Loxodon Wayfarer MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Elephant Monk
Released	2010-10-01
Set symbol
Set name	Scars of Mirrodin
Set code	SOM
Power	1
Toughness	5
Number	15
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Steven Belledin

Key Takeaways

Deck thinning with Loxodon Wayfarer can indirectly increase your chances of drawing impactful spells.
The creature’s ability to place a Plains card onto the battlefield aids in constructing a consistent mana base.
Despite its benefits, the Wayfarer’s white mana requirement may not suit all multicolored deck strategies.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Loxodon Wayfarer doesn’t directly contribute to card draw, but its ability to reliably place lands onto the battlefield from the library can effectively thin the deck. By reducing the number of lands in your deck during gameplay, the chances of drawing into non-land, impactful spells increases, which indirectly influences card advantage.

Resource Acceleration: This sturdy creature aids in resource acceleration by allowing players to put a Plains card from their hand onto the battlefield tapped when it enters the battlefield. While this might seem nominal, it supports a more consistent mana base and can be a stepping-stone towards casting high-cost spells sooner than usual.

Instant Speed: Although Loxodon Wayfarer does not operate at instant speed, its static ability can be triggered during your main phase, aligning well with strategies that benefit from landfall or other enter the battlefield effects that need to be set up in advance of your next plays.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: When it comes to playing Loxodon Wayfarer, the absence of a discard requirement might seem like a non-issue. However, for decks built around leveraging discard mechanics for advantages, this omission can limit the synergy and strategic depth the card offers.

Specific Mana Cost: The Loxodon Wayfarer demands a specific white mana cost for casting. This requirement can be restrictive and often doesn’t align with the mana base of multicolored decks, potentially causing it to sit unused in your hand at critical junctures in the game.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Considering its stats and abilities, the mana cost of Loxodon Wayfarer may not always represent an optimal use of resources. Within the same mana range, players may find other creatures or spells that provide more immediate impact or value to the state of play.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Loxodon Wayfarer is a solid choice for a wide array of decks, particularly those in need of an early blocker or a creature that can easily fit into the curve. Its low mana cost makes it accessible from the get-go, allowing for a quick defense setup or an enhancement in board presence during the initial turns.

Combo Potential: In decks that capitalize on +1/+1 counters or life gain synergies, Loxodon Wayfarer can serve as an integral piece. Contributing to creature count for convoke spells or interacting with cards that care about the number of creatures you control, it unlocks various avenues for creative deck-building.

Meta-Relevance: With an ever-shifting MTG landscape, a card like Loxodon Wayfarer can often find a niche, especially in metas where aggressive starts are commonplace. As a 1/5 for two mana, it’s a formidable blocker against many early-game threats, potentially slowing down your opponent’s pace and gaining you invaluable time.

How to beat

The Loxodon Wayfarer is a modest creature card known for its early game board presence. A simple green mana can summon the Wayfarer to the field, offering a 1/5 body that can be quite the obstacle for aggressive decks. While the Loxodon Wayfarer might not have the most powerful offense, its five toughness makes it an effective blocker in the early stages of the game.

Overcoming this card hinges on the ability to bypass its high toughness. Direct removal spells are a straightforward solution. Spells that deliver damage or lower toughness are effective since the Wayfarer, despite its bulk, is not immune to spells like Shock or Lightning Bolt. Moreover, cards that can provide -X/-X effects, such as Grasp of Darkness, can eliminate the Wayfarer regardless of its toughness.

In essence, while the Loxodon Wayfarer poses as a sturdy early defender, it has clear vulnerabilities that can be exploited with targeted removal or tactics that avoid combat altogether. Tactical removal or evasion are key strategies players should keep in mind when this wayfaring elephant stands in their path.

Cards like Loxodon Wayfarer

In Magic: The Gathering, the Loxodon Wayfarer is an intriguing creature card that reminds seasoned players of other utility creatures designed for mana efficiency. However, the Wayfarer offers a unique edge with its decent toughness, which can make it a valuable defender in the early game. It parallels cards like Elvish Mystic in function, as both put a body on the board that can influence the battlefield or be used for other synergies.

Similarly to the Wayfarer, Walking Atlas allows a player to gain an advantage with land, though it takes a different approach by letting the player put additional land cards onto the battlefield. While not directly related by mechanics, the Atlas shares the Wayfarer’s inclination towards enhancing a player’s land acquisition. Additionally, Oreskos Explorer can be looked at when comparing cards with land-based abilities, offering a significant boost in securing more Plains cards to your hand, particularly beneficial in multi-opponent formats.

Comparing these similar cards showcases thoughtful deckbuilding nuances in MTG. Each has its distinctive role, with Loxodon Wayfarer providing a reliable early-game presence that can contribute to your defensive line while awaiting the opportunity to maximize more impactful plays.

Cards similar to Loxodon Wayfarer by color, type and mana cost

Pianna, Nomad Captain - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Loxodon Wayfarer MTG card by a specific set like Scars of Mirrodin, 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 Loxodon Wayfarer and other MTG cards: