by Can Tran

Created on: November 02, 2009

"Hoofprints of the Stag" is a white enchantment spell printed as a rare for the Magic the Gathering expansion set known as "Lorwyn." This is one of the types of spells that encourage players to build around a theme of creatures. In this respect, Hoofprints of the Stag is a card that encourages players to build around elementals. With the right combination of cards, Hoofprints of the Stag is pretty impressive for the most part. In an elemental themed deck, Hoofprints of the Stag becomes very useful.

The converted mana cost for Hoofprints of the Stag is two. You will need one white mana and one colorless mana to bring Hoofprints of the Stag from your hand and onto the battlefield. For what Hoofprints of the Stag can do, the converted mana cost is well worth it for the most part. Keep in mind that Hoofprints of the Stag is an enchantment spell. In this respect, Hoofprints of the Staff will be affected by anything that goes after enchantment spells.

What does Hoofprints of the Stag do in the first place?

Hoofprints of the Stag is somewhat similar to "Luminarch Ascension" and "Archmage Ascension." Whenever you draw a card, you put a hoofprint counter on Hoofprints of the Stag. By the time you have four hoofprint counters you pay one white mana and two colorless mana and remove the hoofprint counters. You get to put a 4/4 white elemental token with Flying onto the battlefield. Luckily, you do not have to sacrifice Luminarch Ascension. However, you can only do this during your turn.

There are means in being able to use Hoofprints of the Stag's ability much faster. In a black and white deck, you can combine this with "Phyrexian Arena." You draw an additional card while paying one life point. In this respect, you get to put two hoofprint counters instead of one. By the second turn, you can put that 4/4 white elemental token onto the battlefield. Every two turns, you can bring out a 4/4 white elemental token with Flying.

If you want to risk it, you can use "Font of Mythos" to draw two additional cards. In this respect, you draw three cards. However, you risk your opponents getting the card advantage at the same time. In a black and white or multicolored deck, you may want to add in "Underworld Dreams" in the process. In this respect, you can put three hoofprint counters each turn. Using this method allows you to bring out a 4/4 white elemental token with Flying each turn after the first.

With other cards, you can boost those elemental tokens. Overall, Hoofprints of the Stag is a pretty impressive card. Alone, it seems to be pretty slow. With the right combination of cards, you can utilize the ability much faster.

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