Lys Alana Bowmaster MTG Card
2008-02-01 - Number 130
2020-11-20 - Number 241
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Elf Archer |
| Abilities | Reach |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Text of card
Reach (This can block creatures with flying.) Whenever you play an Elf spell, you may have Lys Alana Bowmaster deal 2 damage to target creature with flying.
Cards like Lys Alana Bowmaster
In the realm of Elf synergistic cards, Lys Alana Bowmaster stands as a noteworthy figure. It finds parallels with other Elf cards that capitalize on the tribe’s propensity for both swarm tactics and sharpshooting abilities. Elvish Archdruid, for instance, offers a boost to other Elves’ power, but doesn’t directly provide the damaging ability upon Elf casting that Lys Alana Bowmaster does. The Archdruid instead focuses on ramping mana, reflecting a different aspect of Elf strategy.
Another comparable card is Jagged-Scar Archers, which scales its power and toughness with the number of Elves in play and can also deal damage, albeit in a targeted manner rather than whenever you cast an Elf spell. It’s a more defensive option, aiming to fortify the board rather than directly punishing your opponent’s creatures. However, the Bowmaster’s capacity to trigger its ability with each cast can offer repetitive damage output – a tactical edge in certain matchups.
Overall, Lys Alana Bowmaster embodies the strategic depth of Elf decks, enabling both aggressive and controlling playstyles. Its unique blend of offensive reach and tribal synergy ensures it remains a solid choice for Elf-centric builds, particularly in formats where creature removal through direct damage is invaluable.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Lys Alana Bowmaster allows you to potentially eliminate multiple threats by dealing damage to flying creatures. This can lead to card advantage as you handle more of your opponent’s cards with just one of yours.
Resource Acceleration: As part of an elf-centric deck, this card boosts your strategy by working in tandem with other elves. It can be key to flooding the board rapidly, setting up for a strong mid-game presence.
Instant Speed: The ability to deal damage at instant speed grants flexibility in gameplay. You can strategically time your actions to disrupt your opponent’s attacks or eliminate key threats on their turn, preserving your board state.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While unleashing arrows on your opponents, Lys Alana Bowmaster demands a card from your hand to fire off its ability. This requirement can deplete your hand, especially if your strategy doesn’t support card draw or recursion, effectively reducing your options in the game.
Specific Mana Cost: Fitting the Bowmaster into your deck can be tricky; it costs both green mana and another color. This specificity may not be a hurdle for mono-green or two-color decks, but it could complicate your mana base in more color-diverse decks or where green is not a primary focus.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Four mana for this archer’s services may not seem too steep at first glance, but when compared to other cards at the same cost, the Bowmaster can fall short in terms of impact and versatility, particularly in fast-paced games where each mana point is critical.
Reasons to Include Lys Alana Bowmaster in Your Collection
Versatility: Lys Alana Bowmaster can play a crucial role in Elf tribal decks as well as any green-based decks looking for creature control. Its ability to deal damage to flying creatures adds a necessary layer of board interaction for decks that might struggle against air assaults.
Combo Potential: Pairing this card with effects that generate numerous Elf tokens can create a scenario where you dominate the skies by picking off opposing flyers, turning your Elf swarms into deadly archers.
Meta-Relevance: With flying creatures being a common component of many aggressive and control decks, Lys Alana Bowmaster consistently finds relevance. Its utility in dismantling flying threats can often tilt the balance of a match in your favor.
How to beat
Lys Alana Bowmaster is a key asset for elf decks in Magic: The Gathering, known for its ability to shoot down opponent’s creatures whenever you play an elf spell. Deceptively powerful, this can lead to a one-sided battlefield if not handled promptly. To counter this strategic advantage, it’s essential to remove the Bowmaster quickly, minimizing the barrage of its ability. Targeted removal spells like Fatal Push or Shatter the Sky are effective at this, as they can bypass the elf synergy protections.
Another method is to limit the number of elves entering the battlefield. Counterspells, such as Syncopate or Dovin’s Veto, can stop elf spells in their tracks, preventing the Bowmaster’s ability from activating. Silent Gravestone can also be invaluable, preventing any graveyard tricks that aim to recycle elf spells. If the Bowmaster does get out of control, a board wipe like Damnation can reset the board, wiping out elf-driven dominance. Ensuring your deck has answers to creature threats makes it less likely that Lys Alana Bowmaster and its elven comrades will overrun you.
Ultimately, understanding the mechanics at play and having a strategy for removal or control can turn the tide against Lys Alana Bowmaster’s archery expertise, grounding the elf army before they can notch their victory.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Lys Alana Bowmaster MTG card by a specific set like Morningtide and Commander Legends, 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 Bowmaster and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
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- MTG Mint Card
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- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
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Printings
The Lys Alana Bowmaster Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2008-02-01 and 2020-11-20. Illustrated by Dan Scott.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2008-02-01 | Morningtide | MOR | 130 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Dan Scott | |
| 2 | 2020-11-20 | Commander Legends | CMR | 241 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Dan Scott |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Lys Alana Bowmaster has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Lys Alana Bowmaster card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2020-11-10 | An ability that triggers when a player casts a spell resolves before the spell that caused it to trigger. It resolves even if that spell is countered. |