Lys Alana Scarblade MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Elf Assassin
Power 1
Toughness 1

Key Takeaways

  1. Offers card advantage by using its -X/-X ability in response to threats, maintaining hand diversity.
  2. Enables resource acceleration within elf decks, enhancing tribal synergies for overwhelming presence.
  3. Instant-speed ability provides flexibility, disrupting opponent strategies at critical moments.

Text of card

, Discard an Elf card: Target creature gets -X/-X until end of turn, where X is the number of Elves you control.

In beauty-obsessed Lys Alana, one cut of her blade means the difference between a high society feast and raking through the dungheap for scraps.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Lys Alana Scarblade presents an opportunity for continuous card advantage by allowing you to repeatedly utilize its ability to discard an Elf card and give a creature -X/-X until end of turn. This repeatable action keeps your opponents’ threats in check while maintaining your hand’s strategic diversity.

Resource Acceleration: As part of an Elf-themed deck, Lys Alana Scarblade can benefit significantly from the tribal synergies that Elves are known for. Often pairing with cards that tap for multiple mana or generate additional Elves, this card can help accelerate your board presence and overwhelm opponents with an ever-growing force.

Instant Speed: The ability of Lys Alana Scarblade to be activated at instant speed is crucial during gameplay. This not only allows you to respond to your opponents’ moves during their turn, but also offers the flexibility to decide the most opportune moment to disrupt their strategy, potentially eliminating key threats or clearing the way for a decisive attack.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Activating Lys Alana Scarblade’s ability necessitates the discard of an Elf card which can be a restrictive condition when your hand is running on empty or the card you’re forced to discard is key to your strategy.

Specific Mana Cost: The mana cost of Lys Alana Scarblade includes black mana, which may not seamlessly fit into all Elf-centric decks, especially those that rely on green mana and aim to stay mono-colored for consistency.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana value of three, including double black, Lys Alana Scarblade may arrive on the battlefield later than desired. In fast-paced games, this can mean falling behind on developing board presence, especially compared to other Elf cards with lower mana requirements.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Lys Alana Scarblade proves to be a flexible component in Elf tribal decks. Its capability to act as repeatable removal while empowering your board with each Elf you play makes it a dynamic addition to any green or Golgari build.

Combo Potential: With a deck stacked with Elves, the Scarblade’s ability to discard an Elf card to give a creature -X/-X until end of turn opens up strategies that revolve around graveyard play, giving it a valuable role in synergy-driven combos.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where creature-based strategies dominate, Lys Alana Scarblade’s targeted removal shines. Its relevance increases with the presence of key creatures that need to be dealt with promptly, ensuring your Elf army faces minimal roadblocks.


How to beat

Lys Alana Scarblade presents a nuanced challenge on the battlefield. As an elf rogue with the ability to grant -X/-X to target creature, where X is the number of elves you control, overcoming this card requires strategic play. To neutralize its effect, reducing the elf population on your opponent’s side is key. Utilizing board wipes like Supreme Verdict or single target removals such as Fatal Push can significantly diminish the power of Lys Alana Scarblade.

Another angle is to limit its activation by controlling your opponent’s hand. Cards like Duress enable you to peek into the enemy’s strategy and discard any potential threats that could empower Scarblade. Additionally, instant-speed removals like Path to Exile or Assassin’s Trophy can catch your opponent off-guard, removing the card before it can utilize its deleterious ability.

Ultimately, what counters Lys Alana Scarblade effectively is a mix of proactive creature control and smart hand disruption. Strategically navigating these elements will allow you to maintain dominance over the elf-themed threat and secure your position in the game.


BurnMana Recommendations

Delving into the strategic layers of MTG often unveils hidden gems like Lys Alana Scarblade, a card with potent tribal interactions and on-demand creature control. For those keen on refining their elf decks or exploring graveyard synergies, the flexibility this card brings can’t be overstated. Whether you’re leveraging its abilities for targeted removal or seeking to create dynamic combo plays, Scarblade consistently offers diverse tactical advantages. We encourage players to harness this card’s full potential by integrating it into their collections, and continue elevating their gameplay. Discover more tips, strategies, and powerful additions to your arsenal as you journey towards MTG mastery with us.


Cards like Lys Alana Scarblade

Lys Alana Scarblade stands out in Magic: The Gathering as a unique elf-themed creature card. Among its kin, you might consider Shadow Alley Denizen, another elf boasting a similar mana cost. While it lacks the elf synergy of weakening the opposing forces, it does grant a level of evasion, by potentially giving another creature intimidate until end of the turn. This allows for a different strategic value.

Querying into other elves, we might survey Thornweald Archer for comparison. This creature features both reach and deathtouch, presenting itself as an excellent defensive option against flying creatures—a different utility when compared to Scarblade’s tactical creature elimination advantage. Moreover, Nettle Sentinel is another elf that interacts favorably within elf decks but focuses on untapping during spell-casting, a contrast to Scarblade’s targeted removal aspect.

In sum, Lys Alana Scarblade offers a unique combination of elvish synergy and controlled creature debuffing, offering strategic value in elf tribal decks within Magic: The Gathering. While there are other elves that dance around the same mana curve, they pivot towards enhancing game dynamics quite distinctively from Lys Alana Scarblade’s more confrontational approach.

Shadow Alley Denizen - MTG Card versions
Thornweald Archer - MTG Card versions
Nettle Sentinel - MTG Card versions
Shadow Alley Denizen - Gatecrash (GTC)
Thornweald Archer - Future Sight (FUT)
Nettle Sentinel - Eventide (EVE)

Cards similar to Lys Alana Scarblade by color, type and mana cost

Nettling Imp - MTG Card versions
Royal Assassin - MTG Card versions
El-Hajjâj - MTG Card versions
Plague Rats - MTG Card versions
Frozen Shade - MTG Card versions
Scathe Zombies - MTG Card versions
Sorceress Queen - MTG Card versions
Wall of Bone - MTG Card versions
Lost Soul - MTG Card versions
Mindstab Thrull - MTG Card versions
Mischievous Poltergeist - MTG Card versions
Strongarm Thug - MTG Card versions
Razortooth Rats - MTG Card versions
Ghastly Remains - MTG Card versions
Lord of the Undead - MTG Card versions
Deepwood Ghoul - MTG Card versions
Dross Prowler - MTG Card versions
Nim Lasher - MTG Card versions
Nim Abomination - MTG Card versions
Nantuko Husk - MTG Card versions
Nettling Imp - Limited Edition Alpha (LEA)
Royal Assassin - 30th Anniversary Edition (30A)
El-Hajjâj - Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border (4BB)
Plague Rats - Foreign Black Border (FBB)
Frozen Shade - 30th Anniversary Edition (30A)
Scathe Zombies - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Sorceress Queen - Rivals Quick Start Set (RQS)
Wall of Bone - Rivals Quick Start Set (RQS)
Lost Soul - Introductory Two-Player Set (ITP)
Mindstab Thrull - Masters Edition (ME1)
Mischievous Poltergeist - Classic Sixth Edition (6ED)
Strongarm Thug - Mercadian Masques (MMQ)
Razortooth Rats - Seventh Edition (7ED)
Ghastly Remains - Legions (LGN)
Lord of the Undead - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Deepwood Ghoul - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Dross Prowler - Mirrodin (MRD)
Nim Lasher - Mirrodin (MRD)
Nim Abomination - Darksteel (DST)
Nantuko Husk - Ninth Edition (9ED)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Lys Alana Scarblade MTG card by a specific set like Lorwyn and Eternal Masters, 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 Lys Alana Scarblade and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Lys Alana Scarblade Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2007-10-12 and 2021-02-05. Illustrated by Christopher Moeller.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12007-10-12LorwynLRW 1222003normalblackChristopher Moeller
22016-06-10Eternal MastersEMA 952015normalblackChristopher Moeller
32021-02-05Kaldheim CommanderKHC 502015normalblackChristopher Moeller

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Lys Alana Scarblade has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

DateText
2016-06-08 The number of Elves you control is counted only as Lys Alana Scarblade’s ability resolves. If Lys Alana Scarblade is still on the battlefield, it’ll count itself.

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