Sunblade Elf MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	1
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Creature — Elf Warrior
Released	2014-07-18
Set symbol
Set name	Magic 2015
Set code	M15
Power	1
Toughness	1
Number	202
Frame	2015
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Lucas Graciano

Key Takeaways

Efficient card advantage via Sunblade Elf boosts the battlefield without depleting hand resources.
Instant speed ability provides tactical flexibility and can unexpectedly shift combat outcomes.
It hinges on specific deck compositions and Plains, limiting its use in multi-color decks.

Text of card

Sunblade Elf gets +1/+1 as long as you control a Plains. : Creatures you control get +1/+1 until end of turn.

"We patrol the steppes to keep enemies from the forest verge."

Card Pros

Card Advantage: While Sunblade Elf itself doesn’t directly draw cards, it contributes to card advantage by bolstering your battlefield without requiring frequent reinvestment. This efficiency allows you to hold other cards in hand and maintain a resourceful position.

Resource Acceleration: Sunblade Elf’s strength lies in its synergy with lands, particularly with Plains. As your land base grows, so does the power of Sunblade Elf, representing an increase in your resource efficiency without the need for additional spells or effects.

Instant Speed: Sunblade Elf’s ability to boost other creatures can be activated at instant speed, offering tactical flexibility during combat or in response to an opponent’s actions. This allows for surprise alterations in combat dynamics, which can lead to advantageous trades or game-winning attacks.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Sunblade Elf doesn’t require a card discard, its power relies on deck composition. Without Plains in play, its potential remains limited, reducing its utility in multicolored or non-white decks.

Specific Mana Cost: Sunblade Elf demands green mana for casting and white mana for its ability, making it less flexible for decks not aligned with these colors. This requirement can restrict deck building options and its inclusion in varied mana bases.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: To unlock its full potential, a significant mana investment is needed. For one green mana, its base state is merely a 1/1 creature. The additional white mana cost for its ability to boost others is costly, considering alternative low-mana buffs available in the game.

Reasons to Include Sunblade Elf in Your Collection

Versatility: Sunblade Elf shines in its ability to adapt to different phases of the game. It’s a solid turn-one play that remains relevant later on, especially in decks that capitalize on wide strategies or theme around +1/+1 counters.

Combo Potential: Its power-boosting ability works exceptionally well with cards that spread counters or generate lots of creatures, turning your army into a formidable threat quickly.

Meta-Relevance: Given its low cost and high synergy with other green and white cards, Sunblade Elf fits snugly into aggressive strategies that dominate the early game, which is often essential in faster-paced metas.

How to beat

Sunblade Elf is an agile creature in the world of Magic: The Gathering, boasting a prowess that can catch many players off guard. With its ability to buff itself and other creatures you control, it exemplifies the surge of power that comes with playing Green and White (Selesnya) decks. To counter this swift elf, it’s vital to control the board effectively. Instant removal spells like Lightning Bolt or Fatal Push can dispatch it before it becomes a threat. Board sweepers, such as Wrath of God, can also keep the elves in check.

Moreover, disrupting the opponent’s mana base can be particularly effective. Since the elf’s power boost depends on lands, land destruction or counter strategies can hinder its potential. The race to stabilize your board before the elf and its allies grow too strong is key. Thoughtful planning and prompt responses to creatures like Sunblade Elf will turn the tide of battle in your favor and ensure you maintain control of the game.

When faced against Sunblade Elf, it’s not just about removing a single threat but also strategizing against the whole strategy of a Selesnya deck. Manage your removal resources wisely and stay one step ahead to claim victory.

Cards like Sunblade Elf

Sunblade Elf holds its ground in the realm of powerful mana-efficient creatures for Magic: The Gathering decks. It shares some ground with creatures like Skynight Vanguard, which also costs only two mana and offers an aggressive strategy. However, Sunblade Elf brings the unique advantage of being a one-mana soldier with the potential to scale its power through its ability to boost other creatures.

Diving deeper into comparisons, we find Tattermunge Maniac, another strong early play with a similar aggressive potential. But unlike the Maniac’s all-out attack approach, Sunblade Elf offers strategic value with its land-related power up, essential for late-game scenarios as opposed to the Maniac’s consistent yet non-scalable power.

Furthermore, we encounter the renowned figure of Savannah Lions, whose legacy in MTG tells the tale of straightforward one-mana aggression. Sunblade Elf distinguishes itself with utility beyond mere combat, allowing savvy players to leverage land counts for a potential late-game advantage.

Assessing the capabilities of these creatures reveals the subtle yet impactful differences that make Sunblade Elf a compelling option for players seeking both early game presence and the potential for amplified strength in the game’s later stages.

Cards similar to Sunblade Elf by color, type and mana cost

Votary of the Conclave - MTG Card versions

Tarkir Duneshaper // Burnished Dunestomper - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Sunblade Elf MTG card by a specific set like Magic 2015, 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 Sunblade Elf and other MTG cards: