Selvala, Heart of the Wilds MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 9 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityMythic
TypeLegendary Creature — Elf Scout
Power 2
Toughness 3

Key Takeaways

  1. Provides exceptional card draw, enhancing player’s options and in-game advantage especially in longer matches.
  2. Generates substantial green mana based on creature power, enabling early casting of high-cost spells.
  3. Works well with instant-speed spells and abilities, offering flexibility and strategic opportunities.

Text of card

Whenever another creature enters the battlefield, its controller may draw a card if its power is greater than each other creature's power. , : Add X mana in any combination of colors to your mana pool, where X is the greatest power among creatures you control.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Selvala, Heart of the Wilds has the astonishing ability to generate additional card draw for players. This is a significant edge as it contributes to sustaining hand superiority over opponents by offering more options each turn. Harnessing this constant influx of cards can lead to overwhelming advantage especially in longer games where resources matter the most.

Resource Acceleration: This card embodies the essence of resource acceleration. It taps for an amount of green mana equal to the greatest power among creatures you control, which can be a colossal boost in generating immense mana pools. This is not just minor ramp; it’s exponential growth that can enable casting high-cost spells much earlier than usual, potentially changing the tide of the game.

Instant Speed: While Selvala herself does not function at instant speed, she synergizes extraordinarily well with instant-speed spells and abilities. The abundant mana she produces during your turn can be reserved, allowing a player to react swiftly to an opponent’s actions or end-of-turn opportunities, thus maximizing strategic plays and keeping opponents on their toes.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Selvala, Heart of the Wilds does not directly require discarding cards, her ability to draw cards based on the power of creatures can inadvertently cause hand overflow, leading to forced discards if hand size exceeds the maximum limit at the end of the turn.

Specific Mana Cost: Selvala’s casting cost necessitates one green mana, which is highly specific and mandates her inclusion in green or multicolor decks, potentially limiting deck-building flexibility for players who prefer a wider variety of color combinations.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana, including one green, Selvala may come into play later than some would prefer. In formats where speed is essential, her cost might be considered significant, especially when competing with numerous other efficient mana dorks or accelerators available at lower costs.


Reasons to Include Selvala, Heart of the Wilds in Your Collection

Versatility: Selvala, Heart of the Wilds slots seamlessly into a wide array of green-based decks, particularly those focusing on creature strategies. Her ability to tap for mana equal to the greatest power among creatures you control offers substantial ramp potential, while her card draw mechanic supports hand replenishment.

Combo Potential: This commander is a key component in infinite mana combos, where her ability to generate large amounts of mana can be exploited. This mana surge can be channeled into game-ending plays or to cast massive creatures that can dominate the battlefield.

Meta-Relevance: As the format evolves, having a card like Selvala, Heart of the Wilds ensures that you stay ahead of the curve. Her utility in enabling fast plays or recovering from disruptions makes her a persistent threat in many competitive environments, solidifying her as a staple in numerous formats.


How to beat

Selvala, Heart of the Wilds is a formidable force in Magic the Gathering, known for her ability to generate an alarming amount of mana and draw cards, which can rapidly tip the game in favor of her controller. She partners exceptionally well with creatures of gargantuan power, leveraging their strength to fuel an explosive mana base and card draw engine. However, every card has its Achilles heel, and understanding how to dismantle Selvala’s strategy is key to overcoming her.

To disrupt Selvala’s dominance, prioritize removing high-powered creatures from the battlefield. This minimizes the mana she can produce and hampers the card draw advantage she provides. Utilize spot removal spells or board wipes to keep her allies in check. Cards like Swords to Plowshares or Wrath of God can be pivotal. Furthermore, don’t let Selvala stick on the board; employ instant-speed removal like Rapid Hybridization to deal with her directly before she can activate her ability. Monitor her activations closely, as responding to her mana ability with removal can prevent any further advantage in that turn. Lastly, consider including cards that restrict the untapping of creatures or nullify activated abilities to ensure Selvala’s impact remains minimal.

