Harald Unites the Elves MTG Card
2021-02-05 - Number 213
2021-02-06 - Number 213s
2021-02-06 - Number 213p
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Enchantment — Saga |
| Abilities | Mill |
Text of card
(As this Saga enters and after your draw step, add a lore counter. Sacrifice after III.) I — Mill three cards. You may put an Elf or Tyvar card from your graveyard onto the battlefield. II — Put a +1/+1 counter on each Elf you control. III — Whenever an Elf you control attacks this turn, target creature an opponent controls gets -1/-1 until end of turn.
Cards like Harald Unites the Elves
Harald Unites the Elves offers players a unique approach to bolstering their Elf tribal decks in MTG. Its functionality can be likened to that of Elvish Promenade, which also has the core mission to summon a number of Elf tokens equal to the player’s elves. While Harald Unites the Elves requires a more specific board presence to maximize its potential, the inclusion of a saga structure that spells out additional benefits over multiple turns, unlike Elvish Promenade’s one-time effect, sets it apart.
Parallels can also be drawn with the card Cryptolith Rite, which doesn’t produce Elf tokens but empowers the existing Elf board by granting each creature the ability to tap for mana. This isn’t a direct analog, yet it shares the theme of escalating an Elf player’s mana generation and board state advantage. Where Harald Unites the Elves excels is in its saga’s later chapters, providing not only a creature and board presence but also a means to take control of the game through removal and a potential combat boost.
When evaluating Harald Unites the Elves amongst its counterparts, it is clear that it delivers a multifaceted strategy for Elf decks, emphasizing successive player value that can influence the course of the match beyond just the turn it is played.
Cards similar to Harald Unites the Elves by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Harald Unites the Elves allows players to potentially put multiple elf cards onto the battlefield or into their hand, solidifying a lead in card presence. This capability to churn through the deck and place elves directly into play or your grip is a significant boost in sustaining card advantage over your opponent.
Resource Acceleration: By bringing elves from your library to the battlefield, this card accelerates your resource development. Elves are known for their mana-generating abilities, so each additional elf creature you summon can translate into a quicker path to your high-cost, game-changing spells.
Instant Speed: While not an instant itself, Harald Unites the Elves can capitalize on cards with flash. It sets the stage for instant-speed interactions through elf cards with such abilities, potentially outmaneuvering your opponent by setting up unexpected plays during their turn.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Harald Unites the Elves demands that players discard a card upon activation, which can deplete your hand, especially if you’re already playing resource-intensive strategies that require maintaining card advantage on the board.
Specific Mana Cost: This card’s casting cost demands both green and black mana, restricting its smooth integration solely to decks that support Golgari colors. Players running multicolor decks that don’t focus on these two might find it challenging to consistently play Harald Unites the Elves without compromising their mana base.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With its four mana requirement, which includes one green and one black, it competes for a slot in your mana curve against other compelling four-drops. For the elf tribal synergies it offers, there may be alternative choices that provide comparable or greater value for the same or lower mana investment.
Reasons to Include Harald Unites the Elves in Your Collection
Versatility: Harald Unites the Elves serves a dual purpose in any Elf deck. Not only does it bolster your board presence by fetching an Elf or Tyvar card, but it also sets up for future turns with its saga abilities enhancing your battlefield with each chapter.
Combo Potential: With the card’s third chapter allowing for a mass reanimation of Elves, the combo potential skyrockets. It can instantaneously turn the tide by recovering key pieces from your graveyard, perfect for recovery or closing out games.
Meta-Relevance: Given the prevalence of tribal decks and the synergistic nature of Elves, Harald Unites the Elves ties into current strategies that emphasize creature-based tactics. Its ability to search and recur makes it a solid choice in a meta where resilient and adaptive plays are critical.
How to beat
Harald Unites the Elves is a spellbinding card that can quickly tip the scales in a game of MTG by empowering elf tribal decks. This saga casts a broad net, initially looking for an elf or Tyvar card and later generating a mass of elves with deathtold to safeguard your forces. This acceleration of board presence can seem overwhelming, but there are tactics to counteract it effectively.
To disrupt Harald’s plans, removal cards are king. Spot removal spells like Murder or Doom Blade can eliminate key elves before the saga’s later chapters activate. Additionally, board wipes such as Wrath of God or Damnation are highly efficient, clearing the field regardless of how many elves have gathered. Don’t underestimate the power of countermagic either; a well-timed Negate or Cancel can stop Harald from uniting the elves in the first place.
Conclusively, defeating this saga hinges on preemptive action and leveraging removals and counterspells. By keeping the elf population in check or preventing the saga from unfolding, you’ll maintain the upper hand against the elf legion that Harald could potentially amass in the MTG landscape.
BurnMana Recommendations
As you maneuver through the MTG realm, embracing the enchanting saga of Harald Unites the Elves creates an opportunity for a remarkable edge in your Elf tribal deck. Leveraging this card properly can cascade into a dominant battlefield presence, capable of surmounting even the most challenging opponents. Whether it’s the initial card advantage, the acceleration of resources, or the dynamic combo potential, Harald is a magic weave of strategy and synergy. We encourage you to further explore the art of the Elf legion, sharpen your tactics, and refine your collection to make every encounter an epic tale of triumph. For in-depth strategies and expert tips tailored to enhance your journey, join us and conquer the gathering with finesse.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Harald Unites the Elves MTG card by a specific set like Kaldheim and Kaldheim Promos, 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 Harald Unites the Elves and other MTG cards:
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Printings
The Harald Unites the Elves Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2021-02-05 and 2021-02-06. Illustrated by Ryan Pancoast.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2021-02-05 | Kaldheim | KHM | 213 | 2015 | Saga | Black | Ryan Pancoast | |
| 2 | 2021-02-06 | Kaldheim Promos | PKHM | 213s | 2015 | Saga | Black | Ryan Pancoast | |
| 3 | 2021-02-06 | Kaldheim Promos | PKHM | 213p | 2015 | Saga | Black | Ryan Pancoast |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Harald Unites the Elves has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Harald Unites the Elves card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2021-02-05 | A chapter ability doesn’t trigger if a lore counter is put on a Saga that already had a number of lore counters greater than or equal to that chapter’s number. For example, the third lore counter put on a Saga causes the chapter III ability to trigger, but chapters I and II won’t trigger again. |
| 2021-02-05 | As a Saga enters the battlefield, its controller puts a lore counter on it. As your precombat main phase begins (immediately after your draw step), you put another lore counter on each Saga you control. Putting a lore counter on a Saga in either of these ways doesn’t use the stack. |
| 2021-02-05 | Conversely, the triggered ability created by the chapter III ability will trigger whenever any Elf you control attacks that turn, even if you didn’t control that Elf as the chapter III ability resolved. |
| 2021-02-05 | Each symbol on the left of a Saga’s text box represents a chapter ability. A chapter ability is a triggered ability that triggers when a lore counter that is put on the Saga causes the number of lore counters on the Saga to become equal to or greater than the ability’s chapter number. Chapter abilities are put onto the stack and may be responded to. |
| 2021-02-05 | For the chapter I ability, the Elf or Tyvar card you put onto the battlefield can be one of the cards you just milled, or it may be one that was already in your graveyard. |
| 2021-02-05 | If multiple chapter abilities trigger at the same time, their controller puts them on the stack in any order. If any of them require targets, those targets are chosen as you put the abilities on the stack, before any of those abilities resolve. |
| 2021-02-05 | Once a chapter ability has triggered, the ability on the stack won’t be affected if the Saga gains or loses counters, or if it leaves the battlefield. |
| 2021-02-05 | Once the number of lore counters on a Saga is greater than or equal to the greatest number among its chapter abilities, the Saga’s controller sacrifices it as soon as its chapter ability has left the stack, most likely by resolving or being countered. This state-based action doesn’t use the stack. |
| 2021-02-05 | Only Elves you control as the chapter II ability resolves will get a +1/+1 counter. Elves that come under your control later in the turn will not. |
| 2021-02-05 | Removing lore counters won’t cause a previous chapter ability to trigger. If lore counters are removed from a Saga, the appropriate chapter abilities will trigger again when the Saga receives more lore counters. |
| 2021-02-05 | The triggered ability created by the chapter III ability resolves before blockers are declared. It may remove opposing creatures before they have the chance to block. |