Primal Druid MTG Card


Primal Druid allows deck thinning and guarantees a land drop when it dies, enhancing draw quality and game pace. Though essential for green mana decks, it can be a costly choice compared to other mana dorks available. Its land-search ability upon death provides synergy with creature-focused strategies, maintaining meta relevance.
Primal Druid - Eldritch Moon
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Human Druid
Released2016-07-22
Set symbol
Set nameEldritch Moon
Set codeEMN
Power 0
Toughness 3
Number167
Frame2015
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byTomasz Jedruszek

Text of card

When Primal Druid dies, you may search your library for a basic land card, put it onto the battlefield tapped, then shuffle your library.

"The power of the woods is only ever borrowed."


Cards like Primal Druid

Primal Druid holds its own unique position in the roster of mana ramp creatures in Magic: The Gathering. It stands shoulder-to-shoulder with cards like Sakura-Tribe Elder, both of which can be sacrificed to search a land card out of your library onto the battlefield. However, Primal Druid requires a condition to be met—it must die in combat, rewarding the player with a land for their troubles. Sakura-Tribe Elder skips the combat, allowing for an immediate land ramp with its sacrifice ability.

Another card worth mentioning is Diligent Farmhand. Similar to Primal Druid, if it ends up in the graveyard, it can serve a secondary function. In the case of Diligent Farmhand, it acts as a basic land card if in the graveyard, due to its Muscle Burst ability. This particular aspect isn’t present in Primal Druid, which doesn’t have an alternate use if in the graveyard without the land search trigger.

As such, for players who appreciate the strategic depth of MTG, Primal Druid may find a place in decks that benefit from creatures dying, thanks to its triggered ability, offering a land as a parting gift – a subtle yet potentially game-changing advantage.

Sakura-Tribe Elder - MTG Card versions
Diligent Farmhand - MTG Card versions
Sakura-Tribe Elder - MTG Card versions
Diligent Farmhand - MTG Card versions

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River Boa - MTG Card versions
Eladamri, Lord of Leaves - MTG Card versions
Albino Troll - MTG Card versions
Silverglade Pathfinder - MTG Card versions
Priest of Titania - MTG Card versions
Quirion Elves - MTG Card versions
Blurred Mongoose - MTG Card versions
Llanowar Loamspeaker - MTG Card versions
Genesis Hydra - MTG Card versions
Jolrael, Mwonvuli Recluse - MTG Card versions
Scavenging Ooze - MTG Card versions
Heir of the Wilds - MTG Card versions
Mayor of Avabruck // Howlpack Alpha - MTG Card versions
Wren's Run Vanquisher - MTG Card versions
Muscle Sliver - MTG Card versions
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Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Primal Druid shines when it comes to setting up subsequent plays. Upon death, Primal Druid grants you the ability to search your library for a basic land card and put it onto the battlefield tapped. This not only thins your deck, improving the quality of your future draws, but it also puts you a step ahead by guaranteeing a land drop.

Resource Acceleration: Primal Druid is a budget-friendly engine of land acceleration that can be pivotal in ramp decks. By essentially acting as a land drop when it dies, it allows for quick scaling into more costly and impactful spells, paving the way for a stronger mid to late game.

Instant Speed: While the Druid itself does not operate at instant speed, its land-fetching ability is triggered by death, which can be a valuable attribute. This allows savvy players to block with the Druid and then benefit from its effect at the most opportune moment, frequently during an opponent’s turn, which can subtly shift the pace of the game in your favor.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Engaging with the Primal Druid means you may have to meet a discard condition before reaping its benefits. If your hand is sparse, the requirement can put you at a further disadvantage, forcing tough decisions on resource management.

Specific Mana Cost: Harnessing the power of the Primal Druid comes with the constraint of a specific mana cost that may not align with every deck’s color scheme. This could limit the inclusion of the card to decks that can readily produce green mana.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: For the utility it provides, the Primal Druid carries a mana cost that may seem steep compared to other mana dorks in the game. Savvy players might opt for alternative cards that offer a lower-cost avenue to resource acceleration.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Primal Druid offers a flexible role in any deck requiring mana acceleration or land-fixing. Upon death, its ability secures a land drop, which can be critical for ramp decks or color-intensive strategies.

Combo Potential: Its death-triggered ability to search for a land is ripe for combinations with effects that want creatures to die, such as morbid or revolt, boosting those strategies significantly.

Meta-Relevance: In a game where consistent mana access equates to more significant play options, including Primal Druid can be a sound choice. Against removal-heavy opponents, it turns a setback into an advantage, maintaining its relevance in various meta environments.


How to beat

Primal Druid presents a particular challenge in the realm of Magic: The Gathering due to its land ramp ability upon death. Players often find it tricky to deal with, as it can provide great value to your opponent by searching for a basic land card and putting it onto the battlefield when it dies. Neutralizing this advantage requires a strategic approach.

To successfully navigate this obstacle, consider using exile effects or spells that force the opponent to sacrifice creatures, thereby denying any additional land benefit. Enchantment cards that neutralize creatures without destroying them, such as Pacifism or Imprisoned in the Moon, can effectively sideline the Primal Druid, preventing its death-triggered ability from activating. Additionally, you can aim to gain control of the opponent’s turn with cards like Mindslaver, thereby using the Primal Druid’s ability for your own benefit.

Ultimately, when playing against Primal Druid, it’s about reducing the extra value it can grant to the opposing player. By carefully choosing removal spells and strategies that avoid typical destruction tactics, you minimize the impact Primal Druid can have on the game’s progression.


BurnMana Recommendations

Primal Druid stands as a lush cornerstone in the fertile grounds of MTG, directly supporting deck strategies that thrive on land acceleration and enriched mana pools. This card can be the seedling that grows into a mighty game strategy, offering both early utility and crucial mana ramp. For those coveting seamless transitions into powerful mid-game plays, Primal Druid provides the necessary soil to cultivate a strong board presence. Learning to optimize such cards can advance your gameplay to new horizons. Embrace the natural rhythm of land progression and enrich your MTG journey with us. Uncover advanced tactics and card synergies to solidify your path to victory.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Primal Druid MTG card by a specific set like Eldritch Moon, 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 Primal Druid and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Primal Druid has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal
PennyLegal