Yavimaya Barbarian MTG Card


Offers dual utility as a deterrent and a base for instant-speed strategies without drawing cards. Demanding a card discard for optimal use, it poses a risk for hand depletion late game. Aligns well with land-centric strategies, boosting its value in the current meta.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Elf Barbarian
Abilities Protection
Power 2
Toughness 2

Text of card

Protection from blue

Not all elves embrace the pastoral life. Some still roam the forest's edge, forever making war against their hated enemies.


Cards like Yavimaya Barbarian

Yavimaya Barbarian is an intriguing creature card in MTG, aligning closely with other two-mana cost creatures like Grizzly Bears or Runeclaw Bear, which offer a similar vanilla 2/2 body. But the Yavimaya Barbarian stands out with its inherent protection from blue, making it a strategic pick against decks heavy with blue spells and creatures. This ability provides a niche advantage, offering resilience in specific metagame scenarios.

Another comparable card is Lantern Scout, providing a creature body with an additional effect. While the Lantern Scout grants lifelink to your team whenever it or another Ally enters the battlefield, it lacks the color-specific protection that Yavimaya Barbarian offers. Then there’s Sylvan Advocate, which shares the same mana cost and also a 2/3 body, but it carries the potential to get stronger late game and to boost your land creatures – a different kind of utility than the Barbarian’s focused protection trait.

Choosing between these options depends on the tactical demands of your deck and play style. Yavimaya Barbarian earns its place in decks looking to capitalize on its robust defense against blue, illustrating how even simple cards can have a significant role in the diverse landscape of MTG strategies.

Grizzly Bears - MTG Card versions
Runeclaw Bear - MTG Card versions
Lantern Scout - MTG Card versions
Sylvan Advocate - MTG Card versions
Grizzly Bears - MTG Card versions
Runeclaw Bear - MTG Card versions
Lantern Scout - MTG Card versions
Sylvan Advocate - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Yavimaya Barbarian by color, type and mana cost

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Spined Sliver - MTG Card versions
Firebrand Ranger - MTG Card versions
Gallia of the Endless Dance - MTG Card versions
Vexing Shusher - MTG Card versions
Gruul Guildmage - MTG Card versions
Tin Street Hooligan - MTG Card versions
Scab-Clan Mauler - MTG Card versions
Tattermunge Witch - MTG Card versions
Apocalypse Hydra - MTG Card versions
Nacatl Outlander - MTG Card versions
Rip-Clan Crasher - MTG Card versions
Flinthoof Boar - MTG Card versions
Skarrg Guildmage - MTG Card versions
Disciple of the Old Ways - MTG Card versions
Burning-Tree Emissary - MTG Card versions
Zhur-Taa Druid - MTG Card versions
Satyr Hedonist - MTG Card versions
Voltaic Brawler - MTG Card versions
Gravel-Hide Goblin - MTG Card versions
Savageborn Hydra - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Yavimaya Barbarian provides both offensive and defensive utility. While it may not directly draw cards, its presence on the battlefield can deter opponents’ strategies, effectively maintaining your hand’s value by reducing the necessity to play additional resources.

Resource Acceleration: While the Yavimaya Barbarian itself doesn’t grant additional mana, it belongs to an ecosystem of cards that can benefit from its type or abilities, potentially enabling synergies that can ramp up your mana production or unlock new lines of play more swiftly.

Instant Speed: This unit doesn’t operate at instant speed, but it complements a deck strategy that can benefit from instant-speed interactions by providing a steadfast board presence. This stable foundation allows you to confidently pass the turn, poised to act with instant-speed responses in your arsenal.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Playing Yavimaya Barbarian demands that you discard another card to tap into its full potential. This can lead to a depleted hand, especially precarious during the late game when every card counts.

Specific Mana Cost: The Yavimaya Barbarian’s casting cost is locked into green mana, which might not smoothly fit into multicolored or color-splashed decks, potentially limiting its versatility.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: At a mana value that includes double green, Yavimaya Barbarian’s cost is somewhat steep considering its abilities. Players may find better value in other creatures or spells that put less of a strain on their mana base yet still provide formidable battlefield presence.


Reasons to Include Yavimaya Barbarian in Your Collection

Versatility: Yavimaya Barbarian, being a red and green creature, seamlessly slots into Gruul decks that capitalize on both aggressive and mana-efficient strategies. It’s a strong addition for players looking to apply pressure early in the game while also providing valuable color fixing.

Combo Potential: The card can also serve as a key piece in landfall decks or those that take advantage of forest-related synergies, potentially unlocking new avenues for potent combos and interactions within your deck.

Meta-Relevance: With shifts in the competitive environment that favor creatures and land-based strategies, Yavimaya Barbarian’s relevance rises. It aligns well with decks designed to undercut nonbasic land-heavy opponents, ensuring its place in a changing meta.


How to beat

Yavimaya Barbarian is a card that brings a touch of aggression to green and red decks in Magic: The Gathering. Known for its built-in resistance to blue spells, it can present a challenge to those playing with Islands. Dealing with this creature requires savvy strategy. First, steer clear of blue-targeted removal as it won’t make a dent. Consider instead cards that allow you to bypass its protection like Wrath of God or Terminate, which don’t target directly or specify a color. Such spells will remove it regardless of its blue shield.

Moreover, you can use combat tricks to overpower the Barbarian in battle. Buffing your creatures or reducing its strength temporarily with spells like Giant Growth or Lightning Bolt can turn the tide. For the long game, focus on establishing board control with creatures that have overpowering stats or efficient removal spells to maintain a clear field. Remember, evasion is key; creatures with flying or unblockable abilities can bypass Yavimaya Barbarian, ensuring your attacks remain unimpeded. With careful planning, the right removal, and strategic attacks, overcoming this wild warrior is entirely within reach.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Yavimaya Barbarian MTG card by a specific set like Invasion and The List, 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 Yavimaya Barbarian and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Yavimaya Barbarian Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2000-10-02 and 2000-10-02. Illustrated by Don Hazeltine.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12000-10-02InvasionINV 2901997NormalBlackDon Hazeltine
22020-09-26The ListPLST INV-2901997NormalBlackDon Hazeltine

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Yavimaya Barbarian has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal