Ember Weaver MTG Card
2009-02-06 - Number 81
2018-03-16 - Number 169
2019-11-07 - Number 1197
2020-09-26 - Number A25-169
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Spider |
| Abilities | Reach |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Key Takeaways
- Ember Weaver grants an edge in combat by integrating well with card advantage and a synergetic deck build.
- It serves as a strategic piece in controlling tempo by pressuring opponents to misallocate their resources.
- Reactive play potential with Ember Weaver can catch opponents off-guard, leveraging its instant-speed bonus.
Text of card
Reach (This can block creatures with flying.) As long as you control a red permanent, Ember Weaver gets +1/+0 and has first strike.
"Each night, the sun unravels and blows away. Each day, the spiders set a new one in the sky." —Sunseeder myth
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Ember Weaver, when included in your deck, offers an added layer of combat flexibility. While it doesn’t directly allow you to draw cards, it pairs well with other cards that do, creating a synergetic advantage that can overpower your opponents through superior battlefield presence.
Resource Acceleration: Although Ember Weaver itself does not accelerate resources in the traditional sense of ramping mana, it can contribute to a strategy that pressures opponents and forces them to expend resources to handle it, thereby indirectly accelerating your path to victory.
Instant Speed: The power of Ember Weaver shines in its reactive capability. With its bonus in red mana environments, it can be a swift game-changer. Players can strategically manage their mana to spring surprises on adversaries, catching them off-guard by enhancing Ember Weaver during the heat of combat.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Ember Weaver does not require a player to discard a card to be played, its synergy with discard strategies could compel players to augment their decks with discard effects, potentially jeopardizing hand advantage.
Specific Mana Cost: Ember Weaver’s casting cost demands both red and green mana, making it less flexible and requiring a commitment to a two-color mana base, which could be a limitation in mono-colored or more color-diverse decks.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: At a cost of three mana, two of which are color-specific, Ember Weaver’s stats and abilities might be overshadowed by other creatures within the same cost range that offer more impactful immediate effects or greater power and toughness.
Reasons to Include Ember Weaver in Your Collection
Versatility: Ember Weaver adapts well to different playing environments. It serves as a solid creature on its own and its reach ability is an invaluable asset against flying threats, making it a suitable addition to decks in need of aerial defense.
Combo Potential: This card becomes especially potent in decks that promote the red or green aspect, enhancing its attack potential. Its synergy with other creatures that benefit from multi-colored allies allows for dynamic gameplay and varied combo opportunities.
Meta-Relevance: In metas where aggressive flying decks are prevalent, Ember Weaver provides a defensive bulwark that could turn the tide of the match. By including Ember Weaver, your collection gains a card that can adeptly answer to evolving gameplay trends, ensuring preparedness for a variety of competitive scenarios.
How to beat
Ember Weaver may seem like a formidable opponent on the battlefield, but like all cards in Magic: The Gathering, it has its weaknesses. This creature benefits substantially in a red or multicolored deck, gaining reach and a modest power boost which allows it to serve as both an offensive and defensive asset. However, its real Achilles’ heel lies in its reliance on other red permanents.
To effectively counter this arachnid, players should focus on controlling the board. Removing red permanents negates Ember Weaver’s enhancements, leaving it as a less intimidating creature. Board wipes, targeted removal, or enchantment-based pacification can quickly turn the tide of battle. In addition, by preventing your opponent from establishing a presence of multiple red permanents, the synergy that might empower the Ember Weaver is similarly hindered. Strategic use of instant-speed spells to remove it before the combat phase can also prevent it from maximizing its potential during the game.
Understanding your opponent’s strategy is key; by anticipating the play of Ember Weaver, one can retain removal spells for key moments, ensuring that this creature doesn’t weave a web of victory for your opponent.
Cards like Ember Weaver
Ember Weaver is an intriguing creature in Magic: The Gathering that provides both offensive and defensive utility. Among creatures with a similar power level, Skyknight Legionnaire stands out. Both are decently costed for their effects, with Ember Weaver offering a conditional power boost and reach, whereas Skyknight Legionnaire boasts flying and haste, immediately impacting the battlefield.
Comparatively, Kird Ape is a creature that, like Ember Weaver, increases its potency based on environmental factors, not an inherent stat line. While Kird Ape gains strength with the presence of a forest, Ember Weaver’s power is amplified when controlling a red permanent. Additionally, the inclusion of the reach ability permits Ember Weaver to serve as a skyward shield against flying threats, a trait Kird Ape lacks.
In the context of versatility and battlefield presence, Ember Weaver has a distinct advantage over some peers by combining an aggressive stat line with a defensive capability. This allows it to adapt to multiple game situations. As MTG players continue to seek creatures that offer flexibility, Ember Weaver remains a solid option for those looking to optimize their deck’s creature base.
Cards similar to Ember Weaver by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Ember Weaver MTG card by a specific set like Conflux and Masters 25, 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 Ember Weaver and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- 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 Magic products
Printings
The Ember Weaver Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2009-02-06 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by Steve Prescott.
| # | Release | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2009-02-06 | Conflux | CON | 81 | 2003 | normal | black | Steve Prescott | |
| 2 | 2018-03-16 | Masters 25 | A25 | 169 | 2015 | normal | black | Steve Prescott | |
| 3 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 1197 | 2015 | normal | black | Steve Prescott | |
| 4 | The List | PLST | A25-169 | 2015 | normal | black | Steve Prescott |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Ember Weaver has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Ember Weaver card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2009-02-01 | As long as at least one permanent you control is the specified color, the ability will “work” and grant this creature the bonus. Otherwise, it won’t have the bonus. |
| 2009-02-01 | Whether Ember Weaver has first strike matters only at the point that the normal combat damage step would begin, and only if there hasn't already been a first-strike combat damage step that turn. If any of your creatures has first strike at that point, a first-strike combat damage step is created. -- If Ember Weaver has first strike at that point, it will assign and deal combat damage during that step (even if it loses first strike before that damage is dealt) and it won't deal combat damage during the normal combat damage step. -- If Ember Weaver doesn't have first strike at that point, it will assign and deal its combat damage during the normal combat damage step (even if it gains first strike before then). |
