Dryad Militant MTG Card


Exiling spells from opponents’ graveyards disrupts their strategies, potentially leading to indirect card advantage. As a versatile one-drop, Dryad Militant bolsters early game presence and adapts to various green and white decks. Countering Militant includes removal spells that sidestep its graveyard-exile ability and adapting play styles.
Card setsReleased in 6 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Dryad Soldier
Power 2
Toughness 1

Text of card

If an instant or sorcery card would be put into a graveyard from anywhere, exile it instead.


Cards like Dryad Militant

Dryad Militant is a stand-out card for players who value efficiency and graveyard disruption in their Magic: The Gathering decks. Like the well-known card Scavenging Ooze, Dryad Militant excels at interfering with strategies that rely on utilizing the graveyard. While Scavenging Ooze requires mana to exile cards from graveyards, the Militant does this passively, giving it a distinct advantage in maintaining tempo.

Another comparable card is Tormod’s Crypt, a zero-cost artifact with the sole purpose of graveyard hate. Unlike the Crypt, Dryad Militant offers a dual-purpose, serving as both a creature for board presence and a silent watchdog against graveyard tactics. Additionally, we can look at Rest in Peace, a powerful enchantment that exiles all cards from all graveyards upon entering the battlefield. While Rest in Peace provides a more definitive answer to graveyard strategies, Dryad Militant’s one-mana cost makes it an earlier and more aggressive play.

These comparisons highlight Dryad Militant’s unique role within the game. By blending aggressive starts with a continual graveyard policing effect, it offers a dynamic option for decks that aim to apply pressure while countering specific types of strategies in Magic: The Gathering.

Scavenging Ooze - MTG Card versions
Tormod's Crypt - MTG Card versions
Rest in Peace - MTG Card versions
Scavenging Ooze - MTG Card versions
Tormod's Crypt - MTG Card versions
Rest in Peace - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Dryad Militant by color, type and mana cost

Avacyn's Pilgrim - MTG Card versions
Votary of the Conclave - MTG Card versions
Rhys the Redeemed - MTG Card versions
Elvish Hexhunter - MTG Card versions
Seedcradle Witch - MTG Card versions
Sunblade Elf - MTG Card versions
Tarkir Duneshaper // Burnished Dunestomper - MTG Card versions
Avacyn's Pilgrim - MTG Card versions
Votary of the Conclave - MTG Card versions
Rhys the Redeemed - MTG Card versions
Elvish Hexhunter - MTG Card versions
Seedcradle Witch - MTG Card versions
Sunblade Elf - MTG Card versions
Tarkir Duneshaper // Burnished Dunestomper - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Dryad Militant. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Mono-Green DevotionMono-Green Devotion ModernGreen DevotionModern Challenge 64 2024-04-06
Naya AggroNaya Aggro LegacyNaya InitiativeWeekly Legacy

Card Pros

Card Advantage: While Dryad Militant itself doesn’t directly influence hand size, its ability to exile instant and sorcery cards gives a strategic edge. Exiling key spells from an opponent’s graveyard disrupts their plans and can indirectly lead to card advantage as your opponent loses potential resources.

Resource Acceleration: Dryad Militant’s low-cost efficiency is its form of acceleration. As a one-mana creature, it allows players to establish a board presence while keeping resources available for other plays, maintaining momentum in the early stages of the game.

Instant Speed: Although not an instant, Dryad Militant’s strength partly lies in its ability to consistently apply pressure from turn one. This can force opponents to act at instant speed in response, using their mana inefficiently or prematurely to deal with the threat it presents.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Dryad Militant doesn’t directly require a discard from its player, it demands constant awareness since its graveyard-removal effect can disrupt your strategies, especially if you rely on cards with flashback or other graveyard synergies.

Specific Mana Cost: Dryad Militant’s hybrid mana cost, while flexible, still necessitates either white or green mana. This can be restrictive for players not running those colors or multicolor decks that can’t always guarantee the right mana early on.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although Dryad Militant is a solid one-drop creature, in an environment where the meta favors spells and abilities over creature combat, the investment in it might not provide the anticipated tactical advantage.


Reasons to Include Dryad Militant in Your Collection

Versatility: Dryad Militant offers a hard-hitting start as a 2/1 one-drop, making it a solid choice for aggressive decks. Its ability to seamlessly integrate into green and white decks adds a layer of flexibility, meeting a range of playstyles from Selesnya aggro to a variety of hatebear strategies.

Combo Potential: Its graveyard disruption ability makes it an unexpected linchpin in matches, quelling strategies reliant on flashback, delve, and other graveyard mechanics. Pairing it with cards that capitalize on an opponent’s empty graveyard can create advantageous synergy.

Meta-Relevance: With graveyard-based strategies commonly making up a significant part of the competitive scene, Dryad Militant’s passive ability to exile spells can be pivotal. Its presence on the board can hinder opponent’s plans and shape the flow of the game, proving its value time and again in your deck rotation.


How to beat

Dryad Militant is an efficient creature card known for its capacity to disrupt strategies reliant on utilizing the graveyard. This card makes a significant impact despite its modest casting cost, especially in formats where spells in graveyards can often be as impactful as those on the battlefield. As a 2/1 for one mana, Dryad Militant offers excellent value for aggressive strategies too. However, every card has its Achilles’ heel.

To effectively counter Dryad Militant, removal spells that bypass its graveyard exile ability are key. Direct removal spells, like Fatal Push or Path to Exile, can cleanly deal with the Militant without triggering its ability. Additionally, sweepers can handle Dryad Militant along with other creatures on the board, effectively negating the one-for-one drawback. Cards like Wrath of God or Supreme Verdict that destroy all creatures are especially potent as they leave no room for Dryad Militant’s ability to interfere. Finally, consider employing strategies that don’t depend heavily on the graveyard, or that can operate efficiently even with Dryad Militant on the field, to minimize its impact on your game plan.

Adjusting strategy and carefully selecting removal can ensure the Dryad Militant doesn’t stand in the way of victory. Overcome its early game presence, and you’ll be well on your path to controlling the match.


BurnMana Recommendations

As we touched on the strategic nuances of Dryad Militant, it’s clear that this card holds a particular niche in Magic the Gathering. Its ability to shut down graveyard-based tactics can be a game-changer in the right deck. For players who thrive on early aggression and seek to disrupt their opponents’ strategies, this card is a must-have. If you’re looking to refine your deck with a blend of board presence and strategic graveyard control, we invite you to dive deeper and appreciate the subtle power of Dryad Militant. Join us to discover how this card can sharpen your deck and elevate your gameplay.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Dryad Militant MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Magic Online Promos, 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 Dryad Militant and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Dryad Militant Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2012-10-05 and 2018-11-02. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 468732003NormalBlackRyan Pancoast
22002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 462672003NormalBlackTerese Nielsen
32012-10-05Return to Ravnica PromosPRTR 2142003NormalBlackRyan Pancoast
42012-10-05Return to RavnicaRTR 2142003NormalBlackTerese Nielsen
52018-11-02GRN Guild KitGK1 1112015NormalBlackTerese Nielsen
62020-09-26The ListPLST RTR-2142003NormalBlackRyan Pancoast

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Dryad Militant has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2012-10-01 If an instant or sorcery card is discarded while Dryad Militant is on the battlefield, abilities that function when a card is discarded (such as madness) still work, even though that card never reaches a graveyard. In addition, spells or abilities that check the characteristics of a discarded card (such as Chandra Ablaze’s first ability) can find that card in exile.
2012-10-01 If an instant or sorcery spell destroys Dryad Militant directly (like Murder does), that instant or sorcery card will be put into its owner’s graveyard. However, if an instant or sorcery card deals lethal damage to Dryad Militant, Dryad Militant will remain on the battlefield until the next time state-based actions are checked, which is after the instant or sorcery finishes resolving. The instant or sorcery will be exiled.