Spitting Earth MTG Card
1996-10-08 - Number 193
1997-05-01 - Number 150
1998-06-24 - Number 116
1999-04-21 - Number 208
1999-07-01 - Number 117
2001-04-11 - Number 220
2001-04-11 - Number 220★
2007-07-13 - Number 238
2007-11-16 - Number 55
2011-04-01 - Number 67
2014-12-05 - Number 55
2020-07-17 - Number 364
| Card sets | Released in 12 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Sorcery |
Text of card
Spitting Earth deals to target creature an amount of damage equal to the number of mountains you control.
"There are times solid ground gives precious little comfort." —Talibah, embermage
Cards like Spitting Earth
Within the realm of damage-dealing spells in Magic: The Gathering, Spitting Earth has made its mark as a land-based damage spell. Its similarity with cards like Seismic Spike is evident, as both utilize lands to dictate the damage output. Yet, Spitting Earth’s lower mana cost gives it an edge in earlier turns of the game.
Volcanic Hammer is another relative, trading the land dependency for consistent damage. Though it always deals a flat rate of damage, Spitting Earth’s potential increases with the number of mountains you control, promising greater power in mono-red or mountain-heavy decks.
Comparing these spells illustrates the strategic flexibility that Spitting Earth provides. Its scalability can turn it into a formidable weapon in the right setup. This aspect of adaptability in relation to the game state often makes Spitting Earth a preferred choice for players running decks rich in mountain lands.
Cards similar to Spitting Earth by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: While Spitting Earth doesn’t directly allow you to draw cards, it aids in card advantage by efficiently dealing with creatures. This removal spell can turn one of your cards into negating one of your opponent’s, often more valuable, creatures.
Resource Acceleration: Spitting Earth itself doesn’t provide a direct resource acceleration. However, it can indirectly accelerate your resources by keeping the battlefield clear of potential threats that would otherwise require more costly spells to deal with, saving your mana in the long run.
Instant Speed: As a sorcery, Spitting Earth doesn’t have the flexibility of instant-speed spells. However, its straightforward damage calculation based on the amount of mountains you control makes it a very predictable and reliable removal during your turn, enabling strategic planning and execution of your game plan.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Spitting Earth does not require a discard but as a single-use spell, it could be considered a form of resource loss, especially if used on a less valuable target.
Specific Mana Cost: Spitting Earth demands both general and red mana, making it exclusive to decks that can produce red mana, which may not always align with a player’s strategy or mana base.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Spitting Earth’s damage output is directly tied to the number of mountains you control. This can be limiting as it often has a higher mana cost compared to other instant or sorcery cards that deal damage regardless of land type presence.
Reasons to Include Spitting Earth in Your Collection
Versatility: Spitting Earth is a simple yet effective removal spell that can be slotted into any deck with red mana sources. Its damage scales with the number of mountains you control, making it a useful card at various stages of the game.
Combo Potential: In decks that focus on land manipulation or those that can easily increase the number of mountains on the field, Spitting Earth’s damage output can be significantly amplified, synergizing well with strategies that benefit from dealing direct damage.
Meta-Relevance: With creature-heavy decks frequently dominating the play environment, having targeted removal like Spitting Earth ensures that you have the tools to manage potential threats on the battlefield effectively.
How to beat
Spitting Earth is a card that poses a direct threat to creatures with its damage based on land count. It shines in land-heavy decks, where its potential to take down sizable creatures grows. But beating this spell hinges on smart deck construction and strategic play. One trick is to include creatures with toughness exceeding the number of lands you typically see on the field. Opt for creatures with robust defenses to withstand a direct hit.
Another effective strategy is to employ instant-speed spells that can either protect your creatures or counter Spitting Earth. Spells like Blossoming Defense not only increase the toughness of your creature in response but also provide the added benefit of hexproof, ensuring your key creatures avoid being targeted altogether. Counterspells, such as Negate, which can counter noncreature spells, directly negate Spitting Earth’s effect.
Playing against a deck wielding Spitting Earth necessitates a proactive approach. Consider utilizing creatures with abilities that activate or trigger when they are targeted by a spell like Spitting Earth. This turns a potential disadvantage into an opportunity to gain value or disrupt your opponent’s strategy. Remember, adaptability and anticipation are your allies in overcoming this earthy onslaught.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Spitting Earth MTG card by a specific set like Mirage and Portal, 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 Spitting Earth 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 Spitting Earth Magic the Gathering card was released in 11 different sets between 1996-10-08 and 2020-07-17. Illustrated by 4 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1996-10-08 | Mirage | MIR | 193 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Brian Snõddy | |
| 2 | 1997-05-01 | Portal | POR | 150 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Hannibal King | |
| 3 | 1998-06-24 | Portal Second Age | P02 | 116 | 1997 | Normal | Black | David Horne | |
| 4 | 1999-04-21 | Classic Sixth Edition | 6ED | 208 | 1997 | Normal | White | Brian Snõddy | |
| 5 | 1999-07-01 | Starter 1999 | S99 | 117 | 1997 | Normal | White | Brian Snõddy | |
| 6 | 2001-04-11 | Seventh Edition | 7ED | 220 | 1997 | Normal | White | Michael Koelsch | |
| 7 | 2001-04-11 | Seventh Edition | 7ED | 220★ | 1997 | Normal | Black | Michael Koelsch | |
| 8 | 2007-07-13 | Tenth Edition | 10E | 238 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Michael Koelsch | |
| 9 | 2007-11-16 | Duel Decks: Elves vs. Goblins | DD1 | 55 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Michael Koelsch | |
| 10 | 2011-04-01 | Duel Decks: Knights vs. Dragons | DDG | 67 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Michael Koelsch | |
| 11 | 2014-12-05 | Duel Decks Anthology: Elves vs. Goblins | EVG | 55 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Michael Koelsch | |
| 12 | 2020-07-17 | Jumpstart | JMP | 364 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Michael Koelsch |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Spitting Earth has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |