Elvish Vanguard MTG Card
2002-10-07 - Number 259
2005-08-22 - Number B13
2016-06-10 - Number 164
2019-12-02 - Number 762
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Elf Warrior |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Text of card
Whenever another Elf comes into play, put a +1/+1 counter on Elvish Vanguard.
"Our lives are woven together like the trees' branches over our heads, forming a canopy that protects us all."
Cards like Elvish Vanguard
Elvish Vanguard offers a unique dynamic to creature-based strategies in Magic: The Gathering. It’s often compared to other Elf tribal staples, such as Llanowar Elves or Elvish Archdruid. While both Llanowar Elves and Elvish Archdruid are pivotal for generating mana, Elvish Vanguard stands out by getting progressively stronger with every Elf summoned onto the battlefield. This incremental growth makes it a potential gamechanger in prolonged matches.
Another Elf worth mentioning in the same breath is Elvish Clancaller. Like Vanguard, it provides a boost to Elf creatures. However, Vanguard grows only itself while Clancaller elevates the entire team. This can be seen as more immediately impactful, but it lacks Vanguard’s staying power and resilience against spot removal. Dwynen, Gilt-Leaf Daen also shines in Elf decks, providing a static power boost and life gain. However, it doesn’t match the raw potential for size that Elvish Vanguard can attain over time.
Ultimately, Elvish Vanguard’s strength lies in its ability to become a formidable force the longer the game goes, especially when combined with other Elf synergies. Given its potential to become a towering threat, it is a card that can’t be underestimated in Elf decks.
Cards similar to Elvish Vanguard by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Elvish Vanguard. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Elves | Pauper | Elves | Pauper League 2024-03-15 |
| URG | Pauper | Pauper Showcase Challenge 2024-04-20 | |
 | Four-color Elves | Pauper | Elves | Liga Gacha de Pauper 2024 - Etapa 3 |
 | Simic Elves | Pauper | Elves | Ogonyok |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Elvish Vanguard ensures a steady growth in board presence as you summon more elves, effectively allowing you to build an overwhelming force that can outmatch your opponent’s card resources.
Resource Acceleration: With each elf that enters the battlefield under your control, Elvish Vanguard gets stronger, thus accelerating your resources and increasing the pressure on your adversary without needing additional mana investment.
Instant Speed: While Elvish Vanguard itself isn’t an instant, it synergizes well with other elves you may cast at instant speed. This can frequently catch opponents off-guard, enhancing their cumulative effect and your strategic advantage during the game.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Playing Elvish Vanguard efficiently means you need a steady stream of elves entering the battlefield. However, if your hand is empty or low on elf cards, it won’t be as easy to capitalize on its ability to grow stronger, which could stall your board development.
Specific Mana Cost: While its initial mana cost is not overly demanding, Elvish Vanguard’s dependence on green mana can be a limiting factor. Decks that don’t focus heavily on green may find it challenging to accommodate this card, particularly in the early game when mana resources are more critical.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of one generic and one green mana, Elvish Vanguard sits at a higher spectrum for one-drops, especially when there are other options available in MTG that might present more immediate board presence or utility for the same or less mana investment.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Elvish Vanguard’s ability to grow with every Elf cast makes it a flexible addition to any Elf-based deck, adapting to various board situations as an ever-increasing threat.
Combo Potential: Its synergy with elf-token generators and other elves that boost the tribe offers explosive growth potential, making it a key component in combo strategies that aim to overwhelm opponents with a large, powerful creature.
Meta-Relevance: Given elves’ persistent presence in various metagames, Elvish Vanguard remains a relevant choice. It thrives in environments with a strong tribal focus and acts as a crucial snowballing element against slower decks.
How to beat
Elvish Vanguard represents a growing threat on the battlefield in MTG. As a creature that gains a +1/+1 counter each time another Elf enters the battlefield under your control, it can quickly become a formidable force. To effectively counter this card, consider employing removal spells that can handle creatures regardless of their size. Efficient answers include Path to Exile and Fatal Push, which can exile or destroy the Vanguard before it grows too large.
Board wipes are another strategy to keep Elvish Vanguard in check. Cards like Wrath of God or Damnation will clear the entire board, eliminating both the Vanguard and any Elves that might be buffing it. Remember, timing is crucial; it’s often best to act before the opponent’s army becomes too vast. Additionally, keeping the elf count low by regularly removing them can prevent the Vanguard from ever becoming a significant threat.
Ultimately, staying proactive and keeping control over the board state are key to ensuring that Elvish Vanguard doesn’t overrun your defenses. By incorporating efficient removal and board control tactics, you can keep your opponent’s green tide at bay.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Elvish Vanguard MTG card by a specific set like Onslaught and Salvat 2005, 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 Vanguard 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 Vanguard Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2002-10-07 and 2019-12-02. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2002-10-07 | Onslaught | ONS | 259 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Glen Angus | |
| 2 | 2005-08-22 | Salvat 2005 | PSAL | B13 | 2003 | Normal | White | Glen Angus | |
| 3 | 2016-06-10 | Eternal Masters | EMA | 164 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Steve Prescott | |
| 4 | Secret Lair Drop | SLD | 762 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Steve Prescott |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Elvish Vanguard has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Elvish Vanguard card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2016-06-08 | If Elvish Vanguard enters the battlefield at the same time as another Elf, its ability will trigger. |