Elvish Farmer MTG Card
1994-11-01 - Number 66
2008-09-22 - Number 156
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Elf |
| Power | 0 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Text of card
During your upkeep, put a spore counter on Elvish Farmer. : Remove three spore counters from Elvish Farmer to put a Saproling token into play. Treat this token as a 1/1 green creature. : Sacrifice a Saproling to gain 2 life.
Cards like Elvish Farmer
The Elvish Farmer stands as a unique member in the realm of creature cards in MTG. When looking at its fellow green cards, it’s not hard to see why. This card provides both creature summoning and saproling generation, fostering a dual utility on the battlefield. Its closest relative might be Utopia Mycon, which also utilizes saprolings but for mana acceleration rather than life gain.
Another kin to the Elvish Farmer is Thallid, which shares the saproling production mechanic, activated every three turns through spore counters. However, Elvish Farmer takes it a step further by offering the option to sacrifice these tokens to gain life, thus increasing your staying power during matches. Jade Mage deserves a mention as well, presenting the capability to continuously create saprolings, although at the cost of mana as opposed to the passive ability of the Elvish Farmer.
While there are several cards in MTG that seem to mimic parts of Elvish Farmer’s functions, its amalgam of generating saproling tokens and the life gain trade-off provides a distinct edge in sustaining player life totals and boosting creature numbers, guaranteeing its esteemed spot in decks built around these mechanics.
Cards similar to Elvish Farmer by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Elvish Farmer has a unique ability that creates Saproling tokens. These tokens can be sacrificed for life gain, effectively transforming creatures into new resources and providing ongoing card advantage.
Resource Acceleration: With Elvish Farmer’s token-generating capability, you can use Saprolings either to chump block opponent’s creatures or as an acceleration tool by sacrificing them for mana through various other MTG cards designed to leverage creatures or tokens.
Instant Speed: While Elvish Farmer itself may not function at instant speed, it provides strategic flexibility by producing Saproling tokens which can be sacrificed at instant speed with other cards on the battlefield, making it a versatile piece in response-based gameplay.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Elvish Farmer requires you to sacrifice a creature to generate Fungus tokens, which can deplete your creature base on the battlefield, putting you at a potential disadvantage during the game.
Specific Mana Cost: Elvish Farmer’s casting cost requires both green mana and generic mana, which can be less flexible and harder to accommodate in multi-colored decks, potentially limiting its utility to mono-green builds.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of two mana for a creature that primarily provides a slow token generation ability, Elvish Farmer may be considered inefficient compared to other options that could provide more immediate board presence or value.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Elvish Farmer slips into a range of decks with ease. Its ability to generate Saprolings ensures that it’s more than just creature fodder—it’s an asset to strategies focusing on creature tokens. Moreover, you can sacrifice these Saprolings to gain life, making it adaptable to board states and enriching life-gain centric decks.
Combo Potential: With the Elvish Farmer, there’s room for creativity. Combine it with cards that benefit from creatures entering or leaving the battlefield for some compelling synergies. Sacrificing Saprolings can trigger a cascade of effects that can turn the tide in a closely contested match.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where long games are common, this card’s progressive advantage can be a thorn in your opponent’s side. It’s a solid inclusion for maintaining momentum in grindy, attrition-based matchups, allowing you to outlast foes with a steady supply of life and blockers.
How to Beat
The Elvish Farmer is a unique creature card that brings an intriguing mechanic to the table in MTG. This Elf provides a steady stream of life and potential creature tokens, thanks to its saproling-generating ability. It’s reminiscent of abilities seen on other cards like Thallid, which also revolves around the concept of generating and sacrificing saprolings for various benefits.
To overcome the advantages the Elvish Farmer provides, removal spells are an efficient method. Since the Farmer is a creature with a modest toughness, it is susceptible to common removal spells like Fatal Push or Lightning Bolt. Additionally, by targeting the Elvish Farmer directly, you prevent the accumulation of saprolings that can lead to a larger board presence or increased life total. Enchantment-based removal like Banishing Light can also be effective in dealing with this creature permanently.
Moreover, wrath effects that clear the board such as Wrath of God or Damnation can reset the board by removing all creatures, which is a comprehensive way to handle an Elvish Farmer and its saprolings all at once. By staying ahead of the Farmer’s ability to generate value, you can ensure it doesn’t outpace you in the game.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Elvish Farmer 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 Elvish Farmer 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
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Printings
The Elvish Farmer Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1994-11-01 and 2008-09-22. Illustrated by Richard Kane Ferguson.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1994-11-01 | Fallen Empires | FEM | 66 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Richard Kane Ferguson | |
| 2 | 2008-09-22 | Masters Edition II | ME2 | 156 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Richard Kane Ferguson |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Elvish Farmer has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Oldschool | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |