Primal Plasma MTG Card
2007-02-02 - Number 59
2012-03-30 - Number 16
2012-06-01 - Number 23
2016-11-25 - Number 23
2021-03-19 - Number 80
| Card sets | Released in 5 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Elemental Shapeshifter |
| Power | * |
| Toughness | * |
Text of card
As Primal Plasma comes into play, it becomes your choice of a 3/3 creature, a 2/2 creature with flying, or a 1/6 creature with defender.
Tocasia brushed the gears and cogs from the table. There, before two wide-eyed brothers, she began a lesson on raw elemental magic.
Cards like Primal Plasma
Primal Plasma has a unique flexibility within the pantheon of creature cards in Magic the Gathering. It is often compared to its elemental kin such as Prophetic Prism which, albeit not a creature, also offers a choice upon entry. Prophetic Prism allows a player to draw a card and further manipulates mana, providing value in terms of card draw and resource fixing. However, it doesn’t present the immediate board presence Primal Plasma does.
Analogous in the element of choice is the card AEther Figment, which can enter the battlefield with the option of being unblockable if kicked for an additional cost. Yet, it doesn’t provide the stat variability that makes Primal Plasma adaptable in different game situations. Furthermore, there is Cloak of Mists, ensuring that a creature is unblockable, but it’s neither a creature nor does it offer the power and toughness options provided by Primal Plasma.
In essence, Primal Plasma shines for its versatility during gameplay, adapting to the needs of MTG players, whether in need of a more substantial defender or an aggressive attacker. It’s the adaptability that distinguishes Primal Plasma in terms of utility and strategic depth.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Primal Plasma enters the battlefield as a creature type of your choice, effectively tailoring your battlefield presence to the current game state. This flexibility can lead to an advantage by adapting to the cards in your hand or the strategy you’re implementing.
Resource Acceleration: With the versatility to become a land or artifact creature upon entering the battlefield, Primal Plasma can contribute to your resource acceleration, providing essential mana sources or engaging in synergies that bolster your mana pool throughout the game.
Instant Speed: Primal Plasma’s inherent adaptability gets further amplified when considering spell effects that can flash it onto the battlefield at instant speed. This utility allows you the element of surprise, bypassing the normal timing restrictions of summoning creatures and potentially disrupting opponent strategies by bringing in a blocker or an attacker when least expected.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While the Primal Plasma card itself doesn’t impose a discard requirement, it’s essential to consider the card economy when playing. Including it in your deck without a strategy to maximize its potential may lead to a disadvantage in crucial turns.
Specific Mana Cost: Primal Plasma demands a precise mana cost involving one blue mana. This can restrict its inclusion to decks that can consistently generate blue mana, potentially limiting deck-building flexibility.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With Primal Plasma coming in at a total of four mana, it’s critical to evaluate its cost-to-benefit ratio. There are alternatives in the four-mana slot that may offer more impactful board presence or versatility, making it a tough inclusion in competitive environments.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Primal Plasma offers exceptional adaptability upon entering the battlefield by giving you the choice to shape it as the game situation demands. Whether you need a creature with flying, a 3/3 body, or a 1/6 wall to stop aggressive opponents, Primal Plasma seamlessly integrates into various deck archetypes with ease.
Combo Potential: This card is a chameleon in combo settings, capable of activating prowess triggers, enhancing elemental synergy, or even acting as a placeholder for creature-type-dependent interactions. Its fluid nature can be critical in executing your strategic plays and unforeseen combos.
Meta-Relevance: In a game where adaptability can be the key to overcoming diverse threats, Primal Plasma maintains meta relevance. It can adapt to power through aggressive metas with its toughness option or contribute to aerial pressure in more evasive strategies. Its ability to adjust to the prevailing deck themes makes it a worthy consideration for your collection.
How to beat
Primal Plasma is a versatile creature within the card realm of Magic: The Gathering, often catching opponents off guard due to its adaptive nature during the game. When facing this mutable threat, the key tactic to employ is preemptive gameplay planning. Being a card that can enter the battlefield as a 3/3 creature with flying, a 2/2 creature with “this creature can’t be blocked,” or just as a stout 1/6 wall, it can adapt to various strategies.
One effective measure is to maintain flexible removal in your deck. Spells that can target creatures both on the ground and in the air are essential in keeping Primal Plasma in check. Removal options that do not rely on damage are preferable given Primal Plasma’s potential high toughness. Counterspells are also a powerful tool against it, negating its effect before it can even influence the game state.
Lastly, cards that restrict creature abilities or enforce blocking rules negate Primal Plasma’s utility, whether it adopts evasion or fortitude. In sum, it is the strategic application of adaptable removal and control elements that can nullify Primal Plasma’s advantages and ensure it’s a manageable entity within any MTG matchup.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Primal Plasma MTG card by a specific set like Planar Chaos and Duel Decks: Venser vs. Koth, 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 Primal Plasma 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
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Printings
The Primal Plasma Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2007-02-02 and 2021-03-19. Illustrated by Luca Zontini.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2007-02-02 | Planar Chaos | PLC | 59 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Luca Zontini | |
| 2 | 2012-03-30 | Duel Decks: Venser vs. Koth | DDI | 16 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Luca Zontini | |
| 3 | 2012-06-01 | Planechase 2012 | PC2 | 23 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Luca Zontini | |
| 4 | 2016-11-25 | Planechase Anthology | PCA | 23 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Luca Zontini | |
| 5 | 2021-03-19 | Time Spiral Remastered | TSR | 80 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Luca Zontini |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Primal Plasma 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 Primal Plasma card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2021-03-19 | If an object enters the battlefield as a copy of Primal Plasma, it copies the values determined by its enters-the-battlefield replacement effect, but its power and toughness are determined by the copy’s own enters-the-battlefield replacement effect. This can cause you to have a 3/3 creature with flying, or a 1/6 creature with flying and defender, for example. |
| 2021-03-19 | If an object on the battlefield becomes a copy of Primal Plasma, it copies the values determined by its enters-the-battlefield replacement effect. |
| 2021-03-19 | While not on the battlefield, Primal Plasma is a 0/0 creature card. It doesn’t have flying or defender. |