Wall of Kelp MTG Card

Wall of Kelp allows the creation of Kelp tokens, enhancing board control with each mana spent. Kelp tokens fuel sacrifice mechanics, enabling faster strategic plays in creature-heavy decks. The ability to generate tokens at instant speed provides flexibility, surprising opponents with blockers.

Homelands (HML)
1995-10-01 - Number 40

Masters Edition II (ME2)
2008-09-22 - Number 74

Card sets	Released in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Rare
Type	Creature — Plant Wall
Abilities	Defender
Power	0
Toughness	3

Text of card

o Uo U, oc T: Put a Kelp token into play. Treat this token as a 0/1 blue wall.

"Ya can eat it or ya can weave it, but ya can't fight in it." —Zeki, Reef Pirate

Cards like Wall of Kelp

Wall of Kelp holds a unique position among defender creatures in Magic: The Gathering. Comparable to other walls like Wall of Blossoms or Wall of Omens, Wall of Kelp provides a different kind of defensive advantage. Where Walls of Blossoms and Omens draw you a card upon entering the battlefield, Wall of Kelp brings the ability to create further blockers. The card essentially allows you to pay two mana and put a 0/1 blue Wall creature token with defender onto the battlefield.

Moving towards Wall of Frost, another stalwart defender, it lacks Wall of Kelp’s token generating capability. However, its strength lies in the fact that when it blocks, creatures it blocks don’t untap during the controller’s next untap step, providing a semi-permanent disable to the attacker. Finally, the inclusion of Wall of Junk which, albeit a lesser-known wall, can block any creature regardless of its power and bounces back to hand post-combat, being ready to defend yet again.

Considering Wall of Kelp’s ability to produce additional defenders can be endlessly advantageous in creating a robust defense matrix. This capability, especially potent in a defender or sea-creature themed deck, makes Wall of Kelp a card with unique strategic value in Magic: The Gathering.

Cards similar to Wall of Kelp by color, type and mana cost

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Card Pros

Card Advantage: Wall of Kelp provides a unique advantage by allowing you to create additional Kelp tokens. This means for every mana you invest, you’re expanding your board presence without losing cards from your hand, bolstering your defenses, and potential combos each turn.

Resource Acceleration: These Kelp tokens can be beneficial in decks that capitalize on the number of creatures you control or sacrifice mechanics. Each token can be an additional resource for various abilities, enabling faster execution of your strategy and accelerating your resource development.

Instant Speed: Although Wall of Kelp itself isn’t an instant, the activated ability to create Kelp tokens can be used at instant speed. This flexible timing can be detrimental to opponents as you can produce blockers when they least expect it, during their turn, or at the end of their turn to prepare for your next offensive.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: This card does not directly warrant a discard, yet its ability to generate value is contingent upon possessing other cards that require a discard, leading to potential disadvantages if your hand is running thin.

Specific Mana Cost: Wall of Kelp demands a precise blend of mana, specifically green and blue, which can restrict its inclusion to particular deck archetypes that support these colors, potentially curtailing deck diversity.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that includes two specific mana, the card might be considered somewhat expensive for the defensive utility it provides, especially when benchmarked against other defensive options in MTG.

Reasons to Include Wall of Kelp in Your Collection

Versatility: Wall of Kelp offers solid defense for any deck looking to build a strong line of blockers or protect valuable planeswalkers. Its ability to generate additional blocker tokens consistently is a boon for decks that need time to establish their game plan.

Combo Potential: The Kelp tokens created by Wall of Kelp offer synergistic interactions with cards that capitalize on creature count, sacrifice for benefits, or those that empower sea creatures. Pair this with cards that untap creatures for exponential growth on your battlefield.

Meta-Relevance: In a gameplay environment with aggressive strategies, Wall of Kelp can be an essential tool. It creates a bottleneck for opponents and ensures your life total remains safe while you draw into your deck’s power cards or set up for a winning combo.

How to beat

Wall of Kelp is a unique defender in the world of MTG, renowned for its ability to create Kelp tokens. These tokens can serve as a formidable barrier, making it tricky for opponents to breakthrough. To overcome this seaweed stronghold, the key is to focus on removal spells that bypass the wall’s defensive capabilities. Spells that can deal damage without being dependent on combat, like Lightning Bolt or Doom Blade, are effective tools for clearing a path.

Additionally, taking advantage of flying creatures can be a sound strategy, as Wall of Kelp cannot block those. Enchantment-based removals, such as Detention Sphere or Oblivion Ring, can also remove the wall from the board without the need to engage it directly. Furthermore, applying pressure with non-combat strategies, like mill or direct player damage, can circumvent the protection Wall of Kelp offers entirely. The strategy is to employ versatility in your deck, ensuring you have the answers to defensive structures that can stifle your offense.

Considering these various tactics, defeating Wall of Kelp involves a blend of direct removal, evasion, and alternative win conditions, making it a challenge but not an insurmountable one for seasoned MTG players.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Wall of Kelp MTG card by a specific set like Homelands and Masters Edition II, 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 Wall of Kelp and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Wall of Kelp Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1995-10-01 and 2008-09-22. Illustrated by Alan Rabinowitz.

#	Released	Name	Code	Symbol	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	1995-10-01	Homelands	HML		40	1993	Normal	Black	Alan Rabinowitz
2	2008-09-22	Masters Edition II	ME2		74	1997	Normal	Black	Alan Rabinowitz

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Wall of Kelp has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Premodern	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal