Elderfang Disciple is one of those cards players keep asking about. Here is, in plain words, what its official text says, the rulings published by Wizards of the Coast, and the combos players actually run.
Official card text
When this creature enters, each opponent discards a card.
Complete guide
Elderfang Disciple is a persistent utility creature that forces your opponents to lose resources as soon as it arrives. As an Elf Cleric, it fits perfectly into tribal synergies while providing immediate card advantage in multiplayer games. This guide breaks down exactly how to handle its discard trigger correctly.
What it Does
Elderfang Disciple possesses a simple but effective 'enters-the-battlefield' (ETB) ability. When it successfully enters the battlefield from any zone, its triggered ability goes on the stack, forcing every player defined as your opponent to choose and discard one card from their hand.
How it Resolves Step by Step
In a multiplayer game, the resolution follows a specific sequence. First, the next opponent in turn order chooses a card from their hand without showing anyone. Then, the next opponent does the same. Once every opponent has selected a card, all chosen cards are revealed and placed into their respective graveyards simultaneously.
Common Mistakes
A common error is thinking the active player chooses who discards first. According to official rulings, the choice always follows turn order. Additionally, because the discard happens upon entering, removing Elderfang Disciple in response to the trigger will not stop the discard from occurring; the ability exists on the stack independently of the creature.
When to Play It
Since this creature costs only two mana, it is an excellent early-game play to disrupt your opponent's curve. It is particularly potent in decks that can blink or recur creatures, allowing you to strip multiple cards from your opponents' hands over several turns.
Interaction examples
Ornithopter of ParadiseYou cast Ornithopter of Paradise on turn two to ensure you have mana. On turn three, you use that mana to cast Elderfang Disciple. When it enters, your opponent must choose a card to discard. This allows you to develop your board with a 1/1 body while simultaneously reducing the opponent's options.
Blood ArtistWith Blood Artist on the battlefield, you play Elderfang Disciple. Your opponent discards a card upon its entry. If the opponent later uses a removal spell to kill Elderfang Disciple, Blood Artist triggers, causing that opponent to lose 1 life and you to gain 1 life. This creates a 'lose-lose' scenario for the opponent where they lose cards to the entry and life to the exit.
Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.
How it works : Elderfang Disciple
Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall
- #1· Wizards of the Coast
As the triggered ability resolves, first the next opponent in turn order (or, if it's an opponent's turn, the opponent whose turn it is) chooses a card in hand and sets it aside without revealing it. Then each other opponent in turn order does the same. Finally, all chosen cards are revealed and discarded at the same time.
No other card is named in this ruling.
Legal formats
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Meta decks with Elderfang Disciple
No archived Top 8 deck with this card yet.