have to discard a card. However, they do require you to carefully manage your elf-based resources to make the most of their abilities.
Specific Mana Cost: Elven Riders demand a specific combination of mana, with a need for both green mana and general mana. This cost can be restrictive and makes them less flexible in multicolored or non-elf-centric decks.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Elven Riders come with a relatively hefty mana cost. For the same investment or less, there may be other creatures or spells that can have an immediate impact on the game or offer more versatility.
Reasons to Include Elven Riders in Your Collection
Versatility: Elven Riders is a flexible addition to green-based decks, fitting smoothly into Elf tribal strategies or any build that benefits from having unblockable creatures.
Combo Potential: This card synergizes with effects that increase the power of Elves or provide benefits when creatures deal combat damage to a player, opening up possibilities for powerful combinations in gameplay.
Meta-Relevance: With a constantly evolving competitive landscape, Elven Riders shines in metas with few flying blockers, allowing it to serve as a consistent damage dealer in matches where ground stalls are common.
How to beat
Elven Riders is an intriguing card for those who enjoy Elf synergies in their Magic: The Gathering decks. Known for their ability to slip past most ground defenses, Elven Riders can’t be blocked except by Walls and creatures with flying. This makes them a threat that can consistently chip away at an opponent’s life total, especially when supported by other Elf tribal benefits.
To effectively neutralize the advantages of Elven Riders, deploy flying creatures that can intercept and block these nimble Elves. Cards with reach also serve as an optimal countermeasure, providing a defensive line capable of thwarting Elven Riders’ evasion. Removal spells that don’t specify non-flying creatures are another versatile tool in your arsenal. Board wipes, on the other hand, can reset the playing field entirely, removing Elven Riders regardless of their unblockability.
Staying one step ahead involves anticipating their arrival and keeping key removal or counter spells in hand. With strategic play and smart deck construction, you can ensure Elven Riders remain a minor obstacle rather than a decisive threat. Thus, employing the right strategy and maintaining board control are essential to beating the elusive Elven Riders in your next MTG game.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Elven Riders MTG card by a specific set like Legends and Fourth Edition, 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 Riders 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 Riders Magic the Gathering card was released in 11 different sets between 1994-06-01 and 2010-06-04. Illustrated by 3 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1994-06-01 | Legends | LEG | 183 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Melissa A. Benson | |
| 2 | 1995-04-01 | Fourth Edition | 4ED | 242 | 1993 | Normal | White | Melissa A. Benson | |
| 3 | 1995-04-01 | Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border | 4BB | 242 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Melissa A. Benson | |
| 4 | 1995-08-01 | Renaissance | REN | 133 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Melissa A. Benson | |
| 5 | 1996-07-01 | Rivals Quick Start Set | RQS | 39 | 1993 | Normal | White | Melissa A. Benson | |
| 6 | 1996-12-31 | Introductory Two-Player Set | ITP | 40 | 1993 | Normal | White | Melissa A. Benson | |
| 7 | 1997-03-24 | Fifth Edition | 5ED | 291 | 1997 | Normal | White | Dan Frazier | |
| 8 | 1999-04-21 | Classic Sixth Edition | 6ED | 225 | 1997 | Normal | White | Dan Frazier | |
| 9 | 2002-10-07 | Onslaught | ONS | 254 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Darrell Riche | |
| 10 | 2007-07-13 | Tenth Edition | 10E | 259 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Darrell Riche | |
| 11 | 2010-06-04 | Duels of the Planeswalkers | DPA | 59 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Darrell Riche |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Elven Riders has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Oldschool | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Elven Riders card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2007-05-01 | Creatures with the Reach ability (such as Giant Spider) don't actually have Flying, so they can't block this. |