Water Elemental MTG Card
1993-08-05 - Number 91
1993-10-04 - Number 92
1993-12-01 - Number 92
1993-12-10 - Number 92
1993-12-10 - Number 92
1994-04-01 - Number 92
1994-04-01 - Number 92
1994-06-21 - Number 92
1995-04-01 - Number 115
1995-04-01 - Number 115
1999-07-01 - Number 60
2011-01-10 - Number 70
2022-11-28 - Number 91
2022-11-28 - Number 388
| Card sets | Released in 14 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Elemental |
| Power | 5 |
| Toughness | 4 |
Cards like Water Elemental
The Water Elemental is a classic creature in Magic: The Gathering, sharing similar traits with a variety of elemental cards. In the realm of MTG, comparability is often rooted in mana cost, power, and toughness—the raw material for evaluating a card’s effectiveness in play. Serpent of the Endless Sea, for instance, also showcases the same amount of power and toughness with a minor variation. The Serpent’s ability to only attack if a player controls an Island, however, restricts it and somehow balances it against the open-ended flexibility of Water Elemental.
Moving towards versatility, the Air Elemental presents itself as another similar card in terms of mana cost and power. The key difference lies in its flying ability, providing added aerial advantage over the non-flying Water Elemental. This trade-off is essential to consider for players crafting a deck with a strong aerial defense or offense strategy.
In summation, cards like Water Elemental exemplify how MTG’s creatures cater to varied strategies. Although not equipped with advanced abilities, its decent power and toughness for its cost make it a considerable choice for players looking to establish a strong board presence without the need for specialized deck conditions.
Cards similar to Water Elemental by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Water Elemental is a classic card that can impact the board by representing a sizable threat. While it doesn’t directly offer card draw, its sheer presence can deter opponents from attacking, potentially conserving your other resources and hence indirectly contributing to card advantage through board control.
Resource Acceleration: While the Water Elemental itself doesn’t provide resource acceleration, its traditional role in decks that feature ramp spells helps to showcase its importance. Deploying a Water Elemental ahead of schedule by using mana acceleration techniques can give you a significant tempo boost.
Instant Speed: Although the Water Elemental is cast at sorcery speed, it’s essential to understand its interaction with instant-speed spells. Having a substantial creature like the Water Elemental on your battlefield allows you to apply pressure while keeping mana open for instant-speed interaction, thus blurring the lines for your opponent and possibly creating openings for advantageous play.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: In the case of Water Elemental, while there’s no discard requirement directly linked to this creature itself, it’s important to note that managing your hand in MTG often means making difficult decisions. Keeping this Elemental on the field might mean discarding other potentially beneficial cards at some point.
Specific Mana Cost: Water Elemental’s casting cost requires both generic and blue mana, which may not blend seamlessly into every deck type. Specifically, its reliance on blue mana restricts it to being mostly useful within mono-blue or blue-inclusive multicolored decks, possibly limiting its overall adaptability.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana value primarily devoted to power rather than any additional abilities, Water Elemental’s cost can be considered high when comparing it to other creatures within the same mana range that also provide valuable abilities or have a lesser summoning cost, thus offering a potentially higher strategic value in a match.
Reasons to Include Water Elemental in Your Collection
Versatility: Water Elemental’s straightforward power-to-mana cost ratio makes it a reliable choice for decks needing solid creatures. Its simplicity allows it to adapt to various blue-based strategies without complicating your game plan.
Combo Potential: As a pure blue creature, it has potential synergies with cards that benefit from having creatures with a specific color identity or type. Within the right deck, it can enhance strategies centered around sea creatures or elemental tribal themes.
Meta-Relevance: While not at the forefront of competitive play, the card’s presence in casual or thematic decks can catch opponents off-guard, especially in environments where large creatures are advantageous. Its pure elemental form can be relevant in metas where elemental buffs are prevalent.
How to beat
Water Elemental is a classic creature card in the realm of Magic: The Gathering, known for its straightforward yet robust presence on the battlefield. Being a blue creature, it typically finds its home in decks that revolve around control and midrange strategies. When facing off against Water Elemental, it’s essential to recognize its lack of abilities beyond raw power and toughness; here lies your opportunity for a strategic advantage.
One common method to overcome Water Elemental involves using removal spells that can handle creatures of its size. Black spells like Doom Blade or Murder are efficient ways to neutralize it, especially since Water Elemental does not possess any intrinsic protection. Besides, red spells that deal damage, such as Lightning Bolt or Shock, might not eliminate it on their own but can finish it off if it’s already weakened in combat.
Additionally, counterspells are particularly effective. Denying its arrival on the field prevents its sheer size from becoming a problem. As for players wielding green decks, combat tricks to enhance your creatures or employing larger creatures like Leatherback Baloth can sway the fight in your favor. By understanding and anticipating your opponent’s plays and cleverly using your removal resources, triumphing over the Water Elemental becomes a much more attainable feat.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Water Elemental MTG card by a specific set like Limited Edition Alpha and Limited Edition Beta, 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 Water 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
See MTG Products
Printings
The Water Elemental Magic the Gathering card was released in 13 different sets between 1993-08-05 and 2022-11-28. Illustrated by Jeff A. Menges.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1993-08-05 | Limited Edition Alpha | LEA | 91 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Jeff A. Menges | |
| 2 | 1993-10-04 | Limited Edition Beta | LEB | 92 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Jeff A. Menges | |
| 3 | 1993-12-01 | Unlimited Edition | 2ED | 92 | 1993 | Normal | White | Jeff A. Menges | |
| 4 | 1993-12-10 | Collectors' Edition | CED | 92 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Jeff A. Menges | |
| 5 | 1993-12-10 | Intl. Collectors' Edition | CEI | 92 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Jeff A. Menges | |
| 6 | 1994-04-01 | Foreign Black Border | FBB | 92 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Jeff A. Menges | |
| 7 | 1994-04-01 | Revised Edition | 3ED | 92 | 1993 | Normal | White | Jeff A. Menges | |
| 8 | 1994-06-21 | Summer Magic / Edgar | SUM | 92 | 1993 | Normal | White | Jeff A. Menges | |
| 9 | 1995-04-01 | Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border | 4BB | 115 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Jeff A. Menges | |
| 10 | 1995-04-01 | Fourth Edition | 4ED | 115 | 1993 | Normal | White | Jeff A. Menges | |
| 11 | 1999-07-01 | Starter 1999 | S99 | 60 | 1997 | Normal | White | Jeff A. Menges | |
| 12 | 2011-01-10 | Masters Edition IV | ME4 | 70 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Jeff A. Menges | |
| 13 | 2022-11-28 | 30th Anniversary Edition | 30A | 91 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jeff A. Menges | |
| 14 | 2022-11-28 | 30th Anniversary Edition | 30A | 388 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Jeff A. Menges |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Water Elemental has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Oldschool | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |