Earth Tremor MTG Card
Mana cost | |
Converted mana cost | 4 |
Rarity | Common |
Type | Instant |
Released | 2022-06-10 |
Set symbol | |
Set name | Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's Gate |
Set code | CLB |
Number | 171 |
Frame | 2015 |
Layout | Normal |
Border | Black |
Illustred by | Borja Pindado |
Text of card
Earth Tremor deals damage to target creature or planeswalker equal to the number of lands you control.
"Every cave-in is Moradin telling you to leave the earth where it is." —Halgar, dwarven recluse
Cards like Earth Tremor
Earth Tremor carves its niche in the world of removal spells within Magic: The Gathering. It can be likened to cards like Pyroclasm, which similarly deals 2 damage to each creature. However, Earth Tremor is distinctive by not affecting fliers, a tactical advantage in certain board states. Pyroclasm offers no such discretion, potentially clearing the sky alongside the ground.
Comparatively, Anger of the Gods is another spell that deals with creatures en masse. While it inflicts 3 damage to each creature and can exile those it kills, the higher mana cost and indiscriminate nature of damage make Earth Tremor advantageous in decks that aim to preserve their own airborne forces. Then there’s Sweltering Suns, which offers flexibility through its cycling ability, but once again, its damage is unfiltered, unlike Earth Tremor which strategically bypasses flying creatures.
To sum it up, when viewed alongside its counterparts, Earth Tremor retains a competitive edge for players seeking to mitigate ground threats while maintaining aerial dominance, a dual benefit that subtly bolsters its position among creature removal spells in Magic: The Gathering.
Cards similar to Earth Tremor by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: While Earth Tremor itself does not draw cards directly, it serves a pivotal role in potentially removing multiple creatures from the board. This can lead to a card advantage as it diminishes your opponent’s board presence while maintaining yours.
Resource Acceleration: Earth Tremor doesn’t offer traditional mana acceleration, but by clearing the board of smaller creatures, it allows your bigger threats to attack without obstruction, effectively speeding up your win condition.
Instant Speed: Earth Tremor throws a wrench in the opponent’s plans by being playable at instant speed, making it an excellent tool for disrupting combat strategies and other end-of-turn sequences your opponent might rely on.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One drawback of Earth Tremor is its discard requirement. This mechanic obliges the player to sacrifice another card to enable its use. During crucial moments, when the card volume in your hand is already dwindling, this condition can be particularly taxing, potentially placing you at a disadvantage by depleting valuable resources.
Specific Mana Cost: Earth Tremor’s specific mana cost might be challenging for some decks to accommodate, particularly those that operate on a tight mana curve or that are multicolored. This card necessitates precise mana allocation, which could disrupt the tempo of your game plan, especially if you’re managing a deck without a steady red mana base.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: When compared to other spells in its category, Earth Tremor’s mana cost is on the higher side. This could be a significant con for players looking to maximize efficiency and effectiveness in their gameplay. Other cards available at a lower cost could potentially perform similar actions or provide comparable benefits without straining your mana pool quite as much.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Earth Tremor is a card that can seamlessly find a place in various deck builds. Its ability to affect all creatures can help control the board in both offensive and defensive situations.
Combo Potential: With strategies revolving around landfall or abilities triggering off sacrificing creatures, Earth Tremor’s capacity to shake the board creates exciting synergy opportunities.
Meta-Relevance: The card shines in a meta heavy with aggro strategies, as it can clear multiple small threats in one fell swoop, potentially turning the tide of the game in your favor.
How to beat
Earth Tremor is a card that often catches players off guard with its land-destroying ability. Overcoming this type of disruption requires a proactive approach to maintain your land resources. A good strategy against Earth Tremor hinges upon diversification of your mana base and utilizing instant-speed spells or abilities that can counteract land destruction or recover lands from the graveyard. Cards that can quickly search for basic land types and put them onto the battlefield, like Rampant Growth or Cultivate, can be key to rebounding after an Earth Tremor. Additionally, playing lands with indestructible or hexproof features can nullify the tremors’ effects, keeping your resources intact.
Building a resilient deck with flexible mana solutions can serve as a counterbalance to Earth Tremor’s disruptive nature. Maintaining a calm, strategic perspective and having countermeasures in place will ensure that your gameplay remains stable, no matter how much the earth shakes during the match. In the end, coping with Earth Tremor is about preparation and adaptability – the cornerstones of thriving in the dynamic world of Magic: The Gathering.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Earth Tremor MTG card by a specific set like Commander Legends: Battle for 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 Earth Tremor 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
See MTG Products
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Earth Tremor has restrictions
Format | Legality |
---|---|
Commander | Legal |
Legacy | Legal |
Paupercommander | Legal |
Oathbreaker | Legal |
Pauper | Legal |
Vintage | Legal |
Duel | Legal |