Youthful Scholar MTG Card
2015-03-27 - Number 84
2019-11-07 - Number 557
2020-09-26 - Number DTK-84
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Human Wizard |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Text of card
When Youthful Scholar dies, draw two cards.
"Too dumb, and you end up a sibsig. Too smart, and you end up a meal. Mediocrity is the key to a long life." —Mogai, Silumgar noble
Cards like Youthful Scholar
Youthful Scholar from Magic: The Gathering holds its own among creatures with a card draw ability. It shares some similarities with creatures like Jeskai Sage, as both release their knowledge upon departure from the battlefield, with Jeskai Sage drawing a card when it dies. What sets Youthful Scholar apart, however, is the quantity of cards drawn, offering a double dose of new possibilities upon its demise.
Elvish Visionary stands as another comparable creature but operates differently. While the Visionary allows you to draw a card immediately upon entering the battlefield, it draws only once compared to the potential two from the Scholar. Another parallel can be drawn with Alchemist’s Apprentice, which sacrifices itself to let you draw a card, aligning more closely with Youthful Scholar’s dedication to study until the end.
Analyzing the interconnectedness of these cards reveals the unique strategic advantage Youthful Scholar provides in MTG. By relinquishing a higher yield in knowledge, it creates an opportunity for more significant deck maneuverability, making it a valuable asset for players looking to maximize their card draw potential.
Cards similar to Youthful Scholar by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: With the ability to draw multiple cards upon its departure from the battlefield, Youthful Scholar creates valuable card influx, ensuring you have an increased number of options on each of your turns.
Resource Acceleration: Though not directly providing mana or tokens, this creature indirectly aids in resource acceleration as it filters through your deck, bringing you closer to your essential spells and lands more quickly.
Instant Speed: While Youthful Scholar itself may not be instant speed, the card synergy it provides can be harnessed at instant speed. Sacrificing it during an opponent’s turn or in response to a spell can present a sudden shift in the game’s dynamics, as you capitalize on the cards drawn during unexpected times.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Youthful Scholar necessitates the sacrifice of itself to trigger its ability, which can sometimes clash with maintaining board presence.
Specific Mana Cost: Requiring both blue and generic mana, Youthful Scholar demands a commitment to blue mana sources, potentially constraining deck diversity.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of two blue and two generic mana, this card competes with other four-mana spells that may impact the game more immediately or offer greater versatility.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Youthful Scholar’s ability to provide card draw upon death makes it a flexible addition to decks that leverage creature sacrifice for gain, ensuring relentless card flow.
Combo Potential: This card shines when combined with sacrificial effects or in decks focusing on spells or abilities that require card draw, such as prowess or spellslinger strategies.
Meta-Relevance: In a dynamic where creature control is essential, Youthful Scholar can deter opponents from removing it, or turn their removal spells into advantage for you, keeping your hand filled.
How to beat
Youthful Scholar presents a challenge in Magic: The Gathering matches, especially when your strategy relies on removing creatures from the battlefield. This blue card dangles a tempting but potentially costly reward in the form of card draw for your opponent. When Youthful Scholar dies, its controller draws two cards, potentially giving them a significant advantage in resources.
Countering this crafty scholar effectively requires a strategic approach. One tactic is to use exile removals, such as Path to Exile or Swords to Plowshares, to bypass the death trigger altogether. Another method is to control the timing of its demise, waiting until your opponent has a full hand, thus forcing them to discard due to the maximum hand size limit.
Additionally, imposing graveyard disruption like Tormod’s Crypt can shut down any benefit they might reap from the two-card draw. By understanding the mechanics at play and planning your moves carefully, you can mitigate the card advantage Youthful Scholar might provide to your adversary. Keeping the board clear or manipulating the Scholar’s presence to your advantage can greatly enhance your odds of emerging victorious.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Youthful Scholar MTG card by a specific set like Dragons of Tarkir and Mystery Booster, 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 Youthful Scholar 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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Printings
The Youthful Scholar Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2015-03-27 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by Cynthia Sheppard.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2015-03-27 | Dragons of Tarkir | DTK | 84 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Cynthia Sheppard | |
| 2 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 557 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Cynthia Sheppard | |
| 3 | The List | PLST | DTK-84 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Cynthia Sheppard |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Youthful Scholar has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |