Elvish Dreadlord MTG Card
2020-11-20 - Number 121
2020-11-20 - Number 647
2002-06-24 - Number 86036
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Zombie Elf |
| Abilities | Deathtouch,Encore |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Text of card
Deathtouch When Elvish Dreadlord dies, non-Elf creatures get -3/-3 until end of turn. Encore (, Exile this card from your graveyard: For each opponent, create a token copy that attacks that opponent this turn if able. They gain haste. Sacrifice them at the beginning of the next end step. Activate only as a sorcery.)
Cards like Elvish Dreadlord
Elvish Dreadlord carries a unique position within the Magic: The Gathering roster, drawing parallels with other death-trigger creatures. Poison-Tip Archer, for instance, is also capable of dealing damage to opponents when creatures die. Yet, Elvish Dreadlord provides a wide-reaching board wipe effect for non-Elf creatures upon its death, something the Archer lacks. This makes it a potent weapon in Elf-centric decks.
Massacre Girl is another analogous card, triggering a chain reaction that can clear the board. Both cards excel in controlling the battlefield but differ in their requirements; the Dreadlord’s demise instigates its ability to decimate creatures, while Massacre Girl requires precise timing to turn a crowded field into an advantage.
Ultimately, Elvish Dreadlord stands out with its distinctive synergy in Elf decks, combining both offensive and controlling elements. Its combination of death-triggered board impact and tribal affiliation makes it a formidable asset, particularly in a strategy centered around Elves.
Cards similar to Elvish Dreadlord by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Elvish Dreadlord can potentially decimate an opponent’s board with its death-trigger effect, offering a significant swing in card advantage. When the Dreadlord dies, it gives its controller the ability to weaken or clear out multiple creatures the opponent controls, which can change the momentum of the game in your favor.
Resource Acceleration: While Elvish Dreadlord doesn’t directly produce mana or additional resources, it can accelerate your game by removing key threats from the opponent’s side of the board without spending extra cards. This leaves more resources available for you to deploy your own threats and develop your board presence further.
Instant Speed: The recursion ability of Elvish Dreadlord from the graveyard, using Encore, can be activated at instant speed. This allows for strategic plays during the end step of your opponent’s turn, potentially catching them off-guard and creating opportunities for unexpected board wipes, especially since Encore creates a copy for each opponent in a multiplayer game.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: To fully leverage Elvish Dreadlord’s reanimation ability, sacrificing a creature or paying an additional cost is necessary. Not only does this requirement necessitate having a creature to spare or more resources at your disposal, but it also puts stress on your hand and battlefield presence, which may not be optimal in all play circumstances.
Specific Mana Cost: Elvish Dreadlord comes with a mana cost that is fairly specific—a blend of generic and black mana. This specificity means that it slots neatly into mono-black or black-centric decks but can be a hurdle in more color-diverse or mana-tight strategies. Its inclusion hinges on a solid mana base, making it less of a universal fit across various deck archetypes.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost on the higher end for its effects, Elvish Dreadlord might not always be the most mana-efficient choice for your deck. Players looking to maintain a low curve or optimize mana usage for quicker plays might consider other creatures or spells that fulfill similar roles without such a substantial mana investment.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Elvish Dreadlord is a dynamic addition to any deck that values board presence and resilience. Its ability to decay opposing creatures upon death makes it a robust defensive asset, capable of turning the tide in your favor even when removed.
Combo Potential: This elf nightmare interacts favorably with numerous strategies, particularly those focusing on death triggers or reanimation tactics. As such, it can unlock powerful combo plays, providing significant advantage through recurring creature destruction.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta crowded with creature-based strategies, Elvish Dreadlord stands out as a pivotal card. Its persistent board control capabilities can efficiently dismantle swarm decks, making it a card that adapts well to shifting competitive environments.
How to beat
Elvish Dreadlord, part of the multitude of creatures in the world of Magic: The Gathering, presents a unique challenge on the battlefield. Its Deathtrigger ability, which forces a player to -3/-3 all non-Elf creatures, can turn the tide of a game by debilitating an opponent’s army. It’s crucial, however, to remember that this powerful effect works only when the Dreadlord perishes.
Overcoming this card requires strategic foresight. Utilizing exile or bounce effects can mitigate the impact of Elvish Dreadlord, as these do not trigger its dreadful ability. Cards like Path to Exile or Unsummon can effectively remove the Dreadlord without setting off its ability. Another approach is to capitalize on its tribal synergy restrictions by playing a deck that operates on a different creature type, minimizing the effectiveness of its board-clearing capability.
Taking everything into account, the best strategy against this formidable foe is to keep it off the board entirely or dilute its influence by diversifying your creature base. Exile and bounce effects prove to be superb tools in this endeavor, making Elvish Dreadlord a manageable threat within the diverse and strategic gameplay of Magic: The Gathering.
BurnMana Recommendations
With Elvish Dreadlord’s ability to upend the board state at its demise, it’s clear this card can be a linchpin in the right deck. Harnessing its strengths requires strategy, careful consideration of your mana curve, and an appreciation for its instant-speed Encore trickery. If you’re running a mono-black or elf-centric deck, this card could be your ace in the hole. Our dive into its pros and cons, combo potential, and how to fend it off should fuel your next tactical moves. Continue your MTG journey, and find out more about integrating Elvish Dreadlord into your arsenal and maximizing your gameplay.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Elvish Dreadlord MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Commander Legends, 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 Dreadlord and other MTG cards:
BUY NOW BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
- 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 Elvish Dreadlord Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2020-11-20 and 2020-11-20. Illustrated by Randy Vargas.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Magic Online Promos | PRM | 86036 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Randy Vargas | ||
| 2 | 2020-11-20 | Commander Legends | CMR | 121 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Randy Vargas | |
| 3 | 2020-11-20 | Commander Legends | CMR | 647 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Randy Vargas |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Elvish Dreadlord has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Elvish Dreadlord card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2020-11-10 | Each token must attack the appropriate player if able. |
| 2020-11-10 | Elvish Dreadlord's middle ability affects only creatures on the battlefield that aren't Elves at the time it resolves. Non-Elf creatures that enter the battlefield later in the turn won't get -3/-3. |
| 2020-11-10 | Exiling the card with encore is a cost to activate the ability. Once you announce that you're activating it, no player may take actions until you've finished. They can't try to remove the card from your graveyard to stop you from paying the cost. |
| 2020-11-10 | If one of the tokens can't attack for any reason (such as being tapped), then it doesn't attack. If there's a cost associated with having it attack, you aren't forced to pay that cost, so it doesn't have to attack in that case either. |
| 2020-11-10 | If one of the tokens somehow is under another player's control as the delayed triggered ability resolves, you can't sacrifice that token. It remains on the battlefield indefinitely, even if you regain control of it later. |
| 2020-11-10 | Opponents who have left the game aren't counted when determining how many tokens to create. |
| 2020-11-10 | The tokens copy only what's on the original card. Effects that modified that creature when it was previously on the battlefield won't be copied. |
| 2023-07-28 | If an effect stops a token from attacking a specific player, that token can attack any player, planeswalker, or battle, or not attack at all. If the effect stops the token from attacking a specific player unless a cost is paid, you don't have to pay that cost unless you want to attack that player. |