Gang of Elk MTG Card
1999-02-15 - Number 102
2001-04-11 - Number 247
2001-04-11 - Number 247★
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 6 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Elk Beast |
| Power | 5 |
| Toughness | 4 |
Key Takeaways
- Gang of Elk’s resilience in combat can lead to card advantage by exhausting opponent resources.
- Its ability to stay on board without extra mana investment acts as a form of resource acceleration.
- Supporting instant speed strategies, it becomes a consistent pressure piece on the battlefield.
Text of card
Whenever a creature blocks it, Gang of Elk gets +2/+2 until end of turn.
The elk is Gaea's favorite, who wears the forest on its brow.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Gang of Elk offers a unique form of card advantage by providing a resilient threat that can be difficult for opponents to deal with efficiently. While it may not draw you cards directly, its ability to survive combat due to its static ability can lead to card advantage by requiring multiple resources from your opponent to handle.
Resource Acceleration: Although Gang of Elk does not generate additional mana or treasure tokens, it can lead to a form of resource acceleration by pressuring your opponent and forcing them to use their mana inefficiently. Also, by withstanding damage typically, it reduces the need for you to commit more creatures to the board, effectively accelerating your board presence without spending more mana.
Instant Speed: Gang of Elk itself may not be an instant, but it can thrive in decks that utilize instant speed interactions. It complements a strategy that includes holding up mana for instants, as opponents may hesitate to attack or block, allowing you to use your instant speed responses more judiciously while relying on Gang of Elk for consistent board pressure.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One downside to Gang of Elk is that it necessitates a card to be discarded to trigger its ability. This requirement could be a setback when your hand is already running low, forcing you to lose potentially valuable assets.
Specific Mana Cost: With a mana cost that includes green in its composition, Gang of Elk may pose deck-building restrictions. This specificity can hinder its inclusion in multi-colored or colorless deck strategies, where mana flexibility is key.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: For a creature card, Gang of Elk comes with a somewhat hefty mana cost, which might be considered high for the stats and abilities it brings to the table. As players evaluate mana efficiency, this card may fall short in comparison to others with similar or greater impact for the same, or less, mana investment.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Gang of Elk offers adaptability across various deck builds, giving players a durable creature that can often survive combat due to its potentially high toughness. Its ability to fit into resilient green-based decks makes it a solid choice for those who favor endurance in their play style.
Combo Potential: When combined with cards that grant it trample or other evasion abilities, Gang of Elk’s strength can be magnified, turning it into a formidable offensive asset. This hues to the green strategy of leveraging large creatures, increasing its synergy with other deck components.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta dominated by smaller creatures or damage-based removal, Gang of Elk’s sturdy nature allows it to persist on the board, providing continuous value. Its presence can pivot the flow of a game, favoring decks that can capitalize on powerful sustained board states.
How to beat
Gang of Elk presents an interesting challenge on the battlefield, being a sizable creature with the ability to become even larger when blocked. This green creature card can turn the tide of battle with its potential for massive trampling damage. However, when piloting against Gang of Elk, one efficient strategy is to utilize removal spells that can deal with the creature before it declares an attack. Cards like Doom Blade or Path to Exile are excellent for removing Gang of Elk from the game without triggering its ability.
Moreover, spot removal isn’t the only solution. Counterspells serve as a preventative measure, stopping Gang of Elk from ever landing on the field. Creatures with death touch are also effective blockers, as they can eliminate Gang of Elk regardless of its size. Lastly, if the situation permits, using board wipes can reset the field, thereby nullifying any advantage that Gang of Elk might have provided to the opponent. A well-timed Wrath of God or Damnation will clear Gang of Elk along with other threats your opponent controls.
Adopting one or a combination of these tactics can help ensure that your match against Gang of Elk swings in your favor, preserving your life total and maintaining control of the game state.
Cards like Gang of Elk
Gang of Elk is an intriguing creature in the realm of MTG that reminds players of other beastly cards with its unique damage prevention characteristic. In comparison to Loxodon Warhammer, Gang of Elk offers a similar aspect of survivability when blocking or being blocked, as it prevents all but one of the damage that would be dealt to it. However, Loxodon Warhammer boasts the abilities of trample and lifelink, providing a way to both deal excess damage and recover life, which Gang of Elk lacks.
Examining Indomitable Ancients, we notice a creature with a high toughness which could be likened to Gang of Elk’s resilience. Even though Indomitable Ancients doesn’t have damage prevention, its sheer toughness often has a similar effect of outlasting opponents in combat. On the other hand, cards like Sporecap Spider also demonstrate durability against flying creatures thanks to its reach ability, though it does not have the same prevention of damage during combat as the Gang of Elk.
To sum it up, Gang of Elk holds its ground by preventing most damage in combat, fitting snugly within the category of creatures with noteworthy defensive capabilities while providing a unique playing experience in MTG.
Cards similar to Gang of Elk by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Gang of Elk MTG card by a specific set like Urza's Legacy and Seventh Edition, 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 Gang of Elk and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
See MTG Products
Printings
The Gang of Elk Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1999-02-15 and 2001-04-11. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1999-02-15 | Urza's Legacy | ULG | 102 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Una Fricker | |
| 2 | 2001-04-11 | Seventh Edition | 7ED | 247 | 1997 | Normal | White | Thomas Gianni | |
| 3 | 2001-04-11 | Seventh Edition | 7ED | 247★ | 1997 | Normal | Black | Thomas Gianni |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Gang of Elk has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Gang of Elk card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2004-10-04 | Gang of Elk gets the bonus once for each blocker. |
