Greenhilt Trainee MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Creature — Elf Warrior
Released	2011-05-13
Set symbol
Set name	New Phyrexia
Set code	NPH
Power	2
Toughness	3
Number	112
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Chris Rahn

Key Takeaways

Greenhilt Trainee offers valuable card efficiency by boosting other creatures without additional card costs.
The trainee accelerates resource usage by enabling tap abilities of creatures with power 4 or greater.
Surprise combat tricks are possible by pairing Greenhilt Trainee’s ability with other instant-speed actions.

Text of card

: Target creature gets +4/+4 until end of turn. Activate this ability only if Greenhilt Trainee's power is 4 or greater.

"Our ancestors adapted to this world of metal. Just as they did, we will adapt to this world of evil."

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Greenhilt Trainee’s ability to tap and give +4/+4 to another target creature can swing the tide of battle in your favor without costing you additional cards from your hand. This efficient use of a single card can lead to favorable trades on the battlefield or even game-winning attacks.

Resource Acceleration: By enabling the activation of abilities that require tapping a creature with power 4 or greater, Greenhilt Trainee can indirectly contribute to resource acceleration. Whether it’s untapping lands or activating costly creature abilities, the Trainee makes it easier for you to leverage your resources in a powerful way.

Instant Speed: While Greenhilt Trainee’s ability isn’t at instant speed itself, it can be used in conjunction with other instant-speed interactions to create surprise blockers or attackers during combat. The prospect of suddenly enhancing a creature’s power during your opponent’s turn can be a formidable deterrent, making the Trainee a strategic piece in your tactical arsenal.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Although Greenhilt Trainee does not have a discard requirement, players should be aware that additional costs such as discarding can be cumbersome when they need to preserve hand advantage.

Specific Mana Cost: Greenhilt Trainee requires a specific mana investment of one green and three generic mana. This mana cost can be restrictive, limiting its inclusion mostly to decks that can reliably produce green mana.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of four mana, Greenhilt Trainee may present a steeper investment for its ability to grant a creature +4/+4. Considering the mana investment, players must evaluate if its potential on the battlefield justifies its place over other lower-cost options.

Reasons to Include Greenhilt Trainee in Your Collection

Versatility: Greenhilt Trainee may initially seem niche, but it offers flexibility across numerous deck styles. Given its ability to pump creature’s power, it fits into decks aiming to maximize tap abilities or synergize with high-powered creatures.

Combo Potential: This card can form powerful synergies with cards that untap creatures or with any effects that look for creatures with specific power thresholds. With the right setup, Greenhilt Trainee can turn an unassuming creature into a formidable threat.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where games often hinge on tightly knit synergies and incremental advantage, this four-cost creature can be an unexpected linchpin. Its presence makes opponents wary of the explosive combinations it can facilitate, especially in green-inclined decks that excel in creature growth strategies.

How to beat

The Greenhilt Trainee card may seem daunting at first with its ability to empower another target creature based on its high strength. This card from the Scars of Mirrodin set requires a tactical approach to overcome. The key is to disrupt its power-building potential. Removal spells that can target creatures regardless of their power, such as Murder or Path to Exile, can efficiently remove the Trainee from the battlefield before its ability becomes a threat.

Alternatively, keeping your opponent’s creatures under strict control is a viable strategy. Cards that reduce power, like Claustrophobia or Frost Breath, can prevent the Trainee from reaching the necessary threshold to activate its ability. Board wipes, such as Day of Judgment and Wrath of God, can also reset the field, negating the advantages built by your opponent. It’s crucial to anticipate the empowerment of Trainee and stay ahead with removal or control measures.

Remember, achieving victory against Greenhilt Trainee is all about timing and control. By understanding when to dismantle your opponent’s strategy and deploying the right measures preemptively, you can ensure the Trainee’s efforts are in vain and lead your deck to triumph.

Cards like Greenhilt Trainee

Greenhilt Trainee is an intriguing card in MTG that taps to give another target creature +4/+4 until end of turn, provided its power is 4 or more. It invites comparisons with fellow card Wall of Roots, which adds a mana to your pool while putting a -0/-1 counter on itself. Though Wall of Roots offers a different kind of utility, it’s a staple for its mana-generating ability, much like Greenhilt Trainee’s potential for a power boost.

Another card to consider is Kujar Seedsculptor, which upon entering the battlefield puts a +1/+1 counter on another target creature you control. It’s a one-time but immediate effect, unlike the repetitive potential of Greenhilt Trainee’s ability. Finally, there’s the honored Elite Inquisitor, known for its combat loaded with power and resilience. While not providing a direct boost to others, its high power level showcases the variety of strengths green cards can offer.

In essence, Greenhilt Trainee could be a game-changer in the right deck, offering recurring power boosts in contrast to the one-time effects or personal prowess of similar cards. Its value in gameplay is arguably situational but can be pivotal to a winning strategy.

Cards similar to Greenhilt Trainee by color, type and mana cost

Ulvenwald Oddity // Ulvenwald Behemoth - MTG Card versions

Viridian Lorebearers - MTG Card versions

Monkey Monkey Monkey - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Greenhilt Trainee MTG card by a specific set like New Phyrexia, 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 Greenhilt Trainee and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Greenhilt Trainee has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Restricted
Modern	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal
Penny	Legal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Greenhilt Trainee card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date	Text
2011-06-01	Once Greenhilt Trainee’s ability is activated, it will resolve as normal even if Greenhilt Trainee’s power is less than 4 at that time (perhaps because an Equipment attached to it was destroyed).