Lathril, Blade of the Elves MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityMythic
TypeLegendary Creature — Elf Noble
Abilities Menace
Power 2
Toughness 3

Key Takeaways

  1. Lathril excels in token generation, offering substantial card advantage and board control.
  2. High mana cost and specific mana requirements restrict early-game plays and deck flexibility.
  3. Strategic removal and board wipes are key to mitigate Lathril’s formidable elf synergies.

Text of card

Menace Whenever Lathril, Blade of the Elves deals combat damage to a player, create that many 1/1 green Elf Warrior creature tokens. , Tap ten untapped Elves you control: Each opponent loses 10 life and you gain 10 life.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Lathril, Blade of the Elves excels in card advantage by generating elf tokens with each successful attack. This leads to an expanding army on the board that can overwhelm opponents and ensure a stronger presence as the game progresses.

Resource Acceleration: Not only does Lathril create tokens, but these tokens can serve as an expedient form of resource acceleration. Tapping elves under your control adds green mana to your pool, speeding up your gameplay and allowing you to cast higher-cost cards much sooner.

Instant Speed: Her ability to create tokens at instant speed presents a significant tactical advantage. Timing her ability right allows you to surprise opponents during their turn, potentially disrupting their strategies or enhancing your defensive capabilities when least expected.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Even though Lathril, Blade of the Elves doesn’t force you to discard cards to utilize her abilities, building your strategy around her means you need to prepare other cards that feed the elf and token synergies, which can at times force your hand away from more versatile plays.

Specific Mana Cost: Lathril’s mana cost requires a combination of green and black mana, which can be restrictive. Decks without a strong mana base or ramp capabilities may struggle to cast her on curve, thus slowing down your game plan.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a four mana casting cost, two of which are colored, Lathril can be less appealing compared to other commanders that offer faster board presence or stronger individual power. This high cost demands a significant investment in the early game, which can be a setback if you’re facing aggressive, faster-paced decks.


Reasons to Include Lathril, Blade of the Elves in Your Collection

Versatility: Lathril, Blade of the Elves is a dynamic card that can support various strategies in elf tribal decks or any green-black build looking for efficient creatures. Her ability to create elf tokens makes her an asset both offensively and defensively.

Combo Potential: With Lathril, synergy with cards that benefit from large numbers of creatures is significant. Utilizing her tap ability, you can combo with other elves to deal damage and gain life, setting up potential game-winning turns.

Meta-Relevance: Given her potential to turn the tides with a wide board presence, Lathril remains a pertinent choice for players contending with creature-heavy formats. In the elf-centric builds, she is a cornerstone that can consistently pose a threat to opponents.


How to beat

Lathril, Blade of the Elves is a key card for players aiming to dominate the battlefield with Elves in MTG. The synergy Lathril provides as both a leader and a token generator can be overwhelming. Despite this, there are effective strategies to nullify her impact. Targeted removal spells like Fatal Push or Path to Exile can take her out of play before her token generation becomes significant. Board wipes, such as Wrath of God or Damnation, also prove to be a deterrent, by resetting the board state and negating the amassed Elf tokens’ advantage.

Moreover, using cards that weaken or negate Lathril’s abilities, such as Grafdigger’s Cage or Cursed Totem, can limit her effectiveness. It’s also wise to manage the pace of the game by disrupting the elves’ mana acceleration with cards like Blood Moon or crippling their key nonland permanents using Reclamation Sage. By anticipating the growth of the Elf contingent and proactively curbing their expansion with smart plays and key counter strategies, one can keep Lathril’s influence in check and maintain control over the game’s outcome.

In conclusion, while Lathril can present a formidable challenge, there are various tactics within MTG to combat her. Balancing timely removal with preventative measures is essential to defeat her and her Elven horde.


BurnMana Recommendations

With Lathril, Blade of the Elves, your deck gains a multifaceted powerhouse capable of turning the tide of any match. Her unique abilities provide card advantage, accelerate your resources, and offer tactical surprises at instant speed. If you’re looking to build a dominant elf tribal deck or simply enrich your green-black strategies with a card that brings both offense and defense to the table, Lathril is a choice that rewards inventive play and strategic foresight. Quench your curiosity for elaborate combos and meta-defining plays; let us guide you deeper into the potential that Lathril, Blade of the Elves, holds for your MTG collection. Elevate your game – discover more strategies, synergies, and ways to reign supreme on the battlefield.


Cards like Lathril, Blade of the Elves

Lathril, Blade of the Elves, is a compelling commander in MTG with unique abilities that echo the strengths of other elf synergistic cards. In comparison, Marwyn, the Nurturer shares a kinship with Lathril in its ability to accumulate value with other elves on the battlefield. They both flourish in an environment teeming with elven allies. However, Lathril differentiates herself with her ability to directly translate elf presence into a winning strategy with her potent tap ability.

Azuri, Renegade Leader is another card that resonates with Lathril’s strategy. Azuri leverages the power of elves to offer a universal overrun effect, while Lathril can use her elf army to create tokens and wield them as both an offensive and defensive tool. However, Lathril’s innate ability to deal with opponents through loss of life and gaining life adds a layer of versatility to her playstyle.

Lastly, Rhys the Exiled mirrors Lathril’s capacity for generating elf tokens, but his reliance on regeneration marks a clear departure from Lathril’s tactic of exponential growth and control. Lathril stands out as a uniquely potent force in elf-deck tactics, adeptly navigating the line between generating vast armies and controlling the board state.

Marwyn, the Nurturer - MTG Card versions
Rhys the Exiled - MTG Card versions
Marwyn, the Nurturer - Dominaria Promos (PDOM)
Rhys the Exiled - Morningtide (MOR)

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Vhati il-Dal - Tempest Remastered (TPR)
Creakwood Liege - Double Masters 2022 (2X2)
Noxious Hatchling - Eventide (EVE)
Desecrator Hag - Commander Anthology Volume II (CM2)
Corpsejack Menace - Fallout (PIP)
Jarad, Golgari Lich Lord - GRN Guild Kit (GK1)
Rot Farm Skeleton - Dragon's Maze (DGM)
Reaper of the Wilds - Fate Reforged Clash Pack (CP2)
Graverobber Spider - Born of the Gods (BNG)
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Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Lathril, Blade of the Elves MTG card by a specific set like Resale Promos and Kaldheim Commander, 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 Lathril, Blade of the Elves and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Lathril, Blade of the Elves Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2007-01-01 and 2021-02-05. Illustrated by Caroline Gariba.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12007-01-01Resale PromosPRES 22015normalblackCaroline Gariba
22021-02-05Kaldheim CommanderKHC 12015normalblackCaroline Gariba

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Lathril, Blade of the Elves has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal

Rules and information

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

DateText
2021-02-05 You can tap any ten untapped Elves you control, including ones you haven’t controlled continuously since the beginning of your most recent turn, to pay that part of the cost of Lathril’s activated ability. You must have controlled Lathril continuously since the beginning of your most recent turn, however. Lathril doesn’t count as one of the ten.

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