Ivy Elemental MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Elemental
Power 0
Toughness 0

Key Takeaways

  1. Ivy Elemental scales with resources, converting excess mana into immediate and impactful board presence.
  2. Mana acceleration allows early deployment as a substantial threat, often surpassing opponent’s response capabilities.
  3. While not instant speed, its potential as a threat complements decks designed for responsive play.

Text of card

Ivy Elemental comes into play with X +1/+1 counters on it.

In the gardens of the centaurs, many travelers have mysteriously vanished while admiring the elaborate topiaries.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Ivy Elemental can be a potent force by scaling with your available resources. Its flexible casting cost means that as the game progresses, it turns any surplus mana into immediate board presence, offering a seamless transition into a game-changing creature.

Resource Acceleration: Decks that focus on ramping mana can deploy Ivy Elemental as a massive threat early on. This utilization of resource acceleration can often outpace the opponent’s ability to answer it, making it an efficient use of your mana investment.

Instant Speed: Although the Ivy Elemental itself doesn’t have instant speed, its sheer potential as a scalable threat complements decks that operate at instant speed. It allows you to manage your resources wisely, only committing to casting the Elemental when it’s most advantageous—for instance, after holding back mana for reactive spells during your opponent’s turn.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Ivy Elemental doesn’t specifically necessitate discarding, but in decks focusing on card synergies, any requirement to discard for other spells can indirectly mitigate its effectiveness since Ivy Elemental’s power is tied to the cards kept in hand.

Specific Mana Cost: A deck including Ivy Elemental must cater to its green mana cost, which can restrict deck-building options, especially in multi-colored decks that may struggle with mana fixing.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The flexibility of Ivy Elemental’s size based on available mana can be a double-edged sword. A significant amount of mana is needed to make it a formidable creature, and that can leave players open to disruption or unable to utilize mana efficiently for other plays within the same turn.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Ivy Elemental’s power and toughness are directly tied to the mana invested in it. This scaling ability allows it to fit seamlessly into a variety of deck themes, ranging from counter synergy to high-powered ramp strategies.

Combo Potential: This creature’s flexible nature makes it a solid choice for combos. It can be used with cards that manipulate +1/+1 counters or to capitalize on effects that double them, amplifying its impact on the battlefield.

Meta-Relevance: In a game where creature sizes can dictate the flow of battle, Ivy Elemental can adapt to the shifting tides of the meta. It holds its own against a range of threats and can become a formidable force in any match-up.


How to Beat Ivy Elemental

Ivy Elemental is a unique creature in the world of MTG, boasting the ability to enter the battlefield with a number of +1/+1 counters reflecting the mana invested into its casting. This flexible juggernaut can become a formidable force very quickly, especially in a game that has gone on for several turns, allowing a player to accumulate ample mana.

Overcoming such a versatile threat requires strategic planning. Removal spells that don’t depend on the creature’s power or toughness, such as Path to Exile or Terminate, can effectively deal with Ivy Elemental regardless of its size. Playing with counterspells like Mana Leak can prevent it from ever hitting the board. Additionally, using board wipes such as Wrath of God can reset the playing field, neutralizing the advantage gained from a large Ivy Elemental. Always keep an eye on the mana pool of your opponent, as creatures like Ivy Elemental can turn the tide of battle in a single turn if left unchecked.

Ultimately, the key to beating Ivy Elemental lies in preparedness and maintaining control over the game. Swift removal, strategic counters, and universal reset buttons become indispensable tools in ensuring that this customizable green behemoth doesn’t overgrow your defense.


Cards like Ivy Elemental

Ivy Elemental’s unique trait in the enchanting world of Magic the Gathering lies in its flexibility, suiting any stage of the game. This creature card is often compared to Protean Hydra, which also enters the battlefield with a variable number of +1/+1 counters. However, Protean Hydra adds a layer of resilience with its regenerative feature, something Ivy Elemental doesn’t possess.

Looking at Aquastrand Spider, a creature that can distribute +1/+1 counters, we appreciate versatility different from Ivy Elemental’s singular focus on self-enhancement. Aquastrand Spider provides utility in strengthening other creatures, showcasing a more synergistic approach. Jade Mage is another comparable card, with the ability to continually create creatures, offering a strategic edge in generating board presence over time rather than a one-time sizable force like Ivy Elemental.

To sum up, while the Ivy Elemental offers a direct and hefty power play adaptable to the mana at hand, its contemporaries introduce dynamic strategies that could outmaneuver a straightforward size advantage on the battlefield. Each of these cards has its place in a deck, but Ivy Elemental stands tall for its simplicity and raw power potential.

Protean Hydra - MTG Card versions
Aquastrand Spider - MTG Card versions
Jade Mage - MTG Card versions
Protean Hydra - Magic 2010 (M10)
Aquastrand Spider - Dissension (DIS)
Jade Mage - Magic 2012 (M12)

Cards similar to Ivy Elemental by color, type and mana cost

Scryb Sprites - MTG Card versions
Llanowar Elves - MTG Card versions
Ghazbán Ogre - MTG Card versions
Shanodin Dryads - MTG Card versions
Wall of Wood - MTG Card versions
Village Elder - MTG Card versions
Spike Drone - MTG Card versions
Skyshroud Elite - MTG Card versions
Elvish Berserker - MTG Card versions
Tree Monkey - MTG Card versions
Wild Dogs - MTG Card versions
Elvish Herder - MTG Card versions
Pouncing Jaguar - MTG Card versions
Scavenger Folk - MTG Card versions
Willow Geist - MTG Card versions
Nimble Mongoose - MTG Card versions
Elvish Lyrist - MTG Card versions
Elvish Pioneer - MTG Card versions
Hana Kami - MTG Card versions
Norwood Ranger - MTG Card versions
Scryb Sprites - Limited Edition Alpha (LEA)
Llanowar Elves - Dominaria (DOM)
Ghazbán Ogre - Masters Edition (ME1)
Shanodin Dryads - Summer Magic / Edgar (SUM)
Wall of Wood - 30th Anniversary Edition (30A)
Village Elder - Mirage (MIR)
Spike Drone - Tempest (TMP)
Skyshroud Elite - Exodus (EXO)
Elvish Berserker - Ninth Edition (9ED)
Tree Monkey - Ninth Edition (9ED)
Wild Dogs - Dominaria Remastered (DMR)
Elvish Herder - Urza's Saga (USG)
Pouncing Jaguar - Urza's Saga (USG)
Scavenger Folk - Seventh Edition (7ED)
Willow Geist - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Nimble Mongoose - The List (PLST)
Elvish Lyrist - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Elvish Pioneer - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Hana Kami - Champions of Kamigawa (CHK)
Norwood Ranger - Ninth Edition (9ED)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Ivy Elemental MTG card by a specific set like Odyssey and Planechase, 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 Ivy Elemental and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Ivy Elemental Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2001-10-01 and 2020-04-24. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12001-10-01OdysseyODY 2451997normalblackRon Spencer
22009-09-04PlanechaseHOP 742003normalblackRon Spencer
32017-11-17Iconic MastersIMA 1702015normalblackRon Spencer
42020-04-24Ikoria: Lair of BehemothsIKO 1612015normalblackUriah Voth

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Ivy Elemental has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
PauperLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

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