Rhys the Exiled MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityRare
TypeLegendary Creature — Elf Warrior
Power 3
Toughness 2

Key Takeaways

  1. Rhys enables sustained card advantage by recovering creatures, crucial for maintaining board presence in elf-heavy decks.
  2. His fit into green and black mana decks offers exceptional mana generation, bolstering early and mid-game momentum.
  3. Strategic combat planning is rewarded, pairing well with instant-speed interactions to keep opponents on edge.

Text of card

Whenever Rhys the Exiled attacks, you gain 1 life for each Elf you control. , Sacrifice an Elf: Regenerate Rhys the Exiled.

Once a famed hunter and packmaster, now a renegade seeking his own path.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Rhys the Exiled provides a unique method of card advantage for players by enabling recurring creature retrieval from the graveyard, simply by connecting in combat. This synergizes brilliantly with decks that benefit from creature heavy strategies, ensuring you seldom lose momentum even if your creatures are dealt with.

Resource Acceleration: Rhys the Exiled can accelerate your game significantly. As an Elf, he fits seamlessly into the prevalent Elf tribal decks that are known for their ability to produce vast amounts of mana quickly. This allows you to outpace opponents by deploying threats or utilizing abilities ahead of curve.

Instant Speed: While Rhys himself does not operate at instant speed, he encourages a gameplay style that leverages the threat of instant speed interactions. By strategically planning combat phases and potential regeneration abilities, you can maintain pressure while keeping mana open for other instant speed responses within your turn.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Rhys the Exiled calls for you to sacrifice an Elf to regenerate him, which could become costly in terms of board presence.

Specific Mana Cost: Rhys’s mana cost includes green and black, which necessitates a two-color mana base and can limit deck flexibility versus mono-colored decks.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a total cost of three mana, including one green and one black, players might find the initial investment steep for a card that requires additional Elves to be genuinely effective.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Rhys the Exiled offers flexible strategies for decks that thrive on elf synergies or life gain mechanics. His ability to regenerate himself makes him a resilient threat on the battlefield.

Combo Potential: Pair Rhys the Exiled with other elf cards and effects that reward you for gaining life or having a high elf count, unlocking powerful combinations that can quickly turn the tide of a game.

Meta-Relevance: With an ever-shifting MTG landscape, Rhys the Exiled remains pertinent as a commander in elf-centric decks or as part of the 99 in green and black builds, capitalizing on the staple creature type’s ongoing support and relevance.


How to beat

Rhys the Exiled stands out in MTG as a resilient commander known for his ability to avoid normal avenues of creature control. Hailing from the rank of legendary creatures, Rhys brings a unique capability to regenerate by sacrificing another Elf. This makes single-target removal less effective and requires a strategic approach to overcome. To combat Rhys, it’s essential to employ methods that can outpace or circumvent this regeneration ability.

Board wipes, for instance, prove to be efficacious as they don’t target individual creatures and can clear the field of multiple threats, including Rhys, in one fell swoop. Graveyard management cards can also be vital by eliminating Rhys’ ability to return to the battlefield from the graveyard. Additionally, exile effects are particularly potent against Rhys as they prevent the possible recursion from the graveyard altogether. It is also efficient to hinder his ability by restraining the generation of Elf tokens, hence cutting off his regeneration resource.

Ultimately, when building your game plan against Rhys the Exiled, consider incorporating these strategies to effectively level the playing field. Maximizing the use of global removals and strategic exiling techniques will enhance your chance of nullifying the resilience that Rhys brings to the game.


BurnMana Recommendations

Looking at Rhys the Exiled, we see a card that epitomizes cunningness and subtlety, traits that can dramatically shift the outcome of a match. With his elf synergies and singular ability to reuse creatures, Rhys encourages a deck archetype that utilizes creature-based strategies, keeping your board presence strong. The trick lies in balancing his sacrifice ability while capitalizing on life gain and mana acceleration, strategizing to outwit opponents with unexpectedly resilient tactics. As the MTG meta evolves, including Rhys in your collection could well be a strategic choice, especially in elf-driven decks. Curious to discover how Rhys the Exiled could revolutionize your gameplay? Dive into our extensive guide and bring a whole new level of strategy to your MTG encounters.


Cards like Rhys the Exiled

In the vast universe of MTG, Rhys the Exiled stands out for his unique blend of elf synergy and life-gain mechanics. When looking at similar cards, Elvish Archdruid is a notable comparison; it bolsters your elf army while providing a substantial mana boost. Yet, it doesn’t offer the same life-gain advantage that Rhys brings to the table upon connecting with an opponent.

Another elf of interest is Dwynen, Gilt-Leaf Daen. This card also hinges on the power of elf tribal decks and provides a life gain ability. However, Rhys the Exiled’s sacrifice ability provides an additional way to capitalize on creature deaths, distinguishing it from Dwynen’s otherwise passive life-gain trigger. Then there is Essence Warden, which provides life-gain whenever a creature enters the battlefield, but lacks Rhys’ offensive capabilities and tribal leadership role.

Assessing the nuances and strategic benefits of these cards unveils Rhys the Exiled as a multifaceted choice for players who enjoy elf decks with a twist of sustainability through lifegain, confirming its distinct place in MTG card hierarchy.

Elvish Archdruid - MTG Card versions
Dwynen, Gilt-Leaf Daen - MTG Card versions
Essence Warden - MTG Card versions
Elvish Archdruid - MTG Card versions
Dwynen, Gilt-Leaf Daen - MTG Card versions
Essence Warden - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Rhys the Exiled MTG card by a specific set like Morningtide and Kaldheim 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 Rhys the Exiled and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Rhys the Exiled Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2008-02-01 and 2021-02-05. Illustrated by Steve Prescott.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12008-02-01MorningtideMOR 1352003NormalBlackSteve Prescott
22021-02-05Kaldheim CommanderKHC 732015NormalBlackSteve Prescott

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Rhys the Exiled has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Rhys the Exiled 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 You may sacrifice Rhys the Exiled to pay for its own regeneration ability. However, since Rhys is no longer on the battlefield, the ability will have no effect.

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