Elder of Laurels MTG Card


Elder of Laurels - Innistrad
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Human Advisor
Released2011-09-30
Set symbol
Set nameInnistrad
Set codeISD
Power 2
Toughness 3
Number177
Frame2003
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred byTerese Nielsen

Key Takeaways

  1. Strategically increases creature power, maximizing board value and utility during gameplay.
  2. Demands green mana commitment, potentially limiting deck-building options for players.
  3. Ability’s instant speed enhances combat tactics and can unexpectedly turn the tide.

Text of card

: Target creature gets +X/+X until end of turn, where X is the number of creatures you control.

Hopes and prayers can carry the same force as swords and torches.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Elder of Laurels offers a significant tactical edge as it empowers you to potentially draw out more utility from each creature you control. By boosting a creature’s power, it indirectly extends the value and utility of your board presence.

Resource Acceleration: In terms of resource acceleration, Elder of Laurels can be seen as a force multiplier. While it doesn’t directly add mana or ramp, the ability to increase creature power at a moment’s notice means each creature can potentially be a bigger threat, making all your resources more effective.

Instant Speed: The versatility of this card is further highlighted by its instant speed ability activation. This not only allows reactive gameplay, adapting swiftly to the unfolding game but also disguises your true combat strength until the very last moment, potentially leading to favorable combat exchanges or even ending games unexpectedly.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Elder of Laurels does not have a discard requirement, so this does not apply to the evaluation of this card’s downsides.

Specific Mana Cost: The Elder of Laurels demands a dedicated green mana presence, necessitating a strong commitment to that color within a player’s deck. This can restrict deck-building flexibility and make it challenging to include in multi-color decks that rely on a balanced mana base.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana, including two generic and one green, Elder of Laurels may seem reasonably priced, but it is important to consider the overall mana efficiency. Given that its ability also requires an additional investment of three mana, including two generic and one green, to activate, the total cost for a single boost can become significant, especially considering the pace of standard MTG gameplay where speed and efficiency are key.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Elder of Laurels serves as a flexible boost to any creature-heavy deck. Its ability to give a substantial power increase to a creature not only aids in combat but also supports strategies relying on creature stats.

Combo Potential: This creature’s inherent ability can work wonders with untap mechanics or with cards that allow you to use its power-boosting effect multiple times within a turn, giving it notable synergies in various combo scenarios.

Meta-Relevance: In a gameplay environment that appreciates creature-based tactics, Elder of Laurels can be an essential piece, adding a layer of threat to your board that opponents must answer or face overwhelming force on the battlefield.


How to beat

Elder of Laurels is a creature known for its ability to significantly increase another creature’s power, which can turn the tide of a game in MTG. When strategizing against Elder of Laurels, it is crucial to anticipate this power pump. Removal spells are the most straightforward method for countering this threat. Utilizing instant-speed removal such as Doom Blade or Path to Exile can ensure the Elder never gets a chance to activate its ability, especially during the combat phase.

Moreover, playing creatures with the ‘reach’ or ‘flash’ abilities can provide a line of defense that’s both flexible and robust. Countering it outright with spells like Negate or Essence Scatter also proves to be effective, targeting the card before it ever claims a presence on the battlefield. Remember, removal and counterspells are vital when facing cards with the potential to buff other creatures, and in this case, thwarting the Elder of Laurels’ ability can be key to maintaining control of the game.


Cards like Elder of Laurels

Elder of Laurels holds a unique position in the world of buffing creatures in Magic: The Gathering. It stands in comparison to cards such as Gavony Township, which similarly provides a permanent boost to your creatures. Nonetheless, Elder of Laurels distinguishes itself with the flexibility of targeting a single creature, potentially offering a massive, timely surge in power, especially in creature-heavy decks.

Another card worth mentioning is Craterhoof Behemoth, which not only boosts your creatures but also gives them trample until the end of the turn, affecting the entire battlefield. While this effect is profound, it comes with a higher mana cost and one-time use, unlike Elder of Laurels, which can be used as long as you have the mana and the creature remains on the board.

When considering strategic creature enhancement in MTG, Elder of Laureils is a reliable choice for continual on-demand boosts. Its repeated use can be a game changer late in a match, thus offering variable and dynamic play options compared to the singular impact of other similar cards.

Gavony Township - MTG Card versions
Craterhoof Behemoth - MTG Card versions
Gavony Township - Innistrad (ISD)
Craterhoof Behemoth - Avacyn Restored (AVR)

Cards similar to Elder of Laurels by color, type and mana cost

Cat Warriors - MTG Card versions
Rysorian Badger - MTG Card versions
Sabertooth Cobra - MTG Card versions
Quirion Druid - MTG Card versions
Hungry Hungry Heifer - MTG Card versions
Titania's Chosen - MTG Card versions
Taoist Mystic - MTG Card versions
Femeref Archers - MTG Card versions
Lydari Druid - MTG Card versions
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Realmwalker - MTG Card versions
Topiary Stomper - MTG Card versions
Territorial Scythecat - MTG Card versions
Wirewood Savage - MTG Card versions
Reki, the History of Kamigawa - MTG Card versions
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Pincher Beetles - MTG Card versions
Yavimaya Elder - MTG Card versions
Awakener Druid - MTG Card versions
Brindle Boar - MTG Card versions
Cat Warriors - Legends (LEG)
Rysorian Badger - Homelands (HML)
Sabertooth Cobra - Mirage (MIR)
Quirion Druid - Visions (VIS)
Hungry Hungry Heifer - Unglued (UGL)
Titania's Chosen - Urza's Saga (USG)
Taoist Mystic - Portal Three Kingdoms (PTK)
Femeref Archers - Seventh Edition (7ED)
Lydari Druid - Sega Dreamcast Cards (PSDG)
Steel Leaf Champion - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Realmwalker - The Lost Caverns of Ixalan Commander (LCC)
Topiary Stomper - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Territorial Scythecat - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Wirewood Savage - Onslaught (ONS)
Reki, the History of Kamigawa - Saviors of Kamigawa (SOK)
Timberwatch Elf - Salvat 2005 (PSAL)
Pincher Beetles - Tenth Edition (10E)
Yavimaya Elder - Duel Decks: Phyrexia vs. the Coalition (DDE)
Awakener Druid - Magic 2011 (M11)
Brindle Boar - Magic 2011 (M11)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Elder of Laurels MTG card by a specific set like Innistrad, 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 Elder of Laurels and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Elder of Laurels has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Elder of Laurels card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

DateText
2011-09-22 Once the ability has resolved, the bonus won’t change if the number of creatures you control changes later in the turn.
2011-09-22 The number of creatures you control is counted as the ability resolves.

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