Elvish Berserker MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Elf Berserker
Power 1
Toughness 1

Key Takeaways

  1. Elvish Berserker’s power grows when targeted, providing an indirect form of card advantage in a duel.
  2. Demands specific green mana and a discard, presenting deck-building constraints and potential drawbacks.
  3. Combines flexible deck utility and meta presence, thriving in targeted spell-heavy environments.

Text of card

For each creature that blocks it, Elvish Berserker gets +1/+1 until end of turn.

Their fury scatters enemies like a pile of dry leaves.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: While Elvish Berserker may not directly allow you to draw more cards, every time it’s targeted by a spell or ability, it grows stronger. This inherent resilience to removal spells provides a subtle form of card advantage by potentially demanding multiple resources from your opponent to handle one creature.

Resource Acceleration: Though the Elvish Berserker doesn’t accelerate resources in the traditional sense, its escalating attack power increases the speed at which you can deplete your opponent’s life total. This aggressive potential can accelerate the game’s pace in your favor.

Instant Speed: Elvish Berserker’s strength lies in its potential for growth rather than its interactivity at instant speed. However, it synergizes well with other cards that can target and buff it at instant speed, enhancing its threat level unexpectedly during combat or on an opponent’s turn.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Playing Elvish Berserker comes with the downside of requiring a discard from your hand. This effectively decreases your options and resource pool, which could put you at a disadvantage, especially in fast-paced games where every card in hand counts.

Specific Mana Cost: Elvish Berserker requires a precise mix of mana, which includes not just any but green mana. This ties the card’s use to green-centric or multicolor decks that can generate such mana, potentially excluding it from other strategies that do not run green mana sources.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The mana cost to summon Elvish Berserker might be considered steep given its power and abilities. In many scenarios, players may discover that there are other creatures or spells that offer similar or better benefits for less mana, providing more cost-effective options in terms of deck building and in-game strategy.


Reasons to Include Elvish Berserker in Your Collection

Versatility: Elvish Berserker offers flexibility in deck building. Its scaling attack power can make it a threat in any elf-centric deck or a green aggressive strategy.

Combo Potential: This card works well with effects that either increase the number of elves or use elves to generate mana, capitalizing on its attack boost whenever it becomes the target of a spell or ability.

Meta-Relevance: In a game environment where targeted spells are prevalent, Elvish Berserker can quickly become a powerhouse on the battlefield, deterring opponents from choosing it as a target and giving the player an edge in combat scenarios.


How to beat

Dealing with an Elvish Berserker in Magic: The Gathering requires a strategic approach. This agile creature can become a sizable threat as it grows stronger with every hit it takes. Typically, direct removal spells such as Path to Exile or Fatal Push can dispatch it before it has a chance to increase its power and become a menace on the battlefield. Timing is key; you’d want to target it before its power is boosted from any combat damage.

To outmaneuver the escalating threat of the Elvish Berserker, consider using sweepers like Wrath of God or Damnation that will clear the board regardless of how powerful the creatures have become. Alternatively, you can deter your opponent from attacking by presenting unfavorable trades or stronger defense on your side. Always be aware of your opponent’s potential buffs and combat tricks that could suddenly swell the Berserker’s power, making it more difficult than ever to handle. Playing with foresight and control will ensure the Elvish Berserker doesn’t overrun your forces.


Cards like Elvish Berserker

Elvish Berserker in MTG finds its niche as an aggressive creature card that can become a significant threat if left unchecked. Its comparison to other low-cost creatures such as Nettle Sentinel reveals differences in utility and role within a deck. Nettle Sentinel doesn’t increase in power like the Berserker but can untap rapidly, allowing for multiple uses within a turn. Both are staples in Elf-themed decks, yet serve unique purposes depending on the player’s strategy.

Another card worth mentioning is Bloodthirsty Adversary, which brings to the table not only a competitive power boost when conditions are met but also has the versatility of a flashback ability. This contrasts with Elvish Berserker’s straightforward approach of escalating its power through being targeted by spells or abilities. This subtle variation gives players options to either focus on an aggressive scaling strategy with the Berserker or lean towards more complex plays with Adversary’s utility.

The utility and cost-efficiency of these creatures underscore that while Elvish Berserker has a simple yet potent effect, it competes in a landscape abundant with alternative choices, each with their distinct advantages to consider for a deck’s construction and play style.

Nettle Sentinel - MTG Card versions
Bloodthirsty Adversary - MTG Card versions
Nettle Sentinel - Eventide (EVE)
Bloodthirsty Adversary - Innistrad: Midnight Hunt (MID)

Cards similar to Elvish Berserker by color, type and mana cost

Scryb Sprites - MTG Card versions
Llanowar Elves - MTG Card versions
Ghazbán Ogre - MTG Card versions
Shanodin Dryads - MTG Card versions
Wall of Wood - MTG Card versions
Rime Dryad - MTG Card versions
Village Elder - MTG Card versions
Willow Dryad - MTG Card versions
Spike Drone - MTG Card versions
Skyshroud Elite - MTG Card versions
Tree Monkey - MTG Card versions
Norwood Ranger - MTG Card versions
Ghazbán Ogress - MTG Card versions
Wild Dogs - MTG Card versions
Elvish Herder - MTG Card versions
Pouncing Jaguar - MTG Card versions
Taunting Elf - MTG Card versions
Sacred Prey - MTG Card versions
Llanowar Elite - MTG Card versions
Scavenger Folk - MTG Card versions
Scryb Sprites - Limited Edition Alpha (LEA)
Llanowar Elves - 30th Anniversary History Promos (P30H)
Ghazbán Ogre - Masters Edition (ME1)
Shanodin Dryads - Summer Magic / Edgar (SUM)
Wall of Wood - 30th Anniversary Edition (30A)
Rime Dryad - Ice Age (ICE)
Village Elder - Mirage (MIR)
Willow Dryad - Portal (POR)
Spike Drone - Tempest (TMP)
Skyshroud Elite - Exodus (EXO)
Tree Monkey - Ninth Edition (9ED)
Norwood Ranger - Ninth Edition (9ED)
Ghazbán Ogress - Unglued (UGL)
Wild Dogs - Dominaria Remastered (DMR)
Elvish Herder - Urza's Saga (USG)
Pouncing Jaguar - Urza's Saga (USG)
Taunting Elf - Urza's Destiny (UDS)
Sacred Prey - Mercadian Masques (MMQ)
Llanowar Elite - Invasion (INV)
Scavenger Folk - Seventh Edition (7ED)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Elvish Berserker MTG card by a specific set like Exodus and Ninth 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 Elvish Berserker and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Elvish Berserker Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 1998-06-15 and 2007-07-13. Illustrated by Paolo Parente.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11998-06-15ExodusEXO 1101997normalblackPaolo Parente
22005-07-29Ninth Edition9ED 237★2003normalblackPaolo Parente
32005-07-29Ninth Edition9ED 2372003normalwhitePaolo Parente
42007-07-13Tenth Edition10E 2602003normalblackPaolo Parente

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Elvish Berserker has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

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