Norwood Warrior MTG Card


Norwood Warrior - Portal Second Age
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Elf Warrior
Released1998-06-24
Set symbol
Set namePortal Second Age
Set codeP02
Power 2
Toughness 2
Number140
Frame1997
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred byRebecca Guay

Key Takeaways

  1. Norwood Warrior enhances green decks with creature synergies and strategic gameplay versatility.
  2. It dominates with Forestwalk in some matchups, adding an edge to elf and warrior strategies.
  3. Countering it involves non-combat removal or game tempo control against this agile combatant.

Text of card

If Norwood Warrior attacks and is blocked, it gets +1/+1 until the end of the turn.

"The woods hold peace for those who desire it, but those who seek battle will find me."


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Norwood Warrior benefits from the synergies in a deck that focuses on creature-based strategies, enhancing board presence and creating potential avenues for card advantage through combat tricks or creature-focused effects.

Resource Acceleration: While Norwood Warrior does not directly accelerate resources, it can contribute to strategies that capitalize on elves or warriors to potentially unlock benefits or mana production from other cards in your deck.

Instant Speed: Although Norwood Warrior is a creature that doesn’t operate at instant speed, combining it with cards that offer flash can enable surprising combat scenarios, or complementing it with instant speed tricks can ensure it remains a relevant threat on the battlefield.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Norwood Warrior’s effectiveness can be hindered in scenarios where hand resource management becomes critical. Players often find themselves in predicaments where preserving their hand is more beneficial than deploying this card, especially against control decks that capitalize on an opponent’s low card count.

Specific Mana Cost: The warrior’s casting cost requires a commitment to green mana. This card inevitably finds less versatility in multicolored decks that may not consistently have the necessary green resources available, thus limiting the environments where the card can be optimally played.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting requirement that is on the higher end for its stat line and abilities, Norwood Warrior contends against a vast array of creatures in the same mana slot. Players might turn to alternatives that promise immediate impacts on the game state or present more synergistic opportunities within their deck.


Reasons to Include Norwood Warrior in Your Collection

Versatility: Norwood Warrior is a solid inclusion in green decks that focus on aggression and creature synergy. Its straightforward mana cost and elf type make it particularly adaptable in elf tribal decks, which are prominent in various formats.

Combo Potential: As an elf, Norwood Warrior works well with other cards that reward you for having multiple elves on the battlefield. Its synergy with elf-centric cards enhances strategies revolving around creature swarming and tribal buffs.

Meta-Relevance: Given the fluctuating nature of the meta, Norwood Warrior can be an efficient creature against decks that aren’t prepared to handle early-game board presence. With the right support, it bolsters your offensive line while remaining mana-efficient, ensuring your deck remains competitive.


How to beat

The Norwood Warrior card presents an interesting dynamic in Magic: The Gathering. As a 3/3 creature that requires just three mana to cast, it exemplifies a solid addition to any green deck, especially when players are aiming to establish a commanding board presence early on. Nonetheless, overcoming this particular warrior isn’t out of reach.

To effectively counter the Norwood Warrior, consider utilizing cards that can remove it from play without engaging in combat. Spells that force a player to sacrifice a creature, such as Diabolic Edict, bypass the warrior’s combat strength. Moreover, utilizing creatures with deathtouch can deter attacks, or at least ensure that if the warrior engages, it will be removed in the process. Another strategy is to control the game tempo with freeze spells or enchantments that prevent the warrior from untapping during its controller’s untap step, thereby neutralizing the threat it poses without direct confrontation.

Ultimately, while the Norwood Warrior is a force to be reckoned with in MTG, there are a variety of strategic plays to counter it effectively. Clever deck building and anticipating the opponent’s moves can turn the tide, keeping the warrior’s impact minimal.


Cards like Norwood Warrior

Norwood Warrior is an interesting creature card in Magic: The Gathering that fits well in decks focusing on green’s strength and creature-based strategies. It bears similarities to fellow green creature cards like Grizzly Bears, which is also a two-mana cost 2/2. But what sets Norwood Warrior apart is its Forestwalk ability, allowing it to be unblockable as long as the opponent controls a Forest. This subtle edge can give players an advantage in specific matchups.

Another comparable card is Talara’s Battalion, which demands a bit more from the player, requiring them to have cast another green spell before it comes down. While Talara’s Battalion boasts a stronger attack force, Norwood Warrior’s evasive capability provides it with a consistent form of utility, which could be more strategic in certain game situations.

Assessing Norwood Warrior in comparison with these similar cards showcases its potential in green decks focusing on overcoming obstacles. Its Forestwalk grants it a niche that might be especially useful against an opponent reliant on Forests, demonstrating that even a simple creature card can find a specific role in the broad landscape of Magic: The Gathering strategies.

Grizzly Bears - MTG Card versions
Talara's Battalion - MTG Card versions
Grizzly Bears - Limited Edition Alpha (LEA)
Talara's Battalion - Eventide (EVE)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Norwood Warrior MTG card by a specific set like Portal Second Age, 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 Norwood Warrior and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Norwood Warrior has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

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