Elite Javelineer MTG Card

Tempest (TMP)
1997-10-14 - Number 17

Eighth Edition (8ED)
2003-07-28 - Number 19★

Eighth Edition (8ED)
2003-07-28 - Number 19

Card sets	Released in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Human Soldier
Power	2
Toughness	2

Key Takeaways

Generates tokens during combat, increasing board presence and advantage with no additional card cost.
Has synergy with sacrifice strategies and can rapidly enhance your battlefield presence.
While it has a specific mana requirement, its utility in certain deck types is unquestionable.

Text of card

If Elite Javelineer blocks, it deals 1 damage to target attacking creature.

"Precision is frequently more valuable than force." —Gerrard of the *Weatherlight*

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Elite Javelineer provides value every time it blocks or becomes blocked. Its ability to create a token upon these interactions gives players an incremental advantage without expending extra cards from their hand.

Resource Acceleration: The tokens produced by Elite Javelineer can be utilized in various strategies, serving as fodder for sacrifice mechanics or as a way to build up your army, thus accelerating your presence on the board.

Instant Speed: Although Elite Javelineer itself may not have instant speed, it synergizes well with instant-speed spells. This interaction can catch opponents off guard during combat, potentially shifting the flow of the game in your favor.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Forcing a discard from your hand as a part of its casting cost can lead to a significant drawback, especially when every card in your deck serves a crucial strategic role. This can be detrimental in the late game when hand resources are already stretched thin.

Specific Mana Cost: Its cost requires white mana, which means it slots into fewer decks, potentially limiting your options in multi-colored formats. Players would need to carefully consider their mana base to accommodate the Elite Javelineer reliably.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: When evaluating the card’s overall effectiveness, its mana cost can be steep relative to the impact it has on the game. The Elite Javelineer’s mana cost may prevent you from playing other game-changing cards in the same turn, which could be pivotal for keeping momentum or turning the tides in your favor.

Reasons to Include Elite Javelineer in Your Collection

Versatility: Elite Javelineer is a card that slots comfortably into various deck archetypes, providing a solid body for defense alongside a useful combat trick. Its presence can deter opponents’ attacks and enable favorable trades.

Combo Potential: In combination with cards that care about soldiers or humans, Elite Javelineer can become a recurring source of value. Its synergy with equipment or aura spells also taps into a larger strategy of creature-based combat.

Meta-Relevance: For a meta that’s heavy on aggressive strategies, Elite Javelineer stands as an efficient roadblock. Its ability to potentially remove an attacker or blocker can ensure your side of the battlefield remains advantageous during trades.

How to Defeat Elite Javelineer

Confronting an Elite Javelineer on the battlefield can be a tactical hurdle for many players. This efficient card, known for its prowess in battle, can often catch opponents off guard with its synergy with other soldiers and knights. To effectively combat this card, understanding its weaknesses is crucial.

Firstly, removal spells are your best friend against the Elite Javelineer. Cards like Doom Blade or Murder can quickly eliminate it, bypassing its combat advantages. In a pinch, mass removal spells can clear the board of multiple threats, including any buffed-up Javelineers. Secondly, consider using cards that prevent the Javelineer from blocking or that punish blocked creatures, as it often wants to be on the offensive rather than defensive. Ensnaring Bridge is an excellent tool, limiting the capabilities of an opponent’s creatures based on the number of cards in their hand.

Navigate the battlefield carefully and employ distraction tactics. Offering more immediate threats can divert attention away from the Javelineer’s impact. Once you have a strategic plan to disable or bypass its abilities, the Elite Javelineer loses its edge, and you can then focus on your route to victory.

Cards like Elite Javelineer

Elite Javelineer introduces a tactical element to the assortment of creatures in Magic: The Gathering. It bears resemblance to cards like Silvercoat Lion—a vanilla creature that stands as a straightforward and stable addition to the battlefield. Elite Javelineer offers a bit more with its ability to deal damage to flying creatures, giving it an edge in certain match-ups where board control is crucial. Silvercoat Lion, while reliable, does not provide this tactical advantage.

Another counterpart worth mentioning is Leonin Skyhunter, a card that offers the ability of flight, asserting air superiority at the same mana cost. Although Elite Javelineer can’t fly, its capability to thwart flying creatures without even blocking is of significant value in gameplay. Watercourser is yet another similar creature card that provides flexibility in combat with its blue mana activated ability to gain power. While it doesn’t target flying creatures directly, its power manipulation offers a different kind of control on the board.

Delving into the comparative strengths of these cards, Elite Javelineer distinguishes itself by enhancing strategic options against aerial threats, highlighting its unique role among similar-cost creatures in Magic: The Gathering.

Cards similar to Elite Javelineer by color, type and mana cost

Pianna, Nomad Captain - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Elite Javelineer MTG card by a specific set like Tempest 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 Elite Javelineer and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Elite Javelineer Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1997-10-14 and 2003-07-28. Illustrated by Mark Poole.

#	Released	Name	Code	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	1997-10-14	Tempest	TMP	17	1997	Normal	Black	Mark Poole
2	2003-07-28	Eighth Edition	8ED	19★	2003	Normal	Black	Mark Poole
3	2003-07-28	Eighth Edition	8ED	19	2003	Normal	White	Mark Poole