Electrostatic Field MTG Card


Electrostatic Field - Guilds of Ravnica
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Wall
Abilities Defender
Released2018-10-05
Set symbol
Set nameGuilds of Ravnica
Set codeGRN
Power 0
Toughness 4
Number97
Frame2015
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byDan Scott

Key Takeaways

  1. Boosts damage output each time you cast an instant or sorcery, maximizing card efficiency.
  2. Perfect for spell-heavy decks, enabling damage during the opponent’s turn for strategic plays.
  3. Requires careful hand management and specific mana, posing a challenge for deck building.

Text of card

Defender Whenever you cast an instant or sorcery spell, Electrostatic Field deals 1 damage to each opponent.

"It's both an ingress-denial mechanism and an attractive hallway light!" —Daxiver, Izzet electromancer


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Electrostatic Field provides a constant source of incremental advantage as it deals damage to your opponent each time you cast an instant or sorcery, effectively turning your spells into dual-purpose tools for board control and player damage without additional card expenditure.

Resource Acceleration: While Electrostatic Field itself does not directly generate mana or tokens, it does accelerate your game plan by enabling a higher damage output without investing in additional cards, thus allowing you to allocate resources elsewhere while keeping up the pressure.

Instant Speed: This card thrives in a deck with instant speed spells. You can unleash spells during your opponent’s turn, dealing damage via Electrostatic Field while keeping your mana pool flexible for counters and removals, enhancing your responsive play capability.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While not applicable to Electrostatic Field directly, keep in mind that instants or sorceries needed to trigger its ability might deplete your hand, especially if your deck lacks card draw.

Specific Mana Cost: Electrostatic Field requires a specific mana combination of red and colorless. This may not blend well in multicolored decks that are tight on mana flexibility.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although only a two-mana card, in fast-paced games, there are other options that might start impacting the board sooner or offer additional benefits alongside dealing damage.


Reasons to Include Electrostatic Field in Your Collection

Versatility: Electrostatic Field works well in a variety of deck archetypes, particularly those revolving around instants and sorceries. Its ability to deal damage to each opponent each time you cast an instant or sorcery makes it a consistent threat on the board.

Combo Potential: This card shines in a spellslinger deck, where each spell cast not only furthers your game plan but also chips away at your opponents’ life totals. It can combine with cards that copy spells or with cost-reducing effects to create powerful synergies for a high-impact game.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where longer games are common, Electrostatic Field offers incremental advantage that can add up over time. Its defensive stats make it a durable presence against aggressive strategies, providing long-term value.


How to beat

Electrostatic Field presents a unique challenge on the battlefield as a defender that dishes out damage with each instant and sorcery you cast. It creates a consistent threat without ever attacking, providing ongoing value simply by holding the line and triggering its ability. To effectively dispatch this resonant wall, consider employing removal spells that bypass its defensive nature. Targeted removals like Murder or Unsummon are effective since they sidestep the need to deal combat damage. Spot removals work particularly well against Electrostatic Field due to its low toughness compared to its counterparts.

Another strategy is to nullify Electrostatic Field’s ability with cards that prevent or counter triggered abilities, like Tale’s End or Disallow. This approach shuts down the incremental damage without having to remove the defender itself. Players can also turn to enchantments like Pacifism or power-reducing effects that neutralize it as a threat while it’s on the field. Maintaining pressure with your own creatures can force an opponent to use resources ineffectively, potentially distracting them from optimizing Electrostatic Field’s damage potential. By understanding Electrostatic Field’s limitations and focusing on direct or ability-focused counters, you can mitigate the impact it has on your game plan and retain the upper hand.


BurnMana Recommendations

The allure of Electrostatic Field lies in its consistent damage output that complements a spell-centric strategy. It thrives in decks with a rich pool of instants and sorceries, subtly eroding opponent defenses turn by turn. While it does pose mana composition considerations and doesn’t generate resources on its own, the strategic depth it adds to gameplay is undeniable. In metagames favoring endurance and control, its persistent board presence can be crucial. If you’re looking to refine your MTG prowess and build a deck that leverages the subtle power of this card, we invite you to delve deeper into strategic deck building with us. Amplify your MTG expertise—gain insights and elevate your game with Electrostatic Field.


Cards like Electrostatic Field

Electrostatic Field presents a distinctive approach to dealing incremental damage in MTG. It bears similarities to cards like Firebrand Archer, which also delivers damage to each opponent whenever you cast a noncreature spell. However, the Archer’s ability to target creatures as well gives it a wider range of flexibility. Conversely, Electrostatic Field boasts a sturdier body with its notable 0/4 stats, enhancing its capacity to sustain damage and remain on the battlefield longer.

Thermo-Alchemist is another card that rivals Electrostatic Field’s strategy. Both cards possess defender and deal damage through casting spells, but Thermo-Alchemist has the added advantage of untapping each time you cast an instant or sorcery, allowing it to be utilized multiple times in a single turn if the right conditions are met. Additionally, the inclusion of Guttersnipe in this comparison showcases a creature that affects each opponent for two damage with each instants or sorcery spell cast, doubling the impact in comparison to Electrostatic Field’s single point of damage.

Considering the durability, cost-effectiveness, and damage potential, Electrostatic Field secures a valuable spot among its counterparts for players constructing a deck oriented around casting numerous spells and chipping away at their opponents’ life totals over time.

Firebrand Archer - MTG Card versions
Thermo-Alchemist - MTG Card versions
Guttersnipe - MTG Card versions
Firebrand Archer - MTG Card versions
Thermo-Alchemist - MTG Card versions
Guttersnipe - MTG Card versions

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Goblin Rock Sled - MTG Card versions
Dwarven Lieutenant - MTG Card versions
Goblin Recruiter - MTG Card versions
Heart Sliver - MTG Card versions
Mogg Flunkies - MTG Card versions
Goblin Elite Infantry - MTG Card versions
Fireslinger - MTG Card versions
Skittish Kavu - MTG Card versions
Rage Weaver - MTG Card versions
Minotaur Explorer - MTG Card versions
Sparksmith - MTG Card versions
Goblin Lookout - MTG Card versions
Skirk Marauder - MTG Card versions
Hellspark Elemental - MTG Card versions
Storm Entity - MTG Card versions
Dwarven Soldier - MTG Card versions
Mogg War Marshal - MTG Card versions
Stigma Lasher - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Electrostatic Field MTG card by a specific set like Guilds of Ravnica, 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 Electrostatic Field and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Electrostatic Field has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Electrostatic Field card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2018-10-05 Electrostatic Field’s triggered ability resolves before the spell that caused it to trigger. It resolves even if that spell is countered.
2018-10-05 In a Two-Headed Giant game, Electrostatic Field’s triggered ability causes the opposing team to lose 2 life.

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