Stormcrag Elemental MTG Card


Stormcrag Elemental - Dragons of Tarkir
Mana cost
Converted mana cost6
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Elemental
Abilities Megamorph,Trample
Released2015-03-27
Set symbol
Set nameDragons of Tarkir
Set codeDTK
Power 5
Toughness 5
Number158
Frame2015
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred byRalph Horsley

Key Takeaways

  1. Acts as a card advantage tool, forcing opponents to use up multiple resources to handle it effectively.
  2. Complements ramp strategies, allowing for early plays and synergizing with speed-based game plans.
  3. The trample feature aids in sustaining combat impact, ensuring damage bleeds through even during instant-speed plays.

Text of card

Trample Megamorph (You may cast this card face down as a 2/2 creature for . Turn it face up any time for its megamorph cost and put a +1/+1 counter on it.)

The storms of Tarkir awaken more than dragons.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Stormcrag Elemental aids in card advantage through its formidable presence on the battlefield, compelling opponents to deal with it or risk overwhelming pressure, often requiring multiple resources from their side to handle effectively.

Resource Acceleration: A perfect fit for decks focusing on resource acceleration, this Elemental can hit the board quite early. Its synergy with ramp strategies emphasizes efficiency and allows for faster deployment of other big threats in your deck.

Instant Speed: While not an instant itself, the trample ability of Stormcrag Elemental helps capitalize on instant-speed spells by ensuring that even if an opponent blocks, excess damage can still pierce through, guaranteeing an impact during combat regardless of an opponent’s instant-speed responses.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Many MTG players could find Stormcrag Elemental’s discard requirement as a turn-off, especially in decks that seek to maintain a full grip of cards. When you’re already behind in the game, having to shed another card from your hand can feel like a steep price to pay for this creature’s benefits.

Specific Mana Cost: Stormcrag Elemental demands a specific mana combination to cast, which may not always align comfortably with multi-colored deck strategies. This sometimes makes it a less flexible choice compared to other elementals or creatures with more forgiving mana requirements.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Weighing in at six mana, Stormcrag Elemental’s cost is on the higher end of the spectrum. For that investment, players might expect a more immediately impactful board presence. There are alternative creatures and spells that can provide either comparable or better advantages for the same, if not lower, mana cost, potentially offering more value to the player’s game plan.


Reasons to Include Stormcrag Elemental in Your Collection

Versatility: Stormcrag Elemental boasts flexibility in gameplay. Its trample ability ensures it can push through defenses, making it a solid choice for decks that need resilient threats.

Combo Potential: This elemental creature’s megamorph ability allows for unexpected plays. By flipping it face-up, you not only get a formidable 6/6, but also the added value of surprising your opponent and potentially changing the tide of the game.

Meta-Relevance: Given that creature-heavy strategies often emerge in the MTG metagame, having a Stormcrag Elemental can be a smart addition. Its sheer size and the momentum it can gather as a late-game drop can dominate boards where smaller creatures are prevalent.


How to beat

Confronting the Stormcrag Elemental in MTG necessitates a well-devised plan, for its prowess in both offense and defense marks it as a formidable force on the battlefield. This card stands out with its trample ability, enabling excess damage to carry over and challenge an opponent’s life points directly, even when blocked by creatures. To efficiently tackle the Stormcrag Elemental, it is crucial to bypass its formidable toughness.

The key lies in leveraging removal spells that don’t rely on dealing damage but rather directly dictate the terms of the creature’s removal. Spells like Murder, which simply state “Destroy target creature,” can handle the Elemental irrespective of its size. Counterspells also offer a preemptive solution, nipping the threat in the bud by preventing the Elemental from entering the battlefield in the first place. Act of Treason represents another angle of attack, temporarily taking control of the creature and potentially using its own strength against your opponent. Hence, with strategic removal, timely counters, or cunning control thefts, you can manage the presence of Stormcrag Elemental and maintain your position in the game.


