Shorecrasher Elemental MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Mythic |
| Type | Creature — Elemental |
| Abilities | Megamorph |
| Released | 2015-03-27 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Dragons of Tarkir |
| Set code | DTK |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 3 |
| Number | 73 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Igor Kieryluk |
Text of card
: Exile Shorecrasher Elemental, then return it to the battlefield face down under its owner's control. : Shorecrasher Elemental gets +1/-1 or -1/+1 until end of turn. Megamorph (You may cast this card face down as a 2/2 creature for . Turn it face up any time for its megamorph cost and put a +1/+1 counter on it.)
Cards like Shorecrasher Elemental
Shorecrasher Elemental stands out in Magic: The Gathering for its self-bouncing and mana-manipulation abilities. It draws parallels with cards like Aetherling, another elemental creature known for its versatility. Both creatures can make themselves unblockable, and Aetherling also has the ability to blink out of play. However, Aetherling requires more mana to initiate its ability and isn’t as mana-efficient as Shorecrasher for quick evasion moves.
Reflecting on other similar elementals, Tempest Djinn deserves a mention. This card gains power from the number of Islands you control, much like Shorecrasher gets stronger through its monocolored mana pump ability. Despite the differing mechanics, the influence of Islands is a common theme that ties them together. While Tempest Djinn benefits from long-term land play, Shorecrasher Elemental offers more immediate and flexible adaptations during a match.
While comparing these cards, Shorecrasher Elemental aptly fits the role of a mutable threat in MTG decks that hinge on fluid and dynamic creature strategies. It can adapt to different situations, making it a unique and formidable presence in the creature lineup.
Cards similar to Shorecrasher Elemental by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: A crucial element in MTG is being able to maintain a substantial presence on the board, and Shorecrasher Elemental excels at this. Its ability to dodge removal spells by returning to your hand creates inherent card advantage. This resilience forces your opponent to use additional resources to handle it, often leading to favorable trades for you.
Resource Acceleration: Shorecrasher Elemental doesn’t directly accelerate resources in the traditional sense but provides substantial tempo. Its adaptability in changing its power and toughness can help you to manage your mana more efficiently. By offering a threat that adjusts based on available mana, it enables players to utilize their resources optimally each turn.
Instant Speed: The Elemental’s ability to bounce back to your hand at instant speed poses a recurring threat to opponents. This capability enables you to respond to enemy spells or actions by saving Shorecrasher Elemental from potential threats, ensuring that you have a board presence ready to go on your next turn. It is an excellent tool for bluffing, keeping your opponent second-guessing whether to invest in removing it, thereby conserving your resources while potentially wasting theirs.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Drawing Shorecrasher Elemental usually doesn’t present a discard cost, but using its abilities could indirectly lead to discarding if you’re pressed to make room for essential mana resources.
Specific Mana Cost: This card demands a hefty triple blue mana commitment which can be restrictive, particularly for multicolor decks that might struggle with the consistent generation of the required blue mana.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost of one colorless and three blue, Shorecrasher Elemental is at the higher end of the spectrum for creatures of its size. In an environment where speed is key, there might be concerns about its ability to hit the battlefield promptly.
Reasons to Include Shorecrasher Elemental in Your Collection
Versatility: Shorecrasher Elemental boasts an adaptability that makes it a valuable addition to Blue-focused decks or those requiring resilient creatures. Its ability to dodge removal and modify its power and toughness helps maintain a dynamic board presence.
Combo Potential: This card presents numerous synergies, most notably with blink or bounce mechanics. It can pair well with cards that exploit +1/+1 counters or benefit from casting creatures multiple times due to its flickering capability.
Meta-Relevance: In environments dominated by removal spells, Shorecrasher Elemental’s resilience makes it a formidable threat. Its capacity to escape common board wipes and targeted removal means it can consistently apply pressure to opponents unprepared to handle it.
How to beat
Shorecrasher Elemental makes quite the splash in blue creature decks within Magic: The Gathering. This versatile card, equipped with the ability to dodge removal and grow in size, poses a real challenge for opponents. Unlike simpler creatures, it can be difficult to remove it once it’s on the battlefield due to its built-in protection abilities.
Dealing with Shorecrasher Elemental requires strategic planning. Cards offering unconditional removal like Path to Exile or Toxic Deluge can bypass Shorecrasher’s abilities and provide a clean answer. Hand disruption spells are also effective, allowing you to remove Shorecrasher from your opponent’s hand before they have the chance to cast it. Enchantment based control tools such as Banishing Light or Oblivion Ring can also be a solution as long as you time their use before the elemental has the opportunity to bounce itself back to the hand. Don’t forget that sweeping damage won’t be an efficient answer due to its resilience and capacity to grow out of range quickly. Understanding your deck’s answers and tactics will be key in navigating the ebb and flow of combat against this formidable elemental.
In essence, overcoming Shorecrasher Elemental revolves around preemptive strikes, precise timing, and using the right removal tools. Considering these strategies will give you the upper hand against this adaptable adversary.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Shorecrasher Elemental MTG card by a specific set like Dragons of Tarkir, 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 Shorecrasher Elemental and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
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- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
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- Card Hoarder Magic Online
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Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Shorecrasher Elemental has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Shorecrasher Elemental card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2015-02-25 | After Shorecrasher Elemental’s first ability returns it to the battlefield, it will be a new object with no connection to the Shorecrasher Elemental that left the battlefield. It won’t be in combat or have any additional abilities it may have had when it left the battlefield. Any +1/+1 counters on it or Auras attached to it are removed. |
| 2015-02-25 | If a face-down creature with megamorph is turned face up some other way (for example, if you manifest a card with megamorph and then pay its mana cost to turn it face up), you won’t put a +1/+1 counter on it. |
| 2015-02-25 | Megamorph is a variant of the morph ability. You can find more information on morph on cards with morph from the Khans of Tarkir set. |
| 2015-02-25 | Turning a face-down creature with megamorph face up and putting a +1/+1 counter on it is a special action. It doesn’t use the stack and can’t be responded to. |
| 2015-02-25 | You choose whether Shorecrasher Elemental gets +1/-1 or -1/+1 as the last activated ability resolves. |