Walking Sponge MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Sponge |
| Released | 1999-02-15 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Urza's Legacy |
| Set code | ULG |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 1 |
| Number | 47 |
| Frame | 1997 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Ron Spencer |
Text of card
oc T: Target creature loses flying, first strike, or trample until end of turn.
Not only does it catch fish, it cleans them too.
Cards like Walking Sponge
Walking Sponge offers a unique twist in Magic: The Gathering’s assortment of quirky blue creatures. It bears resemblance to cards like Man-o’-War, which similarly disrupts the opponent by returning creatures to their hand. Nonetheless, Walking Sponge brings its own flair by being able to block and “soak” an activated ability from a creature it blocks. This subtlety can swing momentum by negating key abilities on the battlefield.
In comparison to the classic Horseshoe Crab, Walking Sponge does not require mana to activate its ability, making it a potentially more mana-efficient option during combat. However, unlike the Crab, the Sponge doesn’t offer repeatable uses of its ability and depends on specific interactions to be impactful. On another note, Tidebinder Mage can be seen as a similar card, offering control over creatures by tapping and not untapping them, which can be as strategically valuable as neutralizing abilities in certain decks.
Ultimately, among creatures that affect the board in subtle yet influential ways, Walking Sponge stands out for its niche ability to selectively neutralize threats and demands careful consideration in blue control decks within Magic: The Gathering.
Cards similar to Walking Sponge by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Walking Sponge allows for engagement in subtle but impactful tactical plays. By tapping or untapping another target creature, you can affect the board state to your favor, often neutralizing threats or enhancing your own attack strategies.
Resource Acceleration: This unassuming creature can be a part of strategies that seek to untap lands or other mana-generating permanents. This can boost your available resources and give you a noticeable lead in casting abilities and spells, enabling a more aggressive gameplay.
Instant Speed: The utilitarian nature of Walking Sponge shines when its ability is used at instant speed. This feature lets you react spontaneously to your opponent’s actions, adding a layer of surprise and strategy by altering the pace and outcomes of battles whenever needed.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One of the noticeable drawbacks of Walking Sponge is that engaging its ability might include discarding a card. This action can put you at a disadvantage, especially if your hand is already running thin on valuable cards.
Specific Mana Cost: Walking Sponge demands a specific mana arrangement to cast, which potentially restricts its inclusion to decks that can reliably produce the necessary colors. This requirement may hinder deck flexibility and limit the card’s general applicability across various strategies.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: When assessing Walking Sponge’s mana valuation against its in-game impact, its casting cost is on the higher side, given its capabilities. More efficient alternatives might be available that accomplish similar or superior effects with less mana investment, making it less tempting for deck optimization.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Walking Sponge is a flexible card that can be seamlessly included in different strategies, particularly those leveraging its ability to disrupt opponents with flying creatures.
Combo Potential: This card presents unique interaction opportunities, potentially pairing well with mechanics that capitalize on tapping or untapping creatures, thus enhancing its synergy within creative combo setups.
Meta-Relevance: In games where fliers dominate, Walking Sponge can serve as an effective sideboard option, or even as a main deck choice for adjusting to airborne threats in the current competitive scene.
How to beat
Walking Sponge might seem unassuming at first glance in the vast ocean of MTG cards, but its uniquely disruptive ability to soak up abilities from creatures it blocks or gets blocked by can hinder many strategies. Navigating an encounter with this creature requires a tactful approach. Cards that can remove it without triggering combat or those that prevent it from blocking are key. For instance, utilizing instant-speed removal spells such as Murder or Lightning Bolt allows you to address the Walking Sponge before it causes any serious trouble during the combat phase.
Altering your attack strategy can also minimize the inconvenience caused by the Walking Sponge. Prioritize exerting pressure on your opponent with flying creatures or ones with unblockable abilities, as Walking Sponge cannot absorb abilities if it cannot block the attacker. Furthermore, cards that grant trample to your creatures can dilute its impact, by ensuring that damage cascades over the sponge and still reaches your opponent.
To summarize, while Walking Sponge poses an unusual challenge, it can be tactically outmaneuvered. Employing non-combat removal, maximizing evasion tactics, and overwhelming it with superior force will neutralize this pesky creature and keep your game plan on track.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Walking Sponge MTG card by a specific set like Urza's Legacy, 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 Walking Sponge 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
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Walking Sponge has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Walking Sponge card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2004-10-04 | The target loses just one of the listed abilities. |