Marhault Elsdragon MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost6
RarityUncommon
TypeLegendary Creature — Elf Warrior
Abilities Rampage
Power 4
Toughness 6

Key Takeaways

  1. Marhault Elsdragon can deter smaller creatures, offering a subtle board control advantage over time.
  2. Despite lacking resource acceleration, it anchors the curve in ramp decks, compelling opponents to respond.
  3. Marhault’s Rampage ability at instant speed can unexpectedly tip combat in your favor.

Text of card

Rampage: 1

Marhault follows a strict philosophy, never letting emotions cloud his thoughts. No chance observer could imagine the rage in his heart.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: While Marhault Elsdragon may not directly allow you to draw additional cards, its presence on the board can be a deterrent for opponents thinking about deploying smaller creatures. This implicit control can lead to a form of advantage over time as your opponent may be forced to deal with Marhault Elsdragon before successfully expanding their own board presence.

Resource Acceleration: Marhault Elsdragon does not inherently provide resource acceleration. However, its six mana cost can be a strong top of the curve in a ramp deck. Once on the field, it demands an answer, potentially drawing resources away from the opponent that could be used to disrupt your other plans of acceleration.

Instant Speed: While Marhault Elsdragon comes into play at sorcery speed, its Rampage ability can be a sudden game-changer during combat. The additional power it gains when blocked by multiple creatures can end games unexpectedly or force your opponent to block in a less-than-optimal way, ensuring that your strategies at instant speed elsewhere in your deck can be more effective.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Among the downsides of Marhault Elsdragon is the need to discard another creature card to activate its rampaging effect. This condition can be particularly cumbersome when your hand is running low on cards, forcing tough decisions about resource management and future plays.

Specific Mana Cost: The casting cost of this card involves a mix of one green and one red mana, meaning its optimal use is restricted to decks that accommodate the Gruul color combination. Players running decks outside these colors may find this card less accessible and potentially unplayable in their strategy.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of six mana, including one red and one green, Marhault Elsdragon’s six power might be less appealing considering the rate at which the game’s pace continues to increase. Its cost-effectiveness is diminished when placed against other creatures which offer similar or greater power and abilities for a lower or equal mana investment, making it a less favored choice among players looking for optimal performance.


Reasons to Include Marhault Elsdragon in Your Collection

Versatility: Marhault Elsdragon’s ability to both ramp up mana and serve as a formidable creature makes it a solid addition to decks that require flexible card roles. Its potential to swing the tide with both offensive and defensive utilities cannot be overstated.

Combo Potential: As a seasoned warrior on the battlefield, Marhault Elsdragon pairs excellently with various card synergies and strategies. Its innate features can be exploited to reinforce combos, particularly in decks that capitalize on creature abilities and power modifications.

Meta-Relevance: In a constantly shifting MTG landscape, cards that can stand the test of various meta changes are invaluable. This older legend can be a surprise play in the right environment, throwing off opponents prepared for only the latest strategies.


How to beat

Marhault Elsdragon looms as a formidable presence in Magic: The Gathering duels with its rampaging power which can inevitably crush unprepared opponents. This card, reminiscent of other legendary dragons, demands immediate response upon its landing on the field. If left unchecked, Marhault Elsdragon can dominate the game with its substantial power and toughness, combined with rampage, which makes it harder to block effectively.

To counter this threat, strategic creature removal is key. Cards like Murder or Path to Exile provide a clean and efficient solution to dispatch the legendary beast before it can deal significant damage. Board wipes, such as Wrath of God, can also be invaluable tools to reset the battlefield, leaving Marhault Elsdragon and other threats in the graveyard. Additionally, pacifism effects, found in spells like Pacifism or Oblivion Ring, can neutralize Marhault Elsdragon without having to destroy it, preventing any death triggers it may be associated with.

It’s essential to have an answer ready in your deck for such high-impact cards. Properly managed, Marhault Elsdragon can be contained, allowing players to focus on their winning strategy without the fear of a draconic onslaught.


