Fruitcake Elemental MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Rare
Type	Creature — Elemental
Released	2006-12-31
Set symbol
Set name	Happy Holidays
Set code	HHO
Power	7
Toughness	7
Number	6
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Silver
Illustred by	Darrell Riche

Key Takeaways

Though not a direct card advantage, its durability means maintaining presence while conserving hand resources.
Its staying power encourages holding mana for instant-speed plays, enhancing reactive game strategies.
The card’s festive nature is best suited for thematic decks that value creativity over competitiveness.

Text of card

Fruitcake Elemental is indestructible. At the end of your turn, Fruitcake Elemental deals 7 damage to you. : Target player gains control of Fruitcake Elemental.

Experiments intended to create the perfect holiday emissary resulted in a substance harder than darksteel and a fraction as merry.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Even though Fruitcake Elemental might not directly contribute to drawing cards, its resilience against removal makes it a persistent board presence. This allows players to preserve their hand while applying pressure on the opponent, which indirectly sustains card advantage.

Resource Acceleration: Fruitcake Elemental doesn’t directly provide resource acceleration in the conventional sense. However, its ability to stick around on the battlefield might free up other resources for strategic plays, giving a player more room to maneuver with mana and spells.

Instant Speed: While Fruitcake Elemental is not an instant itself, having access to such a sturdy creature can allow players to feel more secure in holding up mana for instant-speed interactions. Knowing that you have a reliable blocker on your side of the field can permit more strategic and responsive play at instant speed during your opponent’s turn.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Fruitcake Elemental obligates players to discard a card to prevent its holiday demise. This can drain your hand quickly, complicating your game if you’re already struggling with card advantage.

Specific Mana Cost: The peculiar mana cost of this seasonal creature demands a diversified mana base. While flavorful, it can be problematic, restricting it to decks that can handle the color spread consistently.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana value that might not align with its impact on the board, the Elemental’s festive nature could cost you more than just holiday cheer. In a game where efficiency is key, spending four mana for this creature might not always be the best investment.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: The whimsical nature of Fruitcake Elemental allows it to bring a unique flavor to casual decks. As a card that can’t be destroyed by damage, it provides a resilient threat that can surprise opponents not prepared for its durability.

Combo Potential: This card’s distinctive ability to potentially fatten up every upkeep makes it a quirky choice for decks utilizing life gain mechanics or strategies that revolve around creatures with counters.

Meta-Relevance: While Fruitcake Elemental may not be a staple in highly competitive formats, it shines in more relaxed or themed games where fun and inventive play dominate. Its peculiarity ensures that it can have a special place in decks built around holiday gatherings or unorthodox strategies, aligning well with a meta that appreciates novelty.

How to beat

Dealing with Fruitcake Elemental on the battlefield requires a strategic approach in Magic: The Gathering. This unique card comes with an enticing 7/7 body at a surprising zero mana cost. Still, this does not mean it is unbeatable. Start by considering traditional removal spells but keep in mind its peculiar annual gift effect, which passes it around each turn.

To effectively counter this passing parcel, leverage abilities or spells that neutralize it regardless of ownership. Spot removals like Path to Exile or Swords to Plowshares are efficient, albeit temporary, solutions as they remove the creature from play but don’t prevent it from returning next turn. A more permanent solution is to use exile effects or cards that transform or bounce, like Oblivion Ring or Unsummon, to ensure it’s out of circulation for good.

Timing and predicting your opponent’s moves are essential. By playing reactively and keeping your removal tools for the key moment, you can outpace the effects of Fruitcake Elemental. Lastly, consider utilizing the Elemental’s downside, which deals damage to its controller during their upkeep. This can turn into an advantage if you manipulate circumstances to ensure that damage accrues to your opponent’s detriment, rather than yours.

Cards like Fruitcake Elemental

Fruitcake Elemental is an intriguing seasonal curiosity within the vast array of creature cards in Magic: The Gathering. Its unique trait lies in the fact that it allows players to give control of it to an opponent at the end of any turn. This card is a nod to the holiday delicacy, carrying an element of gift-giving within the game. Its peers, such as Sleeper Agent and Bronze Bombshell, share the theme of transferring control to another player, but with distinct twists. Sleeper Agent enters the battlefield under an opponent’s control right away, providing them with a strong creature, but one that eventually chips away at their life total.

On the different end, Bronze Bombshell detonates upon changing control, dealing damage to the new controller. Fruitcake Elemental remains a beloved option for players who appreciate light-hearted, thematic play. It is less damaging than its counterparts, which allows for entertaining interaction without significantly disrupting the game state.

By comparing the dynamics and playful mechanics of each, it’s clear that while Fruitcake Elemental may not be the first choice for competitive play, it brings a unique flavor to friendly MTG games that is unmatched by similar cards.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Fruitcake Elemental MTG card by a specific set like Happy Holidays, 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 Fruitcake Elemental and other MTG cards:

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