Aether Shockwave MTG Card
2005-06-03 - Number 1
2005-08-22 - Number C26
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Instant |
Text of card
Choose one Tap all Spirits; or tap all non-Spirit creatures.
"The strain upon the veil between worlds began to show near the end of the Kami War. Strange happenings that neither side could control lashed out across Kamigawa." —*Observations of the Kami War*
Cards like Aether Shockwave
Aether Shockwave is an intriguing card in the world of MTG, providing both offensive and defensive versatility. It shares the theme of manipulation and control with cards like Holy Day or Fog, which prevent combat damage for a turn. Aether Shockwave offers a different approach by selectively tapping creatures, either targeting nonwhite creatures when played for its white mana cost or nonspirit creatures when played for its colorless cost.
Comparably, Sleep taps all creatures an opponent controls and they don’t untap during the opponent’s next untap step, granting a clear board advantage. Even though Sleep affects all opponents’ creatures, Aether Shockwave’s selective tapping can bypass your own creatures, allowing for strategic plays. Another similar card is Blinding Beam, which offers a choice between tapping two creatures or all creatures of a color, with the entwine mechanic adding a layer of tactical depth.
Overall, each card appeals to different types of strategies and decks, where Aether Shockwave fits particularly well in decks that either capitalize on the spirit tribe or can leverage the selective nature of its control. While not an absolute staple, its flexibly offensive and defensive capabilities situate it as a choice worth considering in the appropriate MTG format.
Cards similar to Aether Shockwave by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Aether Shockwave provides strategic value by potentially impacting multiple creatures. This can interrupt an opponent’s battle plan and leave them at a disadvantage, especially if it results in the loss of their creatures while you maintain board presence.
Resource Acceleration: While Aether Shockwave doesn’t directly produce mana or tokens, the tempo gain can put you ahead. By stalling your opponents’ threats, it allows you more time to deploy your resources and advance your board state without pressure.
Instant Speed: The flexibility of casting Aether Shockwave at instant speed gives you the element of surprise. You can wait until the most opportune moment during the combat phase, which could significantly alter the outcome of battles, preventing damage or creating favorable blocks.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Aether Shockwave requires you to have specific cards like Spirits or Arcane spells to succeed, which might force unwanted discards to enable this synergy in your deck. Such a condition can set you back when your hand doesn’t align with the requirements.
Specific Mana Cost: Harnessing Aether Shockwave’s full potential demands an exact combination of mana, including white mana. This restriction narrows down deck versatility and can cause hiccups in mana fluidity during crucial game turns, especially in multi-colored decks that may struggle with resource allocation.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana value that tips towards the higher end for its type of effect, players might find Aether Shockwave lacking in efficiency. The trade-off between mana investment and impact on the game board is significant and could deter players from including it in a tightly curved strategy.
Reasons to Include Aether Shockwave in Your Collection
Versatility: Aether Shockwave offers an unexpected form of crowd control, capable of temporarily sidelining creatures of a certain type. This card can seamlessly integrate into decks that benefit from non-destructive creature management, making it a flexible addition to any collection.
Combo Potential: The card provides an avenue for combo-centric players to exploit tapping mechanics. It can synergize with cards that capitalize on tapped creatures, potentially leading to powerful turns where opponents’ resources are efficiently nullified.
Meta-Relevance: In environments where tribal decks prevail or creatures with significant board presence dictate the pace, Aether Shockwave can act as a silver bullet, altering the state of the board to your advantage and paving the way for a game-winning move.
How to beat
Aether Shockwave stands out in MTG as a strategic spell that can tap all creatures of the type of your choice. This feature makes it a robust defensive option, akin to other tap all creatures spells in the game. When you’re up against this card, your best bet is to ensure a diverse creature base, minimizing the impact of a mass tap-down effect based on creature type.
Consider incorporating instant-speed removal or counterspells into your arsenal as well. These can be activated in response to an Aether Shockwave announcement, letting you remove key threats or counter the spell outright, keeping your forces ready for action. Versatile answers such as Heroic Intervention can also provide your creatures with indestructibility, empowering you to withstand and render spells like Aether Shockwave ineffective.
Ultimately, prevailing against an Aether Shockwave relies on tactical deck-building and smart play. By preparing your deck with a mix of creature types and maintaining mana for instant-speed responses, you can diminish the impact of this spell and maintain control over the battlefield, enhancing your strategic depth in MTG.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Aether Shockwave MTG card by a specific set like Saviors of Kamigawa and Salvat 2005, 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 Aether Shockwave and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
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Printings
The Aether Shockwave Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2005-06-03 and 2005-08-22. Illustrated by Stephen Tappin.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2005-06-03 | Saviors of Kamigawa | SOK | 1 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Stephen Tappin | |
| 2 | 2005-08-22 | Salvat 2005 | PSAL | C26 | 2003 | Normal | White | Stephen Tappin |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Aether Shockwave has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Aether Shockwave card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2005-06-01 | You choose the mode on announcement. |