Mirkwood Elk MTG Card
2023-06-23 - Number 443
2023-06-23 - Number 124
2023-06-23 - Number 41
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 6 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Elk |
| Abilities | Trample |
| Power | 6 |
| Toughness | 6 |
Text of card
Trample Whenever Mirkwood Elk enters the battlefield or attacks, return target Elf card from your graveyard to your hand. You gain life equal to that card's power.
"Whereas the light perceives the very heart of the darkness, its own secret has not been discovered." —Haldir
Cards like Mirkwood Elk
Mirkwood Elk stands among the interesting roster of creature cards in Magic: The Gathering. A close relative in function and form is the Llanowar Elves, which has been a staple in MTG for mana acceleration. Both creatures bring value to the table by helping you ramp your mana resources, albeit the Mirkwood Elk requires a sacrifice to add that extra green mana to your pool. Llanowar Elves, on the other hand, is ready to tap for mana without any additional cost.
Examining another counterpart, Sakura-Tribe Elder also provides mana acceleration with the advantage of being able to search for a land and put it onto the battlefield. This can be a stronger option in the long run compared to the one-time use of Mirkwood Elk’s ability. Elvish Mystic is another card that mirrors the mana-generating capability of Llanowar Elves, still without the need for a sacrifice, showing the consistency within this category of Elves.
When it comes to choosing creature cards for their mana-giving traits, Mirkwood Elk is a convenient choice but with a sacrificial clause. Its uniqueness lies in that aspect, providing a different strategy from the other similar mana dorks in the game.
Cards similar to Mirkwood Elk by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Leveraging the abilities of Mirkwood Elk can enhance your hand by providing creature search capabilities, thus ensuring you consistently have creatures to play or bolstering your options.
Resource Acceleration: Mirkwood Elk potentially expedites your mana curve by fetching land cards directly onto the battlefield, thereby escalating your resource pool and paving the way for swifter, more impactful plays.
Instant Speed: The ability to activate Mirkwood Elk’s effects at instant speed grants you the flexibility to adapt to the ever-changing battlefield, optimizing your strategy in response to your opponent’s moves and maintaining tempo.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Mirkwood Elk requires discarding another card, which can be detrimental if your hand can’t afford the loss, reducing your strategic options during critical phases of play.
Specific Mana Cost: This creature comes with a specific mana cost that demands a dedicated color commitment, potentially complicating your deck’s mana base and limiting its compatibility with more versatile strategies.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana value that’s on the higher side for its stats and benefits, Mirkwood Elk often competes with more cost-effective creatures that might provide greater utility or impact on the game board.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Mirkwood Elk slides into various deck archetypes with ease, thanks to its adaptable nature as a creature card. Its presence can significantly bolster strategies that emphasize a strong board presence, enriching both aggressive and midrange collections.
Combo Potential: Harnessing the Elk’s synergy with forest-related enchantments or card abilities that trigger on creature casts allows for intricate combo plays, elevating both casual and competitive gameplay with dynamic interactions.
Meta-Relevance: As the game environment fluctuates, having access to cards like the Mirkwood Elk that can efficiently navigate through a range of meta-game shifts keeps your deck consistent and competitive across various matchups.
How to beat Mirkwood Elk
The Mirkwood Elk is a unique creature card that brings a specific dynamic to the battlefield in Magic: The Gathering. Key to overcoming this card lies in preempting its strengths. Firstly, knowing that its power grows with forests, maintaining control over land count and board wipes can neutralize its impact. For instance, cards such as Wrath of God or Damnation can clear the field before the elk gains too much momentum.
Moreover, spot removal spells like Fatal Push or Path to Exile can efficiently deal with the Mirkwood Elk regardless of its power size at a low mana cost, ensuring you stay ahead in resources. It’s also worth considering enchantments like Pacifism or Frogify that can effectively sidestep the elk’s abilities by restricting its combat potential or changing its creature type, respectively.
Ultimately, dealing with Mirkwood Elk hinges on your ability to manage the growing threat. Effective removal, land destruction, or enchantment spells that limit its capabilities are all vital tools in your MTG arsenal. By keeping its strengths in check, you can ensure the elk does not overrun your strategies on the path to victory.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Mirkwood Elk MTG card by a specific set like Tales of Middle-earth Commander and Tales of Middle-earth Commander, 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 Mirkwood Elk 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 Mirkwood Elk Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2023-06-23 and 2023-06-23. Illustrated by Christina Kraus.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2023-06-23 | Tales of Middle-earth Commander | LTC | 443 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Christina Kraus | |
| 2 | 2023-06-23 | Tales of Middle-earth Commander | LTC | 124 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Christina Kraus | |
| 3 | 2023-06-23 | Tales of Middle-earth Commander | LTC | 41 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Christina Kraus |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Mirkwood Elk has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Mirkwood Elk card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2023-06-16 | In the rare case that the Elf card you return to your hand doesn't have power, you'll gain 0 life. |