Elvish Scout MTG Card
1994-11-01 - Number 68b
1994-11-01 - Number 68c
1994-11-01 - Number 68a
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Elf Scout |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Text of card
o G, oc T: Untap a target attacking creature you control. That creature neither receives nor deals damage during combat this turn.
"Even for Elves, they were stealthy little twerps. They'd taken our measure before we'd even seen them." —Marshall Volnikov
Cards like Elvish Scout
The Elvish Scout is a unique creature card that offers subtle utility in Magic: The Gathering gameplay. Its ability to untap creatures positions it in a niche spot similar to other cards that provide creature manipulation such as Seeker of Skybreak, which also allows you to untap a target creature. The distinct advantage of the Elvish Scout lies in its elf subtype, making it useful in elf-centric decks that benefit from tribal synergies.
Another analog would be Quirion Ranger. Although Quirion Ranger forgoes the Scout’s constant readiness by requiring a return of a forest to your hand, it offers the same untap functionality, potentially providing more value in land-heavy decks. This is juxtaposed with the Scout’s uninterrupted on-field presence. Then, taking a look at Wirewood Symbiote, it offers not only the untap mechanic but also protection for your elves by returning them to your hand, albeit only once each turn.
Assessing the collective utility of these similar cards, Elvish Scout holds its ground as part of a broader elf strategy within Magic: The Gathering, while other untap options come with their own set of strategic implications based on the deck’s design and the player’s tactical goals.
Cards similar to Elvish Scout by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Elvish Scout provides a significant edge by allowing its controller to untap another target creature. This action can be utilized to reuse tap abilities, essentially doubling up on resources without the need to commit additional cards from hand.
Resource Acceleration: In decks designed around Elves, the Elvish Scout becomes an invaluable cog in the machine, providing acceleration by helping to untap key mana-generating elves or lands. This extra push in resources can lead to explosive plays, giving you a decisive lead.
Instant Speed: The ability of the Elvish Scout to untap another target creature can be used at instant speed, making it a flexible tool during either player’s turn. This versatility makes for unpredictable and tactical plays, catching opponents off guard and yielding tactical advantages on the battlefield.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One of the drawbacks of the Elvish Scout card is that it mandates the player to discard a card for its activation. This can prove to be a strategic setback, particularly in game scenarios where the player’s hand is already running thin on cards, making each card in possession extremely valuable.
Specific Mana Cost: The Elvish Scout card also poses the challenge of having a specific mana cost that requires green mana. This condition makes it somewhat inflexible, as it fits primarily into decks that are either mono-green or that have a strong green mana base, potentially limiting its playability across the diverse range of MTG decks.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: When you factor in the cost-performance ratio, the Elvish Scout may not come out on top. The card’s abilities, when weighed against its mana cost, might not be as cost-effective when compared to other cards in the format that could provide similar or better effects for a lower or equivalent mana investment.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Elvish Scout doesn’t just function as a utility creature; its ability to untap a target creature aligns with various green deck strategies. Its low casting cost makes it an easy addition to early game scenarios or a quick defensive play.
Combo Potential: This card serves as a cog in machine-like deck builds. In combination with cards that have tap abilities or benefit from being untapped, Elvish Scout can amplify your board’s potential and provide unexpected advantage swings during your matches.
Meta-Relevance: Given its potential to respond to tap-down strategies that aim to keep your key creatures out of action, the Elvish Scout can adapt to different metagame shifts, granting resilience to your deck in various play environments.
How to beat Elvish Scout
Elvish Scout, a specialized card in MTG, offers a unique ability that can be quite challenging to counteract. Known for its capability to untap another target creature, the Elvish Scout can disrupt opponent strategies that rely on creature tapping mechanics as a form of control. Its ability to respond swiftly to tap effects makes it a nimble ally on the battlefield.
However, to effectively negate the advantages offered by Elvish Scout, players must consider removal options that are fast and difficult to counter. Spells like Fatal Push or Path to Exile are prime examples, offering quick elimination that doesn’t depend on the creature’s state. Alternatively, applying continuous board pressure with sweepers like Wrath of God or utilizing cards that prevent activated abilities like Pithing Needle will impair the Elvish Scout’s effectiveness substantially.
In essence, dealing with Elvish Scout involves strategic removal or suppression of its abilities. By assessing the right timing and choice of cards, players can mitigate the impact of the Elvish Scout and maintain control over the flow of the game. Adapting to the dynamics introduced by such versatile cards is a testament to a player’s tactical acumen in the ever-evolving landscape of Magic: The Gathering.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Elvish Scout 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 Scout 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 Scout Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 1994-11-01 and 1994-11-01. Illustrated by 3 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1994-11-01 | Fallen Empires | FEM | 68b | 1993 | Normal | Black | Pete Venters | |
| 2 | 1994-11-01 | Fallen Empires | FEM | 68c | 1993 | Normal | Black | Christopher Rush | |
| 3 | 1994-11-01 | Fallen Empires | FEM | 68a | 1993 | Normal | Black | Mark Poole |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Elvish Scout has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Oldschool | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |