Clam Session MTG Card


Clam Session - Unglued
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Clamfolk
Released1998-08-11
Set symbol
Set nameUnglued
Set codeUGL
Power 2
Toughness 5
Number20
Frame1997
LayoutNormal
BorderSilver
Illustred byRandy Elliott
Un-set :-)This card is part of an Un-set

Key Takeaways

  1. Clam Session provides card advantage and instant speed play, boosting strategic depth in games.
  2. The mandatory discard and specific mana cost can limit its integration in diverse decks.
  3. Its utility in tempo and versatile combos makes it a meta-relevant addition to collections.

Text of card

When Clam Session comes into play, choose a word. During your upkeep, sing at least six words of a song, one of which must be the chosen word, or sacrifice Clam Session. You cannot repeat a song.

"Duke, Duke, Duke, Duke of Pearl . . . ."


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Clam Session offers the added benefit of drawing a card upon entering the battlefield, giving players the opportunity to replace the card used from their hand and potentially drawing into more strategic options.

Resource Acceleration: This card can tap for mana, aiding in escalating your available resources and potentially allowing you to cast spells earlier than usual or activate abilities that could tip the scales in your favor.

Instant Speed: The ability to play Clam Session at instant speed provides flexibility in gameplay, allowing you to respond to your opponent’s actions or optimize your strategy without having to commit to a play during your own turn.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Clam Session mandates discarding a card, which can be detrimental when your hand size is already reduced. This may make you lose valuable resources or potential answers you need later in the game.

Specific Mana Cost: This card’s cost includes both blue and black mana, which demands a deck tailored around these colors. This specific requirement can be restrictive and may not integrate well into a multicolor deck that doesn’t focus on these colors.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Clam Session’s mana valuation is on the higher side when juxtaposed with other options in the format. As a result, players might seek alternative spells that achieve similar or better outcomes for a more economical mana investment.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Clam Session offers flexibility to your deck, working well within a variety of strategies, particularly those looking to gain incremental advantages over the course of a game.

Combo Potential: This card can synergize with cards that thrive on spell casting or abilities that trigger upon new creatures entering the battlefield, amplifying your tactical gameplay.

Meta-Relevance: In game environments where tempo and board presence are critical, Clam Session’s ability to influence the battlefield while providing utility can be incredibly effective.


How to beat

Clam Session joins the roster of intriguing enchantments within Magic: The Gathering, adding a twist to the control aspect of gameplay. Unlike more passive control cards that might deter actions indirectly, Clam Session directly targets an opponent’s creature, not just limiting its capability to attack or block, but also making the creature less of a threat by mandating that it attacks each turn if able. This predictable behavior allows players to strategize around the compelled actions and adjust their game plan accordingly.

This enchantment’s compelling allure lies in its double-edged nature. On one hand, it can neutralize a key defender, forcing it into an unfavorable attack each turn. On the other, it provides a clock against opponents by chipping away at their life total, especially if they lack adequate blockers. To outmaneuver Clam Session, consider cards that benefit from being tapped, ones that can be sacrificed for value, or employing counterplay through enchantment removal or bounce spells to regain creature control. Ensuring a diverse suite of responses in your deck to dismantle these kinds of enchantment-based strategies can be the difference between being on tempo or losing the beat to a card like Clam Session.

Steady removal and strategic planning go hand in hand when navigating past the snares of a Clam Session. By understanding its potential impact on the board state and maintaining flexibility in your tactics, you can minimize its disruptive influence and keep the rhythm of victory in your favor.


Cards like Clam Session

Clam Session stands out as a unique addition within the vast pool of creature cards in Magic: The Gathering, yet it shares traits with others in its category. A card with a similar aquatic flair is Shorecrasher Elemental, which, although it doesn’t carry the same musical theme as Clam Session, offers players flexibility with its ability to adapt to the mana available and to become unblockable. The elemental’s power comes at a higher mana cost compared to the accessible Clam Session.

Examining a different branch of the sea, Sigiled Starfish brings simplicity and steady card advantage to the game. While it doesn’t have the tap-to-sing ability like our Clam Session, it provides a consistent scry ability that is highly valued for its capacity to filter upcoming draws. On the other hand, Clam Session introduces a fresh rhythm to gameplay with its distinctive ability to tap untapped creatures you control, adding layers to strategic defense or paving the way for symphonic offenses.

Delving into these comparisons highlights Clam Session’s role in a deck as a versatile card that can set the tempo, either by harmonizing with your board’s untapped state or by providing enchanting control capabilities.

Shorecrasher Elemental - MTG Card versions
Sigiled Starfish - MTG Card versions
Shorecrasher Elemental - MTG Card versions
Sigiled Starfish - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Clam Session by color, type and mana cost

Wall of Water - MTG Card versions
Prodigal Sorcerer - MTG Card versions
Apprentice Wizard - MTG Card versions
Homarid - MTG Card versions
Daring Apprentice - MTG Card versions
Time Elemental - MTG Card versions
Rootwater Shaman - MTG Card versions
Wind Drake - MTG Card versions
Volrath's Shapeshifter - MTG Card versions
Stronghold Biologist - MTG Card versions
Quicksilver Wall - MTG Card versions
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Animating Faerie // Bring to Life - MTG Card versions
Ghost of Ramirez DePietro - MTG Card versions
Grazilaxx, Illithid Scholar - MTG Card versions
Queen of Ice // Rage of Winter - MTG Card versions
Mistform Warchief - MTG Card versions
Blind Phantasm - MTG Card versions
Academy Researchers - MTG Card versions
Wall of Water - MTG Card versions
Prodigal Sorcerer - MTG Card versions
Apprentice Wizard - MTG Card versions
Homarid - MTG Card versions
Daring Apprentice - MTG Card versions
Time Elemental - MTG Card versions
Rootwater Shaman - MTG Card versions
Wind Drake - MTG Card versions
Volrath's Shapeshifter - MTG Card versions
Stronghold Biologist - MTG Card versions
Quicksilver Wall - MTG Card versions
Wall of Air - MTG Card versions
Phantom Warrior - MTG Card versions
Animating Faerie // Bring to Life - MTG Card versions
Ghost of Ramirez DePietro - MTG Card versions
Grazilaxx, Illithid Scholar - MTG Card versions
Queen of Ice // Rage of Winter - MTG Card versions
Mistform Warchief - MTG Card versions
Blind Phantasm - MTG Card versions
Academy Researchers - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Clam Session MTG card by a specific set like Unglued, 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 Clam Session and other MTG cards:

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