Norwood Archers MTG Card

Norwood Archers - Portal Second Age (P02)

Portal Second Age (P02)
1998-06-24 - Number 136

Starter 1999 (S99)
1999-07-01 - Number 137

Card sets	Released in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Elf Archer
Abilities	Reach
Power	3
Toughness	3

Key Takeaways

Acts as a deterrent on the board, leading to a subtle form of card advantage over time.
Integrates into fast-paced strategies, offering a solid creature play early in the game.
Despite mana cost and deck synergy concerns, it provides valuable aerial defense.

Text of card

Norwood Archers can block creatures with flying.

"'Air superiority?' Not while our archers scan the skies." —Elvish scout

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Norwood Archers may not directly provide card draw, but their presence on the battlefield as a sturdy creature can deter opponents from attacking, effectively preserving the cards on your side of the field. This defensive capability often leads to gaining card advantage over time as you prevent potential trades or the use of opponent’s removal spells.

Resource Acceleration: While Norwood Archers themselves do not offer traditional resource acceleration, their relatively low casting cost means that they integrate well into strategies that develop one’s board presence quickly. Being able to deploy a 3/3 creature by turn two or three can be crucial in ramping up the pressure and maintaining momentum in the game.

Instant Speed: Norwood Archers don’t have flash themselves; however, they synergize well with instant-speed spells. A 3/3 creature for four mana may not turn heads, but when you’re casting impactful instants on your opponent’s turn, Norwood Archers can serve as a reliable blocker or an aggressive combatant once it’s your turn to attack.

Card Cons

Specific Mana Cost: Norwood Archers demands a particular mana arrangement for casting, which can be restrictive. Having to commit to green mana might not always mesh with a player’s strategy or the deck’s color scheme, potentially impeding the card’s versatility.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The card’s casting cost is on the higher side for its stats and abilities. In efficient and fast-paced formats, players might find it less appealing when there are other creatures that provide more value or have impacting abilities for the same or lower mana investment.

Discard Requirement: While Norwood Archers does not have a discard requirement itself, it is worth noting that any discard effect in play can severely impact its utility. If a player is forced to discard cards to fulfill other game mechanics, the value of keeping a creature like Norwood Archers in hand may be lessened.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Norwood Archers fits seamlessly into decks with a green-based strategy, particularly those appreciating a strong airborne defense. Its ability to block flying creatures grants it a special role in green decks that usually lack this feature.

Combo Potential: Although not a combo piece in the traditional sense, its reach ability makes it a reliable partner for cards enhancing creature durability, effectively deterring opponents from attacking with flying creatures.

Meta-Relevance: In environments dominated by flying aggressors, Norwood Archers can serve as a cost-effective way to fortify your defenses. Its presence on the board can shift the aerial dynamic in your favor, making it particularly relevant when flyers are prevalent in the meta.

How to beat

Norwood Archers may seem like a sturdy presence on the battlefield for MTG green deck enthusiasts, with its strength rooted in its reach ability, granting it the power to block flying creatures. It can be a surprise element against an opponent relying on aerial attacks. Despite its moderate strength, overcoming this card is achievable if you know the right strategy.

One effective method includes utilizing cards that can bypass the reach ability. Spells that impose pacifism effects or cards that can tap creatures without them untapping during their controller’s next untap step can neutralize Norwood Archers without resorting to combat. Utilizing red spells that deal direct damage or black spells that force sacrifice or provide -X/-X effects can also be a one-way ticket to dispatch the archers quickly back to their owner’s deck.

Understanding your deck’s strengths and having a few versatile answers to threats like Norwood Archers ensures that you maintain control of the game. Adaptability and knowledge of your opponent’s potential threats are key, and with these strategies, you’ll find the archers less of an obstacle to victory.

Cards like Norwood Archers

Norwood Archers stands its ground as a reliable creature within the Green faction of MTG. When compared to similar cards such as Elvish Warrior or Pouncing Jaguar, one can appreciate its distinct qualities. While both the Warrior and the Jaguar match the Archers in power, the Archers offer greater toughness, allowing it to sustain more damage during combat. This sturdiness can make a noticeable impact during matches, particularly in scenarios where endurance is crucial.

Looking beyond the basics, Llanowar Elves is another card often weighed against Norwood Archers due to its mana-generating ability, despite its weaker combat stats. The Elves provide a different strategic advantage by catalyzing your mana pool, which isn’t an aspect of what the Archers bring to the table. On the other hand, Skyshroud Archer presents an intriguing contrast, offering a lower-cost option with the ability to weaken incoming airborne threats – a tactical utility the Norwood Archers lack.

Assessing the landscape of similar MTG cards, it becomes evident that the Norwood Archers possess a blend of resilience and power that is particularly suited for players looking to fortify their ranks with sturdy, low-cost creatures.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Norwood Archers MTG card by a specific set like Portal Second Age and Starter 1999, 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 Norwood Archers and other MTG cards: