Surtland Elementalist MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 7 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Giant Wizard |
| Released | 2021-02-05 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Kaldheim |
| Set code | KHM |
| Power | 8 |
| Toughness | 8 |
| Number | 375 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Nicholas Gregory |
Text of card
As an additional cost to cast this spell, reveal a Giant card from your hand or pay . Whenever Surtland Elementalist attacks, you may cast an instant or sorcery spell from your hand without paying its mana cost.
Cards like Surtland Elementalist
In the Magic: The Gathering universe, Surtland Elementalist has kindred spirits that spark interest among players looking for powerful gameplay options. For instance, Storm Giant is a giant spell caster that resonates with Surtland Elementalist through their sizeable presence on the board. Both cards can turn the tide of battle, but Surtland Elementalist brings a unique touch by allowing players to cast instant or sorcery spells for free under certain conditions, leveraging previously played giants or wizards.
Exploring further, consider Aegar, the Freezing Flame. This card also leverages the synergy between giants and spells, although it’s focused on card advantage through damage rather than cost reduction. Aegar rewards you with card draws when your giants or spells deal excess damage, creating a different strategic edge. While each has its distinct advantages, Surtland Elementalist stands out for offering cost-efficiency in playing high-impact spells.
Delving into these comparisons showcases Surtland Elementalist’s place among giants and spell-slinging cards in Magic: The Gathering. Its unique combination of abilities offers deck builders a tempting way to cast game-changing spells by capitalizing on tribal synergies, distinguishing it as a card that blends raw power with strategic depth.
Cards similar to Surtland Elementalist by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Surtland Elementalist enables players to potentially cast a big spell without spending mana, leading to significant card advantage. It allows players to delve into their library to unleash powerful spells earlier than usual or without the mana cost that would typically be prohibitive.
Resource Acceleration: This card acts as a resource accelerator by tolerating the distinctive condition of using Snow mana and yet bypassing the regular mana cost of the spells it enables you to cast. This advantage can pivot the game in your favor by getting ahead in resource availability, influencing the board significantly earlier than normal.
Instant Speed: The ability to cast using Surtland Elementalist’s triggered ability at instant speed provides a substantial leverage. It offers the flexibility to respond to an opponent’s moves with unexpected force, potentially during their turn, which can disrupt their strategy and give you the upper hand.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One notable downside to Surtland Elementalist is the requirement to discard a card. In a game of MTG, each card in hand represents potential actions and strategies, so having to part with one can put you at a disadvantage, particularly if your hand is already running low on options.
Specific Mana Cost: The Surtland Elementalist comes with a specific mana cost that can be restrictive. To cast this spell, you need both blue and other generic mana, which makes it less versatile. It requires a dedicated deck build to consistently meet its mana demands, potentially limiting the card’s inclusion to only certain types of decks that can accommodate such requirements.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: The casting cost of Surtland Elementalist is also on the higher end, potentially slowing down your game plan. In MTG, efficiency is key, and there are other options available that might provide similar or better benefits with a lower investment, allowing players to keep up the tempo and maintain a competitive edge on the battlefield.
Reasons to Include Surtland Elementalist in Your Collection
Versatility: Surtland Elementalist serves as a powerful addition to spell-heavy decks, offering the ability to cast your mammoth spells by merely tapping your creatures, thereby bypassing hefty mana costs and enabling quicker, formidable plays on the battlefield.
Combo Potential: This card is adept at unlocking high-impact combos. By collaborating with creatures that untap either through their own abilities or external spells and effects, you can set the stage for casting multiple large spells in a single turn, pushing the limits of what your deck can achieve.
Meta-Relevance: In metagames dominated by control or ramp decks, Surtland Elementalist stands out as a potent contender. Its ability to leverage the board presence of creatures into casting game-changing spells allows you to maintain pressure and adaptability against the prevailing strategic archetypes.
How to beat
Confronting a Surtland Elementalist on the battlefield is a true test of wits and strategy in Magic: The Gathering. This card’s ability to cast a giant spell from your hand without paying its mana cost can quickly turn the tides of a game. To successfully navigate against this icy foe, focus on disruption. Removal spells that bounce it back to its owner’s hand or permanently exile it thwart the Elementalist’s daunting presence effectively. Taking control of the Elementalist with cards like Mind Control can not only neutralize the threat but turn its power against your opponent.
Counterplay is crucial as well. Counterspells are a Mage’s best defense against the Elementalist’s giant spell synergy. By keeping mana open and a counterspell in hand, you can mitigate the potentially game-changing effect of a free spell. Lastly, attacking your opponent’s resources directly, with land destruction or forcing them to discard, can prevent the Surtland Elementalist from being cast in the first place. By diluting their capabilities and reacting swiftly to threats, you can maintain dominance over this formidable Magic adversary.
Adapting to the dynamic Magic environment means always being ready for big plays like those enabled by Surtland Elementalist. With the right mix of foresight and reactive tactics, you can ensure your victory remains within reach.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Surtland Elementalist MTG card by a specific set like Kaldheim, 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 Surtland Elementalist 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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Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Surtland Elementalist has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Surtland Elementalist card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2021-02-05 | A Giant card is a creature card with the creature type Giant. Presumably, it will be the same size as all your other cards. |
| 2021-02-05 | If the spell has in its mana cost, you must choose 0 as the value of X. |
| 2021-02-05 | If you cast a spell using Surtland Elementalist’s triggered ability, you do so as part of the resolution of that ability. You can’t wait to cast the spell later in the turn. Timing permissions based on the card’s type are ignored, and the spell will resolve before blockers are declared. |
| 2021-02-05 | If you cast a spell “without paying its mana cost,” you can’t choose to cast it for any alternative costs. You can, however, pay additional costs, such as kicker costs. If the card has any mandatory additional costs, those must be paid to cast the spell. |