Elvish Hunter MTG Card
1994-11-01 - Number 67a
1994-11-01 - Number 67b
1994-11-01 - Number 67c
2008-09-22 - Number 157
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Elf Archer |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Text of card
o1o G, oc T: Target creature does not untap as normal during its controller's next untap phase.
"Elves often tipped their arrows with a drug that caused a deep but harmless sleep." —*Sarpadian Empires, vol. III*
Cards like Elvish Hunter
The Elvish Hunter is an intriguing creature card from the world of Magic: The Gathering. When comparing it to other mana-cost efficient creatures, Llanowar Elves comes to mind, providing a one-mana source of green mana, but lacking the Hunter’s ability to control opponents’ creatures by stalling their untap phase. Elvish Hunter provides a unique tactical advantage in this regard.
Another comparable card is the Elvish Archdruid. While the Archdruid commands a higher mana value and offers an impressive boost to elf creatures and a substantial mana acceleration, it doesn’t provide direct control over opposing creatures the way the Elvish Hunter can. The Hunter’s ability to potentially lock down a single threat can be critical in a match, especially when that threat dominates the board.
Considering these comparisons, Elvish Hunter may have a situational edge in the realm of green creatures. It offers targeted control that can be repeatedly activated. Although it isn’t the powerhouse that some other Elf cards are, the Hunter’s control aspect can be significant in the proper deck with the right strategy, allowing players to incapacitate key creatures and disrupt opponents’ plans.
Cards similar to Elvish Hunter by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Elvish Hunter’s ability to lock down an opponent’s creature can indirectly lead to card advantage by neutralizing a potential threat without the need to trade in a card from your hand.
Resource Acceleration: As a low-cost creature, Elvish Hunter allows for an accelerated board presence which can be vital in green decks that excel in quickly developing their resources and overwhelming the opposition.
Instant Speed: Although Elvish Hunter itself isn’t an instant, its activated ability can be used at instant speed. This grants the flexibility to disrupt an opponent’s strategy during their turn and can be used to exert control over the pace and state of the battlefield.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While the Elvish Hunter can be a key piece in controlling opponents’ creatures, it requires you to sacrifice it as part of the cost to use its ability. This can put you at a disadvantage in terms of board presence, especially when you’re trying to maintain a lineup of creatures.
Specific Mana Cost: The Elvish Hunter requires a specific arrangement of mana, which includes green. For players running multicolored decks, this might not pose a significant issue, but for mono-colored or color-scarce decks, it can be restrictive and reduce the card’s utility.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With its ability tethered to a relatively high mana cost for its impact on the game, Elvish Hunter’s efficiency comes into question. In a game where tempo and resource allocation are critical, committing the necessary mana to activate its ability might not always align with your strategic plays, thereby overshadowing the potential benefits it could offer on the battlefield.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Elvish Hunter is a useful addition to decks that focus on creature control. Its ability to tap and restrict an opponent’s creature from untapping adds a strategic advantage, especially in formats that favor creature-based strategies.
Combo Potential: This card synergizes well with effects that benefit from tapping or untapping creatures, offering opportunities for creative combos. It fits into Elf-themed decks that rely on synergy between Elves to dominate the board.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta that’s heavy on aggro or has key creatures that need to be dealt with, Elvish Hunter provides a repeatable and mana-efficient way to keep those threats at bay, increasing its potential value in such environments.
How to beat
Elvish Hunter may seem like a minor threat in an MTG game, but its ability to slow down the opponent’s creatures can turn the tide of a match. This card’s capacity to indefinitely tap a target creature could potentially lock out a key component of your adversary’s strategy. To counter Elvish Hunter effectively, instant removal spells are highly efficient. Consider cards such as Murder or Path to Exile that can dispatch the Hunter before its ability becomes a problem.
Another strategy is to employ creatures with hexproof or shroud, as Elvish Hunter’s ability targets creatures directly. This will nullify its ability, leaving the Hunter without a valid target. Lastly, utilize your own creature-tapping spells or those that prevent your creatures from being tapped, such as Sudden Storm or Glaring Spotlight, effectively bypassing the Hunter’s control. It’s essential to address the Elvish Hunter promptly, ensuring it doesn’t limit your board presence and maintain the flow of your own strategy.
By considering these approaches, you can mitigate the disruptive effect of Elvish Hunter and maintain the upper hand in your matches. Remember, overcoming obstacles like this is part of the strategic depth that makes MTG the compelling game we all enjoy.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Elvish Hunter MTG card by a specific set like Fallen Empires and Fallen Empires, 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 Hunter 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 Elvish Hunter Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1994-11-01 and 2008-09-22. Illustrated by 3 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1994-11-01 | Fallen Empires | FEM | 67a | 1993 | Normal | Black | Mark Poole | |
| 2 | 1994-11-01 | Fallen Empires | FEM | 67b | 1993 | Normal | Black | Anson Maddocks | |
| 3 | 1994-11-01 | Fallen Empires | FEM | 67c | 1993 | Normal | Black | Susan Van Camp | |
| 4 | 2008-09-22 | Masters Edition II | ME2 | 157 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Anson Maddocks |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Elvish Hunter has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Oldschool | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Elvish Hunter card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2008-10-01 | Elvish Hunter doesn’t track the creature’s controller. If the affected creature changes controllers before its old controller’s next untap step, Elvish Hunter will prevent it from being untapped during its new controller’s next untap step. |
| 2008-10-01 | If the targeted creature is untapped at the time its controller’s next untap step begins, this ability has no effect. It won’t apply at some later time when the targeted creature is tapped. |
| 2008-10-01 | You may target any creature with this ability. It doesn’t have to be tapped. |