Patron of the Wild MTG Card

Allows for cost-saving creature plays with a potential to unexpectedly shift the game state in your favor. A specific mana cost and discard requirement that may limit its inclusion in some decks and strategies. Offers versatility and combo potential, particularly in green-based decks focused on creature spells.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	1
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Elf
Abilities	Morph
Released	2003-02-03
Set symbol
Set name	Legions
Set code	LGN
Power	1
Toughness	1
Number	134
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Dave Dorman

Text of card

Morph (You may play this face down as a 2/2 creature for . Turn it face up any time for its morph cost.) When Patron of the Wild is turned face up, target creature gets +3/+3 until end of turn.

Cards like Patron of the Wild

Patron of the Wild is a card that offers a unique brew of benefits for MTG players who favor a deck loaded with creatures. It’s akin to cards like Sylvan Advocate, which similarly becomes more powerful as the game progresses. Although Sylvan Advocate doesn’t require creature tapping, it gains strength from having six or more lands in play. This marks a subtle yet crucial difference in how the two cards scale in a match.

Spotlighting on Essence Warden, another card in the same arena, it provides a consistent life-gain advantage each time a creature enters the battlefield. In contrast, Patron of the Wild’s power lies in its activation cost, which requires creature tapping in addition to mana. Additionally, Nettle Sentinel offers a parallel in creature deck dynamics, with its ability to untap after a green spell is cast, fostering a similar tempo to that of Patron of the Wild’s tap-in mechanic.

In appraising the strengths and synergies of creature-focused cards, Patron of the Wild presents a compelling case as an enhancer of creature-based strategies in MTG. Its interaction with other creatures is what renders it a noteworthy option among cards suited for creature-heavy decks.

Cards similar to Patron of the Wild by color, type and mana cost

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Patron of the Wild offers a unique ability to put a creature card from your hand onto the battlefield. This mechanic can bypass usual casting costs, providing a card advantage by allowing you to deploy threats or utility creatures without spending mana.

Resource Acceleration: When you successfully get a creature onto the battlefield with Patron of the Wild, you not only save on mana costs but potentially accelerate your board presence significantly. This can lead to faster deployment of other cards and strategies in your deck.

Instant Speed: The flexibility of activating Patron of the Wild at instant speed can be a game-changer. This allows you to wait until the most opportune moment within a turn cycle to surprise your opponent, potentially dodging sorcery-speed removals or disrupting their combat strategies.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Incorporating a mechanic where you must discard a card can deplete your hand, making Patron of the Wild a card that requires careful timing and hand management to be effective.

Specific Mana Cost: This card requires a specific mana alignment to cast, potentially restricting deck flexibility and necessitating a buildup of the exact mana required, which may not always align with the flow of your game.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost that may be considered steep for its effects, the Patron of the Wild competes with other options within the same mana range that could provide more immediate impact or value to your gameplay strategy.

Reasons to Include Patron of the Wild in Your Collection

Versatility: Patron of the Wild holds a place in various green-based decks where creature spells are rampant. Its low mana cost makes it an excellent early-game play, and with an ability to pump itself, it provides a swiftly escalating threat that can adapt to the pace of your game plan.

Combo Potential: In decks that revolve around +1/+1 counters, Patron of the Wild seamlessly integrates. It can easily become a key piece in strategies aiming to build a single, overwhelming creature or to spread counters among a wide field, maximizing interactions with other creatures and spells that reward this style of play.

Meta-Relevance: Given the right circumstances, especially in formats where fast, resilient creatures are valuable, Patron of the Wild can prove its worth. Its ability to grow under player control can often catch opponents off guard, helping you maintain a strong stance irrespective of the constantly shifting meta.

How to beat

Patron of the Wild enters the realm of MTG as a potent force for players who favor creature-heavy strategies. Its role is defined by its ability to swiftly amplify board presence, particularly in decks teeming with creatures waiting to pounce. One tactic parallels that of Wing Shards, which gains traction by compelling your opponent to sacrifice an attacking creature.

Comparatively, cards like Wrath of God or Damnation offer a more sweeping solution, resetting the battlefield entirely and nullifying the Patron’s numerical advantage. These cards eliminate threats en masse and are more decisive in halting the Patron’s momentum. Another route lies in selective removals such as Path to Exile, swiftly exiling the Patron of the Wild to ensure that its effects are short-lived.

To summarily navigate such encounters, understanding the delicate balance of removal timing and resource management is key. It’s through such careful strategies that one can outmaneuver the Patron of the Wild’s strengths and maintain control of the game. Implementing these measures effectively can dissipate the power that Patron of the Wild wields within the nuanced ecosystem of MTG.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Patron of the Wild MTG card by a specific set like Legions, 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 Patron of the Wild and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Patron of the Wild has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Premodern	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2004-10-04	The trigger occurs when you use the Morph ability to turn the card face up, or when an effect turns it face up. It will not trigger on being revealed or on leaving the battlefield.