Cards like Stormcrag Elemental

Stormcrag Elemental has a unique standing among the red creatures of Magic: The Gathering due to its megamorph ability. A creature that turns the tides with Stormcrag Elemental often finds comparisons with Uthden Troll. Both deliver trample and regenerate, allowing them to be formidable during combat. However, Stormcrag Elemental’s prowess lies in its ability to surprise opponents when it morphs and gets a boost from its megamorph cost.

Equally interesting is the comparison to Sagu Mauler. This creature shares the megamorph mechanic, and while it offers hexproof and trample, making it a resilient threat, Stormcrag Elemental adapts better in a red-themed deck that favors aggressive and swift tactics. When looking at Flame-Wreathed Phoenix, players might appreciate its tribute mechanic that either leaves enemies facing a 5/5 flying creature or allows you to draw a card if the tribute isn’t paid – a strategic flexibility that Stormcrag Elemental does not provide.

In summary, while each of these creatures offers something different, Stormcrag Elemental commands a specific role. For MTG enthusiasts favoring the red color and looking to exploit surprise elements with the megamorph feature, Stormcrag Elemental is an engaging choice that enhances mid to late-game strategies.

Uthden Troll - MTG Card versions
Sagu Mauler - MTG Card versions
Flame-Wreathed Phoenix - MTG Card versions
Uthden Troll - Limited Edition Alpha (LEA)
Sagu Mauler - Khans of Tarkir (KTK)
Flame-Wreathed Phoenix - Born of the Gods (BNG)

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

Shivan Dragon - MTG Card versions
Firestorm Phoenix - MTG Card versions
Crater Hellion - MTG Card versions
Callous Giant - MTG Card versions
Halam Djinn - MTG Card versions
Bloodshot Cyclops - MTG Card versions
Worldgorger Dragon - MTG Card versions
Two-Headed Dragon - MTG Card versions
Iron-Barb Hellion - MTG Card versions
Ryusei, the Falling Star - MTG Card versions
Patron of the Akki - MTG Card versions
Ronin Cavekeeper - MTG Card versions
Oni of Wild Places - MTG Card versions
Thundermare - MTG Card versions
Pardic Dragon - MTG Card versions
Tectonic Fiend - MTG Card versions
Etali, Primal Storm - MTG Card versions
Kamahl, Pit Fighter - MTG Card versions
Sunrise Sovereign - MTG Card versions
Lu Bu, Master-at-Arms - MTG Card versions
Shivan Dragon - Dominaria Remastered (DMR)
Firestorm Phoenix - Legends (LEG)
Crater Hellion - Eternal Masters (EMA)
Callous Giant - Invasion (INV)
Halam Djinn - Invasion (INV)
Bloodshot Cyclops - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Worldgorger Dragon - Dominaria Remastered (DMR)
Two-Headed Dragon - From the Vault: Dragons (DRB)
Iron-Barb Hellion - Fifth Dawn (5DN)
Ryusei, the Falling Star - Iconic Masters (IMA)
Patron of the Akki - Betrayers of Kamigawa (BOK)
Ronin Cavekeeper - Saviors of Kamigawa (SOK)
Oni of Wild Places - Commander 2011 (CMD)
Thundermare - Salvat 2005 (PSAL)
Pardic Dragon - Time Spiral (TSP)
Tectonic Fiend - Time Spiral (TSP)
Etali, Primal Storm - Dominaria United Commander (DMC)
Kamahl, Pit Fighter - Duels of the Planeswalkers (DPA)
Sunrise Sovereign - Lorwyn (LRW)
Lu Bu, Master-at-Arms - Masters Edition III (ME3)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Stormcrag Elemental MTG card by a specific set like Dragons of Tarkir, 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 Stormcrag Elemental and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Stormcrag Elemental has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

DateText
2015-02-25 If a face-down creature with megamorph is turned face up some other way (for example, if you manifest a card with megamorph and then pay its mana cost to turn it face up), you won’t put a +1/+1 counter on it.
2015-02-25 Megamorph is a variant of the morph ability. You can find more information on morph on cards with morph from the Khans of Tarkir set.
2015-02-25 Turning a face-down creature with megamorph face up and putting a +1/+1 counter on it is a special action. It doesn’t use the stack and can’t be responded to.

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