Enslaved Dwarf MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Dwarf |
| Released | 2002-02-04 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Torment |
| Set code | TOR |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 1 |
| Number | 96 |
| Frame | 1997 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Terese Nielsen |
Text of card
o R, Sacrifice Enslaved Dwarf: Target black creature gets +1/+0 and gains first strike until end of turn.
Captive dwarves always regain their freedom, either through escape or through a desperate, fiery death.
Cards like Enslaved Dwarf
Enslaved Dwarf enters the field as an interesting card within the mana acceleration niche of Magic: The Gathering. Drawing parallels to other cards, such as Skirk Prospector, it provides a similar ability—sacrificing a creature for red mana. Yet, Enslaved Dwarf offers the additional flexibility of sacrificing itself, which can be particularly useful in decks that benefit from self-sacrifice mechanics or need a swift mana boost.
Comparably, we have Iron Myr, another creature that taps for red mana. While Iron Myr doesn’t require a sacrifice, it lacks the immediate impact and the deck synergy that comes with Enslaved Dwarf’s self-sacrifice. Furthermore, comparing it to Runaway Steam-Kin, which accumulates counters to produce red mana, Enslaved Dwarf doesn’t require setup time and delivers mana upon demand. However, Steam-Kin holds the potential for a more significant payoff over time.
In assessing these options, while Enslaved Dwarf might not have the staying power or scalability of some alternatives, it shines in decks where immediate mana generation is crucial, and sacrifice synergies are prevalent, making it a valuable piece in certain Magic: The Gathering strategies.
Cards similar to Enslaved Dwarf by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Enslaved Dwarf enables players to cycle through their deck more efficiently by offering a draw mechanism, crucial for outpacing opponents.
Resource Acceleration: This card provides a steady stream of mana, adding a layer of flexibility to your strategies and allowing for quicker deployment of heavy-hitters or key spells.
Instant Speed: Its ability to act at instant speed gives players the upper hand, letting them respond to threats or optimize their board state without missing a beat.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Enslaved Dwarf can be a risky play as it demands the player to discard another card. If you are already short on cards, this could put you further behind, limiting your strategic options in a game.
Specific Mana Cost: Deck building can be constrained as Enslaved Dwarf’s mana cost necessitates red mana. This can reduce its compatibility with decks that do not primarily utilize mountains or have adequate mana fixing.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: For its mana cost, Enslaved Dwarf might not provide an adequate effect compared to other choices. Players often assess the value of a card based on what it brings to the table relative to its cost, and in this case, the dwarf may come up short for decks seeking better cost-efficiency.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Enslaved Dwarf offers flexibility in red-based decks due to its low mana cost, making it a suitable choice for early aggressive plays or for turning the tide in swift combo setups.
Combo Potential: With its sacrifice mechanic, Enslaved Dwarf easily synergizes with strategies that capitalize on such effects, essentially enabling combos with cards that profit from creature sacrifices or death triggers.
Meta-Relevance: Given its potential in fast-paced games, Enslaved Dwarf could be particularly significant in a meta that rewards quick establishment of board presence or where sacrifice synergies are prevalent.
How to beat
The Enslaved Dwarf is an intriguing card with abilities that can impact the gameplay significantly. It’s vital to understand that this card’s strength lies in its synergistic potential in certain deck types, enabling powerful combos with its untap ability. To counteract the Enslaved Dwarf, it’s recommended to disrupt these combos by removing the dwarf from play or negating its abilities. This can be achieved through cards that specifically target creature abilities, or more general removal spells. Additionally, keeping the board clear of artifacts or other dwarves that may enhance the Enslaved Dwarf’s abilities is crucial.
Card advantage is another effective strategy against the Enslaved Dwarf. Outpacing your opponent by drawing more cards can often lead to overwhelming them with superior board presence or options. Thus, focusing on efficient card draw spells and keeping up the resources to handle any threats, including the dwarf, is essential. Finally, instant speed interaction is particularly potent as it allows to respond directly to the Enslaved Dwarf’s activation, maintaining the element of surprise and disrupting your opponent’s carefully laid plans.
In essence, while the Enslaved Dwarf has the potential to be a powerful asset, maintaining control through targeted removal, card advantage, and ready responses can effectively neutralize this threat and keep the game in your favor.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Enslaved Dwarf MTG card by a specific set like Torment, 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 Enslaved Dwarf 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
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Enslaved Dwarf has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |