Desecration Elemental MTG Card
2004-06-04 - Number 45
2011-05-14 - Number 57
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Elemental |
| Abilities | Fear |
| Power | 8 |
| Toughness | 8 |
Text of card
Fear Whenever a player plays a spell, sacrifice a creature.
Its precious corpses dance like puppets to attract mindless nim prey.
Cards like Desecration Elemental
Delving into the depths of disruptive powerhouses, Desecration Elemental stands as a unique creature card in Magic: The Gathering. In the realm of imposing creatures with drawbacks, we can look to Phyrexian Negator, a card with horrific backlashes when dealt damage–a steep price for its considerable power. Oppositely, Desecration Elemental comes with forewarned sacrifice, requiring careful play around removals or forced sacrificial scenarios to maintain its presence on the battlefield.
Comparable yet distinct, Demanding Dragon presents a choice to opponents rather than a constant cost to the player. They’re faced with either sacrificing a creature or taking a substantial hit to their life total, fostering a situationally flexible advantage. Fear of the Void is another creature tethered to sacrifice: cheaper in mana cost, yet it imposes a less hefty recurring payment in permanents from the opponent, contrasting with the upfront threat of Desecration Elemental.
Ultimately, the value of Desecration Elemental in the shadows of its peer cards boils down to the strategic playstyle it caters to. Its blend of high power and risk-reward mechanics carves a niche in decks centered around control and sacrifice tactics, setting it apart from counterparts that offer a more straightforward game plan.
Cards similar to Desecration Elemental by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Desecration Elemental can quickly become a formidable threat, as its power and toughness can outpace what an opponent can handle, providing you with a board advantage. This sheer force can force opponents to hesitate before playing creatures, skewing the game in your favor.
Resource Acceleration: The sacrifice mechanic of Desecration Elemental can be turned to your advantage with cards designed to benefit from creatures being sacrificed. This synergy can create additional value for each creature you sacrifice, effectively accelerating your resource gain through strategic play.
Instant Speed: Desecration Elemental’s ability to dodge removal spells at instant speed by sacrificing a creature makes it especially resilient. This trait allows you to maintain board presence and to make split-second decisions that can protect your Elemental from unexpected threats during the course of the game.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Engaging the power of Desecration Elemental in your deck comes with a steep price. Activating its Fear ability requires sacrificing a creature, a ritual that thins your forces and could leave you vulnerable on the battlefield.
Specific Mana Cost: Cast in the deep shadows of black mana, this Elemental demands a dedicated commitment to the swamp’s resources. Its specific mana cost narrows deck compatibility, perhaps excluding it from the more diverse and multicolored strategies favored by some players.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Summoning such an entity requires substantial mana, totaling four units. For the same investment, players might summon creatures of similar strength without restrictive upkeep or unlock spells that swing the tide of battle with immediate effect.
Reasons to Include Desecration Elemental in Your Collection
Versatility: Desecration Elemental can easily become a cornerstone in decks that manipulate sacrifice mechanics. Its power to intimidate opponents due to its significant power increase for each sacrificed creature makes it a formidable presence on the battlefield.
Combo Potential: This card has great synergy with strategies centered around token generation. Converting expendable tokens into raw power enables a landslide of momentum that can overwhelm adversaries.
Meta-Relevance: As player strategies evolve and the competitive scene shifts, having a card like Desecration Elemental, which thrives in creature-heavy environments, adds depth to your arsenal. It’s a potential game-changer against the right matchups.
How to beat Desecration Elemental
Desecration Elemental is a unique creature in the MTG universe, often recognized for its high power and fear ability, making it unblockable by most creatures. This black elemental can dominate the battlefield, but it comes with a significant drawback – sacrificing a creature whenever another creature comes into play under your control.
Overcoming this card is all about strategy. The key is to minimize the impact of its fear ability by utilizing artifacts or creatures that can block regardless of this ability. Moreover, capitalizing on its sacrifice drawback can turn the tide of the match. Play creatures you can afford to lose or, better yet, ones that provide benefits when they leave the battlefield. Additionally, there are several removal spells that can target and eliminate Desecration Elemental despite its intimidating presence.
Controlling the pace and composition of the board is vital when dealing with Desecration Elemental. By adjusting your play style and utilizing the right mix of spells and abilities, you can mitigate its advantages and emerge victorious in the face of this formidable foe.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Desecration Elemental MTG card by a specific set like Fifth Dawn and Duel Decks: Mirrodin Pure vs. New Phyrexia, 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 Desecration Elemental and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
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- Card Market
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- MTG Mint Card
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- Troll and Toad
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- Card Hoarder Magic Online
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Printings
The Desecration Elemental Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2004-06-04 and 2011-05-14. Illustrated by Pete Venters.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2004-06-04 | Fifth Dawn | 5DN | 45 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Pete Venters | |
| 2 | 2011-05-14 | Duel Decks: Mirrodin Pure vs. New Phyrexia | TD2 | 57 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Pete Venters |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Desecration Elemental has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Desecration Elemental card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2004-12-01 | If Desecration Elemental is the only creature you control when its triggered ability resolves, you’ll have to sacrifice it. |
| 2004-12-01 | This ability triggers off anyone casting a spell, including you, not just Desecration Elemental’s controller or an opponent. |