Elephant Ambush MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Instant |
| Abilities | Flashback |
| Released | 2001-10-01 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Odyssey |
| Set code | ODY |
| Number | 240 |
| Frame | 1997 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Anthony S. Waters |
Text of card
Put a 3/3 green Elephant creature token into play. Flashback o6o Go G (You may play this card from your graveyard for its flashback cost. Then remove it from the game.)
Cards like Elephant Ambush
Elephant Ambush is a delightful spell that peppers the green landscape of creature spells in Magic: The Gathering. This instant card lets players summon a 3/3 green Elephant creature token; quite a sturdy addition to the battlefield. A close rival in functionality is Advent of the Wurm, which creates an even more substantial token — a 5/5 Wurm with trample. However, Advent of the Wurm is specific to the Selesnya guild and costs more mana.
For those who appreciate flexibility, there’s also the Beast Within. It’s a spell that destroys a permanent but gives your opponent a 3/3 Beast token in return. While it doesn’t boast the surprise factor of deploying your own creature like Elephant Ambush does, it serves as an effective versatile spell in green’s arsenal. Finally, Call of the Herd stands out by creating not one, but potentially two Elephant tokens with its flashback ability, granting a long-lasting presence on the board.
Considering the surprise factor and defensive capabilities, Elephant Ambush claims its place in the hearts of MTG players who appreciate instant creature summons along with the tactical advantage they bring, especially during opponents’ turns.
Cards similar to Elephant Ambush by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: When you cast Elephant Ambush, not only do you get a strong 3/3 green Elephant creature token, but thanks to its flashback ability, you have the potential to benefit from this card twice. This means you can effectively double the value you get from a single card, tipping the scales for card advantage in your favor.
Resource Acceleration: Although Elephant Ambush does not directly accelerate your resources in terms of mana, casting it at the right time can quickly escalate your board presence. By creating creature tokens, you’re boosting your resource count in creatures, potentially leading to more powerful board states that can pressure your opponents faster.
Instant Speed: The flexibility provided by casting Elephant Ambush at instant speed cannot be overstated. This capability allows you to surprise your opponent by bringing a creature onto the battlefield during their turn or after they’ve declared attackers, making it an excellent defensive and tactical maneuver that can disrupt their plans.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Although Elephant Ambush doesn’t directly impose a discard requirement, it is important to recognize that playing a card with a higher mana cost might lead to a scenario where players feel forced to discard other cards due to resource constraints. This occurs especially when the card is drawn late in the game and the player’s hand has been depleted.
Specific Mana Cost: Elephant Ambush requires a specific mana allocation of two green mana, which could potentially restrict its inclusion to mono-green or green-heavy decks. This makes the card less flexible in multicolored deck builds that may not consistently generate the required green mana.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: At four mana, two of which must be green, Elephant Ambush has a relatively high mana cost for summoning a 3/3 green Elephant creature token. Given the pace of the current meta, there could be options that put a larger creature into play or provide additional benefits for the same or lower mana investment.
Reasons to Include Elephant Ambush in Your Collection
Versatility: Elephant Ambush offers flexibility in both early game defensive plays and late-game finishers. As a modal card with a flashback ability, it can be used twice, providing value in a variety of game situations. Whether you need to block an attacker or press an advantage, this card adapts to your needs.
Combo Potential: For players who enjoy synergy with creature spells or tokens, Elephant Ambush can easily integrate into those strategies. It pairs well with effects that benefit from creature ETB (Enter the Battlefield) triggers, potentially multiplying the impact of other cards in your deck.
Meta-Relevance: In an environment where creature-based strategies are prevalent, Elephant Ambush can serve as a timely response or surprise tactic. Being able to quickly introduce a sizable creature token to the battlefield allows players to adapt to the ever-changing meta, ensuring their deck remains competitive.
How to beat
Elephant Ambush can be a surprise element on the battlefield in MTG. This green instant not only creates a substantial creature in the form of a 3/3 Elephant token but also offers the flexibility to play it during your opponent’s turn. The key to overpowering this card lies in preparedness and proper timing.
Having removal spells at the ready is essential when facing potential token generators like Elephant Ambush. Cards like Doom Blade or Path to Exile, which can target creatures regardless of their size, can nullify the generated Elephant token before it can assert its presence. Additionally, counter spells such as Counterspell or Mana Leak can thwart Elephant Ambush before it even hits the field, mitigating the surprise factor altogether.
It’s also beneficial to maintain board control with sweepers like Wrath of God or Damnation in case the Elephant tokens start to accumulate. Playing around the Flashback cost of Elephant Ambush is part of the strategy; always consider the resources your opponent has available to predict and preemptively handle this forestry feint. Properly managing your resources while expecting the unexpected will ensure that Elephant Ambush doesn’t catch you off guard.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Elephant Ambush MTG card by a specific set like Odyssey, 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 Elephant Ambush 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 Elephant Ambush has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |