Earthlink MTG Card

Ice Age (ICE)
1995-06-03 - Number 285

Masters Edition II (ME2)
2008-09-22 - Number 192

Card sets	Released in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	6
Rarity	Rare
Type	Enchantment

Key Takeaways

Earthlink accelerates resource generation by placing creatures on the battlefield swiftly.
Instant speed play allows for reactive tactics and combat surprises against opponents.
Strategic downsides include a discard requirement and a specific mana cost to cast.

Text of card

During your upkeep, pay or bury Earthlink. Whenever a creature is put into the graveyard from play, that creature's controller sacrifices a land. Ignore this effect if that player controls no lands.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Earthlink grants a significant edge by potentially adding multiple creatures to your side of the battlefield. Drawing creatures from your library not only boosts your available resources but also thins your deck to increase the chances of drawing into more impactful spells in subsequent turns.

Resource Acceleration: By putting creatures directly onto the field, Earthlink can effectively ramp up your board presence without the need to spend additional mana on casting those creatures. This effective resource acceleration can lead to overwhelming your opponent faster than traditional play patterns.

Instant Speed: The ability to cast Earthlink at instant speed adds a layer of tactical advantage, allowing you to respond to your opponents’ actions or end-of-turn situations. This feature also enables surprise blocks or combat tricks that can turn the tide of a game when least expected by the opponent.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Earthlink demands players to discard a card, potentially depleting valuable hand resources and posing a drawback during critical gameplay moments where each card counts.

Specific Mana Cost: Earthlink’s casting cost requires a specific mana alignment, which might not seamlessly fit into all deck types, restricting its versatility across various playing styles.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost that may be deemed quite steep relative to its benefits, players may find that Earthlink competes with other cards that offer a more cost-effective impact on the game, making it less of a go-to choice in many situations.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Earthlink offers a dynamic range of uses, from being a pivotal piece in landfall strategies to enhancing decks that capitalize on graveyard interactions.

Combo Potential: Those adept in creating synergies will find Earthlink’s ability to interact with both lands and graveyard mechanics as a catalyst for powerful combinations.

Meta-Relevance: In an environment where long games are prevalent, Earthlink shines by providing continuous value, making it a significant contender against control and combo decks alike.

How to Beat Earthlink

Earthlink presents a unique challenge in the landscape of MTG, as it provides a robust combination of abilities that can hinder your strategy. Overcoming this card requires a deliberate approach focusing on its vulnerabilities. Unlike indestructible or hexproof creatures, Earthlink can be targeted and removed through conventional means such as direct removal spells. Cards like Murder or Doom Blade can handle threats like Earthlink efficiently.

Another strategy involves using counterspells to prevent Earthlink from hitting the battlefield in the first place. Dispel or Negate are excellent examples of spells that can disrupt your opponent’s plan if timed correctly. Also, since Earthlink effectively gains value over time, ramping up your board presence and putting pressure early on can force actions that may not align with your opponent’s optimal play sequence, rendering Earthlink less effective.

Lastly, exploiting your opponent’s reliance on Earthlink by using enchantment removal, such as Disenchant or Naturalize, can swiftly tilt the game back in your favor. By preparing for Earthlink’s appearance on the battlefield with these strategies, you can negate its potential impact and maintain control of the game.

Cards like Earthlink

Earthlink stands as an intriguing enchantment in Magic: The Gathering and draws parallels with cards such as Burning Sands. Earthlink’s effect of forcing players to sacrifice a land whenever a creature dies creates a unique zone of control. In contrast, Burning Sands also ensures punishment for creature death, but rather than targeting lands, it compels the sacrifice of additional creatures. Earthlink’s land-focused disruption can strategically handicap opponents, particularly in land-dependent decks.

Lethal Vapors is another card that shares the concept of punishing creatures. It offers a proactive creature deterrent, but instead of focusing on the aftermath of creature deaths, it prevents creatures from entering the battlefield in the first place, unless a player skips their turn. Lethal Vapors dictates board state by heavily disfavoring the development of creature strategies, whereas Earthlink affects the game’s progression once creatures are already present and being removed.

When it comes to maintaining battlefield advantage and controlling the pace, Earthlink is an asset worth considering among enchantments that dictate tactical play. Its unique land sacrifice condition sets it apart, offering a layer of strategy that can fortify a player’s position within the ever-evolving dynamics of MTG.

Cards similar to Earthlink by color, type and mana cost

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Earthlink MTG card by a specific set like Ice Age and Masters Edition II, 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 Earthlink and other MTG cards: