Scarred Vinebreeder MTG Card


Scarred Vinebreeder - Lorwyn
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Elf Shaman
Released2007-10-12
Set symbol
Set nameLorwyn
Set codeLRW
Power 1
Toughness 1
Number138
Frame2003
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred byAlex Horley-Orlandelli

Key Takeaways

  1. Scarred Vinebreeder excels in elf decks by recycling graveyard resources and aiding mana ramp.
  2. Instant speed activation gives players tactical flexibility and surprise element during play.
  3. Its demanding discard requirement and specific mana cost can limit its versatility and utility.

Text of card

, Remove an Elf card in your graveyard from the game: Scarred Vinebreeder gets +3/+3 until end of turn.

For disfigured elves, there are few choices beyond death or nettlevine.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Scarred Vinebreeder can be leveraged to continuously extract value from your graveyard, turning discarded or destroyed creature cards into a potent form of advantage. This recursive utility ensures you always have access to resources throughout the game.

Resource Acceleration: Particularly effective in Elf decks, Scarred Vinebreeder can serve as a reliable form of mana ramp. Its ability to generate resources can prove to be an indispensable asset when aiming to deploy high-cost cards earlier in the match.

Instant Speed: The ability to use Scarred Vinebreeder’s ability at instant speed gives you the flexibility to wait until the end of your opponent’s turn to make a move, thus keeping your options open and maintaining the element of surprise.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Scarred Vinebreeder necessitates discarding a card to harness its ability. This condition can critically affect your hand, particularly if the game has extended and resources in play are sparse, making it a less favorable choice for those who value card advantage.

Specific Mana Cost: Being ingrained in the green mana spectrum means the Scarred Vinebreeder aligns predominantly with decks tailored to this color. Players not running green, or those requiring a diverse mana base, may find it challenging to justify its inclusion, therefore limiting its versatility across various deck types.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Positioned at two mana, this creature stands on the steeper side when contemplating its initial impact on the board. In green, especially, where efficiency and tempo are paramount, there might be other creatures or spells that offer a stronger presence or utility for a similar, if not lower, investment.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Scarred Vinebreeder’s ability to regenerate an Elf makes it a solid defensive option in Elf-themed decks or ones that need to protect key creatures from removal.

Combo Potential: Working in tandem with cards that benefit from creature sacrifice or graveyard strategies, Scarred Vinebreeder can become an integral part of a potent combo engine.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where Elves are prevalent or removal spells are common, Scarred Vinebreeder proves to be a resilient addition, capable of preserving your board presence and frustrating opponents.


How to beat

Scarred Vinebreeder has carved out a niche for itself among the elf-tribal decks within Magic: The Gathering. As a card that can regenerate another target elf, its defensive utility in maintaining board presence can be significant. To effectively counter this, consider employing removal spells that bypass regeneration. For example, utilizing spells that exile creatures can handle Scarred Vinebreeder and its protected elves permanently.

Board wipes also offer a solution, as they circumvent Scarred Vinebreeder’s protective abilities by not targeting individual creatures—thus regeneration is not an option. Additionally, direct player damage or “burn” spells can strategically shift the focus away from creature combat, minimizing the Vinebreeder’s impact on the game. Moreover, employing graveyard disruption effects that inhibit or remove creature cards from the graveyard can significantly weaken the synergy that Scarred Vinebreeder relies upon, decreasing its overall threat.

In summary, although Scarred Vinebreeder can be a resilient adversary on the battlefield, strategies that include exile effects, non-targeting board clears, direct damage, and graveyard disruption can effectively neutralize it, keeping your opponent’s elf cohorts under control.


Cards like Scarred Vinebreeder

Scarred Vinebreeder adds its own flair to the realm of creature cards in Magic: The Gathering, much like its counterparts in the tribal Elf synergy. This card shares kinship with Elvish Visionary, yet diverges in function. Where the Visionary brings immediate value by drawing a card upon entering the battlefield, Scarred Vinebreeder offers long-term benefits through its ability to regenerate itself, ensuring its presence on the field.

Llanowar Dead is another relative in this comparison. It provides mana acceleration similar to Scarred Vinebreeder when sacrificed. However, the Vinebreeder leans more towards board stability rather than ramp, due to its regenerating capability. Elvish Mystic cannot be overlooked, famed for its straightforward mana generation, which differs from the Vinebreeder’s conditional mana production that requires a creature’s death.

In weighing the merits of these creatures, Scarred Vinebreeder stands out for its resilience and supportive role in Elf-centric decks within Magic: The Gathering. Its unique regenerative ability can become pivotal in matches where sustaining key creatures takes precedence over a brief surge in resources or card advantage.

Elvish Visionary - MTG Card versions
Llanowar Dead - MTG Card versions
Elvish Mystic - MTG Card versions
Elvish Visionary - Shards of Alara (ALA)
Llanowar Dead - Apocalypse (APC)
Elvish Mystic - Magic 2014 (M14)

Cards similar to Scarred Vinebreeder by color, type and mana cost

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Nether Shadow - MTG Card versions
Erg Raiders - MTG Card versions
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Rabid Rats - MTG Card versions
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Swarm of Rats - MTG Card versions
Drudge Skeletons - Eighth Edition (8ED)
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Cuombajj Witches - Rinascimento (RIN)
Order of the Ebon Hand - Pro Tour Collector Set (PTC)
Bog Imp - Rivals Quick Start Set (RQS)
Wall of Corpses - Mirage (MIR)
Blighted Shaman - Mirage (MIR)
Rabid Rats - Stronghold (STH)
Dakmor Bat - Portal Second Age (P02)
Ravenous Rats - Invasion (INV)
Flesh Reaver - Urza's Saga (USG)
Bloodcurdler - Odyssey (ODY)
Nantuko Shade - Commander 2014 (C14)
Piper of the Swarm - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Undead Augur - Jumpstart 2022 (J22)
Black Knight - The List (PLST)
Shepherd of Rot - Onslaught (ONS)
Swarm of Rats - Eighth Edition (8ED)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Scarred Vinebreeder MTG card by a specific set like Lorwyn, 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 Scarred Vinebreeder and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Scarred Vinebreeder has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

DateText
2007-10-01 If you activate the ability, the Elf card is exiled as a cost. This action can’t be responded to.

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