Air-Cult Elemental MTG Card
2021-07-23 - Number 45
2022-07-07 - Number 109
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 6 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Elemental |
| Abilities | Flying |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 5 |
Text of card
Flying Whirlwind — When Air-Cult Elemental enters the battlefield, return up to one other target creature to its owner's hand.
Elemental Evil distorts the natural elements, limiting them to aspects of destruction.
Cards like Air-Cult Elemental
Air-Cult Elemental steps into the battlefield of Magic: The Gathering as a noteworthy creature with unique abilities. This card shares a kinship with cards such as Watertrap Weaver and Man-o’-War, both of which are known for their ability to disrupt opponents’ strategies by controlling the board. What makes Air-Cult Elemental distinct is its dual functionality to not only return a creature an opponent controls to their hand but also a creature the owner controls, effectively reusing enter the battlefield effects or saving a key piece from removal.
Also, the card compares to Galecaster Colossus, though somewhat different in application. While the Colossus requires tapping and controls only nonland permanents, the Elemental is more straightforward and impactful when it hits the field. It can turn the tide of a game by resetting powerful creature-based strategies or mitigating threats temporarily. The immediacy of Air-Cult Elemental’s ability is valuable, providing a tactical advantage without requiring additional mana or actions, though it does come at a higher mana cost compared to similar cards with single-target effects.
Analyzing the strategic depth that Air-Cult Elemental brings to Magic: The Gathering, it is evident that it holds its own against other creature control cards, offering a blend of utility and power that can be a game-changer in the right deck.
Cards similar to Air-Cult Elemental by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Air-Cult Elemental shines in its ability to swing the tide of a match by allowing you access to additional actions. When the Elemental makes its entrance on the battlefield, its effect can cause you to return a target creature to its owner’s hand. This can effectively remove an opponent’s key piece, thereby disrupting their strategy and leaving you with the upper hand. In the dance of card advantage, this can be a pivotal play, potentially negating your opponent’s previous turn and maintaining the pressure.
Resource Acceleration: While the Air-Cult Elemental might not provide direct mana acceleration like some other cards, it possesses the capability to alter the pace of the game significantly. By bouncing one of your own creatures with an enter-the-battlefield effect, you can double dip into those value-generating abilities. This action can be akin to resource acceleration by increasing the return on investment of your other cards, leading to a compound advantage as the game progresses.
Instant Speed: Though the Air-Cult Elemental itself is not an instant, it can be a critical piece in decks that operate at instant speed. Having the Elemental in your arsenal means your opponents must always account for the possibility that their board might be disrupted at a moment’s notice. This keeps them guessing, potentially forcing them into less-than-ideal plays to avoid the loss of their critical creatures. It makes every open mana you have a potential threat, aligning perfectly with a strategy that values flexibility and the element of surprise.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One downside to Air-Cult Elemental is its demand for you to discard another card to utilize certain abilities. This condition can put players at a disadvantage, especially in tight situations where card resources are already strained.
Specific Mana Cost: A stipulation for the Air-Cult Elemental is its specific mana cost, which includes both blue and another color. This requirement can sometimes restrict the card’s inclusion to decks that can consistently produce both types of mana.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a relatively high mana value, Air-Cult Elemental may not be as appealing when other cards provide similar effects with a lower cost. In competitive play, efficiently using mana can be crucial, and this card may lag behind more cost-effective alternatives.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: The Air-Cult Elemental is known for its flexibility across multiple deck archetypes. Its ability to control the board by bouncing other creatures upon entering the battlefield makes it a useful tool in decks that aim to disrupt opponent strategies or to reuse their own enter-the-battlefield effects.
Combo Potential: This card synergizes well with strategies that capitalize on casting creatures with impactful enter-the-battlefield abilities. Pairing Air-Cult Elemental with cards that manipulate or recycle these abilities can establish potent combos and turn the tides of a game.
Meta-Relevance: Given the ever-shifting landscape of the competitive scene, Air-Cult Elemental could become a key piece in decks that need to combat certain prevalent strategies. Its ability to remove key pieces from the battlefield without destroying them makes it flexible in matches where opponents rely on indestructible or death-trigger effects.
How to Beat
The Air-Cult Elemental presents a unique challenge on the battlefield for MTG enthusiasts. This blue-aligned creature card brings with it the power to control the board by bouncing other creatures back to their owner’s hand upon entering the battlefield. This ability not only disrupts your opponent’s game plan but can also be used strategically to reuse your own creatures with valuable enter-the-battlefield effects.
To counteract the elemental’s influence, consider using instant-speed removal spells like “Murder” or “Lightning Bolt” which can eliminate it before the ability triggers. Alternatively, cards like “Negate” or “Counterspell” can prevent the Air-Cult Elemental from ever hitting the board. It’s critical to keep mana open for these responses when you suspect this card might be played.
Moreover, employing creatures with hexproof or utilizing cards that grant it can provide a safeguard against the elemental’s bouncing effect—making your creatures ineligible as targets. Efficiently managing your resources and knowing when to hold back to deploy these strategies is key to maintain board presence despite the elemental’s disruptive capabilities.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Air-Cult Elemental MTG card by a specific set like Adventures in the Forgotten Realms and Alchemy Horizons: Baldur's Gate, 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 Air-Cult Elemental 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
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Printings
The Air-Cult Elemental Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2021-07-23 and 2022-07-07. Illustrated by Kari Christensen.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2021-07-23 | Adventures in the Forgotten Realms | AFR | 45 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Kari Christensen | |
| 2 | 2022-07-07 | Alchemy Horizons: Baldur's Gate | HBG | 109 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Kari Christensen |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Air-Cult Elemental has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |