Sakura-Tribe Elder

This 2-mana green creature offers moderate power and toughness, but its unique ability to sacrifice itself to search for a basic land card makes it a valuable addition to any green deck.

In Commander formats, Sakura-Tribe Elder is often used in combination with cards like Nissa, Vastwood Seer or Elvish Mystic to accelerate the draw of basic lands and ramp into more expensive spells. Its ability also pairs well with Rampant Growth, which can be used to play it earlier.

In casual play, Sakura-Tribe Elder can serve as a simple way to ramp up your mana and find some extra lands in a pinch. However, its value comes from being part of a larger strategy that uses its sacrifice ability to generate card advantage.

Card Mechanics & Interactions: Sakura-Tribe Elder

Sakura-Tribe Elder is a 1/1 creature with an interesting ability. Its oracle text reads: "Sacrifice this creature: Search your library for a basic land card, put that card onto the battlefield tapped, then shuffle." This ability has several key implications.

Keyword Abilities: None

Card Functionality:

When Sakura-Tribe Elder is on the battlefield, it can be sacrificed to activate its ability. To do so, you'll need to announce that you're sacrificing the creature and put it into your graveyard. At this point, you can look at the top of your library, search for a basic land card, and add it to the battlefield tapped. Finally, you must shuffle your deck.

Stack Interactions:

When Sakura-Tribe Elder is sacrificed, its ability goes on the stack as an instant. This means that any effects that care about instants being cast (such as Snapcaster Mage) can interact with this ability. However, since the ability resolves before it's put into your graveyard, effects that trigger when a creature dies won't be triggered.

Battlefield Interactions:

When Sakura-Tribe Elder is added to the battlefield tapped by its ability, any effects that care about tapped lands (such as Golgari Findbroker) will see the new land. However, since the land was put onto the battlefield by an instant, it won't trigger abilities that care about playing lands during the main phase.

Edge Cases:

If you sacrifice Sakura-Tribe Elder and there are no basic land cards in your library, its ability will be a dead draw. You'll need to shuffle your deck, but you won't get any new information or card advantage.

In Commander decks, Sakura-Tribe Elder can work well with other creatures that benefit from tapped lands, such as Golgari Findbroker or Kemba, Kha Regent.

Sakura-Tribe Elder is a versatile creature that benefits from its ability to search for basic lands, making it an excellent addition to various Green (G) decks. In competitive and casual formats, this card can be used in combination with ramp spells like Llanowar Elves or Elvish Mystic, allowing players to accelerate their mana development and play more expensive cards earlier.

In Commander strategies, Sakura-Tribe Elder is particularly effective in tribal and midrange decks focused on Green's classic strengths. For example:

• Sakura-Tribe builds can run multiple Sakura-Tribe Elders alongside other tribal threats like Liliana, Heretical Healer or Aurelia, the Warleader, leveraging the search ability to fetch additional lands and ramp into more powerful creatures.
• Midrange Green-White (GW) decks featuring cards like Fierce Empath or Serra Ascendant can utilize Sakura-Tribe Elder's ability to find basic lands and accelerate their mana development, allowing them to play more expensive creatures and spells.

In terms of color identities, the following archetypes benefit significantly from Sakura-Tribe Elder:

• Green-White (GW) Ramp: This archetype focuses on ramping into expensive Green and White cards with Llanowar Elves, Elvish Mystic, or Serra Ascendant. Sakura-Tribe Elder's search ability helps find the necessary lands to accelerate this ramp.
• Green-Blue (GB) Tempo: In tempo-focused decks, players aim to develop board presence quickly while maintaining flexibility. Sakura-Tribe Elder can aid in finding basic lands and supporting a fast-developing board state.

For niche builds, consider combining Sakura-Tribe Elder with:

• Griselbrand or other life-gain creatures in Green-White (GW) Life Gain strategies.
• Simic Ramp, which leverages Blue's acceleration to find expensive Green cards and ramp into more powerful spells.

Keep in mind that this card is not a replacement for dedicated land-fetching abilities, but rather an additional tool that can complement existing strategies.

Sakura-Tribe Elder is a versatile and potent card that shines in green-based Commander decks. Its ability to sacrifice itself for a basic land, while shuffling the library, has numerous applications.

Land Cycling

Pair Sakura-Tribe Elder with cards like Llanowar Elves, Elvish Mystic, or Golgari Findbroker to create a robust land cycling engine. These creatures and Sakura-Tribe Elder can be sacrificed to draw into basic lands, which can then be used as resources for more complex land plays.

Self-Mill

Use Sakura-Tribe Elder in combination with self-mill strategies involving cards like Graveborn Muse or Petrified Field. Sacrificing the elder will not only help find a needed basic land but also churn out valuable graveyard cards, fueling your mill engine.

Ramp and Cantrips

Incorporate Sakura-Tribe Elder into decks featuring ramp spells like Green Sun's Zenith, Nylea's Favor, or Kiora's Follower. When paired with these cards, the elder can help find a basic land to accelerate your mana development. Additionally, use the elder in conjunction with cantrip spells such as Elvish Piper to create an efficient ramp engine.

Combos and Synergies

Take advantage of Sakura-Tribe Elder's ability to sacrifice itself for a basic land in combo scenarios involving cards like Swords to Plowshares, Path to Exile, or Eidolon of the Great Revel. By sacrificing the elder, you can find a needed land to cast these removal spells and then replay them at a later time.

Common Mistakes with Sakura-Tribe Elder

Players often misunderstand the timing of the Sacrifice ability, which can lead to missing opportunities. A common mistake is sacrificing Sakura-Tribe Elder on their turn, when they could have waited until their opponent's end step to search for a land and disrupt their plans.

• Waiting for too long: If Sakura-Tribe Elder remains in play, opponents may not see it as an immediate threat, allowing you to save it for later. However, if the board is flooded with creatures or other threats, sacrificing it earlier can help mitigate the situation. • Not considering alternative uses: Players often overlook that the Sacrifice ability can be used in combination with other cards like Llanowar Elves, which can accelerate your mana development and provide an additional source of green mana. • Misunderstanding the interaction with other abilities: Sakura-Tribe Elder's ability can interact poorly with cards that have triggers or abilities that rely on specific cards being in play. For example, if you sacrifice it to search for a land, you may inadvertently trigger a Rampant Growth or Vines of Vastwood, which could backfire. • Not leveraging the synergy with other green creatures: Sakura-Tribe Elder can work well with token-generating creatures like Boggart Mob or [Tarmogoyf, but players often fail to capitalize on this potential by not playing these cards in conjunction.

When building around Sakura-Tribe Elder, it's essential to consider the timing of its Sacrifice ability and plan accordingly. This includes evaluating your deck's overall mana curve, land base, and creature composition to maximize the card's effectiveness.

Sakura-Tribe Elder

A revered member of the ancient snake shamanic tradition, the Sakura-Tribe Elder is a powerful addition to any nature-based deck. Its ability to sacrifice itself in exchange for a basic land card makes it an attractive component of various combos.

Flavor & Lore

In the dense forests of the Japanese archipelago, the Sakura-Tribe Elders are known for their exceptional skill in manipulating the growth and decay of plants. They can coax life from barren soil, and prune dying vines back to health. These masters of botanical magic often venture into the wilderness to seek out rare herbs and sacred trees, using their intimate connection with nature to determine which specimens hold the most potent healing properties.

Gameplay

When encountered on the battlefield, the Sakura-Tribe Elder is a formidable opponent. Its 1/1 power/toughness may seem modest at first glance, but this creature is a game-changer in a more nuanced sense: it allows players to tap into the raw energy of the natural world, manipulating the battlefield to create new opportunities for growth and renewal.

Reprint Status

Considering its rarity and relatively high price, Sakura-Tribe Elder could benefit from a reprint. In the absence of recent reprints, this card's value may remain elevated due to scarcity.

Budget-Friendliness & Commander Options

For budget-conscious players, alternatives with similar abilities are available in other sets:

• Maji (Pauper, 2015): A more affordable option with a similar mana cost and ability. You can search your library for a basic land card, put that card onto the battlefield tapped, then shuffle.
• Duskdale Prior (Core Set 2020): Offers a different take on the same concept, allowing you to sacrifice this creature to search your library for a basic land card and add it to your hand.

Tournament Presence

Although not extremely popular in competitive Magic tournaments, Sakura-Tribe Elder has seen play in some green-heavy decks. Its ability to search for a basic land card is valuable in certain situations, but it often struggles to compete with more powerful creatures.

Commander (EDH) Statistics

According to EDHRec data, Sakura-Tribe Elder has an average EDHREC rank of 88, indicating moderate use in Commander (EDH) decks. It's worth noting that the card's popularity is largely driven by its ability to fix mana, rather than providing direct combat value.

History & Notable Appearances

Sakura-Tribe Elder was printed in the Planeswalker's Journey set (pjas) as a rare creature card. Its mana cost is {1}{G}, making it an efficient 2-drop creature.

Iconic Decks

Sakura-Tribe Elder appears in some green-based Commander decks that focus on ramping into larger creatures or generating card advantage through land manipulation. However, it's not a central component of any iconic or well-known deck archetypes.

