Druid of the Anima MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Elf Druid
Released	2008-10-03
Set symbol
Set name	Shards of Alara
Set code	ALA
Power	1
Toughness	1
Number	128
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Jim Murray

Key Takeaways

Expands options for card deployment by generating mana of different colors, aiding multicolor deck strategies.
Acceleration from the Druid can be crucial for early game dominance, especially in ramp-focused decks.
While potentially costly, its utility in mana diversification and deck versatility justifies the inclusion in collections.

Text of card

: Add , , or to your mana pool.

Although the Anima herself remains at the Sacellum, her druids roam Naya, collecting mana bonds with every location in the world.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Druid of the Anima empowers your hand by unlocking mana of different colors, effectively expanding your options for deploying cards from your hand each turn.

Resource Acceleration: This unit taps for three types of mana, streamlining your mana base which can accelerate your plays significantly, especially in multicolor decks.

Instant Speed: Although Druid of the Anima doesn’t operate at instant speed, the mana it provides can be critical for casting your instant spells or activating abilities, ensuring you maximize your resources every turn.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: In decks heavy on control or combo pieces, holding onto critical cards is essential. Druid of the Anima doesn’t directly cause discards, but it may not prevent a necessary card from being thrown away when decisions are tight.

Specific Mana Cost: Druid of the Anima requires one green mana to cast. While this seems minor, in multicolored decks or in situations where mana flexibility is critical, this can be a limitation, potentially slowing down your strategy if green mana isn’t readily available.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of one and two generic mana, Druid of the Anima might be considered costly for its ability to only add one mana of any color a land could produce. In a format with options like Birds of Paradise, this can be a deterrent for deck builders aiming for higher efficiency in mana ramping.

Reasons to Include Druid of the Anima in Your Collection

Versatility: Druid of the Anima is a solid choice for many types of decks. This card provides mana acceleration which is crucial for casting powerful spells early in the game, making it a fantastic addition to ramp and multicolor decks.

Combo Potential: As a mana dork, this card can be the cornerstone for numerous combo decks. It not only helps in assembling pieces faster but can also be tapped for different kinds of mana, aiding you in executing multi-color combos seamlessly.

Meta-Relevance: With the ever-evolving MTG meta, having access to quick and diverse mana sources keeps you one step ahead. Druid of the Anima adapts well to a variety of competitive settings and can be a key player in many matchups against the current popular deck types.

How to beat

Druid of the Anima is a nifty mana accelerator in MTG, and it shines in decks that thrive on multicolored mana sources. It’s akin to other cards like Birds of Paradise, yet Druid of the Anima requires less of an investment, only needing a simple tap and lacking Birds’ versatile color fixing. Nonetheless, overcoming this Anima conduit is all about limiting the player’s mana availability. Spell Snare or Path to Exile can effectively eliminate the Druid from the battlefield, leaving your opponent with a depleted mana pool.

Counterplay comes into focus with removal spells such as Lightning Bolt or Fatal Push, which can target and dispatch this creature for a low cost. Comparatively, you could also circumvent the Druid by employing board control strategies, keeping the creature locked from tapping through cards like Frost Titan or tapping it down with Tumble Magnet. Ultimately, shutting down the Druid of the Anima involves a strategy that disrupts your opponent’s mana development and hinders their acceleration into a more formidable board state.

Successfully navigating against Druid of the Anima means appreciating its potential in mana ramp decks while executing precise and timely disruption to maintain control of the game’s pace.

BurnMana Recommendations

A mastery of MTG goes beyond individual cards—it’s about creating a symphony of strategy, agility, and resourcefulness. Druid of the Anima stands as a beacon for deck diversity, opening a realm of multicolor magic. Incorporate this vibrant mana dork into your collection and marvel at how it propels your multicolored strategies. Recognize its potential to amplify your game, and let it guide you to victory. Craving deeper insights into deck building and game strategy? Embark on your journey to become an adept MTG maestro with us.

Cards like Druid of the Anima

Druid of the Anima finds its place among mana-generating creatures in Magic: The Gathering, offering a synergy with a variety of multicolored decks. Comparable to Druid of the Anima is Birds of Paradise, one of the most emblematic mana dorks. While Birds of Paradise can tap for any color of mana, Druid of the Anima is restricted to only three colors, yet it has a larger body that could prove valuable on the battlefield.

Another card in the conversation is Elvish Mystic, costing the same amount of mana but it only taps for green. While it doesn’t provide the color flexibility of Druid of the Anima, it’s a reliable option for mono-green decks. Gyre Engineer shares a closer functionality, tapping for both green and blue mana. Although it enters the battlefield a turn later due to its higher cost, it can fuel more mana-intensive spells.

When considering these alternatives, Druid of the Anima’s ability to slot into three-color decks gives it a noteworthy position. It taps for essential colors needed in many popular strategies, affirming its role as a staple card for ramping up to powerful, multicolored plays.

Cards similar to Druid of the Anima by color, type and mana cost

Kaust, Eyes of the Glade - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Druid of the Anima MTG card by a specific set like Shards of Alara, 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 Druid of the Anima and other MTG cards: