Heartwood Treefolk MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Treefolk |
| Abilities | Forestwalk |
| Released | 1997-10-14 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Tempest |
| Set code | TMP |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 4 |
| Number | 233 |
| Frame | 1997 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Daren Bader |
Key Takeaways
- Sustains defensive lines and applies pressure without needing card draw mechanics.
- Blends into instant-speed decks, allowing strategic plays unimpeded by its presence.
- Indirectly accelerates resources by absorbing opponents’ spells and abilities.
Text of card
Forestwalk (If defending player controls any forests, this creature is unblockable.)
"In all my years in Llanowar I never understood where trees fit in. They are revered by elves and watered on by dogs." —Mirri of the *Weatherlight*
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Heartwood Treefolk is a solid contributor when it comes to maintaining board presence. While it doesn’t directly allow you to draw cards, it represents an enduring creature capable of sustaining your defense and pressuring opponents consistently over the course of a match.
Resource Acceleration: While not designed for direct mana acceleration, Heartwood Treefolk may indirectly contribute to resource acceleration by requiring your opponent to deal with it. This can absorb resources from your adversary, leaving you with a slight mana advantage as your foe expends spells and abilities to cope with the Treefolk’s presence.
Instant Speed: Despite being a creature card lacking instant speed capabilities itself, Heartwood Treefolk can mesh well in a deck that capitalizes on instant speed interactions. As a dependable creature, it assures that your instant speed resources can be allocated to other strategic plays, fully aware that your base defense is secured by a steadfast Treefolk.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: When it comes to the Heartwood Treefolk card, players often find that having to discard another card to harness its potential can be restrictive. This can especially be a setback when your hand is already dwindling, and resources are becoming scarce.
Specific Mana Cost: A noticeable limitation of the Heartwood Treefolk card lies within its distinct mana cost requirement. This may cause deck-building constraints because it necessitates a particular mana base, which could hinder its integration into a variety of MTG decks.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Manoeuvring with Heartwood Treefolk’s casting cost can be challenging, primarily when you consider the pace of the game and the range of alternative creatures one could cast for the same, or less, investment. Cards with lower mana costs might provide similar or better advantages without straining your mana resources as much, making them more appealing in competitive play.
Reasons to Include Heartwood Treefolk in Your Collection
Versatility: Heartwood Treefolk can be an adaptable addition to green-based decks that require robust creatures to hold the line or apply pressure on the opponent. Its simple casting cost makes it easy to include in multicolored decks as well.
Combo Potential: Though not inherently a combo piece, Heartwood Treefolk can work well in decks that benefit from a consistently strong creature presence. It pairs nicely with cards that capitalize on creature survival to draw cards or enhance board strength.
Meta-Relevance: In metas where aggressive decks are prevalent, a sturdy creature like Heartwood Treefolk may prove crucial for stabilizing the game and acting as a formidable blocker, providing the necessary time for you to execute your strategy.
How to Beat Heartwood Treefolk
When facing Heartwood Treefolk, understanding its role in MTG is key to overcoming it. This card typically shines in decks that capitalize on its tribal synergies and durability. With no immediate impact when it hits the board, its strength lies in being a reliable mid-game blocker or a consistent damage dealer on the battlefield.
To effectively counter Heartwood Treefolk, one should consider removal spells that can bypass its beefy toughness. Spells like Path to Exile or Murder are time-tested answers that deal with creatures regardless of their size. Alternatively, since Heartwood Treefolk doesn’t have hexproof or shroud, you could easily use targeted spells for a more resource-efficient elimination.
Utilizing flying creatures can also be an elegant solution. As Heartwood Treefolk is limited to the ground, creatures in the air remain out of its reach, allowing for steady life chip damage. In the broader context, making strategic card choices that circumvent or exploit its limitations can enhance your game plan and disrupt your opponent’s momentum – a surefire path to victory over Heartwood Treefolk in your MTG duels.
Cards like Heartwood Treefolk
Heartwood Treefolk may not be the flashiest card in the vast realm of Magic: The Gathering, but it does share traits with other notable cards in the giant and treefolk categories. For instance, take the Dauntless Dourbark, a treefolk creature that grows stronger with each forest or treefolk you control. In contrast, Heartwood Treefolk offers a steady 3/4 presence without such dependencies on other cards, yet lacks the scalability of the Dourbark’s power.
Another peer to Heartwood Treefolk is the Timber Protector. The Protector steps up by not only powering itself but also armoring your other treefolk and forests against all forms of harm. While Heartwood Treefolk stands on the battlefield with straightforward reliability, the Timber Protector bends the game’s dynamics with its protective aura. Additionally, we can look at the Ambush Commander who parallels the Heartwood Treefolk in tribe but shifts the playstyle by turning forests into 1/1 creatures, offering a different tactical approach to utilizing the land.
Each of these cards caters to a treefolk strategy in their unique way, with Heartwood Treefolk positioned as a simple and accessible option for those needing a sturdy creature with no frills on the battlefield. While it may not provide the synergistic benefits of Dauntless Dourbark or the malevolent protective shield of Timber Protector, it’s a steadfast and reliable choice for MTG players who appreciate simplicity and consistency on their mana curve.
Cards similar to Heartwood Treefolk by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Heartwood Treefolk MTG card by a specific set like Tempest, 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 Heartwood Treefolk and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- 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
See MTG Products
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Heartwood Treefolk has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |