Talara's Battalion MTG Card
2008-07-25 - Number 77
2010-06-04 - Number 84
2017-03-31 - Number 52
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Elf Warrior |
| Abilities | Trample |
| Power | 4 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Text of card
Trample Play Talara's Battalion only if you played another green spell this turn.
The safewright Talara protects a delicate woodland waterfall. She has vowed to send wave after wave of warriors to slay any who would dare disturb its beauty.
Cards like Talara's Battalion
Talara’s Battalion is a unique entry in MTG’s roster of creatures, bringing swift and heavy damage to the battlefield. It draws parallels to other two-drop powerhouses like Tarmogoyf, which similarly can overpower opponents early in the game. Nevertheless, the Battalion stands out with its specific deployment condition—requiring another green spell cast before it—whereas Tarmogoyf’s power and toughness depend on the variety of card types in all graveyards.
Another card that echoes Talara’s Battalion’s aggressive nature is Flinthoof Boar. The Boar boasts a speed advantage as it doesn’t hinge on casting another spell in the same turn for its effectiveness. However, it lacks the Battalion’s substantial base power without a mountain on the field. Then there’s Leatherback Baloth, a creature that, like the Battalion, provides a significant power for its mana cost, but without the deck construction requirements that Talara’s Battalion calls for.
Overall, Talara’s Battalion offers a compelling choice for MTG players who favor aggressive green creatures. Providing a sizable threat that can overwhelm opponents if the condition is met, it’s a card that, when played with foresight and strategic planning, can be a gamechanger.
Cards similar to Talara's Battalion by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Talara’s Battalion doesn’t directly offer card draw, but its substantial power level relative to its casting cost can lead to significant board advantage. Deploying a 4/3 creature by turn three can outpace an opponent’s card development, potentially trading with multiple creatures or surviving damage that would normally eliminate a smaller creature.
Resource Acceleration: Although Talara’s Battalion itself isn’t a source of mana acceleration, its relatively low cost combined with the requirement of casting another green spell prior means it fits superbly into decks that already focus on producing mana quickly to deploy threats. This card synergizes well with elves or other mana dorks that can help you meet its casting conditions ahead of the curve.
Instant Speed: While Talara’s Battalion isn’t an instant, its unique casting requirements can lead to unexpectedly swift deployment during the first main phase after casting another green spell. This can catch opponents off guard, much like instant speed plays, particularly if you’ve held back a low-cost green spell to enable the casting of the Battalion at a critical moment.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Playing Talara’s Battalion often hinges on casting another green spell beforehand, limiting its spontaneous playability and potentially forcing suboptimal timing of other spells.
Specific Mana Cost: The Battalion comes with a strict green mana requirement which makes it less flexible for multicolored decks or those relying on a broader mana base.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Despite its potential for a powerful board presence, Talara’s Battalion’s effective mana cost can be steep, considering you need to play another green spell in the same turn, which can be quite resource-intensive.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Talara’s Battalion offers a quick and sizeable threat on the battlefield, capable of fitting into aggressive deck archetypes that prioritize speed and creature-based strategies. Its potent 4/3 stats for two mana make it a solid inclusion in green decks looking for impactful early-game presence.
Combo Potential: This card shines in decks that can reliably play another green creature the same turn, unlocking its cheap casting cost. It pairs excellently with low-cost mana dorks or any spell that puts a green creature onto the battlefield. When these conditions are met, Talara’s Battalion can offer a significant power boost to swarm or elf-themed strategies.
Meta-Relevance: Given the nature of faster, creature-based formats, having Talara’s Battalion in your arsenal means deploying a substantial threat that opponents must answer swiftly. In matchups where board presence is critical, this card can provide the pressure needed to outpace control or combo decks that take time to set up their win conditions.
How to beat
Talara’s Battalion is an intriguing green creature spell in Magic: The Gathering, requiring a player to have cast another green spell before it can enter the battlefield. This offers a unique challenge in timing and resource management. To successfully counter this card, players should focus on disrupting their opponent’s spell sequence or exploiting the Battalion’s casting conditions.
Control strategies using counterspells are effective as they can interrupt the initial green spell that triggers Talara’s Battalion’s deployment. Removal spells can also be key, allowing you to wait for the Battalion to hit the battlefield before targeting it. Alternatively, utilizing hand disruption can prevent this powerful card from seeing play altogether by stripping it from the opponent’s grip before they have a chance to create the necessary spell chain.
Proactively keeping pressure on the green player’s mana base with land destruction or taxing effects can slow down their game plan, making it harder to meet Talara’s Battalion’s casting prerequisite. Ultimately, by strategically managing the pace and flow of the game, you can mitigate the impact of Talara’s Battalion and maintain the upper hand.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Talara's Battalion MTG card by a specific set like Eventide and Duels of the Planeswalkers, 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 Talara's Battalion 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 Talara's Battalion Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2008-07-25 and 2017-03-31. Illustrated by Todd Lockwood.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2008-07-25 | Eventide | EVE | 77 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Todd Lockwood | |
| 2 | 2010-06-04 | Duels of the Planeswalkers | DPA | 84 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Todd Lockwood | |
| 3 | 2017-03-31 | Duel Decks: Mind vs. Might | DDS | 52 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Todd Lockwood |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Talara's Battalion has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |