Scavenger Folk MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 6 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Human
Power 1
Toughness 1

Key Takeaways

  1. Being able to disrupt artifact-based strategies can give a noticeable advantage in game progression.
  2. Quick board presence and instant speed sacrifice make Scavenger Folk a flexible response tool.
  3. While it has limitations, its targeted removal can be pivotal in specific MTG meta environments.

Text of card

o G, oc T: Sacrifice Scavenger Folk to destroy target artifact.

String, weapons, wax, or jewels—it makes no difference. Leave nothing unguarded in Scarwood.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Scavenger Folk, while not directly granting card advantage in terms of drawing cards, effectively offers a form of advantage by providing an answer to your opponent’s artifacts. Removing key artifacts can disrupt your opponent’s strategy and put you ahead.

Resource Acceleration: Though Scavenger Folk does not accelerate your resources in the traditional sense, its low casting cost allows for a swift on-board presence. This means you can develop your board and still have mana open for other plays.

Instant Speed: The ability to be sacrificed at instant speed grants Scavenger Folk flexibility. You can wait until the most opportune moment to remove a threatening artifact without sacrificing the pace of your own gameplay.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Playing Scavenger Folk often requires you to sacrifice the card itself to utilize its ability. This can lead to a decrease in creature count on your side of the board, a disadvantage especially if you’re attempting to maintain a presence on the field.

Specific Mana Cost: Scavenger Folk requires a green mana to cast. This can restrict the card’s inclusion in decks that aren’t green-centric or multi-colored decks that might not always have the necessary green mana available at the right moment.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While its converted mana cost is relatively low, the cost of using its artifact destruction ability includes sacrificing the Scavenger Folk itself. When compared to other artifact removal options in MTG that may not require a creature sacrifice or are more versatile, this can make Scavenger Folk a less optimal choice in some situations.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Scavenger Folk offers a straightforward yet effective ability to destroy artifacts. This utility makes it a fine addition to sideboards in formats where artifacts are commonplace, especially in casual decks looking for inexpensive solutions to troublesome permanents.

Combo Potential: While not inherently combo-driven, Scavenger Folk’s artifact removal can inadvertently disrupt opponent’s combos, making it a safety valve in games where artifacts are key pieces of an opponent’s strategy.

Meta-Relevance: If the current play environment is heavy with decks relying on artifacts, incorporating Scavenger Folk into your deck could provide significant edge. As metas evolve, cards like Scavenger Folk can become unexpectedly relevant, offering targeted removal without a hefty investment.


How to beat

Scavenger Folk presents an interesting dynamic in MTG, offering flexibility in dealing with artifacts. When facing this card, it’s essential to recognize the strategic window it opens for your opponent, particularly in older game formats where artifacts are prevalent. Anticipate the activation of its ability as a tactical maneuver; therefore, prioritize the protection of your valuable artifacts.

One direct method to circumvent Scavenger Folk’s threat is utilizing instant-speed removal spells. Cards like Lightning Bolt or Path to Exile can dispatch the creature before the artifact removal ability is used. Alternatively, playing artifacts that can protect themselves, such as Darksteel Forge, can be an effective countermeasure. Artifacts with indestructible traits remain unaffected by Scavenger Folk’s ability, considerably weakening its impact on your game plan.

To sum up, overcoming Scavenger Folk is about timing and choosing the appropriate countermeasures. Whether you’re using removal spells or playing artifacts that can withstand its ability, the key is to understand how it fits into your opponent’s strategy and disrupting it before it can affect your side of the board.


Cards like Scavenger Folk

Scavenger Folk may not capture the spotlight in the vast arsenal of creature cards within Magic: The Gathering, yet within its niche, it provides a straightforward utility. Taking a look at its peers, we can compare it to cards like Caustic Caterpillar and Gleeful Sabotage. Caustic Caterpillar shares the same mana cost as Scavenger Folk, with the additional benefit of having an easier mana requirement for activating its ability. Both creatures serve as an answer to troublesome artifacts and enchantments, with Caustic Caterpillar being a slightly more adaptable solution.

Examining Gleeful Sabotage, we see a sorcery that, while non-recurring like the Folk, offers the potential to destroy multiple targets thanks to its conspire ability. However, the Scavenger Folk’s advantage lies in its creature type, allowing it to participate in combat and synergies with cards that care about such traits. The Folk, therefore, fits nicely into decks that need a body on the board while still holding onto artifact and enchantment removal capabilities.

In sum, while Scavenger Folk might not be the first choice for all deck builders, it is certainly a card worth considering for its blend of offensive and utility roles, providing a strategic edge in games requiring quick and repeatable artifact or enchantment elimination.

Caustic Caterpillar - MTG Card versions
Gleeful Sabotage - MTG Card versions
Caustic Caterpillar - Magic Origins (ORI)
Gleeful Sabotage - Shadowmoor (SHM)

Cards similar to Scavenger Folk by color, type and mana cost

Scryb Sprites - MTG Card versions
Llanowar Elves - MTG Card versions
Ghazbán Ogre - MTG Card versions
Shanodin Dryads - MTG Card versions
Wall of Wood - MTG Card versions
Village Elder - MTG Card versions
Spike Drone - MTG Card versions
Skyshroud Elite - MTG Card versions
Elvish Berserker - MTG Card versions
Tree Monkey - MTG Card versions
Wild Dogs - MTG Card versions
Elvish Herder - MTG Card versions
Pouncing Jaguar - MTG Card versions
Willow Geist - MTG Card versions
Fyndhorn Elves - MTG Card versions
Nimble Mongoose - MTG Card versions
Sylvan Safekeeper - MTG Card versions
Elvish Lyrist - MTG Card versions
Elvish Pioneer - MTG Card versions
Hana Kami - MTG Card versions
Scryb Sprites - Limited Edition Alpha (LEA)
Llanowar Elves - 30th Anniversary History Promos (P30H)
Ghazbán Ogre - Masters Edition (ME1)
Shanodin Dryads - Summer Magic / Edgar (SUM)
Wall of Wood - 30th Anniversary Edition (30A)
Village Elder - Mirage (MIR)
Spike Drone - Tempest (TMP)
Skyshroud Elite - Exodus (EXO)
Elvish Berserker - Ninth Edition (9ED)
Tree Monkey - Ninth Edition (9ED)
Wild Dogs - Dominaria Remastered (DMR)
Elvish Herder - Urza's Saga (USG)
Pouncing Jaguar - Urza's Saga (USG)
Willow Geist - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Fyndhorn Elves - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Nimble Mongoose - The List (PLST)
Sylvan Safekeeper - World Championship Decks 2002 (WC02)
Elvish Lyrist - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Elvish Pioneer - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Hana Kami - Champions of Kamigawa (CHK)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Scavenger Folk MTG card by a specific set like The Dark 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 Scavenger Folk and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Scavenger Folk Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 1994-08-01 and 2011-01-10. Illustrated by 3 different artists.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11994-08-01The DarkDRK 871993normalblackDennis Detwiller
21995-07-01ChroniclesCHR 691993normalwhiteDennis Detwiller
31997-03-24Fifth Edition5ED 3231997normalwhiteJeff Miracola
42001-04-11Seventh Edition7ED 2671997normalwhiteMatt Cavotta
52001-04-11Seventh Edition7ED 267★1997normalblackMatt Cavotta
62011-01-10Masters Edition IVME4 1661997normalblackDennis Detwiller

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Scavenger Folk has restrictions

FormatLegality
OldschoolLegal
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

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