Rushwood Dryad MTG Card
1999-10-04 - Number 263
2003-07-28 - Number 278★
2003-07-28 - Number 278
2007-07-13 - Number 294
2007-07-13 - Number 294★
| Card sets | Released in 5 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Dryad |
| Abilities | Forestwalk |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Text of card
Forestwalk (This creature is unblockable as long as defending player controls a forest.)
Rushwood is a living jewel that reflects its dwellers' hearts.
Cards like Rushwood Dryad
Rushwood Dryad seamlessly fits into the realm of forestwalk creatures within Magic: The Gathering. It aligns closely with the likes of Nettle Sentinel, a similarly costed green creature that offers an aggressive stance for players. Unlike the permanent forestwalk ability of Rushwood Dryad, Nettle Sentinel can also take advantage of situations where many spells are played in a single turn, thus untapping frequently.
Moving to comparisons, there’s the Wirewood Elf, another creature that comes at a low cost and provides a modest stat line. Where Rushwood Dryad offers unblockability in forest-rich metas, Wirewood Elf leans towards ramping mana, catering to a different strategic avenue. Skyshroud Sentinel then enters the picture with a similar mana value but with a focus on deck manipulation over direct combat capabilities.
Ultimately, Rushwood Dryad stands out in scenarios ripe with forests where it can slip past defenses with ease. This ability to be an unblockable attacker in certain matchups gives it an edge among its peers and solidifies its place in MTG decks that capitalize on land types to gain advantages on the battlefield.
Cards similar to Rushwood Dryad by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Rushwood Dryad may not draw cards directly, but its stealth ability ensures it remains on the battlefield, often leading to repeated damage over several turns. This consistent presence can indirectly contribute to card advantage by forcing your opponent to deal with it, potentially expending more resources than the one card you invested.
Resource Acceleration: While Rushwood Dryad doesn’t directly accelerate your mana, its low casting cost facilitates a swifter, more efficient deployment of your game plan. At just two mana, this card easily slips into the curve, leaving plenty of room for additional spells or summoning creatures even in the early stages of the game.
Instant Speed: While the Dryad itself isn’t an instant, its forestwalk ability gives it an edge when played against an opponent with forests. This allows your Dryad to slip past defenses at a crucial moment, much like how instant speed spells can catch an opponent by surprise. The ability to potentially deal unblockable damage keeps your opponents on their toes and can alter their strategy in your favor.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Rushwood Dryad doesn’t have a discard requirement itself, it can sometimes lead to a strategic disadvantage. If you’re playing a deck that utilizes the Dryad, you may be required to discard other cards to sustain its presence on the battlefield, particularly in a green deck that might not have extensive card draw options to replenish your hand.
Specific Mana Cost: Rushwood Dryad has an exclusively green mana cost, making it a natural fit only in mono-green or green-centric decks. This specificity can restrict deck-building options and may not be appealing for players who prefer multi-colored or less color-restricted decks.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although possessing forestwalk can make Rushwood Dryad unblockable in certain situations, its two-mana cost for a 1/1 creature can be seen as steep when compared to other creatures in the game. Players may find better value or efficiency in other two-mana creatures with either superior stats or more impactful abilities.
Reasons to Include Rushwood Dryad in Your Collection
Versatility: Rushwood Dryad is a green creature that can seamlessly integrate into various deck builds. Its forestwalk ability allows it to go unblocked as long as your opponent controls a Forest, making it a consistent source of damage in matchups where green lands are prevalent.
Combo Potential: As a two-mana creature, Rushwood Dryad can be deployed early in the game, serving as a catalyst for synergies with cards that benefit from creatures entering the battlefield or by bolstering your creature count for effects that scale with the number of creatures you control.
Meta-Relevance: In environments where green decks are common, Rushwood Dryad gains additional value. Its forestwalk makes it a subtle yet effective tool against those decks, ensuring it remains a relevant card choice for savvy players looking to gain an edge in their local meta.
How to beat
Rushwood Dryad is one of those nifty creatures in Magic: The Gathering that can be a thorn in your side – quite literally, if you’re not prepared. Its forestwalk ability allows it to sneak past your defenses if you’re tapping into green mana. To outmaneuver this elusive being, consider removing forests from your deck if forestwalk is a recurring nuisance. Alternately, use spells or abilities to change the land type or make your lands colorless – this negates the advantage of forestwalk entirely.
Spot removal cards are also an effective response. They come in handy for dealing with Rushwood Dryad before it can take advantage of its ability. Board wipes work too, clearing the field of all creatures, including those pesky Dryads lurking in the shadows. Lastly, don’t forget about creature enchantments that prevent damage from green creatures or block their attacks. With the right strategy and response cards, Rushwood Dryad’s advantage can quickly become a fleeting trick rather than a game-ending threat.
Controlling the battlefield is key in Magic: The Gathering and knowing how to neutralize cards like Rushwood Dryad will help you maintain dominance over the game. Adaptability and strategic deck construction are your allies in achieving victory.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Rushwood Dryad MTG card by a specific set like Mercadian Masques and Eighth Edition, 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 Rushwood Dryad 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 Rushwood Dryad Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 1999-10-04 and 2007-07-13. Illustrated by Todd Lockwood.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1999-10-04 | Mercadian Masques | MMQ | 263 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Todd Lockwood | |
| 2 | 2003-07-28 | Eighth Edition | 8ED | 278★ | 2003 | Normal | Black | Todd Lockwood | |
| 3 | 2003-07-28 | Eighth Edition | 8ED | 278 | 2003 | Normal | White | Todd Lockwood | |
| 4 | 2007-07-13 | Tenth Edition | 10E | 294 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Todd Lockwood | |
| 5 | 2007-07-13 | Tenth Edition | 10E | 294★ | 2003 | Normal | Black | Todd Lockwood |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Rushwood Dryad has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |