Woodcloaker MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 6 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Elf |
| Abilities | Morph |
| Released | 2003-05-26 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Scourge |
| Set code | SCG |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 3 |
| Number | 134 |
| Frame | 1997 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Jim Nelson |
Text of card
Morph (You may play this face down as a 2/2 creature for . Turn it face up any time for its morph cost.) When Woodcloaker is turned face up, target creature gains trample until end of turn.
Cards like Woodcloaker
Woodcloaker is an intriguing creature spell in Magic: The Gathering that offers a unique blend of abilities to players. Delving into the realm of creature spells that double as a source of surprise, we find similarities with cards like Briarhorn. Briarhorn can also be played using its evoke cost, thereby triggering its ability to give a creature +3/+3 before it hits the graveyard. While Woodcloaker doesn’t buff others, it can notably return itself to its owner’s hand, offering a repeatable utility that Briarhorn lacks.
Another similar card is Fleetfoot Panther. This creature also allows players to return it to their hand but requires another creature you control to be returned as well. This presents a more restrictive condition compared to Woodcloaker. Then there’s Dust Elemental, which not only bounces back to your hand but can also save up to three creatures from danger by returning them to the owner’s hand upon its own re-entry. However, this comes with a higher mana investment and the need to have other creatures on the battlefield.
In essence, Woodcloaker enjoys a place among versatile creature spells capable of dodging removal and offering strategic plays that can surprise an opponent, striking a fine balance between cost and flexibility in gameplay.
Cards similar to Woodcloaker by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Woodcloaker gives you the flexibility to bounce it back to your hand and reuse its ability, effectively allowing you to protect vital creatures from removal and dodge unfavorable situations, keeping your hand filled with options.
Resource Acceleration: Utilizing the ability of Woodcloaker can save you from using mana on other spells to protect your creatures, thereby accelerating your overall mana economy and freeing resources for pivotal plays.
Instant Speed: The versatility of activating Woodcloaker’s ability at instant speed makes it a strategic asset, allowing for surprise blocks or evading your opponent’s spells during their turn, keeping them guessing and you in control of the game.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Woodcloaker demands a card to be discarded to trigger its ability. This is a trade-off that can become costly, particularly when your hand is running low on cards, thereby diminishing your strategic options.
Specific Mana Cost: Woodcloaker requires a precise combination of mana to cast, specifically green. This necessity can restrict the card’s integration outside of mono-green or similarly colored decks, reducing its versatility across the broad spectrum of MTG deck archetypes.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana value that might be considered steep for the effects it provides, Woodcloaker competes directly with other cards at the same cost point that may offer more impactful abilities or stats. This puts it at a disadvantage when deck building requires maximizing value per mana spent.
Reasons to Include Woodcloaker in Your Collection
Versatility: Woodcloaker offers flexibility in deck construction thanks to its ability to act as a creature or provide a protective bounce for your other creatures. This can be seamlessly integrated into green decks that require adaptable plays.
Combo Potential: With the ability to return a creature to your hand, Woodcloaker works well with creatures that have enter-the-battlefield effects, unlocking the potential for powerful recurring value over the course of a game.
Meta-Relevance: In environments dominated by targeted removal or tempo plays, Woodcloaker can keep key creatures safe or be a surprise blocker when needed, making it a relevant addition to decks contending with the evolving strategies of the meta.
How to beat
Woodcloaker is a niche card that brings a certain level of utility to green decks within Magic: The Gathering. Functioning as both a surprise blocker and a way to retrieve key creatures from your graveyard, Woodcloaker can pose an unexpected challenge for opponents. Despite its versatility, there are strategies to effectively counter this card.
One effective method is to limit the number of creatures in the graveyard, thereby diminishing Woodcloaker’s value. Graveyard hate cards like Relic of Progenitus can continuously clear the graveyard, directly impacting Woodloaker’s effectiveness. Instant-speed removal spells are also a solid countermeasure, as they can deal with Woodcloaker before it has the opportunity to generate its morph advantage or before it can block. Board wipes are another avenue, as they can clear the creature regardless of its face-down status.
Understanding the pacing and potential of green decks can turn the tides against Woodcloaker. Playing around the morph mechanic, recognizing when to expect such a creature, and maintaining removal resources are key elements in gameplay to gain an upper hand against this particular threat.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Woodcloaker MTG card by a specific set like Scourge, 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 Woodcloaker 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
See MTG Products
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Woodcloaker has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |