Elemental Mastery MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityRare
TypeEnchantment — Aura
Abilities Enchant

Key Takeaways

  1. Elemental Mastery multiplies card value by producing elemental tokens upon attacking.
  2. Tokens boost board presence and resource acceleration, aiding strategic swarming.
  3. Token generation offers instant interactions, defending and surprising opponents.

Text of card

Enchant creature Enchanted creature has ": Put X 1/1 red Elemental creature tokens with haste into play, where X is this creature's power. Remove them from the game at end of turn."


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Elemental Mastery can turn any creature into a card draw engine. When the enchanted creature hits your opponent, it creates multiple elemental tokens, essentially multiplying the value you get from a single creature.

Resource Acceleration: Each token generated by Elemental Mastery potentially accelerates your resources. As they are creatures, they can add to your board presence immediately, aiding you in swarming your opponent and can be sacrificed if your deck synergizes with that mechanic for other gains.

Instant Speed: Elemental Mastery itself isn’t played at instant speed, but the immediate impact upon casting can be tantamount to instant speed advantages. Once the enchantment puts the tokens on the field, they can be used as blockers or for other instant speed interactions during the opponent’s turn, creating unexpected shifts in board state and momentum.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Elemental Mastery demands sacrificing another permanent upon casting which can be a tough decision. This cost might force you into unfavorable exchanges, especially when you’re short on board presence.

Specific Mana Cost: The inclusion of both red and green mana in its cost, Elemental Mastery necessitates a dual-color mana base. This can restrict deck-building options, requiring players to have the right land types for a successful cast.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a significant investment of four mana, Elemental Mastery is competing with numerous other impactful cards in the same mana bracket. This can potentially make it a less appealing choice when optimizing mana efficiency in your deck.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Elemental Mastery is a multifaceted card that can be slotted into various deck builds. It shines in strategies focusing on creature control and can turn even a single creature into a significant threat.

Combo Potential: This enchantment pairs well with cards that reward you for tapping creatures, creating numerous tokens, or those that benefit from sacrificing creatures, offering numerous ways to leverage its token-generating ability.

Meta-Relevance: In a game state where creature-based decks are prominent, Elemental Mastery can become a key piece in turning the tide by exponentially increasing your board presence and applying pressure on your opponent.


How to beat

Elemental Mastery is a unique enchantment in Magic the Gathering with the power to transform even the smallest creatures into a threatening army of tokens. With its capacity to create a multitude of elemental tokens equal to the enchanted creature’s power, it echoes the swarm strategies that cards like Krenko, Mob Boss enable, yet it provides even greater flexibility. To counter this card, it’s essential to prioritize removal spells or capabilities that bypass the target creature’s buff. Cards such as Swords to Plowshares or Path to Exile dispatch the enchanted creature directly, thereby neutralizing the risk of token overload. Enchantment removal like Disenchant also works effectively to unravel the ply of tokens before they overrun the battlefield. Moreover, ensuring board control with spells like Wrath of God can eradicate the tokens and reset the playing field. Board wipes and direct removals are your best bet in reclaiming control from Elemental Mastery’s grasp and keeping your opponent from leveraging its full potential. By anticipating and preparing for your adversary’s enchantments, you can consistently stay one step ahead, maintaining dominance over the game’s pace.


BurnMana Recommendations

Elemental Mastery stands as a unique enchantment in MTG, capable of turning any creature into a powerhouse of token generation. As you weigh its pros and cons, consider the strategic depth it can add to your gameplay. Managing its synergies correctly can reward you with a sea of elemental tokens, pushing you towards victory. If Elemental Mastery resonates with your playstyle or you’re curious about integrating it into your deck, we’re here to guide you through its best practices and nuanced interactions. Elevate your MTG skills and maximize your deck’s potential with elemental potency; explore more and harness the full might of Elemental Mastery in your next battle.


Cards like Elemental Mastery

Elemental Mastery stands out in MTG as a unique enchantment that transforms any creature into a formidable engine of token generation. Its similarity to cards such as Goblin Bombardment is evident as both revolve around harnessing creatures for additional value. However, Elemental Mastery allows for a wider margin of utility compared to the sac-outlet nature of Goblin Bombardment which focuses on dealing damage through sacrifice.

Another analogue is found with the popular card, Splinter Twin, which also enchants creatures but with a different approach. While Elemental Mastery focuses on quantity, creating numerous Elemental tokens, Splinter Twin zeroes in on quality, producing a single, potentially game-ending token each turn. Oppositely, Presence of Gond, a similar aura, produces an endless supply of Elf tokens, yet it lacks the immediate board impact that the swath of tokens from Elemental Mastery can provide.

Across these comparisons, Elemental Mastery’s versatile token creation ability solidifies its place within MTG. It may not have the single explosive combo potential of Splinter Twin, but it allows players to build a considerable board presence quickly, which can be leveraged in various strategic ways.

Goblin Bombardment - MTG Card versions
Splinter Twin - MTG Card versions
Presence of Gond - MTG Card versions
Goblin Bombardment - MTG Card versions
Splinter Twin - MTG Card versions
Presence of Gond - MTG Card versions

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

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Burning Earth - MTG Card versions
Purphoros, God of the Forge - MTG Card versions
Purphoros's Emissary - MTG Card versions
Manabarbs - MTG Card versions
Orcish Oriflamme - MTG Card versions
An-Zerrin Ruins - MTG Card versions
Lightning Cloud - MTG Card versions
Aether Flash - MTG Card versions
Heart of Bogardan - MTG Card versions
Furnace of Rath - MTG Card versions
No Quarter - MTG Card versions
Shiv's Embrace - MTG Card versions
Pyromancy - MTG Card versions
Collapsing Borders - MTG Card versions
Stand or Fall - MTG Card versions
Impulsive Maneuvers - MTG Card versions
Magmatic Core - MTG Card versions
Pyrohemia - MTG Card versions
Uncontrollable Anger - MTG Card versions
Splinter Twin - MTG Card versions
Burning Earth - MTG Card versions
Purphoros, God of the Forge - MTG Card versions
Purphoros's Emissary - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Elemental Mastery MTG card by a specific set like Shadowmoor and Neon Dynasty Commander, 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 Elemental Mastery and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Elemental Mastery Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2008-05-02 and 2022-02-18. Illustrated by Cyril Van Der Haegen.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12008-05-02ShadowmoorSHM 902003NormalBlackCyril Van Der Haegen
22022-02-18Neon Dynasty CommanderNEC 1052015NormalBlackCyril Van Der Haegen

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Elemental Mastery has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Elemental Mastery card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2008-05-01 If the ability is activated after the current turn's End step has begun, the tokens won't be exiled until the next turn's End step.
2008-05-01 The enchanted creature's power is checked at the time the ability resolves. If the enchanted creature has left the battlefield by then, its last known information is used.
2008-05-01 The tokens will be exiled in the End step even if Elemental Mastery or the enchanted creature has left the battlefield by then.

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