Ancient Lumberknot MTG Card


Enhances board presence by increasing the potency of Treefolk and toughness-based creatures. Strengthens resilience, indirectly assisting resource preservation as fewer replays are needed. Contributes to defense strategy, complementing instant-speed spells for a dynamic playstyle.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Treefolk
Power 1
Toughness 4

Text of card

Each creature you control with toughness greater than its power assigns combat damage equal to its toughness rather than its power.

The soft creak of trees in the wind is not always cause for comfort.


Cards like Ancient Lumberknot

In the realm of Magic: The Gathering, Ancient Lumberknot stands tall among its kin of Treefolk cards. This card acts as a force multiplier for your creatures with the tap ability, enhancing the effectiveness of each able-bodied creature on the battlefield. One of its counterparts, Timber Protector, offers a different approach by providing a protective umbrella to other Treefolk and Forests, shielding them from destruction. Although not directly boosting power like Ancient Lumberknot, Timber Protector’s defensive assets ensure your arboreal allies remain standing.

Delving further into the flora, we find Bosk Banneret. While it doesn’t amplify potency with tapping, it makes Treefolk and Shaman spells easier to cast, which can be pivotal for a quick and vigorous offense. It’s a subtle strength, but just as significant as the raw power provided by Ancient Lumberknot. Beyond the Treefolk tribe itself, there’s Ghoultree, a creature that can become a behemoth on the board for a reduced cost, albeit with no direct synergy for fellow creatures. It commands respect through its sheer size rather than cooperative support.

When we examine the various facets and the situational advantages of these cards, Ancient Lumberknot finds its unique niche in MTG by enabling and empowering other creatures, significantly influencing the pace and strategy of the game for Treefolk enthusiasts.

Timber Protector - MTG Card versions
Bosk Banneret - MTG Card versions
Ghoultree - MTG Card versions
Timber Protector - MTG Card versions
Bosk Banneret - MTG Card versions
Ghoultree - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Ancient Lumberknot by color, type and mana cost

Gyome, Master Chef - MTG Card versions
Woodwraith Strangler - MTG Card versions
Savra, Queen of the Golgari - MTG Card versions
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Golgari Findbroker - MTG Card versions
Canker Abomination - MTG Card versions
Storrev, Devkarin Lich - MTG Card versions
Rotwidow Pack - MTG Card versions
Polukranos, Unchained - MTG Card versions
Gyome, Master Chef - MTG Card versions
Woodwraith Strangler - MTG Card versions
Savra, Queen of the Golgari - MTG Card versions
Mortipede - MTG Card versions
Creakwood Liege - MTG Card versions
Noxious Hatchling - MTG Card versions
Corpsejack Menace - MTG Card versions
Rot Farm Skeleton - MTG Card versions
Reaper of the Wilds - MTG Card versions
Graverobber Spider - MTG Card versions
Vhati il-Dal - MTG Card versions
Jarad, Golgari Lich Lord - MTG Card versions
Meren of Clan Nel Toth - MTG Card versions
Desecrator Hag - MTG Card versions
Poison-Tip Archer - MTG Card versions
Golgari Findbroker - MTG Card versions
Canker Abomination - MTG Card versions
Storrev, Devkarin Lich - MTG Card versions
Rotwidow Pack - MTG Card versions
Polukranos, Unchained - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Ancient Lumberknot acts as a deck enhancer by boosting the power of your other creatures, effectively turning each Treefolk and creature with toughness greater than its power into a more significant threat. This can demoralize opponents by presenting overwhelming board power which translates into potential card advantage.

Resource Acceleration: Ancient Lumberknot itself may not directly provide mana but serves as a pivotal piece in decks built around big creatures. By making creatures tougher to remove, it helps maintain a solid board presence, indirectly accelerating your resources as you’re less likely to need to spend cards to redevelop your board.

