Ezuri's Archers MTG Card


Blocks flying creatures, maintaining card advantage without losing resources. Defensive utility, deterring attacks and leaving mana for instant responses. Ezuri’s Archers can be central to combos in tapping-untapping strategies.
Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Elf Archer
Abilities Reach
Power 1
Toughness 2

Text of card

Reach (This creature can block creatures with flying.) Whenever Ezuri's Archers blocks a creature with flying, Ezuri's Archers gets +3/+0 until end of turn.


Cards like Ezuri's Archers

Ezuri’s Archers is a unique creature card in Magic: The Gathering, serving as a strong defensive option for players favoring green decks. Found in the realm of one-mana creatures, it can be likened to cards like Llanowar Elves. While both cards hold the commonality of a single green mana cost, Ezuri’s Archers is distinct in its ability to potentially deal two damage to attacking creatures with flying, showcasing its role as a protective asset rather than a mana accelerator.

Comparably, Deadly Recluse is another green creature also known for its defensive utility through deathtouch and reach. However, Ezuri’s Archers stands out for its specific anti-air potential with less overall power compared to the Recluse’s broader threat removal capabilities. Spider Silk Net is a non-creature example, equipped to grant any creature the reach ability, yet it cannot match the autonomous nature of Ezuri’s Archers acting as both equipment and a vigilant sentinel against fliers.

Optimally suited for defensive strategies focused on thwarting flying creatures, Ezuri’s Archers finds its niche as an efficient early-game blocker. This demonstrates how, within the vast landscape of Magic: The Gathering, cards like Ezuri’s Archers can offer specialized advantages, enriching the tactical complexity and choices for players.

Llanowar Elves - MTG Card versions
Deadly Recluse - MTG Card versions
Llanowar Elves - MTG Card versions
Deadly Recluse - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Ezuri's Archers by color, type and mana cost

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Willow Dryad - MTG Card versions
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Skyshroud Elite - MTG Card versions
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Card Pros

Card Advantage: Ezuri’s Archers may seem like a modest addition to your army, but with its ability to block flying creatures, it can help you maintain card parity by effectively neutralizing more costly opposing threats without losing itself in the process.

Resource Acceleration: Despite not providing direct mana acceleration, Ezuri’s Archers allows you to conserve resources for other strategies by dealing with threats without having to invest in additional spells or larger creatures.

Instant Speed: While Ezuri’s Archers don’t operate at instant speed themselves, their defensive prowess can be a deterrent, giving you the flexibility to leave mana open for true instant-speed interactions. This means you can deploy your archers as a solid defense while keeping your options open to react swiftly to your opponent’s moves.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Although Ezuri’s Archers does not require a card discard to play, in the wider scope of gameplay, having this card in hand instead of a more universally useful card could indirectly lead to disadvantageous discarding decisions down the line.

Specific Mana Cost: Ezuri’s Archers demands green mana for summoning, which may not align with the mana base of multicolored or non-green decks, reducing its versatility across various deck builds.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: For a single green mana, Ezuri’s Archers offers a valuable defense against flying creatures. However, in an evolved MTG meta where one mana can summon creatures with additional benefits or higher power/toughness ratios, this can put the card at a comparative disadvantage.


Reasons to Include Ezuri’s Archers in Your Collection

Versatility: Ezuri’s Archers serve as an excellent defensive option for Green decks, being capable of blocking flying creatures effectively. Their reach ability allows them to be useful in various situations, thwarting potential aerial assaults from opponents.

Combo Potential: While they may seem simple, these Archers can be a key piece in combo setups, especially in decks that capitalize on tapping and untapping creatures. Their ability to deal two damage to flying creatures adds a strategic layer when facing off against decks that rely heavily on flying.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta that favors flying creatures or aggressive starts, Ezuri’s Archers provide a low-cost method to control the board early on. Their presence can deter attacks and protect your life total, allowing you to stabilize and develop your board for the mid to late game.


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How to beat

Ezuri’s Archers serve as an excellent defensive measure in Magic: The Gathering, particularly against flying creatures. The Archers can be a real obstacle due to their reach ability and the additional damage they inflict when blocking flyers. However, there are strategies to outmaneuver these vigilant defenders. Removal spells are effective, with options like Shock or Lightning Bolt able to eliminate them without much fuss. Enchantment-based solutions, such as Dead Weight or Pacifism, can also neutralize these Archers without having to engage them in combat.

Alternatively, one could bypass them through non-combat methods. Strategies focusing on direct life reduction or utilizing creatures that can’t be blocked by creatures with reach can prove to be effective. Think spells like Lava Spike or creatures like Inkmoth Nexus which pose a threat regardless of Ezuri’s Archers’ defensive capabilities. Further, one could always outpace the card by overwhelming the battlefield with a multitude of creatures, diluting the Archers’ defense or pressuring the opponent to a point where Ezuri’s Archers are a lesser concern compared to the broader threats on the board.

Ultimately, facing Ezuri’s Archers requires a measured approach of timing, selecting the right removal, or applying continuous pressure to outflank their targeted defensive prowess in the Magic: The Gathering arena.

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Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Ezuri's Archers MTG card by a specific set like Scars of Mirrodin and Mystery Booster, 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 Ezuri's Archers and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Ezuri's Archers Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2010-10-01 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by Shelly Wan.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12010-10-01Scars of MirrodinSOM 1202003NormalBlackShelly Wan
22019-11-07Mystery BoosterMB1 12042015NormalBlackShelly Wan
32020-09-26The ListPLST DDU-92015NormalBlackShelly Wan

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Ezuri's Archers has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2011-01-01 If Ezuri’s Archers somehow blocks multiple creatures with flying (perhaps because it’s equipped by Echo Circlet), its ability triggers that many times.