Rockslide Elemental MTG Card
2008-10-03 - Number 112
2009-09-04 - Number 63
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Elemental |
| Abilities | First strike |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Text of card
First strike Whenever another creature is put into a graveyard from play, you may put a +1/+1 counter on Rockslide Elemental.
On Jund, even the landscape is a deadly hunter. Volcanoes, tar pits, and rock slides seem to prey upon the living.
Cards like Rockslide Elemental
Rockslide Elemental steps into the realm of creature cards that thrive on conflict, a thrill similar to Bloodthirsty Ogre and War Elemental. Each of these cards gains strength from the chaos of battle, albeit in different ways. Rockslide Elemental’s power grows permanently with its First Strike ability, gaining counters whenever another creature is put into a graveyard from the battlefield, which makes it a potential threat over time.
Comparatively, Bloodthirsty Ogre requires a slightly different setup, as it gains counters only if you control a Demon, whereas War Elemental must be on the field as your opponents lose life to get its counters. Neither has the inherent First Strike capability but both can become formidable as the game progresses, much like Rockslide Elemental.
When it comes to escalating might on the battlefield, these cards provide unique strategies to overpower opponents. Rockslide Elemental has a distinct advantage with its immediate board impact potential, catering to aggressive play styles that force constant creature confrontation. It’s an incremental force that, if left unchecked, can quickly become a game-ending threat to any adversary.
Cards similar to Rockslide Elemental by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Rockslide Elemental comes with an ability that shines in creature heavy decks, as it gets stronger each time another creature dies. This means that every exchange on the battlefield potentially turns Rockslide Elemental into a more formidable threat, without the need to play additional cards from your hand.
Resource Acceleration: Although not a direct form of resource acceleration like artifact ramp or land fetching, Rockslide Elemental can put you ahead in the game by becoming a large threat at no extra cost. As the Elemental grows, your resources in play become more effective and intimidating, allowing you to leverage its increasing power without investing more mana.
Instant Speed: While Rockslide Elemental itself doesn’t operate at instant speed, its power increasing ability triggers whenever another creature dies—a common occurrence during your opponent’s turn as well. This allows you to adapt and grow stronger even when it’s not your turn, giving you a more dynamic and robust presence on the board.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Rockslide Elemental demands that you continually sacrifice creatures to reap benefits. This can deplete your resources and leave you vulnerable if your hand or board presence is already weak.
Specific Mana Cost: This Elemental requires both red and generic mana, constricting its inclusion to decks that can reliably produce red mana. It’s not versatile enough for every strategy, particularly in multi-color decks that may prioritize other colors.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a three mana cost for a 1/1 creature, Rockslide Elemental is costlier compared to other creatures that start with better base stats or abilities for the same or lower mana investment.
Reasons to Include Rockslide Elemental in Your Collection
Versatility: Rockslide Elemental offers a flexible role within any red-centric or aggressive deck structure. As a creature that grows in power with each other creature’s demise, it can adapt to various game states and become a real threat, regardless of the opponent’s strategy.
Combo Potential: With mechanics that synergize with sacrifice and death-triggered abilities, Rockslide Elemental can become a key piece in combos that capitalize on creature turnover. Its increasing power creates potential for explosive turns in combination with cards designed to clear the board or with creatures that benefit from dying.
Meta-Relevance: Given its ability to strengthen in creature-heavy environments, Rockslide Elemental shines in metas where board control is critical. Its potential to become unexpectedly large makes it a problematic card for opponents to deal with, especially in late-game scenarios where removal options may be depleted.
How to beat Rockslide Elemental
Rockslide Elemental thrives in environments saturated with creature combat. As an elemental that grows stronger with each creature that dies during your turn, it can quickly become a formidable threat on the battlefield. To efficiently neutralize the risk posed by this creature, removing small creatures from the board to prevent it from powering up is a solid strategy. Board wipes are particularly effective at keeping the elemental in check, ensuring that it remains just a minor nuisance.
Another approach involves employing instant-speed removal spells that can directly target and eliminate Rockslide Elemental before it snowballs out of control. Countering combat tricks and effects that aim to sacrifice creatures for the benefit of the elemental also plays a significant role in dismantling strategies centered around it. By interfering with these synergies, you reduce the elemental’s ability to leverage the demise of other creatures and maintain the upper hand.
Adopting a careful and disruption-focused playstyle can go a long way in controlling a card such as Rockslide Elemental. It’s essential to monitor the board state closely and be ready to act swiftly to curb the elemental’s potential impact on the game’s outcome.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Rockslide Elemental MTG card by a specific set like Shards of Alara 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 Rockslide Elemental 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 Rockslide Elemental Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2008-10-03 and 2009-09-04. Illustrated by Joshua Hagler.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2008-10-03 | Shards of Alara | ALA | 112 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Joshua Hagler | |
| 2 | 2009-09-04 | Planechase | HOP | 63 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Joshua Hagler |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Rockslide Elemental has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |