War Elemental MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Rare
Type	Creature — Elemental
Released	2003-10-02
Set symbol
Set name	Mirrodin
Set code	MRD
Power	1
Toughness	1
Number	112
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Anthony S. Waters

Key Takeaways

War Elemental grows with damage dealt, potentially demanding multiple answers from opponents.
When combined with instant-speed spells, War Elemental can surprise and overpower adversaries.
Its presence strengthens red decks and can dramatically shift the dynamics of a game.

Text of card

When War Elemental comes into play, sacrifice it unless an opponent was dealt damage this turn. Whenever damage is dealt to an opponent, put that many +1/+1 counters on War Elemental.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: War Elemental shines in matches where it’s able to swell in power with each instance of damage to your opponents. This increase in size can equate to card advantage as it becomes a more formidable threat that requires multiple resources from your opponent to handle.

Resource Acceleration: While War Elemental itself doesn’t offer resource acceleration, it thrives in decks that focus on this element. The faster you can deal damage and grow the Elemental, the quicker it becomes a massive threat on the board that can overpower the game, demanding an immediate answer.

Instant Speed: War Elemental’s ability to grow whenever your opponent loses life makes it a natural pair with instant-speed damage spells. Cast damage-dealing spells at instant speed, boost the Elemental’s power, and catch your opponent off-guard with a suddenly overwhelming attacker.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Players must discard a card to unleash the power of the War Elemental. This condition is especially cumbersome when your hand is running low, and you need to maintain resources to respond to opponents’ actions or to guard against unforeseen threats.

Specific Mana Cost: War Elemental comes with a precise mana requirement, needing red mana to cast. This compels deck builders to have a strong red mana base, restricting its inclusion only to mono-red or red-centric multicolor decks, thus limiting its versatility across various deck types.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that’s on the higher side, the War Elemental might not be as mana-efficient as other creatures in its range. For the cost and the initial setup required to make it a formidable force, alternative cards might provide more immediate impacts on the game, making it a less than optimal choice in fast-paced, highly competitive situations.

Reasons to Include War Elemental in Your Collection

Versatility: War Elemental is a powerful card that can be a game-changer in red-based decks. Its ability to grow in strength with each successful hit on your opponent makes it a valuable addition to decks that are aggressive or that can manipulate damage to ensure War Elemental grows rapidly.

Combo Potential: This card has high synergy with strategies that deal damage in multiple instances or with cards that double damage output, thus amplifying War Elemental’s power exponentially. This enables it to become a colossal threat that can end games quickly if left unchecked.

Meta-Relevance: In metas where aggressive strategies are dominant, War Elemental can shine. When facing decks that have a slower pace or that struggle with removing large creatures, War Elemental becomes a formidable presence that can dominate the battlefield and secure victories.

How to beat

The War Elemental can be quite the formidable threat on the battlefield when it’s on the opposing side in an MTG match. Its power grows as it deals damage, which can spiral out of control if not addressed promptly. To tackle this growing menace, disrupting your opponent’s strategy before the Elemental gets too strong is key. Removal spells that can target the Elemental before it accrues too much damage, like Path to Exile or Doom Blade, are efficient ways to deal with it early on.

Playing control decks that offer consistent removal options can keep a War Elemental in check. Counter spells also serve as a preemptive measure, preventing the War Elemental from entering the battlefield altogether. In multi-color decks, combining exile or bounce mechanics with counterspells can provide an edge. Ensnaring Bridge and similar cards that prevent creatures from attacking based on hand size are also effective since War Elemental has to be declared as an attacker to preserve its presence on the field.

Staying ahead involves strategic foresight and a well-constructed deck with answers to such heavy hitters. Timely removal and preemptive counters are essential in keeping your opponent’s War Elemental from turning the tide of battle.

Cards like War Elemental

War Elemental is a unique and formidable creature in the realm of MTG, with a particular attraction to players fond of battle-triggered abilities. It shares a thematic kinship with the likes of Bloodthirst’s Stormblood Berserker, which similarly benefits from opponents taking damage. While the Berserker gets a boost in power and toughness after an opponent is dealt damage, War Elemental takes it a step further, amassing +1/+1 counters every time excess damage reaches an opponent, potentially growing without bounds.

delving into other parallels, Furnace Whelp stands out for its red-based, damage-centric design. While the Whelp is more control-focused, allowing incremental growth with each mana invested, it requires a consistent flow of resources, unlike War Elemental’s explosive growth potential. Finally, the tumultuous synergy found in Crater’s Claws harnesses the prowess of damage to deal a heavy blow. However, unlike the repetitive scaling of War Elemental, it’s a one-time effect that lacks the enduring board presence, showcasing War Elemental’s unique ability to shift the tide of a match continuously.

Assessing the characteristics of such creatures and spells, War Elemental claims its seat at the table of MTG’s powerful combat-centric cards. Its capacity for exponential growth and board influence keeps opponents on edge, making it a key player in red’s arsenal.

Cards similar to War Elemental by color, type and mana cost

Hobgoblin Bandit Lord - MTG Card versions

Mannichi, the Fevered Dream - MTG Card versions

Balduvian Barbarians - MTG Card versions

Stinkdrinker Daredevil - MTG Card versions

Mudbutton Torchrunner - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase War Elemental MTG card by a specific set like Mirrodin, 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 War Elemental and other MTG cards: