Waterspout Elemental MTG Card


Gains card advantage by bouncing multiple creatures during the opponent’s turn. Demands a discard and specific mana making it less versatile in some situations. Can alter games against creature-heavy decks, making it a strategic addition.
Waterspout Elemental - Planeshift
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Elemental
Abilities Flying,Kicker
Released2001-02-05
Set symbol
Set namePlaneshift
Set codePLS
Power 3
Toughness 4
Number38
Frame1997
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byMark Romanoski

Text of card

Kicker o U (You may pay an additional o U as you play this spell.) Flying When Waterspout Elemental comes into play, if you paid the kicker cost, return all other creatures to their owners' hands and you skip your next turn.


Understanding Waterspout Elemental

Exploring the depths of blue elemental creatures in Magic: The Gathering, Waterspout Elemental stands out as an intriguing card with its distinct combination of abilities. Like its peer Aethersnipe, Waterspout Elemental features the power to disrupt opponents by returning creatures to their owners’ hands. However, Waterspout Elemental’s potential is unlocked when it specifically targets tapped creatures, offering a tactical advantage against spent foes.

Cards like Waterspout Elemental

Waterspout Elemental introduces unique gameplay dynamics with its bouncing ability akin to that of Capsize, able to send tapped creatures back to its owner’s hand. While Capsize can target any permanent at the cost of more mana, Waterspout Elemental focuses exclusively on tapped creatures which often results from combat or utility uses. In contrast, AEthersnipe is more liberal with its return target but demands a higher mana cost, lacks the repeatability, and offers a one-time use only.

Peering into the domain of blue, Man-o’-War also comes to mind. This simple yet effective jellyfish can bounce any creature upon entering the battlefield, not just tapped ones, providing a more straightforward approach compared to the conditional utility of Waterspout Elemental.

Delving into these comparable options, it’s evident that Waterspout Elemental offers a strategic edge for players who prefer to punish and capitalize on their opponents’ tapped-out states. Its recurrence potential makes it an interesting choice amongst blue utility creatures in Magic: The Gathering.

Aethersnipe - MTG Card versions
Capsize - MTG Card versions
Man-o'-War - MTG Card versions
Aethersnipe - MTG Card versions
Capsize - MTG Card versions
Man-o'-War - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Waterspout Elemental by color, type and mana cost

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Sandbar Crocodile - MTG Card versions
Pirate Ship - MTG Card versions
Segovian Leviathan - MTG Card versions
Sun Ce, Young Conquerer - MTG Card versions
Mawcor - MTG Card versions
Timin, Youthful Geist - MTG Card versions
Geology Enthusiast - MTG Card versions
Coastal Hornclaw - MTG Card versions
Meloku the Clouded Mirror - MTG Card versions
Azami, Lady of Scrolls - MTG Card versions
Cloudhoof Kirin - MTG Card versions
Drelnoch - MTG Card versions
Adarkar Windform - MTG Card versions
Infiltrator il-Kor - MTG Card versions
Mulldrifter - MTG Card versions
Chasm Drake - MTG Card versions
Mirror-Mad Phantasm - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Waterspout Elemental can potentially return multiple creatures to their owner’s hand, thereby generating card advantage by undoing your opponent’s plays and setting them back several turns.

Resource Acceleration: Although the Elemental itself does not directly accelerate resources, the act of bouncing creatures can indirectly accelerate your board state in comparison to your opponent’s by clearing the way for your attacks or by reusing your own creatures with beneficial enter-the-battlefield effects when recast.

Instant Speed: The kicker effect of Waterspout Elemental can be activated at instant speed, giving you the flexibility to disrupt your opponent’s strategies during their turn and surprise them with a sudden clearing of the board.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Waterspout Elemental requires a card to be discarded when its kicker cost is paid. This can be detrimental to your hand, particularly in tight situations where every card counts.

Specific Mana Cost: This card’s activation requires a mix of both colorless and blue mana. Its specificity can pose a challenge in multicolor decks that might struggle with mana consistency.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a significant casting cost that includes a kicker, Waterspout Elemental asks a lot from your mana pool. In games where speed is essential, investing in this Elemental might set you back, especially when facing more mana-efficient creatures.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Waterspout Elemental boasts a flexible role in decks that capitalize on creature control and tempo plays. Its ability to return other creatures to their owner’s hand can turn the tide in many matchups.

Combo Potential: This card can synergize with strategies that profit from casting spells with bounce effects, perfect for setting up powerful turns or exploiting enter-the-battlefield triggers.

Meta-Relevance: In an environment where board presence is key, Waterspout Elemental can disrupt opponent setups while establishing card superiority, making it a wise addition in the face of creature-heavy decks.


How to beat

Waterspout Elemental presents an intriguing challenge on the battlefield. This creature card can be a formidable opponent with its bounce effect, capable of resetting the board state significantly in your opponent’s favor. To navigate around this obstacle, it’s crucial to prepare strategies that can minimize its impact or prevent it from triggering at all. Direct removal spells are a reliable countermeasure; cards like Murder or Path to Exile can dispatch the Elemental before its effect comes into play. Another tactic is to utilize counterspells, ensuring that Waterspout Elemental never hits the field to begin with.

It’s also worth noting that keeping a low board presence with fewer creatures limits the bounce effect’s disadvantage. Additionally, take advantage of the Elemental’s return to hand mechanic. Pressure your opponent to either recast it, consuming a significant portion of their mana, or holding it back, giving you a window to strengthen your position. Flexibility and timing are key components in outmaneuvering a Waterspout Elemental. By anticipating this card and having a response ready, you can turn a potential game-ending threat into a manageable hurdle.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Waterspout Elemental MTG card by a specific set like Planeshift, 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 Waterspout Elemental and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Waterspout Elemental has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Waterspout Elemental card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2004-10-04 It affects your creatures as well as your opponent’s.