Treetop Ambusher MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Elf Berserker |
| Abilities | Dash |
| Released | 2019-06-14 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Modern Horizons |
| Set code | MH1 |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 1 |
| Number | 186 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Randy Vargas |
Text of card
Dash (You may cast this spell for its dash cost. If you do, it gains haste, and it's returned from the battlefield to its owner's hand at the beginning of the next end step.) Whenever Treetop Ambusher attacks, target creature you control gets +1/+1 until end of turn.
Cards like Treetop Ambusher
Treetop Ambusher contributes its unique flair to the pool of aggressive green creatures in Magic: The Gathering. It can be likened to other creature cards such as Heir of the Wilds, which also excels in situations favouring combat. Treetop Ambusher, with its Dash ability, offers a nimble approach, allowing it to swoop into battle unexpectedly and potentially buff other attacking creatures. Heir of the Wilds lacks the Dash feature but compensates with deathtouch, making it a formidable defender as well as an attacker.
Moving onto another comparison, Skarrgan Pit-Skulk shares a similar aggressive potential. Although it doesn’t have the Dash ability, Pit-Skulk can be a menacing threat due to its ability to become unblockable. Treetop Ambusher demands a more strategic deployment to take full advantage of its abilities. Lastly, let’s consider Slaughterhorn, offering the flexibility of acting as a creature or a combat trick via its Bloodrush ability.
Evaluating these cards side by side, Treetop Ambusher’s Dash mechanic and support for a more synergistic attack strategy allow it to carve a niche in aggressive green decks within Magic: The Gathering, especially for players who value surprise tactics and the enhancement of their offensive lineup.
Cards similar to Treetop Ambusher by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Treetop Ambusher allows you to create favorable game situations by bolstering your battlefield presence. When it dashes onto the field, it can potentially draw out removal spells that would otherwise be used on your more vital creatures. This seemingly modest card influences card economy by compelling opponents to handle it, potentially wasting their resources.
Resource Acceleration: Thanks to its Dash ability, Treetop Ambusher enables a hit-and-run strategy that aligns especially well with decks that benefit from having creatures enter the battlefield repeatedly. By paying its Dash cost, you’re putting a creature into play without committing a large amount of mana, allowing you to keep resources available for other crucial plays within the same turn.
Instant Speed: The dash mechanic grants a measure of unpredictability and swiftness. You can introduce the Ambusher into play at instant speed during your combat phase, catching an opponent unprepared. This agility can turn the tide of a match by disrupting an adversary’s calculations, forcing them to react in haste and potentially to their detriment.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Treetop Ambusher demands a card to be discarded to activate its Dash ability. This condition can be a setback, especially when players find their hand depleting and are in need of maintaining card advantage.
Specific Mana Cost: This creature requires both green mana and generic mana which might not seamlessly fit into multi-colored decks that are not heavily forest-based. Players using decks with a tight mana base may struggle to cast it on curve.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that includes two mana, Treetop Ambusher may be considered relatively expensive for its stats and effects. Players might opt for lower-cost creatures or spells that provide immediate board impact or card advantage.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Treetop Ambusher is a dynamic card capable of adapting to various playstyles. Whether you’re enhancing a tribal deck or just need a reliable two-drop, this card offers both aggression in the form of direct damage and subtle board advantages.
Combo Potential: With its Dash ability, Treetop Ambusher pairs exceptionally well with strategies that capitalize on creatures entering the battlefield or attacking. This card can work seamlessly with effects that trigger upon attacking, enabling impactful combos and interactions.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta that appreciates quick and agile plays, Treetop Ambusher excels. Its ability to sneak past blockers and bolster other attacking creatures makes it a fitting choice for faster, more aggressive decks, standing strong against more ponderous and control-oriented opponents.
How to beat
Treetop Ambusher is a sneaky card to face in MTG, bringing a unique dynamic to green decks that focus on the forest-dwelling archetype. As many know, this card allows players to boost other attacking creatures with its Dash ability, making it an evasive threat that demands an immediate answer.
To effectively counteract Treetop Ambusher, consider incorporating removal spells that can target creatures at instant speed, ensuring you can react even during combat. Flash capabilities help negate the Dash effect’s surprise element. Board wipes also prove efficient, clearing the way regardless of how many Ambushers or fellow creatures threaten you. Additionally, controlling the number of creatures your opponent has in play will limit the Ambusher’s impact, so prioritize removing key pieces of their creature-based strategies early on.
A tight defense is also vital. Slot in creatures with reach or those that can be summoned at instant speed to block the Ambusher. Don’t be lured into a false sense of security by its seemingly low impact; left unmanaged, Treetop Ambusher can tilt the scales in your opponent’s favor over a few turns, especially in decks packed with synergy.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Treetop Ambusher MTG card by a specific set like Modern Horizons, 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 Treetop Ambusher 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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Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Treetop Ambusher has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Treetop Ambusher card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2019-06-14 | If you pay the dash cost to cast a creature spell, that card will be returned to its owner’s hand only if it’s still on the battlefield when its triggered ability resolves. If it dies or goes to another zone before then, it will stay where it is. |
| 2019-06-14 | Treetop Ambusher can be the target of its own ability. |