Selvala, Heart of the Wilds can orchestrate a symphony of mana and card advantage, but with the right counterplay, her tune can quickly fall into silence. Strategic removal and proactive disruption can ensure the stage never fully belongs to her.


BurnMana Recommendations

Understanding the strengths and weaknesses of Selvala, Heart of the Wilds can transform the way you build decks and combat your opponents in MTG. From mastering her mana ramp capabilities to effectively countering her in battle, mastering Selvala’s nuances is essential for any avid player. For those who relish in cultivating a mighty force on the battlefield and maintaining a robust hand, this commander offers an enticing blend of power and strategy. Take your game to the next level by incorporating Selvala into your green-centric decks or developing new strategies to unleash her full potential. Join BurnMana and uncover comprehensive guides, strategies, and thoughtfully curated content designed to optimize your gameplay with Selvala.


Cards like Selvala, Heart of the Wilds

Selvala, Heart of the Wilds is a staple for Commander players who favor creature-heavy green decks. Its ability to add a massive amount of green mana to your pool is somewhat reminiscent of cards like Omnath, Locus of Mana, which also stores mana for later use. Yet, Selvala’s unique twist lies in her card drawing capability tied to the power of creatures.

Kodama of the East Tree is another formidable green legend that interacts with creatures entering the battlefield, yet it does it by permitting you to drop another permanent card onto the field. While Kodama excels in cheating costs and deploying an aggressive board presence, Selvala offers a direct draw which can be equally advantageous in the right deck.

For parallel functions in mana ramp, Zhur-Taa Ancient enables all players to tap lands for extra mana but doesn’t provide the card advantage that Selvala does. It’s important for players to weigh the risks of empowering their opponents versus the benefits they receive themselves. In many cases, the card drawing exclusivity to Selvala might be the preferred choice.

Respecting the multifaceted nature of MTG, Selvala, Heart of the Wilds positions itself as a dynamic powerhouse for decks that thrive on both creature strength and progressive card advantage.

Omnath, Locus of Mana - MTG Card versions
Kodama of the East Tree - MTG Card versions
Zhur-Taa Ancient - MTG Card versions
Omnath, Locus of Mana - Worldwake (WWK)
Kodama of the East Tree - Commander Legends (CMR)
Zhur-Taa Ancient - Dragon's Maze (DGM)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Selvala, Heart of the Wilds MTG card by a specific set like Conspiracy: Take the Crown and Treasure Chest, 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 Selvala, Heart of the Wilds and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Selvala, Heart of the Wilds Magic the Gathering card was released in 6 different sets between 2016-08-26 and 2023-08-04. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12016-08-26Conspiracy: Take the CrownCN2 702015normalblackTyler Jacobson
22016-11-16Treasure ChestPZ2 372015normalblackTyler Jacobson
32019-11-07Mystery BoosterMB1 13302015normalblackTyler Jacobson
42020-07-17JumpstartJMP 4292015normalblackTyler Jacobson
52020-09-26The ListPLST CN2-702015normalblackTyler Jacobson
62023-08-04Commander MastersCMM 3202015normalblackTyler Jacobson
72023-08-04Commander MastersCMM 10642015normalborderlessJack Hughes
82023-08-04Commander MastersCMM 6812015normalborderlessJack Hughes
92023-08-04Commander MastersCMM 5712015normalblackTyler Jacobson

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Selvala, Heart of the Wilds has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
CommanderLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
GladiatorLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Selvala, Heart of the Wilds card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

DateText
2016-08-23 If the new creature isn’t on the battlefield as the first ability resolves, use its power when it left the battlefield to determine whether its controller may draw a card. Note that effects that reduced its power before it left the battlefield will apply.
2016-08-23 Selvala’s last ability is a mana ability. It doesn’t use the stack and can’t be responded to. If the greatest power among creatures you control is 0 or less at that time, no mana is added to your pool.
2016-08-23 The new creature’s power is compared to the power of each other creature on the battlefield as the first ability resolves. If another creature has the same or higher power than the new creature’s power, no one may draw a card.

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