Seismic Elemental MTG Card
2015-07-17 - Number 161
2018-11-16 - Number 41
2020-07-17 - Number 362
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Elemental |
| Power | 4 |
| Toughness | 4 |
Text of card
When Seismic Elemental enters the battlefield, creatures without flying can't block this turn.
"Trying to stop it would be foolish. If you feel it coming—run!" —Sergeant Ryda
Cards like Seismic Elemental
Seismic Elemental presents a compelling choice within the roster of creatures capable of altering the battlefield in MTG. It shares mechanical space with Thundermare, a creature that similarly disrupts opponents by preventing their creatures from blocking. However, Seismic Elemental’s effect only applies to opponents with land creatures, making it highly situational compared to the more all-encompassing effect of Thundermare.
Another relative in this family of cards is Magmatic Chasm. While not a creature, this sorcery limits blocking for a turn similar to Seismic Elemental’s land-centered limitation. Magmatic Chasm’s broader application can be more impactful against non-land creatures. In contrast, Seismic Elemental brings the added benefit of entering the fray as a 4/4 body, capable of exerting pressure on the opponent.
Examining these cards side by side, Seismic Elemental holds a unique position, particularly in decks that exploit land creature strategies. While it may not have the universal reach of Thundermare or the all-purpose block denial of Magmatic Chasm, it offers a strategic advantage in specific scenarios and contributes to MTG’s rich tapestry of tactical plays.
Cards similar to Seismic Elemental by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Seismic Elemental may not draw cards directly, but by ensuring your opponent’s creatures can’t block, it effectively renders their previous plays less valuable. This can lead to a board state that’s advantageous to you as your creatures encounter less resistance, potentially clearing the way for decisive attacks.
Resource Acceleration: Seismic Elemental doesn’t produce additional mana or resources directly. However, its ability to influence combat phases can help maintain superiority on the battlefield, which indirectly accelerates your victory condition. Reducing the need to commit additional resources to remove blockers lets you allocate mana elsewhere.
Instant Speed: While Seismic Elemental itself must be cast at sorcery speed, the immediate impact it has on the board creates a window similar to the effect of an instant. By clearing blockers at a critical moment before an attack, its entrance can create a sudden and surprising shift in the balance of power much like an instant would.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: A setback for Seismic Elemental is that it does not directly impose a discard requirement on your opponents, missing an opportunity to disrupt their hand and strategy.
Specific Mana Cost: With a casting cost that demands three red mana, Seismic Elemental restricts deck-building options, heavily favoring mono-red or decks with significant red mana sources.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: The five total mana needed to summon Seismic Elemental could be prohibitive in fast-paced matches, where lower-cost creatures could be played sooner to establish board presence.
Reasons to Include Seismic Elemental in Your Collection
Versatility: Seismic Elemental offers flexibility as it can easily slot into elemental decks or those focusing on landfall mechanics. Its ability to prevent creatures without flying from blocking on the turn it enters the battlefield is invaluable in decks that aim to swing in for massive damage.
Combo Potential: Upon entry, this card has the potential to synergize with strategies designed to capitalize on board state changes, such as cards with landfall triggers or those that benefit from creatures being unable to block that turn.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta with prevalent aggro decks, Seismic Elemental can shift the tide of combat in your favor, granting a critical turn of unopposed attacks that can often be decisive.
How to beat
Seismic Elemental is a potent force in Magic: The Gathering, known for its ability to manipulate combat phases by rendering opponents’ creatures unable to block whenever it enters the battlefield. Players facing this card must prepare for direct strikes without the safety net of their creatures to protect their life points.
Countering Seismic Elemental begins with control strategies. Cards that counter creature spells, such as “Essence Scatter” or “Negate,” remove the threat before it materializes. Moreover, instant removals like “Murder” or “Path to Exile” can efficiently dispatch it after it has landed. Equally, high toughness creatures or those with abilities like reach or flash can be sneakily played, circumventing Elemental’s blockade, and providing a defensive barrier. Deception is key.
Another tactic involves shifting the game plan to focus on direct damage spells or abilities that eliminate multiple targets, such as “Blasphemous Act” or “Lightning Strike,” minimizing the impact of Seismic Elemental’s entrance. Players should adapt their deck to include versatile responses, thus ensuring they’re well-prepared for the seismic shifts this elemental can cause on the battlefield.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Seismic Elemental MTG card by a specific set like Magic Origins and Game Night, 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 Seismic 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 Seismic Elemental Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2015-07-17 and 2020-07-17. Illustrated by Jasper Sandner.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2015-07-17 | Magic Origins | ORI | 161 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jasper Sandner | |
| 2 | 2018-11-16 | Game Night | GNT | 41 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jasper Sandner | |
| 3 | 2020-07-17 | Jumpstart | JMP | 362 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jasper Sandner |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Seismic Elemental has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Seismic Elemental card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2015-06-22 | No creature without flying will be able to block that turn, including creatures that lose flying after Seismic Elemental’s ability resolves and creatures without flying that enter the battlefield after that ability resolves. |