---
name: "Istvan, Butcher of Eln"
mana_cost: "{1}{B}{B}{B}"
cmc: 4
type_line: "Legendary Creature — Human"
colors: ["B"]
color_identity: ["B"]
keywords: []
set: "MBC"
set_name: "Mystery Booster Commander Edition"
collector_number: "14"
rarity: "rare"
artist: "Marius Bota"
oracle_id: "5e277de5-793a-4364-923a-a55b53c0fa85"
canonical_url: "https://avascry.com/printing/istvan-butcher-of-eln-mbc"
legalities:
  commander: "not_legal"
  standard: "not_legal"
  modern: "not_legal"
  pioneer: "not_legal"
  legacy: "not_legal"
  vintage: "not_legal"
  pauper: "not_legal"
  penny: "not_legal"
---

# Istvan, Butcher of Eln
- **Mana Cost:** `{1}{B}{B}{B}` (CMC: 4)
- **Type:** Legendary Creature — Human
- **Power/Toughness:** 1/3

## Oracle Text
Istvan attacks each combat if able.
Prevent all damage that would be dealt to Istvan by creatures.
Whenever a creature an opponent controls dies, put two +1/+1 counters on Istvan.

> *No beast in Terisiare is more frightening than the man who haunts its woods.*

## Top 4096-Dim Neural Synergies
1. [Uncle Istvan](/printing/uncle-istvan-drk.md) — Creature — Human
2. [Malakir Cullblade](/printing/malakir-cullblade-anb.md) — Creature — Vampire Warrior
3. [Slaughter Specialist](/printing/slaughter-specialist-dbl.md) — Creature — Vampire Warrior
4. [Dreadhorde Butcher](/printing/dreadhorde-butcher-war.md) — Creature — Zombie Warrior
5. [Village Cannibals](/printing/village-cannibals-isd.md) — Creature — Human
6. [Hooded Assassin](/printing/hooded-assassin-frf.md) — Creature — Human Assassin

## Printing Details
- **Set:** Mystery Booster Commander Edition (MBC) #14
- **Rarity:** Rare
- **Artist:** Marius Bota

## Format Legalities
Commander: `not_legal` | Standard: `not_legal` | Modern: `not_legal` | Pioneer: `not_legal` | Legacy: `not_legal` | Vintage: `not_legal` | Pauper: `not_legal` | Penny: `not_legal`