Elvish Bard MTG Card

Elvish Bard can demand multiple resources from opponents, acting as a form of card advantage. It aids in resource conservation, letting players save mana and cards for pivotal turns. Demands instant-speed reactions, influencing opponents’ strategies even when you’re tapped out.

Alliances (ALL)
1996-06-10 - Number 87

Deckmasters (DKM)
2001-12-01 - Number 24

Ninth Edition (9ED)
2005-07-29 - Number 236★

Ninth Edition (9ED)
2005-07-29 - Number 236

Card sets	Released in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	5
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Creature — Elf Shaman Bard
Power	2
Toughness	4

Text of card

All creatures able to block Elvish Bard do so. If this forces a creature to block more attackers than allowed, defending player assigns that creature to block as many of those attackers as allowed.

Cards like Elvish Bard

Elvish Bard, in the landscape of Magic: The Gathering, is a card that offers a unique blend of qualities among green creatures. It stands shoulder to shoulder with other creatures like Silklash Spider which shares the same mana cost and also boasts a form of protection through its ability to destroy flying creatures. Yet, Elvish Bard’s allure stems from its understated ability to be unblockable by creatures with a power of 2 or less, making it an entirely different kind of threat on the battlefield.

In the family of green creatures, there’s also Thorn Elemental, an interesting comparison, offering a different kind of evasion by being able to deal damage to a player as though it weren’t blocked. While not having the same form of conditional unblockability, it retains a powerful offensive punch. On the defensive side, another relative is the Skyshroud Archer, which, though it doesn’t have the sturdy presence of Elvish Bard, provides defense against flying creatures in a more active style by directly damaging them.

Assessing the role that Elvish Bard plays amongst its counterparts reveals its unique defensive capabilities that synergize well with strategies aimed at using larger creatures to control the game’s pace, making it a specialized yet valuable component in MTG decks built around leveraging subtle power plays.

Cards similar to Elvish Bard by color, type and mana cost

Ashaya, Soul of the Wild - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Elvish Bard’s ability to provide an increase in card presence on the battlefield is a subtle form of card advantage. By necessitating multiple blockers or removal spells due to its formidable size, your opponents may end up using more resources than they’d prefer to handle just one of your creatures.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly impacting your mana pool, Elvish Bard’s presence can lead to a form of resource acceleration. By compelling your opponent to deal with it or allowing you to maintain a board presence without committing more creatures, it helps you save other cards and mana for crucial moments.

Instant Speed: Though Elvish Bard itself is not an instant, its inherent ability to force a reaction at instant speed from your opponent is noteworthy. Opponents need to consider that any buffs or combat tricks you have could turn a block into a disastrous combat for them, thereby influencing their play even when you’re tapped out.

Card Cons

Specific Mana Cost: Elvish Bard requires a precise combination of mana to be cast, including one green. This can be a restriction for decks that don’t generate green mana consistently or are multi-colored and may struggle to meet the cost promptly.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of four mana, including three of any color plus one green, Elvish Bard may be considered a slower play. Its mana cost can be a drawback in decks aiming for a quicker, more aggressive strategy, as there are numerous lower-cost creatures that could be played sooner.

Discard Requirement: Although the Elvish Bard does not have a discard requirement itself, it’s important to consider that playing higher-cost cards could potentially limit your hand, leaving you fewer options if you need to discard cards for other gameplay reasons.

Reasons to Include Elvish Bard in Your Collection

Versatility: Elvish Bard’s ability to be unblockable by creatures with power 2 or less makes it a great inclusion in green decks that need reliable attackers. Its flexibility enhances decks that capitalize on combat damage triggers or require consistent delivery of damage to the opponent.

Combo Potential: In decks that utilize various buffs or auras, Elvish Bard’s innate evasion becomes even more valuable. This MTG card can serve as a reliable recipient for enchantments or equipment, making it a key player in voltron-style strategies.

Meta-Relevance: When facing decks packed with utility creatures and small blockers, Elvish Bard shines by bypassing those potential obstacles. Its relevance increases in a meta where such defenders are commonly played, enabling it to slip through defenses and apply pressure effortlessly.

How to beat Elvish Bard

Elvish Bard serves as a robust defender in the green decks of MTG. With its unique ability to demand all creatures with flying to block it, this card can create significant strategic advantages. When facing the Elvish Bard, it’s essential to be well-prepared. Effective strategies include using spells that don’t require blocking, such as direct damage spells or those that can bypass the bard’s abilities entirely.

Consider employing removal cards that can exile or destroy without triggering its ability. Spells such as ‘Path to Exile’ or ‘Murder’ can effectively deal with the Bard, circumventing the need to engage in combat with it. Additionally, cards that can reduce the opponent’s creature powers or grant your creatures evasion abilities will allow you to sidestep the Bard’s combat requirements altogether.

Tactics like these ensure that the Elvish Bard’s control over the battlefield is diminished, allowing you to maintain the pace of your game and your path to victory. By neutralizing the Bard without engaging its forced-block ability, you can exploit a green deck’s reliance on it and turn the tables in your favor.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Elvish Bard MTG card by a specific set like Alliances and Deckmasters, 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 Elvish Bard and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Elvish Bard Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 1996-06-10 and 2005-07-29. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#	Released	Name	Code	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	1996-06-10	Alliances	ALL	87	1993	Normal	Black	Susan Van Camp
2	2001-12-01	Deckmasters	DKM	24	1997	Normal	White	Susan Van Camp
3	2005-07-29	Ninth Edition	9ED	236★	2003	Normal	Black	Rob Alexander
4	2005-07-29	Ninth Edition	9ED	236	2003	Normal	White	Rob Alexander

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Elvish Bard has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Restricted
Modern	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Premodern	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal