Verdeloth the Ancient MTG Card


Boosts card potential significantly for each draw due to powerful forest and saproling synergies. Offers strategic advantages through resource acceleration, especially with its kicker-generated saprolings. Enables reactive playstyles with instant-speed spells complementing the summoned saproling tokens.
Card setsReleased in 5 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost6
RarityRare
TypeLegendary Creature — Treefolk
Abilities Kicker
Power 4
Toughness 7

Text of card

Kicker o X (You may pay an additional o X as you play this spell.) All other Treefolk and all Saprolings get +1/+1. When Verdeloth the Ancient comes into play, if you paid the kicker cost, put X 1/1 green Saproling creature tokens into play.


Cards like Verdeloth the Ancient

Verdeloth the Ancient serves as a standout choice within the realm of Magic: The Gathering’s saproling creators. When comparing this card to others like Tendershoot Dryad, both boost the saproling tribe, with the Dryad producing a saproling during each upkeep and buffing them as long as you have the city’s blessing. However, Verdeloth offers immediate impact on the board with its Kicker ability, which creates a saproling for each mana invested upon casting.

Another card, Mycoloth, demands attention in this category. Trading immediate gratification for a cumulative effect, it devours creatures when it enters and creates saprolings in abundance at the start of your turn. While Mycoloth can potentially generate more tokens over time, it lacks the direct control and leadership Verdeloth exerts on the battlefield instantly. Slimefoot, the Stowaway adds its own twist, dealing damage and gaining you life each time a saproling perishes while also capable of generating tokens, but its effect is less explosive compared to Verdeloth’s overwhelming summoning power.

Although there are notable options in the saproling-synergy dimension of the game, Verdeloth the Ancient’s blend of area influence and a potent immediate effect secures its place as a highly respected card for players wielding green decks focused on swarm strategies.

Tendershoot Dryad - MTG Card versions
Mycoloth - MTG Card versions
Slimefoot, the Stowaway - MTG Card versions
Tendershoot Dryad - MTG Card versions
Mycoloth - MTG Card versions
Slimefoot, the Stowaway - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Verdeloth the Ancient by color, type and mana cost

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Force of Nature - MTG Card versions
Fangren Pathcutter - MTG Card versions
Groffskithur - MTG Card versions
Craw Wurm - MTG Card versions
Gaea's Liege - MTG Card versions
Wiitigo - MTG Card versions
Autumn Willow - MTG Card versions
Ancient Silverback - MTG Card versions
Sulam Djinn - MTG Card versions
Nemata, Grove Guardian - MTG Card versions
Gang of Elk - MTG Card versions
Kavu Howler - MTG Card versions
Crashing Centaur - MTG Card versions
Giant Warthog - MTG Card versions
Rhox - MTG Card versions
Kodama of the East Tree - MTG Card versions
Terra Stomper - MTG Card versions
Feral Throwback - MTG Card versions
Brontotherium - MTG Card versions
Elvish Aberration - MTG Card versions
Force of Nature - MTG Card versions
Fangren Pathcutter - MTG Card versions
Groffskithur - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

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

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
ElvesElves PremodernEternal Weekend Europe 2023 Premodern Mainevent

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Leveraging the might of Verdeloth the Ancient can lead to a substantial boost in card potential. As your forests awaken and your saproling armies grow, each card you draw holds the promise of further amplifying your presence on the battlefield. In commander and multiplayer formats, this card scales beautifully with each turn, transforming your deck into an ever-threatening force of nature.

Resource Acceleration: Verdeloth the Ancient is not just a formidable creature—it’s a beacon of growth for your resources. Its kicker ability ensures that when you’re ready to invest more into your arboreal ally, it pays dividends by flooding the field with saproling tokens. These additional creatures can be used for various strategic advantages, such as ramping up your mana generation with the aid of other synergistic cards.

Instant Speed: While Verdeloth itself may not operate at instant speed, its saproling legions can work splendidly alongside other instant-speed spells in your arsenal. With tokens at the ready, your deck opens up to reactive playstyles where you can respond to threats efficiently while continuing to bolster your ranks and apply pressure at a moment’s notice.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: This card does not possess a discard requirement, which is often seen as a benefit, but it’s essential to consider the missed opportunity for synergy in decks that capitalize on discard mechanisms to trigger effects or advantages.

Specific Mana Cost: Verdeloth the Ancient demands a specific set of mana colors, needing both green and generic mana. This can be a bottleneck for decks that are not centered around green or for players whose mana bases are not optimized for multicolor demands.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Bringing Verdeloth into play requires a substantial investment of six mana, which can be cumbersome in the early to mid-game. This higher mana cost makes it less agile compared to other creatures that provide similar board presence or effects at a lower cost.


Reasons to Include Verdeloth the Ancient in Your Collection

Versatility: Verdeloth the Ancient shines in its flexibility within a variety of deck themes, especially those focused around Saproling tokens or mana acceleration. Its Kicker ability allows for a customizable effect, satisfying various board states and strategies.

Combo Potential: This card naturally synergizes with effects that reward you for creating tokens or pumping your creatures. Slotting Verdeloth into a deck with these synergies can exponentially increase your board presence and threat level.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where creature-based strategies prevail, Verdeloth offers a robust dynamic of board presence and resilience. As a high-toughness creature that paves the way for an army of tokens, its inclusion can be a strategic boon against many of the popular deck styles.


How to Beat

Verdeloth the Ancient serves as a formidable presence on the battlefield. As a renowned Saproling-producing card, it can quickly generate a vast army, particularly in a deck that capitalizes on its Kicker ability. Understanding its potential to bolster the ranks can be the key to overcoming this arboreal adversary. To effectively counter this card, consider utilizing removal spells that can target multiple creatures or enchantments such as Wrath of God or Nevinyrral’s Disk to clear the board of the Saproling swarm before it overwhelms your defenses. Furthermore, keeping instant-speed removal like Path to Exile or Fatal Push handy ensures you can respond to Verdeloth the Ancient the moment it hits the board, minimizing the threat it poses. It’s also valuable to disrupt your opponent’s mana base, thereby limiting their ability to pay for the Kicker cost, as Verdeloth the Ancient becomes significantly less daunting without its additional Saproling tokens. By prioritizing these strategies, you can maintain control over the game and prevent Verdeloth the Ancient from taking root.


BurnMana Recommendations

If you’re enchanted by the lush forests of MTG and the strategy of token play, Verdeloth the Ancient could be the next card to branch out in your collection. This card is a bastion of growth and versatility, capable of evolving your game play with its army of saprolings and resource acceleration abilities. Whether facing off against foes in commander or multiplayer matches, Verdeloth’s capacity to adapt to the ever-changing landscape of the battlefield sets it apart. For those looking to strengthen their green mana strategies and dominate with a sprawling saproling militia, this card promises a bounty of strategic plays. If creating an unyielding forest kingdom in MTG appeals to your inner tactician, we invite you to deepen your knowledge and expand your collection with Verdeloth the Ancient. Secure your place as a commendable green mage—learn more with us.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Verdeloth the Ancient MTG card by a specific set like Invasion and Time Spiral Timeshifted, 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 Verdeloth the Ancient and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Verdeloth the Ancient Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2000-10-02 and 2023-08-04. Illustrated by Daren Bader.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12000-10-02InvasionINV 2201997NormalBlackDaren Bader
22006-10-06Time Spiral TimeshiftedTSB 881997NormalBlackDaren Bader
32010-06-18ArchenemyARC 722003NormalBlackDaren Bader
42013-06-07Modern MastersMMA 1722003NormalBlackDaren Bader
52023-08-04Commander MastersCMM 3302015NormalBlackDaren Bader

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Verdeloth the Ancient has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2013-06-07 Verdeloth won’t give himself +1/+1 unless he somehow becomes a Saproling.