Birchlore Rangers MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Elf Druid Ranger
Abilities Morph
Power 1
Toughness 1

Key Takeaways

  1. Birchlore Rangers provide valuable mana fixing and acceleration in elf-based decks.
  2. Its instant speed mana-tapping ability grants flexibility and surprise play potential.
  3. Though powerful, its reliance on elf synergy can limit its board impact and versatility.

Text of card

Tap two untapped Elves you control: Add one mana of any color to your mana pool. Morph o G (You may play this face down as a 2/2 creature for o3. Turn it face up any time for its morph cost.)


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Birchlore Rangers enables you to tap two elves you control to gain one mana of any color, indirectly contributing to card advantage by allowing you to deploy more of your hand’s contents without the need for additional lands.

Resource Acceleration: This card excels in resource acceleration by facilitating the use of elves as an alternative mana source. This can significantly speed up your gameplay, allowing you to cast spells earlier than usual.

Instant Speed: The ability to tap elves for mana at instant speed with Birchlore Rangers provides great flexibility. It allows you to react swiftly during any phase of the game, keeping your opponents guessing and allowing for surprise plays.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Birchlore Rangers doesn’t have a discard clause, but it does require two elves to tap for its mana ability. This condition sometimes acts similarly to a discard requirement because it can deplete your board presence, which is crucial for strategies revolving around elf synergy and board development.

Specific Mana Cost: While its mana cost is just one green, Birchlore Rangers can be restrictive in multicolored decks. Its elf-specific ability also means it’s less versatile compared to other Mana dorks that don’t demand specific creature types to utilize their full potential.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: When evaluating the card’s mana-generating ability, Birchlore Rangers can seem costly. It requires you to already have elves on the battlefield, making it a less reliable source of mana acceleration compared to other one-drop Mana dorks that can tap for mana independently.


Reasons to Include Birchlore Rangers in Your Collection

Versatility: Birchlore Rangers boasts an adaptable skillset that allows it to slip into a variety of decks. Its ability to tap two elves you control to produce one mana of any color gives players the luxury of mana fixing, which is crucial for multicolored elf decks.

Combo Potential: The potential of Birchlore Rangers scales with the synergy it creates when paired with other cards. As part of an elf-based deck, it enhances elf synergy and can be the linchpin in setting off explosive combos that lead to a swift victory.

Meta-Relevance: This card holds its own in a landscape that appreciates quick acceleration. In a metagame where elves are viable, the rangers’ ability to churn out mana can be a game-changer against both aggressive and controlling archetypes.


How to Beat

Birchlore Rangers is a versatile card that players may find challenging due to its ability to create mana and streamline Elf-based strategies in MTG. Dealing with this card requires understanding its strengths and adeptly countering them. Unlike simple mana dorks that can be silenced with removal spells, Birchlore Rangers’ value lies deeper within its synergy with Elves.

One efficient way to combat Birchlore Rangers is by using cards that prevent the tapping of creatures for mana, like Linvala, Keeper of Silence, who stops activated abilities of opponents’ creatures. Despite being in a different color from Birchlore Rangers, ensuring you have access to such “off-color” answers could be the key to dismantling the strategies built around it. Another method is to target the core of any Elf deck, the critical mass of Elves themselves. Board wipes, such as Wrath of God or Supreme Verdict, can reset the board, nullifying the advantage Birchlore Rangers grant in producing a daunting Elf army. This strategy can help sway the match in your favor. Remember, the focus should be on preemptive measures and disruption to beat cunning strategies centered around this card.

Ultimately, your strategy to overpower Birchlore Rangers should be proactive and timed appropriately. Understanding the decks where this card shines will guide you in crafting a thorough game plan and improve your win rate against Elf-centric opponents in MTG.


BurnMana Recommendations

As MTG players fine-tune their decks for optimal performance, Birchlore Rangers emerges as a card worth considering for elf-based strategies. Its ability to provide any color mana with the help of fellow elves is an asset for multicolor decks craving diversity and flexibility. Also, its inclusion can activate combos that pave the way to victory. While it presents some limitations in terms of board presence and specificity, the upside of having Birchlore Rangers contribute to a powerful elf synergy cannot be overlooked. We encourage you to further explore its potential and see how it integrates into your unique playstyle. Delve into the depths of MTG strategy with us and enhance your gameplay with each card choice.


Cards like Birchlore Rangers

Birchlore Rangers hold a special niche in the realm of mana-producing creatures in Magic: The Gathering. This Elf Druid card often draws comparison with Heritage Druid, another card that offers the ability to create mana but with a different dynamic. While Heritage Druid does not require tapping as Birchlore Rangers does, it necessitates three Elves to be present to generate mana. Birchlore Rangers, conversely, only requires another Elf but comes with the drawback of summoning sickness due to its tap requirement.

Priest of Titania also enters the conversation when examining similarly functioning cards. This card has the potential to generate a significant amount of mana contingent on the number of Elves in play, much like Birchlore Rangers. However, the Priest of Titania can provide a larger mana boost in a single tap, making it a potent option for Elf-heavy decks.

Considering efficiency and synergy in Elf deck designs, Birchlore Rangers offers utility beyond just mana production with its morphing ability, granting a subtle yet versatile edge. Assessing these functionalities, Birchlore Rangers stands as a worthy choice among its counterparts for players seeking both early-game momentum and strategic adaptability in their MTG decks.

Heritage Druid - MTG Card versions
Priest of Titania - MTG Card versions
Heritage Druid - Morningtide (MOR)
Priest of Titania - Urza's Saga (USG)

Cards similar to Birchlore Rangers by color, type and mana cost

Scryb Sprites - MTG Card versions
Llanowar Elves - MTG Card versions
Ghazbán Ogre - MTG Card versions
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Tree Monkey - MTG Card versions
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Pouncing Jaguar - MTG Card versions
Taunting Elf - MTG Card versions
Llanowar Elite - MTG Card versions
Scavenger Folk - MTG Card versions
Willow Geist - MTG Card versions
Fyndhorn Elves - MTG Card versions
Scryb Sprites - Limited Edition Alpha (LEA)
Llanowar Elves - 30th Anniversary History Promos (P30H)
Ghazbán Ogre - Masters Edition (ME1)
Shanodin Dryads - Summer Magic / Edgar (SUM)
Wall of Wood - 30th Anniversary Edition (30A)
Rime Dryad - Ice Age (ICE)
Village Elder - Mirage (MIR)
Willow Dryad - Portal (POR)
Spike Drone - Tempest (TMP)
Skyshroud Elite - Exodus (EXO)
Elvish Berserker - Ninth Edition (9ED)
Tree Monkey - Ninth Edition (9ED)
Wild Dogs - Dominaria Remastered (DMR)
Elvish Herder - Urza's Saga (USG)
Pouncing Jaguar - Urza's Saga (USG)
Taunting Elf - Urza's Destiny (UDS)
Llanowar Elite - Invasion (INV)
Scavenger Folk - Seventh Edition (7ED)
Willow Geist - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Fyndhorn Elves - Magic Online Promos (PRM)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Birchlore Rangers MTG card by a specific set like Onslaught and Salvat 2005, 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 Birchlore Rangers and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Birchlore Rangers Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2002-10-07 and 2005-08-22. Illustrated by Dany Orizio.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-10-07OnslaughtONS 2481997normalblackDany Orizio
22005-08-22Salvat 2005PSAL B522003normalwhiteDany Orizio
32005-08-22Salvat 2005PSAL B532003normalwhiteDany Orizio

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Birchlore Rangers has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

Rules and information

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

DateText
2004-10-04 It can tap itself but is not required to do so.
2004-10-04 Since the ability does not have the symbol, you can use the ability before this creature begins a turn under your control.

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