Akawalli, the Seething Tower MTG Card
2023-11-17 - Number 220
2023-11-17 - Number 298
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Legendary Creature — Fungus |
| Abilities | Descend |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Text of card
Descend 4 — As long as there are four or more permanent cards in your graveyard, Akawalli, the Seething Tower gets +2/+2 and has trample. Descend 8 — As long as there are eight or more permanent cards in your graveyard, Akawalli gets an additional +2/+2 and can't be blocked by more than one creature.
Cards like Akawalli, the Seething Tower
Akawalli, the Seething Tower makes a quelching entry into the battlefield manipulation spells in Magic: The Gathering. Its ability to both damage and lock out creatures is reminiscent of cards like Ardent Plea, which can also prevent creatures from attacking or blocking though with a more exile-oriented twist. However, Akawalli, the Seething Tower takes a step further, inflicting damage to players for each creature locked down this way.
Looking at Pyroclasm, a card known for its creature sweep potential, we notice that while it doesn’t have the lasting impact on attacks or blocks, it offers a lower mana cost and the ability to affect all creatures on the battlefield at once. Comparatively, Anger of the Gods deals damage and exiles creatures if they would die, a feature not present in Akawalli, but it lacks the direct player damage aspect.
Evaluating the strengths and unique effects of Akawalli, it certainly carves a niche within controlling spell strategies. Its unique blend of direct damage tied to creature hindrance provides a new tactic for players who wish to combine creature control with player pressure.
Cards similar to Akawalli, the Seething Tower by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Akawalli, the Seething Tower brings a distinct edge in card usability. Every time a player casts a spell, they may reveal the top card of their library, potentially unveiling additional spells or resources to utilize throughout the game, which is a critical pathway to obtaining card advantage over an opponent.
Resource Acceleration: This powerful card grants the strategic boon of resource acceleration, as it allows you to cheat mana costs under specific circumstances. By playing with the top card of the library revealed, you can cast spells with the converted mana cost less than or equal to the number of lands you control, effectively ramping your mana and aiding in deploying threats or answers at a swifter pace.
Instant Speed: The ability to interact on the stack at instant speed cannot be undervalued in strategy card games. While Akawalli itself may not be an instant, it facilitates the casting of instant spells by providing access to more resources, thereby widening your window to make impactful plays during the enemy’s turn. This allows for a dynamic playstyle, keeping opponents guessing and providing you the element of surprise.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Akawalli, the Seething Tower introduces a discard mechanic that could potentially hinder your hand if you’re not prepared with extra cards to spare or if your strategy depends on maintaining a full grip of options.
Specific Mana Cost: The activation of Akawalli’s abilities is tied to a particular mana composition, requiring a dedicated build around this color identity to optimize its potential. Players without easy access to the necessary mana might find it challenging to incorporate Akawalli effectively into their deck.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Given Akawalli, the Seething Tower’s mana value, it comes into play later in the game. Decks looking for a faster tempo might find the mana investment steep, especially when there are alternative plays at lower cost points that could progress the board state with more immediacy.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Akawalli, the Seething Tower offers flexibility in deck-building, seamlessly fitting into strategies that require a formidable blocker or a mana sink for late-game plays.
Combo Potential: This card is a boon for brewmasters, opening up combinations with effects that untap lands, or benefit from land type changes for synergistic gameplay.
Meta-Relevance: In a landscape where board presence and mana advantage are crucial, Akawalli’s ability to deter attackers and generate mana adapts well to shifting competitive arenas.
How to Beat Akawalli, the Seething Tower
Akawalli, the Seething Tower poses a unique challenge to players in Magic: The Gathering due to its massive presence and intimidation as a creature. This card essentially operates as a bastion, not only tough to take down but also capable of dealing significant damage to opponents. Its ability to accumulate power levels quickly makes it a formidable foe on the battlefield. Its resilience stems from its ability to survive most damage-dealing spells and evasive tactics due to its high toughness.
To strategically navigate around Akawalli, players should consider utilizing spells that bypass toughness or circumvent combat entirely. Spell effects that force a player to sacrifice a creature can be particularly effective as they avoid the high toughness that makes Akawalli so resilient. Additionally, enchantments that neutralize abilities or prevent creatures from attacking or blocking can limit Akawalli’s impact. Focusing on control elements and removal that aren’t conditional on power or toughness ensures a higher probability of dealing with this daunting adversary.
Deck building that anticipates such towering threats can integrate these solutions seamlessly, maintaining the flow of the game while keeping Akawalli in check. Hence, while Akawalli may seem overwhelming at first glance, the right combination of spells and tactics can turn the tide in a player’s favor.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Akawalli, the Seething Tower MTG card by a specific set like The Lost Caverns of Ixalan and The Lost Caverns of Ixalan, 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 Akawalli, the Seething Tower and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
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- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
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Printings
The Akawalli, the Seething Tower Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2023-11-17 and 2023-11-17. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2023-11-17 | The Lost Caverns of Ixalan | LCI | 220 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Simon Dominic | |
| 2 | 2023-11-17 | The Lost Caverns of Ixalan | LCI | 298 | 2015 | Normal | Black | rishxxv |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Akawalli, the Seething Tower has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Alchemy | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Future | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Akawalli, the Seething Tower card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2023-11-10 | Cards with the ability word "descend N" have abilities that care if you have at least N permanent cards in your graveyard. |
| 2023-11-10 | Some descend triggered abilities include intervening "if" clauses (i.e. "if you have -our or eight] permanent cards in your graveyard" in the middle of the ability). Each of these abilities checks your graveyard at the moment it would trigger to see if it does. If you don't have the required number of permanent cards in your graveyard at that time, the ability doesn't trigger at all. If it does trigger, it will check again as it tries to resolve. If you don't have the required number of permanent cards in your graveyard at that time, the ability won't resolve and none of its effects will happen. |