Llanowar Elite MTG Card

Llanowar Elite excels in card advantage, creating multiple tokens for significant battlefield impact with a single play. Its synergy with mana acceleration is key, enabling faster play of high-cost cards and advantageous ramp strategies. Offers flexibility and surprise factor in gameplay by allowing instant speed development into a threatening creature.

Invasion (INV)
2000-10-02 - Number 196

Salvat 2005 (PSAL)
2005-08-22 - Number B17

Salvat 2005 (PSAL)
2005-08-22 - Number B16

Card sets	Released in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	1
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Elf
Abilities	Kicker,Trample
Power	1
Toughness	1

Text of card

Kicker o8 (You may pay an additional o8 as you play this spell.) Trample If you paid the kicker cost, Llanowar Elite comes into play with five +1/+1 counters on it.

Cards like Llanowar Elite

Llanowar Elite is a unique creature in the midst of mana acceleration options within Magic: The Gathering. It draws parallels with other mana-efficient creatures like Llanowar Elves, which similarly aid in ramping up your resources. However, Llanowar Elite stands out with its kicker ability that allows for an end-game mana sink, potentially turning it into a sizable threat on the battlefield.

Comparatively, we have Elvish Mystic, which serves the early game mana acceleration role just like Llanowar Elves. Despite being a functional reprint, it doesn’t provide the late-game growth capability of Llanowar Elite. Another card to consider is Rofellos, Llanowar Emissary. Rofellos can tap for a considerable amount of mana depending on the number of forests you control, which is consistent with Llanowar Elite’s potential for a late-game impact but through a different mechanism.

After vetting these cards side by side, Llanowar Elite offers a blend of early utility and late-game potential, making it a versatile pick for decks that aim for a strong mana curve and eventual board presence not commonly found in simple mana dorks.

Rofellos, Llanowar Emissary - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Llanowar Elite by color, type and mana cost

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Llanowar Elite’s kicker ability to create three tokens bolsters your battlefield presence, essentially granting you multiple creatures with a single card and paving the way for overwhelming your opponent.

Resource Acceleration: As elves are well-known for their synergy with mana production, playing Llanowar Elite can enhance strategies focused on ramping up your resources quickly, enabling you to cast high-cost spells earlier than usual.

Instant Speed: The flexibility to invigorate your Llanowar Elite at instant speed ensures tactical adaptability, letting you surprise opponents by turning a harmless creature into a substantial threat during combat or at the end of their turn.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Engaging with the Llanowar Elite’s abilities means you’ll have to contend with additional costs that could require you to discard cards. For players focusing on maintaining a full hand of options, this card’s demands could prove to be a strategic setback.

Specific Mana Cost: Hailing from the green mana pool, Llanowar Elite demands a certain dedication to forests and green mana sources. This can potentially restrict the card’s inclusion to mostly mono-green or green-heavy decks, as opposed to more versatile mana-based cards.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: When you pit Llanowar Elite against other creatures in its mana range, the cost of admission — especially when considering the admittedly impressive but costly kicker ability — stands out. Players may find that when it comes to efficient mana expenditure for creature impact, there are other contenders that could make more sense for a well-rounded deck strategy.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Llanowar Elite’s scalable ability to kick for additional mana makes it adaptable for various phases of the game. It operates well in decks that prioritize ramping capacity and board presence.

Combo Potential: Its kicker ability, when utilized, can create an overwhelming force of 1/1 token creatures. This mechanism can synergize with effects that benefit from a large number of creatures entering the battlefield.

Meta-Relevance: In a game that often values efficient creature plays, Llanowar Elite offers a relevant choice for strategies like token generation and go-wide tactics, fitting smoothly into green-focused aggro or midrange decks.

How to beat

Llanowar Elite is an intriguing card that, under the right circumstances, proves to be a formidable force on the battlefield. To successfully counter it, players should focus on disrupting the ramp strategies often employed to maximize the card’s kicker ability. Eliminating the Elite before its kicker cost can be met is key. Tactics might include using efficient removal spells to take the creature out early or employing counterspells to prevent it from ever entering the battlefield.

Moreover, since Llanowar Elite depends on a large amount of mana to become a significant threat, land destruction or denial strategies can also be effective. This can prevent your opponent from ever reaching the critical mass of mana required to kick the Elite into its more powerful state. In essence, maintaining control over the pace and resources of the game can greatly reduce the impact that Llanowar Elite has, keeping you one step ahead of your opponent’s strategy.

In summation, understanding and anticipating the strategies that enable Llanowar Elite to thrive will give you the upper hand, whether through direct removal, control strategies, or resource denial, thus safeguarding your position in the game.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Llanowar Elite MTG card by a specific set like Invasion and Salvat 2005, 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 Elite and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Llanowar Elite Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2000-10-02 and 2005-08-22. Illustrated by Kev Walker.

#	Released	Name	Code	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	2000-10-02	Invasion	INV	196	1997	Normal	Black	Kev Walker
2	2005-08-22	Salvat 2005	PSAL	B17	2003	Normal	White	Kev Walker
3	2005-08-22	Salvat 2005	PSAL	B16	2003	Normal	White	Kev Walker

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Llanowar Elite has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Premodern	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal