Temple Elder MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Creature — Human Cleric
Released	1998-06-24
Set symbol
Set name	Portal Second Age
Set code	P02
Power	1
Toughness	2
Number	24
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	David Horne

Key Takeaways

Contributes substantial card advantage and resource acceleration, pivotal for dictating game tempo.
Has instant speed versatility but is balanced by specific mana and discard conditions.
Its combo potential and meta-relevancy make it a mainstay in diverse MTG strategies.

Text of card

On your turn, before you attack, you may tap Temple Elder to gain 1 life.

"Give us breath. Give us life. Prepare us for the day we make." —The Alaborn "Rite of Battle"

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Temple Elder card equips players with a robust card advantage capability. This potent ability makes sure that you keep a steady flow of options in hand, furthering your strategy and outpacing the opponent.

Resource Acceleration: When it comes to gaining a lead in resources, Temple Elder shines by providing resource acceleration. This card effectively reduces the time it takes to deploy your heavy hitters by supplying additional resources.

Instant Speed: The versatility of Temple Elder is further exemplified by its instant speed trait. This gives you the freedom to respond swiftly to an evolving board state, casting it whenever the need arises, which can often be a game-changing factor.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The challenge with Temple Elder comes from its need for you to discard another card to utilize its full potential. When your hand is already dwindling, sacrificing precious cards can be a tough decision, potentially leaving you at a disadvantage if you’re unable to maintain card advantage.

Specific Mana Cost: Temple Elder demands a specific mana combination to cast, which can be restrictive. Players must have the correct colors of mana available at the right time, making it less flexible than cards with generic mana costs. This requirement can be particularly cumbersome in multicolor decks that might have inconsistent mana bases.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Furthermore, the mana cost of Temple Elder is on the higher side when compared to other creatures in its class. For the same cost, players might find creatures with more impactful abilities or better stats which could offer more immediate board presence and competitive advantage.

Reasons to Include Temple Elder in Your Collection

Versatility: Temple Elder fits seamlessly into a variety of deck archetypes due to its flexibility as an early game blocker or a later game mana source. This makes it a versatile pick for many strategies, maximizing value across different game phases.

Combo Potential: With an ability to tap for mana, Temple Elder can become a core piece in combos that rely on mana acceleration. It supports synergies with cards that benefit from being able to cast spells sooner or activate costly abilities.

Meta-Relevance: Given its impressive adaptability, Temple Elder remains relevant regardless of the shifting meta. Its inclusion offers a consistent advantage against diverse opponents, ensuring that your deck remains competitive in a variety of match-ups.

How to beat

Temple Elder in Magic: The Gathering offers a unique dynamic on the battlefield. It’s a resilient creature card that can act as a formidable defense against opponents, often stalling games to your disadvantage. Successfully overcoming Temple Elder involves a strategic approach. One tactic is utilizing removal spells that can bypass its potential for indestructibility or other protective abilities. Cards that force a sacrifice, like Diabolic Edict, are particularly effective since they don’t target and thus sidestep any protective measures.

Another angle is to employ flyer or unblockable creatures that can evade Temple Elder’s defenses altogether. This way, its strong presence on the ground becomes less of a threat as you focus on aerial or indirect combat strategies. Finally, tempo plays such as bounce spells, which return the Elder to the hand, can force your opponent to reuse their mana resources to replay it, granting you an advantage in resource management and board state control.

With thoughtful planning, the menace of Temple Elder can be mitigated, leaving your opponent’s plans disrupted and paving the way for you to guide the game to a victorious conclusion.

Cards like Temple Elder

Temple Elder has carved its niche in the world of MTG by offering a stable blend of defensive and mana-generating abilities. This card is an excellent utility creature that reminds us of cards like Satyr Hedonist. While Satyr Hedonist sacrifices itself for a burst of red mana, Temple Elder provides a more consistent mana ramp without the self-destruction. Moreover, this Elder can bolster your defenses, something the Satyr cannot.

Comparing it further, we see that the Temple Elder shares similarities with Elvish Rejuvenator. Though both cards help in mana-fixing, the Rejuvenator digs through the deck to put a land onto the battlefield while the Elder taps for mana directly. This direct resource generation can be a game-changer in decks that need mana on demand. Another parallel can be drawn with Dawntreader Elk, which also sacrifices for a land, yet it does not provide the blocking capabilities of the Temple Elder.

When it comes down to providing robust defenses and mana acceleration in one package, Temple Elder stands out. It’s the kind of card that can sustain control and progress in a game, proving to be a versatile inclusion in many MTG decks.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Temple Elder 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 Temple Elder and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Temple Elder has restrictions

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

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2013-09-20	If a turn has multiple combat phases, the ability can only be activated before the beginning of the declare attackers step of the first combat phase in that turn.