Miara, Thorn of the Glade MTG Card


Miara enhances board presence by drawing cards, often when paired with strategic sacrifice plays. Deck construction can be limited by her specific mana requirements and reliance on other Elves. Consider adding Miara to your collection for her synergy with elf tribal strategies and combo potential.
Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityUncommon
TypeLegendary Creature — Elf Scout
Abilities Partner
Power 1
Toughness 2

Text of card

Whenever Miara, Thorn of the Glade or another Elf you control dies, you may pay and 1 life. If you do, draw a card. Partner (You can have two commanders if both have partner.)

"Approach from downwind. Tread with care. Aim for the heart."


Cards like Miara, Thorn of the Glade

Miara, Thorn of the Glade is a unique character within the elf tribal archetype in Magic: The Gathering. Elves are renowned for their ability to work cohesively and generate vast mana pools. Miara slots in nicely by providing added card advantage. Its similarity to other elves, like Llanowar Elves, lies in its low mana cost and potential for deck acceleration. However, where it diverges is in its partner ability and drawing mechanism upon another elf’s demise.

Another card worth considering is Elvish Visionary, acclaimed for its straightforward card draw upon entering the battlefield. The simplicity of Elvish Visionary makes it a stalwart choice for players looking to maintain hand presence. Miara’s ability is conditional, banking on other elves’ sacrifice or death, yet it proves valuable in long games with recurring elf themes. Shaman of the Pack, too, has its niche within these ranks, offering a more aggressive stance by dealing damage in accordance to one’s elf count — a direct contrast to Miara’s sustained card draw strategy.

The interplay of these cards highlights the diverse strategies within elf decks, positioning Miara, Thorn of the Glade as a more synergistic choice for those invested in the longevity and interconnectivity of their elfish forces.

Llanowar Elves - MTG Card versions
Elvish Visionary - MTG Card versions
Shaman of the Pack - MTG Card versions
Llanowar Elves - MTG Card versions
Elvish Visionary - MTG Card versions
Shaman of the Pack - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Miara, Thorn of the Glade by color, type and mana cost

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Drudge Skeletons - MTG Card versions
Erg Raiders - MTG Card versions
Cuombajj Witches - MTG Card versions
Order of the Ebon Hand - MTG Card versions
Bog Imp - MTG Card versions
Wall of Corpses - MTG Card versions
Blighted Shaman - MTG Card versions
Rabid Rats - MTG Card versions
Dakmor Bat - MTG Card versions
Ravenous Rats - MTG Card versions
Flesh Reaver - MTG Card versions
Bloodcurdler - MTG Card versions
Nantuko Shade - MTG Card versions
Piper of the Swarm - MTG Card versions
Undead Augur - MTG Card versions
Shepherd of Rot - MTG Card versions
Swarm of Rats - MTG Card versions
Skullsnatcher - MTG Card versions
Nezumi Cutthroat - MTG Card versions
Nezumi Graverobber // Nighteyes the Desecrator - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Miara, Thorn of the Glade provides consistent card advantage as she allows you to draw a card whenever she or another Elf you control dies. This synergizes well with decks that look to exploit death triggers or recurring creatures from the graveyard.

Resource Acceleration: Although not directly providing mana, Miara’s ability can be a form of resource acceleration. By filling your hand with more Elves, you effectively increase your board presence and have more potential mana sources if those Elves have the ability to tap for mana.

Instant Speed: While Miara herself does not operate at instant speed, pairing her with instant-speed sacrifice outlets allows for strategic plays during any player’s turn. This interaction can disrupt opponents’ strategies by providing the opportunity to draw cards in response to removal or unfavorable attacks.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Miara Thorn of the Glade requires another Elf to be sacrificed upon her death to trigger her card draw ability, which can set you back if your board presence is already weakened.

Specific Mana Cost: Miara demands both black and green mana, necessitating a deck tailored to Golgari colors and potentially restricting her integration into more varied deck builds.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While her ability to draw a card may provide some value, her overall mana cost is significant for a 1/2 character. Elves in MTG are often valued for their low cost and synergistic qualities, but Miara’s cost-to-benefit ratio might be viewed as less favorable when compared with other options in this category.


Reasons to Include Miara, Thorn of the Glade in Your Collection

Versatility: Miara, Thorn of the Glade offers flexibility as both a commander and a valuable team player in Elf-themed decks. With her elf-centric abilities, she can easily be slipped into various green or green-black strategies for consistent value throughout the game.

Combo Potential: Miara’s ability to draw cards when she or another Elf you control dies means she can be an engine in combo-oriented gameplay, synergizing with sacrifice mechanics to maintain card advantage and fuel your winning conditions.

Meta-Relevance: As Elves continue to be a formidable presence in various MTG formats, having Miara available gives you a foothold in the meta. Whether it is in Commander or in other formats where Elves are prominent, her ability to keep your hand stocked is an asset against the tide of removal spells and board wipes.


How to beat Miara, Thorn of the Glade

Miara, Thorn of the Glade presents a unique challenge on the battlefield with its ability to draw cards whenever it or another Elf you control dies. To successfully navigate against this MTG card, targeting your opponent’s graveyard interaction is crucial. Employing graveyard hate cards such as Rest in Peace or Scavenging Ooze can severely limit Miara’s utility, stopping those crucial card draw triggers from resolving.

Additionally, consider implementing strategies that avoid killing the Elves directly. This can be done using cards that exile rather than destroy, such as Path to Exile or Leyline of the Void, which hinders Miara’s ability to generate card advantage through death triggers. Keep in mind the value of timing your removal spells when your opponent can’t capitalize on Miara’s death-triggered ability, like during their ‘end of turn’ phase when they have a full hand.

Furthermore, increasing the cost of your opponent’s creature spells through cards like Thalia, Guardian of Thraben can disrupt Elf-focused decks and hamper their ability to flood the board, thus indirectly dealing with Miara. In the grand scheme, it’s about strategic removal and disabling graveyard synergies, ensuring Miara, Thorn of the Glade’s influence is as minimal as possible.


BurnMana Recommendations

If you’re aiming to strengthen your MTG gameplay with a touch of Elven magic, Miara, Thorn of the Glade could be a valuable addition to your deck. Her unique ability to keep your hand filled as you navigate through sacrifice and death triggers offers strategic depth to Elf-centric strategies. Integrating Miara involves balancing board presence and resource management, making every match an opportunity to outmaneuver your opponents. Stepping up your game requires adapting to ever-evolving tactics — why not see if Miara fits into your master plan? Expand your MTG horizons and join us to understand how Miara can transform your next duel into a triumph of tactical prowess.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Miara, Thorn of the Glade MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Commander Legends, 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 Miara, Thorn of the Glade and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Miara, Thorn of the Glade Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2020-11-20 and 2021-02-05. Illustrated by Johannes Voss.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 862682015NormalBlackJohannes Voss
22020-11-20Commander LegendsCMR 5662015NormalBlackJohannes Voss
32020-11-20Commander LegendsCMR 1332015NormalBlackJohannes Voss
42021-02-05Kaldheim CommanderKHC 512015NormalBlackJohannes Voss

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Miara, Thorn of the Glade has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2020-11-10 An effect that checks whether you control your commander is satisfied if you control one or both of your two commanders.
2020-11-10 Both commanders start in the command zone, and the remaining 98 cards (or 58 cards in a Commander Draft game) of your deck are shuffled to become your library.
2020-11-10 Each time Miara's triggered ability resolves, you may pay and 1 life only once to draw only one card.
2020-11-10 If multiple Elves you control (possibly including Miara, Thorn of the Glade) die at the same time, Miara's ability triggers that many times.
2020-11-10 If something refers to your commander while you have two commanders, it refers to one of them of your choice. If you are instructed to perform an action on your commander (e.g. put it from the command zone into your hand due to Command Beacon), you choose one of your commanders at the time the effect happens.
2020-11-10 If your Commander deck has two commanders, you can only include cards whose own color identities are also found in your commanders' combined color identities. If Falthis and Kediss are your commanders, your deck may contain cards with black and/or red in their color identity, but not cards with green, white, or blue.
2020-11-10 Once the game begins, your two commanders are tracked separately. If you cast one, you won't have to pay an additional the first time you cast the other. A player loses the game after having been dealt 21 damage from any one of them, not from both of them combined.
2020-11-10 To have two commanders, both must have the partner ability as the game begins. Losing the ability during the game doesn't cause either to cease to be your commander.
2020-11-10 You can choose two commanders with partner that are the same color or colors. In Commander Draft, you can even choose two of the same commander with partner if you drafted them. If you do this, make sure you keep the number of times you've cast each from the command zone clear for "commander tax" purposes.