Instant Speed: Although Ancient Lumberknot doesn’t operate at instant speed, it synergizes well with instant speed spells in your deck. With its static ability that buffs other creatures, it enables you to play defensively, keeping mana open for instant speed interactions while still applying pressure and working towards a substantial board state.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Ancient Lumberknot doesn’t directly demand players to discard cards, but as a creature focused on enhancing tokens, its effectiveness is contingent on a player having a steady token presence. Without token-generating cards in hand, Ancient Lumberknot’s utility can be severely limited.

Specific Mana Cost: This card’s casting cost requires both green and black mana, which means it aligns specifically with Golgari decks or those that can accommodate a dual mana base. Decks not running these colors will find it challenging to integrate Ancient Lumberknot effectively.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana – one green and two colorless – Ancient Lumberknot may be perceived as having a high cost for its base stats of 1/4. Although it boosts tokens, in fast-paced games, there may be more mana-efficient creatures or spells that offer immediate board impact or other advantages.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Ancient Lumberknot provides a unique support role in decks that capitalize on tapping and untapping creatures. Its ability to boost other tapped creatures’ power makes it a natural fit in strategies revolving around activated abilities or combat nuances.

Combo Potential: This card shines in combination with cards that tap for beneficial effects, like mana dorks, or those with tap-triggered abilities. The power increase from Ancient Lumberknot can turn these utility creatures into substantial threats.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where creature-based strategies dominate, having an unassuming yet impactful utility creature can give you the edge. Ancient Lumberknot’s passive ability to increase your board’s threat level without requiring direct combat makes it a sly yet potentially game-changing inclusion.


How to beat

Ancient Lumberknot may not be the flashiest creature, but its ability to bolster other creatures with the power of toughness can present a subtle yet serious threat on the battlefield. When facing this Treefolk, prioritize removing it swiftly to prevent your opponent from capitalizing on its supportive abilities. Effective removal spells, such as Murder or Path to Exile, can handle the Lumberknot without triggering any ‘dies’ effects it might be associated with.

Keep an eye on cards that manipulate counters, as they can quickly turn a docile Ancient Lumberknot into a formidable presence. Consider sideboard cards that prevent counters from being placed or neutralize abilities, ensuring the Lumberknot’s effects are never truly felt. Remember, disruption spells like Counterspell or Thoughtseize can prevent it from ever taking root, which is always the best strategy against creatures that boost an opponent’s overall board position.

Ultimately, as a standalone card, the Lumberknot may not be a towering threat. However, it’s the synergy it creates with other creatures that you need to disrupt. Focus on managing the battlefield and maintaining control of the tempo, and the Ancient Lumberknot’s potential impact will be nothing more than a whisper in the woods.


BurnMana Recommendations

With its strategic role in boosting creature power and contributing to board presence, Ancient Lumberknot carves a niche in MTG deck building. Enhancing Treefolk and enabling potent synergies, it can be the linchpin in a well-crafted deck strategy. If your MTG endeavors lean towards constructing decks with resilience and adaptability, incorporating Ancient Lumberknot might just fortify your forces, turning your creatures into imposing adversaries. Eager to weave this unique card into your next victorious deck or to grasp its full potential in the meta? Journey with us further as we explore the intricate web of MTG tactics and deck optimization.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Ancient Lumberknot MTG card by a specific set like Innistrad: Crimson Vow and Innistrad: Double Feature, 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 Ancient Lumberknot and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Ancient Lumberknot Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2021-11-19 and 2022-01-28. Illustrated by Nicholas Gregory.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12021-11-19Innistrad: Crimson VowVOW 2302015NormalBlackNicholas Gregory
22022-01-28Innistrad: Double FeatureDBL 4972015NormalBlackNicholas Gregory

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Ancient Lumberknot has restrictions

FormatLegality
StandardLegal
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
FutureLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
BrawlLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Ancient Lumberknot card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2021-11-19 Ancient Lumberknot's ability doesn't actually change any creature's power. It changes only the amount of combat damage the creature assigns. All other rules and effects that check power or toughness use the real values, even if they cause damage “equal to a creature's power” to be dealt.