Wildslayer Elves MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Elf Warrior
Abilities	Wither
Released	2008-05-02
Set symbol
Set name	Shadowmoor
Set code	SHM
Power	3
Toughness	3
Number	133
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Dave Kendall

Key Takeaways

Wildslayer Elves excel in generating card advantage, making them game changers during play.
Their ability to untap lands at instant speed provides players with significant resource acceleration.
Amidst their powerful abilities, players must manage higher mana costs and potential card discards.

Text of card

Wither (This deals damage to creatures in the form of -1/-1 counters.)

Some elves battled too long in the deep shadow, their swords dipped too often in tainted flesh and poisoned blood.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Wildslayer Elves MTG card shines in generating card advantage by potentially drawing cards equal to the number of elves you control, boosting your options and pressuring the opponent.

Resource Acceleration: With their ability to untap lands, these elves provide an excellent form of resource acceleration, enabling you to deploy more threats earlier in the game and outpace your adversaries quickly.

Instant Speed: The versatility of instant speed interactions allows you to react to your opponent’s moves or end-of-turn advantages, establishing control and maintaining momentum in the match.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Harnessing the power of Wildslayer Elves comes at a cost. To utilize their abilities to the fullest, you may be required to discard cards, which can be a strategic setback when your hand size is dwindling and every card counts.

Specific Mana Cost: Deploying Wildslayer Elves demands a specific mana combination to cast. This requirement can sometimes pose a challenge, especially in multicolored decks that might struggle to generate the right mana at the crucial moment.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: When examining the mana investment needed for Wildslayer Elves, it’s evident that the cost is on the higher side. In the fast-paced realms of gameplay where efficiency is key, their deployment could lag behind, giving an edge to lower-cost creatures that hit the battlefield sooner.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Wildslayer Elves can seamlessly adapt to various playstyles, offering both offensive and defensive options. This card is capable of fitting into elf tribal decks or any green-centric strategy that values creature utility.

Combo Potential: As a staple in green decks, Wildslayer Elves holds potential for combo interactions with cards that favor elf synergies or those that benefit from their abilities, such as generating additional mana or boosting creature strength.

Meta-Relevance: Given the card’s capacity to take down sizable creatures, its inclusion can be particularly effective in a meta that favors creature-heavy decks. Its functionality in combat situations can turn the tides, making it a worthy acquisition for competitive players.

How to beat

Wildslayer Elves can be a challenging card to face on the battlefield. Their ability to bolster your opponent’s creature forces every time they cast an Elf spell means that addressing them quickly is crucial. One effective strategy is to utilize removal spells that can target creatures regardless of their size. Cards like Fatal Push or Path to Exile offer a quick and mana-efficient way to take Wildslayer Elves out of play before their ability can impact the game significantly.

Apart from direct removal, it’s also wise to take control of the game’s tempo. Employing board sweepers such as Wrath of God or Damnation can reset the board, handling not only Wildslayer Elves but any creatures that may have benefited from their presence. Additionally, applying pressure through your own creature threats can force your opponent to make unfavorable blocks or trades, ultimately mitigating the advantage Wildslayer Elves would provide. By combining removal, board control strategies, and pressure, you can tip the scales in your favor and nullify the Wildslayer Elves threat.

Ultimately, the key to overcoming the challenge of Wildslayer Elves lies in preemptive measures and maintaining the initiative. By staying one step ahead and disrupting your opponent’s plans, you can neutralize their potential impact on the game and enhance your own path to victory.

Cards like Wildslayer Elves

The Wildslayer Elves card brings its own flair to the battlefield in Magic: The Gathering. It stands in the lineage of green creature cards tailored for efficient combat, much like its predecessors. When you compare Wildslayer Elves with a card like Elvish Warrior, the family resemblance is clear, both offer a solid body for the mana invested. However, Wildslayer Elves brings additional value with abilities specifically honed to challenge creatures of a particular type, making it conditionally more lethal against certain decks.

Another relative in this category is Thornweald Archer, which comes with both deathtouch and reach, giving it excellent defensive capabilities against flyers that Wildslayer Elves might lack. While not as specialized in its offensive role, the Archer provides a broader utility. Furthermore, Elvish Champion stands as a notable comparison, buffing all Elf creatures and granting them forestwalk, potentially making your entire Elvish lineup unblockable if the opponent controls a Forest.

Each card serves a unique role within the green strategy, with Wildslayer Elves specifically exceling in metagames where its targeted ability can be unleashed. This elf warrior is a testament to the adaptability and evolution of green creatures within Magic: The Gathering, aimed at players who strategize around the strengths and weaknesses of their opponents’ decks.

Cards similar to Wildslayer Elves by color, type and mana cost

Ulvenwald Oddity // Ulvenwald Behemoth - MTG Card versions

Monkey Monkey Monkey - MTG Card versions

Matsu-Tribe Birdstalker - MTG Card versions

Order of the Sacred Bell - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Wildslayer Elves MTG card by a specific set like Shadowmoor, 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 Wildslayer Elves and other MTG cards: