Leaf Gilder MTG Card
2007-10-12 - Number 227
2010-06-18 - Number 63
2015-07-17 - Number 184
2020-07-17 - Number 408
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Elf Druid |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Text of card
: Add to your mana pool.
Eidren, perfect of Lys Alana, ordered hundreds of trees uprooted and rearranged into a pattern he deemed beautiful. Thus the Gilt-Leaf Wood was born.
Cards like Leaf Gilder
Leaf Gilder holds its place as a straightforward mana accelerator in Magic: The Gathering. It echoes the ability of cards like Llanowar Elves, a classic one-drop that taps for green mana, thereby underlining the efficiency of the Leaf Gilder for just one more mana. Yet, the Leaf Gilder brings a mildly sturdier body to the battlefield, which can prove advantageous in the early creature skirmishes.
Elvish Mystic, another one-mana doppelganger to Llanowar Elves, shares the same tap-for-mana feature, reinforcing how Leaf Gilder fills the role of a slightly beefier alternative at a two-drop slot. Fyndhorn Elves is yet another parallel in this ecosystem of green mana dorks, highlighting how Leaf Gilder steps up as a more combat-ready option.
In the end, while comparing these magic ramp agents, Leaf Gilder competes by combining the essential mana-generating function with a more substantial presence on the board, offering players a blend of utility and board state influence that can be pivotal in the course of a game.
Cards similar to Leaf Gilder by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Leaf Gilder. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Jund Control | Legacy | Charlotte Legacy League Season 1 Week 3 |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: While Leaf Gilder itself may not draw cards, it contributes to card advantage by freeing up mana that can be used to cast additional spells in a single turn. This can effectively allow players to deploy more threats or answers than opponents, which can be a decisive factor in MTG.
Resource Acceleration: As a two-cost creature that taps for green mana, Leaf Gilder is a superb resource accelerator. Able to be played early in the game, it effectively ramps up your mana production, allowing for earlier casting of high-cost creatures and spells that can dominate the battlefield.
Instant Speed: Although Leaf Gilder doesn’t function at instant speed, its capability to instantly provide mana the turn after it’s played can unexpectedly speed up your game plan. This quality enables players to keep up with others who might be playing more aggressively or to unexpectedly outpace opponents with rapid deployment of impactful cards.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Although the Leaf Gilder itself doesn’t necessitate the discarding of cards, it can be ineffective when drawn in late-game scenarios where better mana acceleration options are no longer needed, essentially becoming a card that doesn’t contribute meaningfully to your late-game strategy.
Specific Mana Cost: Leaf Gilder requires both generic and green mana to be cast. The green-specific mana cost can occasionally hinder the flexibility of deck construction, predominantly in multicolored decks that might prefer mana dorks that offer a broader range of mana options or have a colorless casting cost.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of two mana, Leaf Gilder is slightly more costly compared to the most efficient mana-dorks like Llanowar Elves that offer the same mana acceleration for a lower cost. In decks where speed is key, the difference of even one mana can be significant.
Reasons to Include Leaf Gilder in Your Collection
Versatility: Leaf Gilder serves as a reliable mana accelerator in various green-centric builds. Its ability to tap for green mana makes it valuable for speeding up your gameplay, allowing you to cast more substantial spells ahead of the curve.
Combo Potential: This creature can seamlessly integrate with decks that capitalize on untap mechanics or require consistent mana generation for combo execution. Its synergy with cards that benefit from tapping and untapping creatures can pave the way for powerful plays.
Meta-Relevance: With a solid presence in green ramp strategies, Leaf Gilder fits well into the current meta where establishing an early mana lead often translates to control and dominance on the board.
How to beat
Leaf Gilder is a card that bolsters your mana resources within MTG, similar to other mana dorks like Llanowar Elves, but with slightly different dynamics. With its ability to tap for green mana, it can accelerate your gameplay by allowing you to cast larger spells earlier. However, much like any mana acceleration card, Leaf Gilder is vulnerable to removal spells. Cards such as Shock or Fatal Push can easily dispatch it before it starts fueling a massive mana engine.
Moreover, since Leaf Gilder requires a turn to become untapped before utilizing its mana ability, instant-speed removal spells are particularly effective. If you’re facing a deck that relies heavily on Leaf Gilder, it’s wise to prioritize the removal of such creatures to slow down your opponent’s game plan. Keep in mind that Leaf Gilder is just one cog in the machinery of a ramp strategy, so be prepared to address subsequent larger threats that may follow this early-game set-up piece.
Lastly, counteracting the mana advantage provided by Leaf Gilder can also be done by increasing your tempo with faster, more aggressive creatures, or utilizing disruption like land destruction to offset the acceleration it provides. This way, you’ll keep the playfield even and maintain pressure on your opponent throughout the game.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Leaf Gilder MTG card by a specific set like Lorwyn and Archenemy, 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 Leaf Gilder and other MTG cards:
BUY NOW BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
See MTG Products
Printings
The Leaf Gilder Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2007-10-12 and 2020-07-17. Illustrated by Quinton Hoover.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2007-10-12 | Lorwyn | LRW | 227 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Quinton Hoover | |
| 2 | 2010-06-18 | Archenemy | ARC | 63 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Quinton Hoover | |
| 3 | 2015-07-17 | Magic Origins | ORI | 184 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Quinton Hoover | |
| 4 | 2020-07-17 | Jumpstart | JMP | 408 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Quinton Hoover |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Leaf Gilder has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |