Spark Elemental MTG Card
2004-06-04 - Number 79
2007-07-13 - Number 237★
2007-07-13 - Number 237
2018-12-07 - Number 12
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Elemental |
| Abilities | Haste,Trample |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Text of card
Trample, haste At end of turn, sacrifice Spark Elemental.
Vulshok shamans summon spark elementals to burn paths through thick underbrush—or through goblin salvage squads.
Cards like Spark Elemental
Within the fast-paced world of Magic: The Gathering, Spark Elemental stands out as a powerful option for those who favor a quick, aggressive playstyle. Comparable to the likes of Ball Lightning, both creatures boast a formidable power for their cost and share the trait of trample, allowing extraneous damage to spill over to the opponent. However, Spark Elemental has one key difference – it’s even more ephemeral, vanishing at the end of the turn due to its “sacrifice” clause.
Exploring alternative choices, we find Monastery Swiftspear, another one-drop representative from the red deck’s roster. Although it has lower initial power, its prowess ability promises potential for growth with every noncreature spell cast, making it a long-term threat. Conversely, Spark Elemental’s fleeting existence is a blitz of raw power akin to a flash in the pan – immediate and impactful. Lastly, Hellspark Elemental offers a middle ground, with its ‘unearth’ capability providing an encore appearance from the graveyard for another chance at damage.
In essence, Spark Elemental showcases its niche within Magic: The Gathering, with a burst of damage that can apply early-game pressure or finish off an opponent, though its transient nature demands strategic play for optimum impact.
Cards similar to Spark Elemental by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Though Spark Elemental doesn’t provide direct card draw, it offers a one-turn clock to pressure your opponent, potentially forcing them to use a card in answer much earlier than they’d like. This can lead to indirect card advantage as they may have to deal with it using more valuable cards from their hand.
Resource Acceleration: While Spark Elemental itself doesn’t accelerate resources in the traditional sense of adding mana, its low cost can contribute to a strategy that puts threats on the board quickly. It’s an efficient use of mana and fits snugly into fast-paced, aggressive decks aiming to outpace the opponent’s resources.
Instant Speed: Spark Elemental is cast at sorcery speed, but due to its ‘haste’ ability, it can immediately impact the board as soon as it is played. This allows you to apply pressure at a critical moment, potentially taking the opponent by surprise and influencing their play decisions like an instant might, as they must immediately deal with the threat.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Spark Elemental’s fleeting presence on the battlefield necessitates precise timing when playing it, restricting its potential if you’re unable to maximize its one-turn impact.
Specific Mana Cost: This fiery creature requires a red mana commitment, making it a tricky fit in multicolored decks that might be strained for the right mana source at a crucial moment.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Looking at its power and the fact that it vanishes at the end of the turn, the cost of a single red mana could be seen as steep, especially when you consider other creatures in the same mana range that offer longer-term benefits or immediate effects without self-sacrifice.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Spark Elemental brings a burst of damage to any red aggro or burn deck, making it a flexible choice for players wanting to deal quick, efficient hits. Its one-turn life span aligns with numerous strategies that benefit from high-impact, low-cost creatures.
Combo Potential: When paired with sacrifice outlets or cards that capitalize on creatures entering or leaving the battlefield, this fiery Elemental can be part of explosive combos, turning its fleeting presence on the board into a strategic advantage.
Meta-Relevance: In a game state where speed can trump sustainability, Spark Elemental shines in the current meta by applying early pressure and forcing opponents to react immediately, thereby shaping the pace and outcome of matches.
How to Beat
Spark Elemental is a unique creature from the Magic: The Gathering universe. Known for its single-turn, high-impact playstyle, this card epitomizes the fiery aggression of red decks. To effectively counter Spark Elemental, it’s crucial to understand its strengths. The card’s primary advantages are its haste, allowing it to attack immediately, and trample, ensuring that not all of its damage can be blocked.
Effective strategies involve removing it before the combat phase or blocking with a creature that can survive the strike. Cards with flash can offer a surprise block or removal in response to its attack. Instant spells like Path to Exile or Fatal Push are also excellent counters as they efficiently remove the Spark Elemental before it dishes out significant damage. Lastly, consider cards with lifelink to offset the life lost, maintaining a stable life total after the Spark Elemental’s assault. Adopting these approaches will help you mitigate the impact of Spark Elemental’s brief but explosive presence on the battlefield.
Overall, respect the power of Spark Elemental but don’t fear it. With the right cards and timing, turning the tide against this burst of elemental fury is more than within your grasp as a tactically minded Magic: The Gathering player.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Spark Elemental MTG card by a specific set like Fifth Dawn and Tenth Edition, 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 Spark 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
See MTG Products
Printings
The Spark Elemental Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2004-06-04 and 2018-12-07. Illustrated by John Avon.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2004-06-04 | Fifth Dawn | 5DN | 79 | 2003 | Normal | Black | John Avon | |
| 2 | 2007-07-13 | Tenth Edition | 10E | 237★ | 2003 | Normal | Black | John Avon | |
| 3 | 2007-07-13 | Tenth Edition | 10E | 237 | 2003 | Normal | Black | John Avon | |
| 4 | 2018-12-07 | Ultimate Masters | UMA | 12 | 2015 | Token | Black | John Avon |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Spark Elemental has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |