Updraft Elemental MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Elemental |
| Abilities | Flying |
| Released | 2015-03-27 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Dragons of Tarkir |
| Set code | DTK |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 4 |
| Number | 82 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Raf Sarmento |
Text of card
Flying
"It slips through the smallest cracks in the mountain, emerging whole and unfettered. There is nowhere it cannot go, for what can hold back the air itself?" —Chanyi, Ojutai monk
Cards like Updraft Elemental
Updraft Elemental is an intriguing flyer in the realm of Magic: The Gathering. Standing alongside creatures like Welkin Tern, both share the power to soar over the battlefield with flying. While Updraft Elemental has a solid defense of 4, the Welkin Tern boasts a more aggressive approach with 2 power, but can only block creatures with flying. Another aerial card to consider is Vaporkin, which also has the restriction of only being able to block creatures with flying but offers a higher power of 2 at the expense of a lower defense.
Comparatively, the Spire Owl offers a different advantage with its ability to rearrange the top four cards of your library when it enters the battlefield. Although they boast similar casting costs, Spire Owl presents a strategic setup for forthcoming plays, contrasting with Updraft Elemental’s more defensive posture. Moreover, Snapping Drake is a card that parallels the Updraft Elemental with its 3/2 stats, blending both offensive and defensive traits but with a mana cost that’s one higher.
Ultimately, Updraft Elemental emerges as a reliable defensive flyer in Magic: The Gathering. Its high toughness makes it a substantial obstacle, particularly in formats where board control is crucial, and exemplifies versatility among its counterparts in the skies.
Cards similar to Updraft Elemental by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Harnessing the strategic benefit of Updraft Elemental, players can effectively block incoming attacks without losing card advantage. This blue creature with flying provides a robust defensive front while maintaining the player’s hand size.
Resource Acceleration: Although the Updraft Elemental itself doesn’t produce additional mana or resources, its low casting cost facilitates faster plays. It fits smoothly into decks focused on ramping up to more formidable threats or setting the stage for high-impact plays in the mid to late game.
Instant Speed: While the Updraft Elemental is a creature and not an instant, its presence on the battlefield can influence opponents’ decisions. The capacity to deter aerial attackers as a flying blocker impacts the pacing and strategy of the match, echoing the benefits of having instant speed interactions at the player’s disposal.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Updraft Elemental does not directly require you to discard a card, it’s essential to consider when allocating resources that keeping this card in your hand can hinder your ability to play other cards with discard effects.
Specific Mana Cost: Requiring two blue mana to cast, Updraft Elemental is restrictive and fits best in mono-blue or heavily blue-oriented decks, potentially limiting its versatility in multicolored or less mana-flexible strategies.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana for a relatively vanilla 1/4 flier, Updraft Elemental may not offer the best value, especially when compared to other spells or creatures that could provide greater impact or utility for the same or lower mana investment.
Reasons to Include Updraft Elemental in Your Collection
Versatility: Updraft Elemental offers a resilient flying blocker, making it a seamless fit in Limited formats or decks that value air defense. Its flying ability allows it to be a consistent presence in the skies, contesting opponents’ aerial threats effectively.
Combo Potential: With a respectable toughness, Updraft Elemental serves as a stable foundation for decks that focus on defensive strategies or those using cards that benefit from creatures with flying. It can also be part of combos that take advantage of blue’s numerous flying synergies or as a protector for your planeswalkers.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta dominated by aggressive ground strategies, Updraft Elemental can provide essential breathing room. While it may not be a mainstay in all decks, its specific role in defending against early flying creatures can be crucial in turning the tide of battle in your favor.
How to beat Updraft Elemental
Updraft Elemental stands out as a resilient flyer in the realm of defensive creatures. With a body of 1/4, it’s a low-threat but tough wall in the sky, often stalling early game aggressions. Players looking to counter this airborne defender should consider leveraging cards with flying reach or spells that can deal direct damage. Cards like Lightning Bolt can swiftly eliminate Updraft Elemental, circumventing its defensive capabilities.
Cards providing -X/-X effects work exceptionally well, as they can reduce Updraft Elemental’s toughness, making it more susceptible to combat damage or easier to finish with other spells or abilities. Another effective strategy is to side-step the creature entirely, using unblockable creatures or spells that tap or freeze opponents’ creatures to keep the skies clear for a strategic strike. In multi-color decks, enchantments or spells that negate the flying ability can level the playing field, ensuring Updraft Elemental’s aerial control is short-lived.
In essence, though Updraft Elemental can be a short-term roadblock, there are numerous ways to circumvent or dispose of this card, making it a manageable obstacle for a strategic player armed with the right strategies and cards.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Updraft 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 Updraft 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
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Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Updraft Elemental has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |