Folk of the Pines MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Dryad
Power 2
Toughness 5

Key Takeaways

  1. Offers card draw on attack, ramping abilities, and instant speed actions to aid in-game strategy.
  2. Mana-intensive with card discard drawbacks and challenges in diversified mana decks.
  3. Enhances green deck strategies through synergies and lends muscle to thematic decks.

Text of card

o1oo G +1/+0 until end of turn

"Our friends of the forest take many forms, yet all serve the will of Freyalise." —Laina of the Elvish Council


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Folk of the Pines enables players to potentially draw an extra card each time it attacks. This consistent card draw mechanism can substantially increase the odds of getting the right cards in hand, securing a lead in the game.

Resource Acceleration: By tapping for mana itself, Folk of the Pines can serve as a functional ramp, assisting players in bringing out high-cost creatures and spells ahead of schedule and swinging the momentum in their favor.

Instant Speed: This card’s activated abilities can be utilized at instant speed, providing flexibility and allowing players to adapt to the changing battlefield conditions without wasting a turn, potentially surprising opponents with unanticipated moves.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: To fully utilize Folk of the Pines, you need to discard another card, which can potentially deplete your hand and limit your strategic options later in the game.

Specific Mana Cost: This card requires a strict Green mana commitment, potentially making it challenging to incorporate into multicolored decks that have a leaner Green mana base.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With Folk of the Pines demanding a higher mana investment compared to other creatures of similar power levels, it can slow down your game pace, especially when facing decks that strive for efficiency.


Reasons to Include Folk of the Pines in Your Collection

Versatility: Folk of the Pines offers flexibility to green-aligned decks as a well-costed creature. Its forestry links make it a capable choice for players building around nature-themed synergies or looking for solid creatures with enchantment or land type synergies.

Combo Potential: Given its inherent abilities, this card can be a key component in combo chains. It interacts well with effects that capitalize on the number of creatures you control or their abilities to tap for additional benefits, expanding your options during gameplay.

Meta-Relevance: In an environment where green has a prominent presence, Folk of the Pines gains significance. Its interaction with popular card types and mechanics can create an advantage against a diverse array of opponent strategies. This relevance ensures it is a competent addition to decks in a variety of competitive scenes.


How to beat

Folk of the Pines is a unique presence on the battlefield in Magic: The Gathering. As a creature card, it may not seem intimidating at first glance, but its toughness and the ability to grow stronger can present a challenge to unprepared opponents. To overcome this obstacle, consider using removal spells that can bypass its increasing size. Cards like Path to Exile or Fatal Push can efficiently dispose of it before it becomes too large a threat. Another strategy could be to utilize control elements such as counter spells to prevent it from ever hitting the field. If Folk of the Pines has already started gaining counters, look into using board wipes, which will reset the board and remove all creatures regardless of their size.

Timing is also crucial in handling cards like Folk of the Pines. Engaging it in battle when it’s still small or ensuring that you have a way to deal damage directly to it before your opponent’s end step can prevent its growth. Keeping up with this proactive approach and using your removals and counters at strategic points in the game will tip the scales in your favor against the gradual powerhouse that is Folk of the Pines.


Understanding the Unique Traits of Folk of the Pines

When assessing the potential of green creatures within the world of Magic: The Gathering, Folk of the Pines is a card that often prompts comparison. It bears similarities to other green creatures that thrive in decks focused on large, mana-efficient beings. Take, for instance, Giant Growth—a card that temporarily boosts a creature’s power and toughness, which can be seen as reflecting the inherent strength offered by Folk of the Pines’ sturdy stature over multiple turns.

Cards like Folk of the Pines

Folk of the Pines is reminiscent of other green creatures like Sentinel Treefolk from a strategic standpoint. Both cards exemplify the quintessential qualities of green creatures: respectable toughness and the potential to become significant threats if left unchecked on the battlefield. However, Sentinel Treefolk and other similar creatures typically offer additional abilities which Folk of the Pines lacks, such as vigilance or reach, giving them a tactical edge in certain situations. Despite this, the mana-to-stats ratio of Folk of the Pines ensures it remains a competitive option for players seeking solid, cost-effective creatures to anchor their forest-based decks.

While Folk of the Pines delivers a straightforward presence on the board, its simplicity is both a strength and a weakness. In today’s meta with multifaceted card abilities, Folk of the Pines provides a reliable and unassuming choice, underrated by those who prefer more complex and synergistic play strategies. It’s a sturdy base-line comparison for both new and seasoned players looking to build or reevaluate their decks with consistent, formidable green creatures.

Giant Growth - MTG Card versions
Giant Growth - Limited Edition Alpha (LEA)

Cards similar to Folk of the Pines by color, type and mana cost

Thicket Basilisk - MTG Card versions
Cockatrice - MTG Card versions
Ironroot Treefolk - MTG Card versions
Elvish Bard - MTG Card versions
Durkwood Boars - MTG Card versions
Elven Riders - MTG Card versions
Panther Warriors - MTG Card versions
Redwood Treefolk - MTG Card versions
Spined Wurm - MTG Card versions
Rabid Wolverines - MTG Card versions
Deadly Insect - MTG Card versions
Vintara Elephant - MTG Card versions
Crashing Boars - MTG Card versions
Kavu Climber - MTG Card versions
Kavu Chameleon - MTG Card versions
Spring-Leaf Avenger - MTG Card versions
Okina Nightwatch - MTG Card versions
Consuming Blob - MTG Card versions
Ashaya, Soul of the Wild - MTG Card versions
Seedborn Muse - MTG Card versions
Thicket Basilisk - 30th Anniversary Edition (30A)
Cockatrice - Fourth Edition (4ED)
Ironroot Treefolk - Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border (4BB)
Elvish Bard - Alliances (ALL)
Durkwood Boars - Rivals Quick Start Set (RQS)
Elven Riders - Duels of the Planeswalkers (DPA)
Panther Warriors - Portal (POR)
Redwood Treefolk - Weatherlight (WTH)
Spined Wurm - Stronghold (STH)
Rabid Wolverines - Exodus (EXO)
Deadly Insect - Mercadian Masques (MMQ)
Vintara Elephant - Prophecy (PCY)
Crashing Boars - Beatdown Box Set (BTD)
Kavu Climber - Masters 25 (A25)
Kavu Chameleon - World Championship Decks 2001 (WC01)
Spring-Leaf Avenger - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Okina Nightwatch - Arena League 2005 (PAL05)
Consuming Blob - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Ashaya, Soul of the Wild - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Seedborn Muse - Murders at Karlov Manor Commander (MKC)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Folk of the Pines MTG card by a specific set like Ice Age and Deckmasters, 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 Folk of the Pines and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Folk of the Pines Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 1995-06-03 and 2008-09-22. Illustrated by 4 different artists.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11995-06-03Ice AgeICE 2351993normalblackNéNé Thomas & Catherine Buck
22001-12-01DeckmastersDKM 251997normalwhiteNéNé Thomas & Catherine Buck
32008-09-22Masters Edition IIME2 1621997normalblackNéNé Thomas & Catherine Buck

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Folk of the Pines has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

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