Cards like Marhault Elsdragon

Marhault Elsdragon brings unique characteristics to the table as a Legendary Creature in MTG. Hailing from the earlier sets, this card reminds veteran players of similar older creatures such as Bartel Runeaxe. Both are legendary and require a substantial amount of mana to cast. Marhault Elsdragon offers Rampage 1, a mechanic that increases its power and toughness when blocked by multiple creatures. This makes it somewhat comparable to other Rampage creatures, though it’s one of the few with a combination of red and green mana cost.

When looking at other cards, we see that Craw Giant also has Rampage, specifically Rampage 2. Although it lacks the Legendary status of Marhault Elsdragon, the fact that it’s a Trample creature gives it a different tactical edge by allowing excess damage to be dealt to the player or planeswalker it’s attacking. While Craw Giant demands a higher mana cost, the impact on the battlefield can be more immediately felt due to its intrinsic Trample ability.

In analyzing these cards side by side, Marhault Elsdragon stands out for players fond of legendary creatures and those who enjoy a strategic advantage when facing creature-heavy opponents. Despite the advent of newer, flashier cards, the endurance and nostalgia factor of Marhault Elsdragon hold a unique appeal for MTG enthusiasts.

Bartel Runeaxe - MTG Card versions
Craw Giant - MTG Card versions
Bartel Runeaxe - Legends (LEG)
Craw Giant - Legends (LEG)

Cards similar to Marhault Elsdragon by color, type and mana cost

Livonya Silone - MTG Card versions
The Lady of the Mountain - MTG Card versions
Jerrard of the Closed Fist - MTG Card versions
Shambling Strider - MTG Card versions
Stangg - MTG Card versions
Rock Basilisk - MTG Card versions
Viashivan Dragon - MTG Card versions
Rubblehulk - MTG Card versions
Sarinth Greatwurm - MTG Card versions
Dragon Broodmother - MTG Card versions
Phylath, World Sculptor - MTG Card versions
Gruul Nodorog - MTG Card versions
Foxfire Oak - MTG Card versions
Wort, the Raidmother - MTG Card versions
Valleymaker - MTG Card versions
Morselhoarder - MTG Card versions
Cavern Thoctar - MTG Card versions
Valley Rannet - MTG Card versions
Dragonlair Spider - MTG Card versions
Ruination Wurm - MTG Card versions
Livonya Silone - Masters Edition III (ME3)
The Lady of the Mountain - Masters Edition III (ME3)
Jerrard of the Closed Fist - Masters Edition III (ME3)
Shambling Strider - Masters Edition (ME1)
Stangg - Masters 25 (A25)
Rock Basilisk - Mirage (MIR)
Viashivan Dragon - Visions (VIS)
Rubblehulk - RNA Guild Kit (GK2)
Sarinth Greatwurm - The Brothers' War (BRO)
Dragon Broodmother - The List (PLST)
Phylath, World Sculptor - Zendikar Rising (ZNR)
Gruul Nodorog - Guildpact (GPT)
Foxfire Oak - Shadowmoor (SHM)
Wort, the Raidmother - Commander 2020 (C20)
Valleymaker - Shadowmoor (SHM)
Morselhoarder - Shadowmoor (SHM)
Cavern Thoctar - Shards of Alara (ALA)
Valley Rannet - Commander 2013 (C13)
Dragonlair Spider - Planechase Anthology (PCA)
Ruination Wurm - Gatecrash (GTC)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Marhault Elsdragon MTG card by a specific set like Legends and Chronicles, 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 Marhault Elsdragon and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Marhault Elsdragon Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 1994-06-01 and 2009-09-07. Illustrated by Mark Poole.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11994-06-01LegendsLEG 2441993normalblackMark Poole
21995-07-01ChroniclesCHR 791993normalwhiteMark Poole
32009-09-07Masters Edition IIIME3 1611997normalblackMark Poole

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Marhault Elsdragon has restrictions

FormatLegality
OldschoolLegal
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

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