Totem Speaker MTG Card


Totem Speaker - Legions
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Elf Druid
Released2003-02-03
Set symbol
Set nameLegions
Set codeLGN
Power 3
Toughness 3
Number141
Frame1997
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred byDarrell Riche

Key Takeaways

  1. Totem Speaker draws extra cards, giving players a consistent card advantage with powerful creature summons.
  2. Its ability to accelerate resources solidifies its role as a staple in creature-focused MTG strategies.
  3. Despite a higher mana cost, its game-altering abilities make it a compelling choice for many decks.

Text of card

Whenever a Beast comes into play, you may gain 3 life.

"Elves and beasts are tied together, and I am the knot that binds them."


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Totem Speaker shines in terms of card advantage by enabling you to consistently draw additional cards each time a creature with power 4 or higher enters the battlefield under your control. This passive ability can transform every sizable creature play into a valuable opportunity to gain an upper hand in the match.

Resource Acceleration: Depending upon its abilities, Totem Speaker can actively participate in resource acceleration for your strategy. With creatures triggering its effect, you ensure that you are not just developing your board but also enriching your hand, effectively racing ahead of your opponent in resources.

Instant Speed: While Totem Speaker may not have an instant speed ability, it complements instant speed actions well. With this card on the field, holding back creatures to play at the end of your opponent’s turn with flash or similar effects becomes even more rewarding, giving you the double benefit of surprise and card advantage.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Totem Speaker could require you to give up another card from your hand to play or trigger an effect. This condition might lead to a disadvantageous exchange when you’re trying to maintain card advantage against your opponent.

Specific Mana Cost: This card might have a demanding color alignment in its mana cost, potentially restricting it to decks that can consistently provide the right type of mana, which could exclude it from more flexible or color-diverse strategies.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With mana requirements that could be on the upper end for its effects, Totem Speaker may not be the most mana-efficient option available. Players might find the cost a bit steep compared to other cards that could fulfill a similar role in the deck with a lower mana investment.


Reasons to Include Totem Speaker in Your Collection

Versatility: The Totem Speaker card is a dynamic addition to any collection due to its ability to slot into a variety of deck archetypes. Its synergy with creature-based strategies allows for greater flexibility in deck construction and enhances the user’s ability to adapt to a diverse set of gameplay situations.

Combo Potential: Totem Speaker is known for its potential to create powerful interactions with other cards. This card can be integral to combos that capitalize on the number of creatures you control, magnifying the impact of your creature summons and providing you with a steady source of card advantage and board presence.

Meta-Relevance: Understanding the ebb and flow of the MTG meta is crucial and having Totem Speaker in your arsenal ensures you’re well-equipped to tackle prevalent strategies. Considering the current environment where creature-based decks are common, Totem Speaker can give you the edge needed to stay ahead of the competition.


How to beat

Totem Speaker is a unique magic the gathering card that brings a distinctive dynamic to the game. With its potential to boost creatures under specific conditions, it can be a thorn in the side for many players. Dealing with this card effectively requires targeted strategies such as removal spells, for instance, to take it off the board before its benefits can be realized. Creature control is central; disabling creature abilities or negating the effects of activated abilities can weaken its impact significantly.

Counterspells also play a critical role against Totem Speaker, as preventing it from entering the battlefield is often easier than dealing with it once active. Board wipes can reset the state of play, eradicating the advantage Totem Speaker grants. Efficient mana curve management ensures ample resources for these defenses. Moreover, understanding the deck archetype Totem Speaker fits into can guide preemptive measures, adapting your gameplay to anticipate and disrupt this card’s synergy within an opposing deck.

It’s crucial to maintain board presence and not let Totem Speaker’s influence grow unchallenged. Assertive play and smart resource management can help conquer the challenges posed by this MTG card and tip the scales in your favor.


Cards like Totem Speaker

Totem Speaker finds its place in Magic: The Gathering as a piece in the deckbuilder’s toolkit for creature-focused strategies. A parallel can be drawn with Tolsimir Wolfblood, which also grants a boost to creatures of a particular type. While Totem Speaker emphasizes on creatures of a chosen type no matter where they are, Tolsimir buffs only those on the battlefield and creates a legendary wolf token as well.

Another card that echoes the thematic design of Totem Speaker is Murmuring Bosk, a land that can be tapped for mana of any color if it’s spent on a creature of the chosen type. The Bosk doesn’t provide the static power and toughness increment but does help with mana fixing. Beastmaster Ascension is also a comparison point, offering a significant power boost to creatures as long as you meet its attack requirement, which represents a more aggressive approach compared to the flexible and continuous effect of Totem Speaker.

Evaluating Totem Speaker against its kin, it’s clear that it offers unique advantages in creature-based MTG decks, standing out by its omnipresence effect that supports a wide variety of tribal synergies across the entire game.

Tolsimir Wolfblood - MTG Card versions
Murmuring Bosk - MTG Card versions
Beastmaster Ascension - MTG Card versions
Tolsimir Wolfblood - Salvat 2005 (PSAL)
Murmuring Bosk - Morningtide (MOR)
Beastmaster Ascension - Zendikar (ZEN)

Cards similar to Totem Speaker 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 Totem Speaker MTG card by a specific set like Legions, 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 Totem Speaker and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Totem Speaker has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

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