Dwarven Trader MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Dwarf
Power 1
Toughness 1

Key Takeaways

  1. It offers creature exchange at instant speed, challenging opponents’ strategies and altering game tempo.
  2. A discard is required for activation, potentially incurring a card disadvantage if not managed wisely.
  3. Despite a specific mana cost, its combo potential and meta-relevance justify its inclusion in diverse decks.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Dwarven Trader doesn’t directly draw you cards, but it does encourage advantageous trades with your opponent. The ability to exchange creatures can disrupt your opponent’s strategy while benefiting yours.

Resource Acceleration: Although Dwarven Trader isn’t a traditional acceleration tool, it effectively removes a blocker or a threat from your opponent’s side, potentially allowing your other creatures to swing in for more damage or to connect with effects that might lead to extra resources.

Instant Speed: Trading creatures during combat or at the end of your opponent’s turn can catch them off guard, leaving them less time to react and potentially spoiling their plans. Instantaneous trades can shift the tempo of the game in your favor.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Dwarven Trader demands a card to be discarded for its ability to be activated, which can potentially lead to card disadvantage if you’re not able to leverage the discarded card effectively or if you’re already in a position where each card in hand is vital.

Specific Mana Cost: The activation cost for Dwarven Trader’s ability is specifically red mana, this requirement can be restrictive for multi-colored decks or those that don’t have a reliable source of red mana, limiting its versatility across different deck builds.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Considering its ability, Dwarven Trader’s mana cost may seem steep, particularly when compared with other cards that provide similar or better effects for a lower mana investment, potentially making it a less optimal choice in decks that value mana efficiency.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Dwarven Trader provides a unique advantage, offering a quick boost in the early game that can be beneficial across various deck types. Its low mana cost and ability to disrupt an opponent’s hand make it a versatile addition that can adapt to different playstyles.

Combo Potential: This card can work exceptionally well with effects that capitalize on opponents discarding cards or when paired with strategies that utilize Dwarves or trading-themed mechanics. The synergy with discard strategies increases its value in a combo-centric deck build.

Meta-Relevance: In formats where efficient creature-based strategies are prevalent, Dwarven Trader can tip the scales in your favor. It intersects nicely with the tempo of current meta-game trends, making it a timely piece for your collection to stay competitive.


How to beat

Dwarven Trader is a unique creature in the realm of Magic: The Gathering, offering players an opportunity to draw a card at the slight expense of returning a land they control back to their hand. This neat ability can come in handy for decks that thrive on playing numerous lands or needing specific color mana sources. Its utility in the game is not to be underestimated as it can shift the tide by providing card advantage and mana fixing to its controller.

To counteract this card, players should look at removal spells or abilities that can eliminate Dwarven Trader before its ability can be utilized. Keeping the card off the battlefield is key, and timing is crucial. Cards like Fatal Push and Path to Exile can serve well in this regard, being low-cost and efficient. Alternatively, hindering Dwarven Trader’s ability with counterspell cards like Mana Leak or removals that don’t trigger its ability, such as Crib Swap, could offset the advantage that the Dwarven Trader offers.

Addressing the Dwarven Trader swiftly ensures that its controller won’t be able to capitalize on the incremental value it can generate over time. Keeping a sharp eye on mana availability for quick-response spells and anticipating the potential threat of a Dwarven Trader will keep you one step ahead in the game.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering your MTG deck means understanding every card’s strengths and weaknesses, much like the Dwarven Trader. This card’s capacity to surprise opponents with unexpected trades and its fit into dwarf-centric strategies shouldn’t be underestimated. The ability to fine-tune your deck to take advantage of its trading potential can be a game-changer. We recommend diving deeper into the intricacies of deck-building around such niche cards, looking into strategies that maximize creature exchanges and evaluating meta-relevant cards can enhance your gameplay. Elevate your MTG experience by learning more with us and embracing the full potential of your collection.


Cards like Dwarven Trader

Dwarven Trader is an interesting card in the realm of Magic: The Gathering. This creature offers a unique twist, similar in some ways to Prophetic Ravings. Where Dwarven Trader uses the presence of another dwarf to net you a card, Prophetic Ravings grants haste and turns any creature into a card drawing engine when discarded. Despite both providing value, Dwarven Trader is a creature which can offer board presence in addition to its card draw potential.

Another comparable card is Rummaging Goblin, which allows you to consistently exchange cards in hand for potential new resources but requires tapping and doesn’t have the creature type synergy. In modern gameplay, creature types like dwarves are often significant, bringing additional tribal benefits that Rummaging Goblin doesn’t provide. Moreover, Dwarven Trader can be quicker by potentially drawing a card right when another dwarf comes into play.

Evaluating the blend of card advantage and tribal synergy, Dwarven Trader fits nicely into strategies emphasizing dwarf tribal themes or decks that capitalize on enter-the-battlefield effects, making it a card beloved by many who appreciate the dwarf archetype within Magic: The Gathering.

Prophetic Ravings - MTG Card versions
Rummaging Goblin - MTG Card versions
Prophetic Ravings - Eldritch Moon (EMN)
Rummaging Goblin - Magic 2013 (M13)

Cards similar to Dwarven Trader by color, type and mana cost

Goblin Balloon Brigade - MTG Card versions
Hurr Jackal - MTG Card versions
Primordial Ooze - MTG Card versions
Gorilla Shaman - MTG Card versions
Goblin Swine-Rider - MTG Card versions
Mons's Goblin Raiders - MTG Card versions
Orcish Conscripts - MTG Card versions
Mountain Goat - MTG Card versions
Roc Hatchling - MTG Card versions
Jackal Pup - MTG Card versions
Flailing Soldier - MTG Card versions
Branded Brawlers - MTG Card versions
Scarred Puma - MTG Card versions
Mogg Fanatic - MTG Card versions
Grim Lavamancer - MTG Card versions
Kessig Wolfrider - MTG Card versions
Goblin Guide - MTG Card versions
Skirk Prospector - MTG Card versions
Crazed Goblin - MTG Card versions
Akki Avalanchers - MTG Card versions
Goblin Balloon Brigade - Ninth Edition (9ED)
Hurr Jackal - Fourth Edition (4ED)
Primordial Ooze - Chronicles (CHR)
Gorilla Shaman - Alliances (ALL)
Goblin Swine-Rider - Visions (VIS)
Mons's Goblin Raiders - Fifth Edition (5ED)
Orcish Conscripts - Masters Edition II (ME2)
Mountain Goat - Portal (POR)
Roc Hatchling - Weatherlight (WTH)
Jackal Pup - The List (PLST)
Flailing Soldier - Mercadian Masques (MMQ)
Branded Brawlers - Prophecy (PCY)
Scarred Puma - Invasion (INV)
Mogg Fanatic - Tenth Edition (10E)
Grim Lavamancer - Torment (TOR)
Kessig Wolfrider - Innistrad: Crimson Vow (VOW)
Goblin Guide - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Skirk Prospector - Vintage Masters (VMA)
Crazed Goblin - Darksteel (DST)
Akki Avalanchers - Champions of Kamigawa (CHK)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Dwarven Trader MTG card by a specific set like Homelands and Homelands, 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 Dwarven Trader and other MTG cards:

Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See Magic products

Printings

The Dwarven Trader Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 1995-10-01 and 1995-10-01. Illustrated by Margaret Organ-Kean.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11995-10-01HomelandsHML 72a1993normalblackMargaret Organ-Kean
21995-10-01HomelandsHML 72b1993normalblackMargaret Organ-Kean

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Dwarven Trader has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

Recent MTG decks

Continue exploring other format decks
More decks