Tel-Jilad Chosen MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Elf Warrior
Abilities	Protection
Released	2003-10-02
Set symbol
Set name	Mirrodin
Set code	MRD
Power	2
Toughness	1
Number	132
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Matthew D. Wilson

Key Takeaways

Tel-Jilad Chosen provides strategic board protection against artifact removals, bolstering your offensive plays.
Instant-speed activation enables surprise defensive maneuvers, disrupting opponent strategies effectively.
Requires precise mana and card type for activation, potentially limiting its efficacy in diverse decks.

Text of card

Protection from artifacts

"It is my honor to keep safe Tel-Jilad's secrets, not to know them."

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Tel-Jilad Chosen offers a distinct edge when it comes to protecting vital creature assets. By giving another target creature protection from artifacts until end of turn, it permits an offensive strategy while safeguarding your board from artifact-based removals.

Resource Acceleration: As a two-drop with a versatile ability, Tel-Jilad Chosen can be a tactical addition early in the game. It doesn’t accelerate resources in the traditional sense of producing mana or tokens, but the ability to protect key creatures can maintain or even enhance your board presence, effectively keeping your resource count high.

Instant Speed: Tel-Jilad Chosen’s activated ability can be used at instant speed, providing strategic flexibility. It allows you to respond to your opponents’ moves, effectively countering plays reliant on artifacts for a critical advantage. The element of surprise can turn the tide of a match, as you can reactively grant protection during your opponent’s turn or in response to triggers and abilities.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Tel-Jilad Chosen demands a specific card type to be discarded in order to unlock its full potential. This requirement can often clash with strategic plays, especially in critical moments when hand management is paramount.

Specific Mana Cost: This card’s mana cost is anchored to green, necessitating a dedicated or heavily weighted mana base in the deck. For players running a multi-color deck, this could result in accessibility issues, particularly in early game scenarios.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: When it comes to the competitive arena, Tel-Jilad Chosen’s mana cost is on the higher side for the benefits it provides. Savvy players may find this cost inefficient given the pace and requirements of more aggressively tuned decks.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Tel-Jilad Chosen thrives in green centric decks that focus on utilizing creature abilities. With its natural protection from artifacts, it becomes a resilient piece on the board that fares well against numerous threat types.

Combo Potential: As a creature with inherent artifact protection, it pairs well with strategies that exploit creature survivability. Its elf synergies also make it an excellent choice for elf tribal decks, opening up avenues for various powerful combinations.

Meta-Relevance: In a game climate where artifact-heavy decks are commonplace, Tel-Jilad Chosen holds a valuable position. Its ability to resist artifact-based removals allows it to be a steadfast player, making it a significant inclusion in matches where artifacts reign supreme.

How to beat

Understanding your opponent’s strategy is key in Magic: The Gathering, particularly when facing cards like Tel-Jilad Chosen. This creature card is known for its protection from artifacts, which can be a significant advantage in certain game scenarios. Overcoming the defense it offers requires a strategic approach, as conventional tactics that involve artifacts won’t work against it.

When playing against a deck that utilizes Tel-Jilad Chosen, one effective method is to leverage spell types it’s vulnerable to, such as those that inflict direct damage or those that force the player to sacrifice creatures. Cards like Wrath of God or Doom Blade, which do not target, or those that require the owner to choose a creature to sacrifice, bypass the protection from artifacts granted to Tel-Jilad Chosen. Similarly, board wipes can also be an efficient way to clear the battlefield of problematic creatures without the need for targeting.

Therefore, while Tel-Jilad Chosen may initially seem like a formidable threat due to its specific immunity, your deck can be tailored with non-targeted removal or global effects to neutralize its advantage. Adjusting your deck to include such cards can significantly enhance your winning chances against decks that bank on such protection abilities.

Cards like Tel-Jilad Chosen

Tel-Jilad Chosen stands out as a unique creature in Magic: The Gathering with its intrinsic protection from artifacts ability. This distinct characteristic echoes the attributes found in creatures like Tajuru Preserver, which prevents opponents from forcing you to sacrifice permanents. What sets Tel-Jilad Chosen apart is its focused defense against one of the game’s most common permanent types, artifacts, which could be pivotal in artifact-heavy matchups.

Glissa’s Courier is another creature that wades through the battlefield with an artifact-related perk, having metalcraft to become unblockable as long as you control three or more artifacts. It’s an aggressive approach compared to the defensive nature of Tel-Jilad Chosen. Then, there’s Sylvok Replica, which provides a utility to destroy artifacts or enchantments. Although it doesn’t provide continuous protection, its versatility in handling various threats is undeniable.

Analyzing the strategic value in deck building, Tel-Jilad Chosen is a strong contender for enhancing defense strategies, especially in environments where artifacts dominate. Its ability to deter artifact-based attacks provides a particular advantage that is hard to mirror in other MTG cards.

Cards similar to Tel-Jilad Chosen by color, type and mana cost

Silverglade Pathfinder - MTG Card versions

Llanowar Loamspeaker - MTG Card versions

Jolrael, Mwonvuli Recluse - MTG Card versions

Mayor of Avabruck // Howlpack Alpha - MTG Card versions

Wren's Run Vanquisher - MTG Card versions

Oran-Rief Survivalist - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Tel-Jilad Chosen MTG card by a specific set like Mirrodin, 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 Tel-Jilad Chosen and other MTG cards: