Nomadic Elf MTG Card
2000-10-02 - Number 200
2010-03-19 - Number 38
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Elf Nomad |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Text of card
o1oo G Add one mana of any color to your mana pool.
"I've journeyed across Dominaria. Phyrexians are everywhere. Plague is everywhere. There's no place left to hide."
Cards like Nomadic Elf
Nomadic Elf offers a versatile mana-fixing capability for multi-colored decks in Magic: The Gathering. It is somewhat akin to cards like Farhaven Elf, which also provides mana acceleration with a land-based approach. Yet, Nomadic Elf’s ability to produce any color gives it an edge in decks that span across a vast spectrum of colors. Farhaven Elf may put a land on the field, but Nomadic Elf’s immediate mana conversion can be pivotal at crucial game moments.
Another relative in this realm of Mana Elves is Birds of Paradise, renowned for its flying ability and color versatility. Birds of Paradise offers immediate mana of any color just like Nomadic Elf, yet it can also block imposing fliers. While Birds is fragile due to its one toughness, Nomadic Elf presents a sturdier option to sustain board presence. On the costing side, Elvish Harbinger serves with a similar utility, fetching Elf cards or generating any color. Nonetheless, the higher mana cost of Elvish Harbinger implies a slower deployment, which can be critical in fast-paced matchups where Nomadic Elf excels.
Comparing mana dorks is pivotal for deck builders in Magic: The Gathering. With a focus on usability and efficiency, Nomadic Elf does stand out as a solid card in its niche, especially in decks that demand a diverse color palette for casting spells.
Cards similar to Nomadic Elf by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Nomadic Elf’s ability to generate mana of any color grants a subtle card advantage by efficiently facilitating multicolored deck builds without needing a host of other mana-fixing cards.
Resource Acceleration: This creature plays a crucial role in resource acceleration by enabling access to mana outside your base color as early as turn three, setting the stage for casting high-impact spells ahead of schedule.
Instant Speed: While Nomadic Elf operates at sorcery speed, its mana ability is usable at instant speed, giving you the flexibility to adapt to the evolving game state and utilize your resources on an as-needed basis, even during your opponent’s turn.
Card Cons
Specific Mana Cost: One of the drawbacks of Nomadic Elf is its reliance on a specific combination of mana colors to deploy. Players need both green and another color of mana, which can be restrictive, especially when trying to cast it early in the game within a multicolored deck.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: While two mana might not seem steep for an early game creature, there are many other two-drop creatures that might provide a greater immediate impact on the board. Nomadic Elf’s utility comes from its mana-fixing ability, which might not always align with your game plan, especially if you’re looking for more aggressive options.
Discard Requirement: Although Nomadic Elf doesn’t require a card to be discarded as an innate part of its cost, its inclusion in a deck may indirectly force discards. For example, in late-game scenarios where you would prefer to draw into more impactful cards, drawing a Nomadic Elf can be underwhelming, and it may end up being discarded to effects or abilities that require you to discard.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Nomadic Elf shines in multicolor decks, offering crucial mana fixing that can be the difference between casting your impactful spells or being stuck with a nonfunctional hand.
Combo Potential: Adept at enabling combos, this Elf serves as a linchpin for engine pieces that require specific mana colors, opening doors to numerous multi-colored synergies.
Meta-Relevance: With many decks leaning into multicolor strategies, the utility of Nomadic Elf becomes increasingly relevant, ensuring smooth gameplay across various formats.
How to Beat Nomadic Elf
Nomadic Elf can be an interesting challenge on the battlefield due to its mana-fixing ability, providing versatility in multicolored decks. In Magic: The Gathering, similar to other mana dorks, the key to tackling this creature is to mitigate its impact early on. Cards that can remove creatures for a low cost come in handy to take Nomadic Elf out of the equation before it can over-perform.
Direct removal spells like Fatal Push, Lightning Bolt, or Path to Exile are great examples of efficient answers to Nomadic Elf. Additionally, using mass removal spells such as Wrath of God or Supreme Verdict can be effective if your opponent manages to develop a larger board presence. Should they rely heavily on Nomadic Elf’s mana abilities, artifact disruption like Damping Sphere can hinder their strategy.
In essence, quick removal or playing control elements to address Nomadic Elf and similar threats can ensure that you maintain the upper hand. Pay attention to the flow of the game, and being proactive with your answers can contribute significantly to shutting down their mana acceleration and ensure a path to victory.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Nomadic Elf MTG card by a specific set like Invasion and Duel Decks: Phyrexia vs. the Coalition, 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 Nomadic Elf and other MTG cards:
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- 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
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Printings
The Nomadic Elf Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2000-10-02 and 2010-03-19. Illustrated by D. J. Cleland-Hura.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2000-10-02 | Invasion | INV | 200 | 1997 | Normal | Black | D. J. Cleland-Hura | |
| 2 | 2010-03-19 | Duel Decks: Phyrexia vs. the Coalition | DDE | 38 | 2003 | Normal | Black | D. J. Cleland-Hura |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Nomadic Elf has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |