Llanowar Druid MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Elf Druid |
| Released | 1997-06-09 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Weatherlight |
| Set code | WTH |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 2 |
| Number | 133 |
| Frame | 1997 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Pete Venters |
Text of card
oc T, Sacrifice Llanowar Druid: Untap all forests.
"This forest means more to the druids than their own kin. The loss of a tree is like the loss of a child." —Mirri of the *Weatherlight*
Cards like Llanowar Druid
The Llanowar Druid as a mana accelerator has a few parallels within Magic: The Gathering’s vast card pool. Verdant Haven is one such card that comes to mind, providing not only a one-time burst of mana but a continuous source as it enchants a land. Where the Druid untaps forests at the cost of being sacrificed, Verdant Haven keeps the land it enchants tapping for an additional mana indefinitely. This creates a sustained advantage, as opposed to the Druid’s one-time effect.
Another comparison could be drawn with the likes of Arbor Elf. This creature, though it can only untap one Forest per turn, can be used multiple times if not dealt with, potentially providing more mana over time than the singular use of Llanowar Druid. The Druid, however, has the benefit of untapping all Forests you control at once, potentially providing a massive mana surge in a single turn.
When considering mana acceleration in the game, Llanowar Druid’s ability to untap multiple lands at once positions it uniquely for decks looking to have a big turn. Despite its sacrifice requirement, in the right context, it can outperform more long-term mana generators by allowing a sizeable and immediate impact on the game.
Cards similar to Llanowar Druid by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Llanowar Druid is valuable in decks that aim to procure a surplus of cards. It provides an opportunity to untap all Forests which, in turn, could be used to power spells that draw cards, thereby contributing to potential card advantage over opponents.
Resource Acceleration: As a utility creature, the Llanowar Druid can accelerate your resources significantly. By untapping all your Forests, it can offer a burst of mana which could be the difference between casting a game-changing spell a turn earlier or not.
Instant Speed: Although the Llanowar Druid itself doesn’t operate at instant speed, its ability frees up mana, thus enabling you to keep options open to cast spells at instant speed. This strategic flexibility ensures you’re always prepared with a response or a surer path to victory.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Llanowar Druid mandates that you sacrifice a Forest as part of its ability activation. This can set you back in terms of mana development, especially if you’re relying on every land drop to execute your game plan.
Specific Mana Cost: This druid requires green mana to play. Decks not heavily invested in green may find this requirement restrictive, thus limiting the card’s versatility across various deck archetypes.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: While its ability to untap all Forests can be potent, the two-mana investment for a 1/1 creature is relatively steep. There are more mana-efficient creatures and ramping options available that could be more beneficial in a deck’s early stages of development.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Llanowar Druid is a flexible addition to decks that leverage mana acceleration or are in need of efficient tapping strategies. It’s particularly useful in green-based decks known for their ability to produce vast amounts of mana.
Combo Potential: This card synergizes well with effects that untap creatures or with landfall abilities, providing a solid foundation for combo plays. It’s useful in strategies designed to deploy large threats ahead of schedule.
Meta-Relevance: While Llanowar Druid might not be a staple in every current competitive format, it shines in environments where ramping up quickly can give you a significant advantage. Moreover, in casual or commander circuits, its simplicity and synergy with land-based strategies can make it a practical pick.
How to beat
The Llanowar Druid is a card that graces the green decks of many MTG players with its functionality of untapping forests. Its obvious strengths lie in ramping up mana generation, enabling players to cast larger spells or accumulate resources for later turns. To effectively counter this card, consider using removal spells to disrupt the Druid’s ability before your opponent can fully benefit from the increased mana. Spells like Shock or Lightning Bolt, common in red decks, can swiftly eliminate the Druid because of its low toughness.
Alternatively, you could use instant-speed removal when the Druid’s ability is activated but before it resolves, thus denying the mana advantage entirely. This way, you force the opponent to invest in the usage of the Druid without reaping any rewards. Playing with a strategy that limits your opponent’s creatures from untapping or employing cards that restrict abilities from being activated can also mitigate the edge that Llanowar Druid may offer.
To sum up, overcoming a Llanowar Druid revolves around timely removal or preventing it from activating its ability. A combination of these tactics woven into your game plan will ensure that you nullify the advantage this Mana-producing Druid bestows upon your adversary.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Llanowar Druid MTG card by a specific set like Weatherlight, 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 Llanowar Druid and other MTG cards:
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- 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
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Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Llanowar Druid has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Llanowar Druid card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2008-04-01 | Llanowar Druid’s ability untaps all Forests on the battlefield, not just the ones you control. |