Electrostatic Pummeler MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityRare
TypeArtifact Creature — Construct
Power 1
Toughness 1

Key Takeaways

  1. Can grow into a major threat, demanding opponents use multiple resources, creating a hidden card advantage.
  2. Synergizes with energy decks, converting energy into substantial power for a potential game-changing damage burst.
  3. Ability activation at instant speed provides flexibility, making it a surprise threat during combat or in response to spells.

Text of card

When Electrostatic Pummeler enters the battlefield, you get (three energy counters). Pay : Electrostatic Pummeler gets +X/+X until end of turn, where X is its power.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: The presence of the Electrostatic Pummeler on the battlefield has the potential to tilt the game in your favor as it can rapidly grow into a formidable threat that must be answered. While it does not allow you to draw cards directly, it can force your opponent to expend multiple resources in dealing with it, effectively granting you an advantage.

Resource Acceleration: Electrostatic Pummeler synergizes well with decks that specialize in energy counters. The ability to convert energy into power allows you to make an impactful use of your accumulated resources, potentially accelerating your strategy by delivering a huge burst of damage ahead of schedule.

Instant Speed: While Electrostatic Pummeler itself is not an instant, its activation ability can be used at instant speed, offering the flexibility to surprise an opponent. In combat situations or in response to removal, the ability to double its power means it can become a threat at any time, often when your opponent least expects it.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Running the Electrostatic Pummeler in a deck requires a strategic stockpile of energy counters to maximize its potential. Without an ample reserve of these counters, which often involves additional card plays or discard actions, the Pummeler’s impact is significantly diminished.

Specific Mana Cost: Electrostatic Pummeler comes with a tailored mana cost that includes both generic and green mana, presenting a deck-building restriction that can hinder deck diversity. This makes it less adaptable outside of energy-themed or green-centric decks where mana can be synergized efficiently.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a three-mana requirement, the Pummeler vies for a slot in your mana curve against other three-drop creatures or spells. In fast-paced games, deploying it without immediate energy resources can put you at a relative disadvantage as other cards in the three-mana slot could potentially provide more immediate board presence or value.


Reasons to Include Electrostatic Pummeler in Your Collection

Versatility: Electrostatic Pummeler offers flexibility as a powerful addition to energy-based decks, willing to adapt and thrive in various game situations. Its ability to scale up power exponentially allows it to fit seamlessly into aggressive strategies that capitalize on large bursts of damage.

Combo Potential: With the right synergies, Electrostatic Pummeler can become a game-ending threat. It pairs exceptionally well with cards that generate or double energy counters, like Aether Hub and Bristling Hydra, enabling explosive turns that can overwhelm opponents.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta that favors swift, decisive plays, Electrostatic Pummeler has the prowess to shape matches in your favor. Its capability to swing for massive damage makes it a notable card to consider, particularly in an environment with fewer instant-speed removals that can disrupt its power amplification.


How to beat

The Electrostatic Pummeler card can often catch players off guard in MTG, due to its potential for explosive turns that multiply its power exponentially. Alongside the right support cards, it becomes a formidable threat. Yet, strategic planning and understanding your deck’s capabilities are key to countering it successfully.

One proven method is to manage removal spells efficiently. Instant speed removal like Fatal Push or Path to Exile can dismantle the Pummeler’s plan before it becomes too large to handle. Likewise, keeping up counterspells such as Negate can prevent key pump spells that would otherwise enable the Pummeler’s ability from resolving. Boards wipes are also potent, as they clear the Pummeler along with other creatures, especially before your opponent amasses enough energy to protect it with hexproof or pump its power.

Finally, effects that limit the Pummeler’s ability to attack, such as Pacifism, or those that prevent damage, like the Samite Healer ability, can also serve as roadblocks to the Pummeler’s strategy. By neutralizing this threat, your chances of overwhelming the Pummeler deck increase. In essence, maintaining control and having a response at critical junctures are essential tactics in overcoming the Electrostatic Pummeler card.


Cards like Electrostatic Pummeler

The Electrostatic Pummeler is a unique creature card that offers players a surge of power in Magic: The Gathering. Comparable creatures such as Walking Ballista also offer the ability to grow in power, yet the Electrostatic Pummeler specializes in a single, explosive burst. While Walking Ballista gains power gradually and can deal damage directly, Electrostatic Pummeler triples its power, but requires a buildup of energy reserves.

Another peer to the Pummeler is the Triskelion, a creature card that allows distribution of +1/+1 counters for direct damage. Both share the concept of manipulating counters, but Electrostatic Pummeler’s doubling effect contrasts with Triskelion’s steady, distributable damage. Moreover, the energy mechanic unique to the Pummeler gives it a distinct synergy within energy-centered decks that neither Walking Ballista nor Triskelion can replicate.

In conclusion, while there are several cards that manipulate counters to increase their potency, the Electrostatic Pummeler stands out for its capability to pack a massive punch in a single turn, making it an intriguing choice for players creating explosive combat strategies in their Magic: The Gathering decks.

Walking Ballista - MTG Card versions
Triskelion - MTG Card versions
Walking Ballista - Aether Revolt (AER)
Triskelion - Antiquities (ATQ)

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Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Electrostatic Pummeler MTG card by a specific set like Kaladesh and Kaladesh Promos, 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 Pummeler and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Electrostatic Pummeler Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2016-09-30 and 2020-11-12. Illustrated by Slawomir Maniak.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12016-09-30KaladeshKLD 2102015normalblackSlawomir Maniak
22016-09-30Kaladesh PromosPKLD 210s2015normalblackSlawomir Maniak
32020-09-26The ListPLST KLD-2102015normalblackSlawomir Maniak
42020-11-12Kaladesh RemasteredKLR 2372015normalblackSlawomir Maniak

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Electrostatic Pummeler has restrictions

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

Rules and information

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

DateText
2016-09-20 The value of X is determined as Electrostatic Pummeler's last ability resolves.
2017-02-09 Energy counters are a kind of counter that a player may have. They're not associated with specific permanents. (Other kinds of counters that players may have include poison and experience.)
2017-02-09 Energy counters aren't mana. They don't go away as steps, phases, and turns end, and effects that add mana “of any type” to your mana pool can't give you energy counters.
2017-02-09 If an effect says you get one or more , you get that many energy counters. To pay one or more , you lose that many energy counters. Any effects that interact with counters a player gets, has, or loses can interact with energy counters.
2017-02-09 Keep careful track of how many energy counters each player has. You may do so by keeping a running count on paper, by using a die, or by any other clear and mutually agreeable method.
2017-02-09 You can't pay more energy counters than you have.
2017-02-09 is the energy symbol. It represents one energy counter.
2017-07-14 If this creature's power is negative as its ability resolves, X is considered to be 0. (This is a change from previous rulings.)

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