Budget & Accessibility Analysis

Sakura-Tribe Elder is currently priced at €12.72 for a foil copy in the European market. As there is no availability information available for non-foil copies or in other markets, its budget-friendliness and accessibility may be limited.

This analysis provides an in-depth look at Sakura-Tribe Elder's gameplay, flavor, and strategic potential. The section on reprint status highlights the importance of considering the card's scarcity when evaluating its value. The comparison with alternative cards demonstrates that while Sakura-Tribe Elder is a unique creature, there are other options available for players seeking similar abilities.

The discussion on tournament presence acknowledges the card's relatively low popularity in competitive Magic tournaments but recognizes its potential as a valuable component in certain green-heavy decks.

Overall, this analysis provides an informative and comprehensive look at Sakura-Tribe Elder, discussing its mechanics, flavor, and strategic implications.

Building around Sakura-Tribe Elder

The Sakura-Tribe Elder is a versatile creature that excels in green decks, particularly those focused on land manipulation and ramp. Its ability to search for basic lands and tap them makes it an excellent fit for commanders like Golgari Findbroker and Joraga Warm Gust.

Color Identities

The Sakura-Tribe Elder is a rare gem that thrives in monogreen decks, leveraging the power of green's land manipulation and mana acceleration. It also works well in combo-oriented green decks, where its ability can help find the necessary pieces for a synergistic play.

Themes

The card excels in several themes:

• Land Manipulation: Sakura-Tribe Elder is an excellent fit for decks that focus on manipulating lands, such as Ad Nauseam or Meren of Clan Nel Toth.
• Mana Acceleration: Its ability to tap basic lands makes it a great companion for ramp spells and creatures like Elvish Mystic and [Sylvan Caryatid.
• Combo Pieces: Sakura-Tribe Elder can be used to find the necessary pieces for combos, such as Estrid's Invocation or Bant Panharmonica.

Engine Cards

Some notable engine cards that work well with Sakura-Tribe Elder include:

• Elvish Mystic: Accelerates mana and allows for more efficient land manipulation.
• Sylvan Caryatid: Provides additional ramp and synergizes with Sakura-Tribe Elder's ability to tap basic lands.
• Nylea's Presence: Grants trample and lifelink, making it easier to protect and utilize Sakura-Tribe Elder.

Synergy Cards

Some specific synergy cards that work well with Sakura-Tribe Elder include:

• Verdant Force: Creates 2-3 mana when played, allowing for more efficient land manipulation.
• Golgari Findbroker: Provides additional ramp and synergizes with Sakura-Tribe Elder's ability to find basic lands.

Combo Notes

Sakura-Tribe Elder can be used as a piece in various combos, including:

• Estrid's Invocation: Sakura-Tribe Elder can help find the necessary Estrid's Invocation pieces for a powerful combination.
• Bant Panharmonica: Its ability to tap basic lands makes it an excellent fit for this combo.

Overall, the Sakura-Tribe Elder is a valuable addition to green decks that focus on land manipulation and ramp. Its versatility and ability to find basic lands make it an excellent piece in various themes and combos.

Sakura-Tribe Elder

In Commander, Sakura-Tribe Elder is a solid addition to any green-based deck. Its ability to sacrifice itself and search for a basic land card provides a convenient way to ramp up mana or fix colors. However, its 1/1 power and toughness make it vulnerable to removal spells and creatures.

Casual Play

In casual play, Sakura-Tribe Elder's value lies in its ability to generate cards without requiring a dedicated combo piece. It can be played on turn two, allowing players to accelerate their mana development and play more expensive spells sooner. In combination with Llanowar Elves, it enables a smooth transition from one land to multiple lands.

Competitive Play

In competitive Commander formats, Sakura-Tribe Elder's impact is less significant due to the presence of more efficient ramp spells like Atraxa and Azcanta. However, in certain casual or kitchen table settings, its ability to search for basic lands can be useful. When paired with cards like Mwonvuli Acid-Moss, it creates a consistent land generation engine.

Banned List

Sakura-Tribe Elder is not banned in any Commander format.

Price

As of the current market, Sakura-Tribe Elder's foil version costs approximately $12.72 USD.

Sakura-Tribe Elder in Commander

In a multiplayer game, Sakura-Tribe Elder excels when combined with cards that enable sacrifice effects. For example, Carrion Feeder or Death Baron can create an army of sacrificed creatures to fuel the elder's ability. The synergy is particularly effective in a Rakdos (Red-Black) or Esper (Blue-White) deck, as these colors offer access to removal spells and card draw that support the sacrifice strategy.

In a mono-Green Commander deck, Sakura-Tribe Elder thrives when paired with Fertile Ground or Llanowar Elves. These cards create an abundance of mana and allow for a high rate of land drops, making it easier to sacrifice the elder and search for lands. Additionally, the deck's life gain potential can help protect the player from early-game aggression.

Sakura-Tribe Elder struggles in a tempo-focused Commander deck that relies on aggressive creatures and fast combat. In these decks, the elder's ability to sacrifice itself is less valuable, as the game plan often prioritizes direct damage over card advantage.

In terms of matchups, Sakura-Tribe Elder performs poorly against decks with strong removal spells or efficient fliers. Path to Exile or Lightning Bolt-heavy decks can easily remove the elder before it has a chance to sacrifice itself and search for lands. Similarly, decks featuring Avacyn, Angel of Hope or Kemba, Kha Regent can quickly overwhelm the player with board presence, making it difficult to utilize the elder's ability.

Multiplayer Politics

In multiplayer games, Sakura-Tribe Elder's ability to sacrifice itself and search for lands creates opportunities for strategic interactions. Players may need to balance their own card advantage against the potential benefits of sacrificing their creatures to fuel the elder's ability. This dynamic can lead to interesting negotiations and trades between players.

Board Presence

While Sakura-Tribe Elder excels at generating card advantage, its 1/1 power-toughness makes it vulnerable to early-game aggression. Players often prefer to play more substantial threats on the board, such as Elvish Mystic or Stomping Ground. However, in situations where a player needs to hold up mana for an important spell or ability, Sakura-Tribe Elder's sacrifice effect can provide a valuable opportunity to generate additional lands.

Combos

Sakura-Tribe Elder's ability makes it an attractive component of various combos. For example, pairing the elder with Foster Glee and Golgari Findbroker creates a powerful combination that generates card advantage and life gain. Additionally, combining Sakura-Tribe Elder with Griselbrand allows players to generate card draw and sacrifice the elder to fuel Griselbrand's ability.

These examples illustrate the diverse ways Sakura-Tribe Elder can contribute to various Commander strategies. By understanding its strengths and weaknesses in different matchups, players can optimize their deck builds and make informed decisions during gameplay.

History of Sakura-Tribe Elder

Sakura-Tribe Elder was printed in the Planeswalker's Journey set (pjas) as a rare creature card. Its mana cost is {1}{G}, making it an efficient 2-drop creature.

Printings and Reprints

There are no notable reprints of Sakura-Tribe Elder, making its original printing relatively hard to find.

Tournament Presence

Although not extremely popular in competitive Magic tournaments, Sakura-Tribe Elder has seen play in some green-heavy decks. Its ability to search for a basic land card is valuable in certain situations, but it often struggles to compete with more powerful creatures.

EDHREC Stats

According to EDHREC, Sakura-Tribe Elder has an average EDHREC rank of 88, indicating moderate use in Commander (EDH) decks. It's worth noting that the card's popularity is largely driven by its ability to fix mana, rather than providing direct combat value.

Iconic Decks

Sakura-Tribe Elder appears in some green-based Commander decks that focus on ramping into larger creatures or generating card advantage through land manipulation. However, it's not a central component of any iconic or well-known deck archetypes.

The Sakura-Tribe Elder is a revered member of the ancient snake shamanic tradition. These reclusive, tribal elders have mastered the art of communing with the land itself, harnessing its power to heal and balance the natural world.

In the dense forests of the Japanese archipelago, the Sakura-Tribe Elders are known for their exceptional skill in manipulating the growth and decay of plants. They can coax life from barren soil, and prune dying vines back to health. These masters of botanical magic often venture into the wilderness to seek out rare herbs and sacred trees, using their intimate connection with nature to determine which specimens hold the most potent healing properties.

When encountered on the battlefield, the Sakura-Tribe Elder is a formidable opponent. Its ability to sacrifice itself in exchange for a basic land card is reminiscent of the tribe's practice of honoring the spirits of the land by offering small sacrifices – often a small stone or a sprig of greenery – to ensure balance and harmony with nature.

In combat, the Sakura-Tribe Elder wields its staff imbued with the essence of the forest, channeling the land's fury against its foes. Its 1/1 power/toughness may seem modest at first glance, but this creature is a game-changer in a more nuanced sense: it allows players to tap into the raw energy of the natural world, manipulating the battlefield to create new opportunities for growth and renewal.

This rare gem from the Plane of Japanese Spirituality (pjas) set is a powerful addition to any nature-based deck. When paired with cards like Llanowar Elves or Fangren Koda, it can help accelerate land development and enable a player to ramp into more complex spells like Nourishing Stream.