Elkin Lair MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Rare
Type	World Enchantment
Released	1997-02-03
Set symbol
Set name	Visions
Set code	VIS
Number	78
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Jerry Tiritilli

Key Takeaways

Elkin Lair mixes up gameplay by altering draw and discard dynamics, challenging traditional MTG strategies.
Its symmetrical effect invites creative deck building, appealing to players seeking unconventional play styles.
Strategic use of Elkin Lair can disrupt opponents, showcasing the card’s potential in competitive contexts.

Text of card

During each player's upkeep, that player chooses a card at random from his or her hand and sets it aside face up. The player may play that card as though it were in his or her hand. If the player does not play the card by end of turn, bury that card.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Elkin Lair introduces a unique twist on drawing cards, giving players fresh options each turn while disrupting opponents’ strategies.

Resource Acceleration: By enabling a quicker cycle through your deck, it indirectly accelerates your access to vital resources and increases the likelihood of drawing into your mana sources.

Instant Speed: This card’s effects operate at the pace of the game, adding depth to your tactical plays. It compliments strategies that thrive on the ability to adapt and respond swiftly to unfolding events during each player’s turn.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Elkin Lair’s ability might compel a player to discard a valuable card, which can be counterproductive especially if your hand is stacked with crucial spells.

Specific Mana Cost: Elkin Lair’s casting cost demands both red and generic mana, potentially narrowing its integration to decks that can reliably provide the right mana mix.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a cost that includes four mana, Elkin Lair competes with other impactful four-mana spells which might offer more immediate or stable board presence.

Reasons to Include Elkin Lair in Your Collection

Versatility: Elkin Lair can seamlessly integrate into various deck archetypes that thrive on unpredictability and instant-speed play. Its ability to force both players to play spells only on their turns encourages a diverse and adaptive strategy.

Combo Potential: This card opens up fascinating combo opportunities, especially in decks tailored to exploit the symmetrical effect or break the symmetry to their advantage. Combining Elkin Lair with cards that limit opponents’ plays during their own turns can further tilt the scales in your favor.

Meta-Relevance: In metas dominated by control decks, Elkin Lair shines by disrupting opponents’ plans to play at instant speed, forcing a more level playing field during each turn. Its presence can skew the tempo and dictate the pace of the game, which is a valuable asset in any competitive environment.

How to beat

Elkin Lair, a unique card in the MTG realm, has the power to level the playing field with its whimsical yet strategic impact on the game. This card demands that each player plays with the top card of their library revealed, and they may cast the top card. If not cast, the card must be discarded, creating a volatile and unpredictable game environment. Navigating against this enchantment requires a mix of foresight and reactive play.

To effectively handle Elkin Lair, prioritize cards that manipulate deck topography. Consider using effects that allow you to rearrange the top cards of your library or that grant you the ability to draw additional cards, thereby mitigating the potential for a disadvantageous draw caused by Elkin Lair’s ability. Additionally, incorporating ways to remove enchantments from the battlefield cannot be overlooked to dismantle its influence. Instants like Disenchant or return-to-hand effects provide swift methods to eliminate Elkin Lair and regain control of the game’s pace. Patience and strategic manipulation can turn the tide, ensuring that Elkin Lair becomes more of an advantage than a challenge.

In conclusion, while Elkin Lair can introduce a high-risk factor into the match, a well-prepared deck with thoughtfully selected responses can not only withstand the chaos but potentially use it to its own advantage.

Cards like Elkin Lair

Elkin Lair is a unique enchantment in Magic: The Gathering that creates a dynamic shift in gameplay, reminiscent of the unpredictability of cards like Teferi’s Puzzle Box. Both Elkin Lair and Teferi’s Puzzle Box manipulate the draw phase significantly by altering the number of cards players draw and when they play them. Elkin Lair, specifically, injects excitement by allowing free casting at a specified time.

Similarly, Omen Machine stands as a noteworthy parallel. It prevents players from drawing cards and instead forces them to play with the top card of their library revealed, playing it if it’s a land card, akin to the way Elkin Lair dictates play. While these cards transform the draw phase and create spontaneous conditions, Omen Machine dictates the actual cards played while Elkin Lair gives a timing constraint.

Ultimately, analyzing Elkin Lair’s place in Magic: The Gathering reveals its niche appeal among cards that disrupt normal draw and play patterns. Its distinct trigger can turn the tide of a game, making it a notably potent tool in the arsenal of players who favor surprise and versatility over predictability.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Elkin Lair MTG card by a specific set like Visions, 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 Elkin Lair and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Elkin Lair has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Premodern	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2006-02-01	You can play the card this turn, not just during the resolution of the ability.
2008-10-01	This has the supertype world. When a world permanent enters the battlefield, any world permanents that were already on the battlefield are put into their owners’ graveyards. This is a state-based action called the “world rule.” The new world permanent stays on the battlefield. If two world permanents enter the battlefield at the same time, they’re both put into their owners’ graveyards.