Clinging Anemones MTG Card


Its encore ability provides a persistent threat that demands opponent attention and effective response. Checking aggressive player strategies, this card becomes a substantial blocker if evolved with larger creatures. While versatile, its mana requirement and higher casting cost may limit the card’s usage in non-blue decks.
Clinging Anemones - Gatecrash
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Jellyfish
Abilities Defender,Evolve
Released2013-02-01
Set symbol
Set nameGatecrash
Set codeGTC
Power 1
Toughness 4
Number31
Frame2003
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byMike Bierek

Text of card

Defender Evolve (Whenever a creature enters the battlefield under your control, if that creature has greater power or toughness than this creature, put a +1/+1 counter on this creature.)


Cards like Clinging Anemones

In the sprawling ecosystem of Magic: The Gathering, Clinging Anemones brings an interesting dynamic to the defender creatures’ pool. Its resemblance to guardians like Wall of Frost is notable, particularly as they both excel in impeding the opponent’s creatures with their sturdy defensive stats. What elevates Clinging Anemones is its evolve ability, allowing it to grow stronger whenever a creature with greater power or toughness enters the battlefield under your control.

Another creature worth mentioning in this context is Murmuring Phantasm. Although both are defenders with significant toughness, the absence of evolve on Murmuring Phantasm means that unlike Clinging Anemones, it doesn’t have the potential to progress and turn into a more formidable blocker as the game advances. Alternatively, creatures like Hover Barrier offer a flying defense, which can be pivotal in games, yet they lack the evolutionary potential of Clinging Anemones which can continuously scale throughout the match.

Assessing the utility and capabilities of these creatures, Clinging Anemones stands out among its kin for its inherent potential to become an increasingly challenging obstacle for opponents, making it a unique and valuable card in MTG’s vast catalog of defensive creatures.

Wall of Frost - MTG Card versions
Murmuring Phantasm - MTG Card versions
Hover Barrier - MTG Card versions
Wall of Frost - MTG Card versions
Murmuring Phantasm - MTG Card versions
Hover Barrier - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Clinging Anemones by color, type and mana cost

Phantasmal Forces - MTG Card versions
Phantom Monster - MTG Card versions
Wall of Vapor - MTG Card versions
Tradewind Rider - MTG Card versions
Archivist - MTG Card versions
Thieving Magpie - MTG Card versions
Inga Rune-Eyes - MTG Card versions
Sakashima of a Thousand Faces - MTG Card versions
Laboratory Drudge - MTG Card versions
Undercover Operative - MTG Card versions
Hisoka, Minamo Sensei - MTG Card versions
Johnny, Combo Player - MTG Card versions
Dream Prowler - MTG Card versions
Clone - MTG Card versions
Cytoplast Manipulator - MTG Card versions
Crookclaw Transmuter - MTG Card versions
Dreamborn Muse - MTG Card versions
Turtleshell Changeling - MTG Card versions
Sower of Temptation - MTG Card versions
Glen Elendra Archmage - MTG Card versions
Phantasmal Forces - MTG Card versions
Phantom Monster - MTG Card versions
Wall of Vapor - MTG Card versions
Tradewind Rider - MTG Card versions
Archivist - MTG Card versions
Thieving Magpie - MTG Card versions
Inga Rune-Eyes - MTG Card versions
Sakashima of a Thousand Faces - MTG Card versions
Laboratory Drudge - MTG Card versions
Undercover Operative - MTG Card versions
Hisoka, Minamo Sensei - MTG Card versions
Johnny, Combo Player - MTG Card versions
Dream Prowler - MTG Card versions
Clone - MTG Card versions
Cytoplast Manipulator - MTG Card versions
Crookclaw Transmuter - MTG Card versions
Dreamborn Muse - MTG Card versions
Turtleshell Changeling - MTG Card versions
Sower of Temptation - MTG Card versions
Glen Elendra Archmage - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Clinging Anemones offer their controller a potential card advantage by forcing an opponent to deal with the card’s persisting presence. Its encore ability can create multiple instances of the creature, threatening to return and prolonging the necessity for opponents to address it multiple times.

Resource Acceleration: While Clinging Anemones itself doesn’t directly provide resource acceleration, its existence on the battlefield can lead to indirect resource gains. It plays a defensive role by deterring attacks or absorbing harmful spells that would otherwise be directed at the player’s more vital permanents.

Instant Speed: Although Clinging Anemones isn’t an instant card, its resilience and encore ability can force your opponent to play as though it is. This results in opponents possibly holding back instant speed removal in anticipation of the Anemones’ return, altering their play pattern to your strategic benefit.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Clinging Anemones’ evolve mechanic often necessitates having creatures enter the battlefield with greater power, something that might not always align with your hand or deck strategy. The reliance on the deployment of other creatures to trigger evolves may result in situations where its potential remains untapped.

Specific Mana Cost: Clinging Anemones requires a blue mana to cast, which could restrict its playability to only blue or multicolored decks that can accommodate its specific mana needs. Players running decks without blue mana will have to overlook this card despite its benefits.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of four mana, which includes one blue, Clinging Anemones comes at a relatively high investment for an effect that may not be instantaneously impactful. Given that it’s a 1/4 creature, other cards may provide a more aggressive presence on the battlefield for the same or lower mana investment.


Reasons to Include Clinging Anemones in Your Collection

Versatility: Clinging Anemones may not be the flashiest card, but its Evolve mechanic allows it to grow stronger as you play larger creatures, making it a suitable addition to decks focused on +1/+1 counter strategies.

Combo Potential: Its ability to grow makes it an interesting choice for synergistic interactions with proliferate mechanics or as part of a wall defense strategy that benefits from counters.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where aggressive strategies thrive, Clinging Anemones offers a low-cost blocker that can potentially deter early attacks and become a sizeable threat on its own with the right support from other cards.


How to beat

Clinging Anemones is a blue creature card often seen in the waters of deck building for control strategies within Magic: The Gathering. Bearing the evolve mechanic, it has the potential to grow stronger each time you cast a creature with greater power or toughness than it. Thus, to combat this sea creature, it’s advisable to manage your battlefield and keep a tight leash on the number of creatures you play. Direct removal spells are your best ally—by casting spells like Doom Blade or Path to Exile, you can remove Clinging Anemones before it becomes a substantial threat.

Another tactic is to use board wipes, such as Supreme Verdict or Wrath of God, which can reset the board and send all creatures, including the Anemones, back to the depths from whence they came. In addition, preventing the Anemones from evolving is key; playing creatures in a strategic way that doesn’t trigger the Anemones’ growth can be essential in maintaining control. As always, knowing when to hold back and when to go all in will guide you to victory against the persistent Clinging Anemones.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Clinging Anemones MTG card by a specific set like Gatecrash, 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 Clinging Anemones and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Clinging Anemones has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2013-04-15 If a creature enters the battlefield with +1/+1 counters on it, consider those counters when determining if evolve will trigger. For example, a 1/1 creature that enters the battlefield with two +1/+1 counters on it will cause the evolve ability of a 2/2 creature to trigger.
2013-04-15 If evolve triggers, the stat comparison will happen again when the ability tries to resolve. If neither stat of the new creature is greater, the ability will do nothing. If the creature that entered the battlefield leaves the battlefield before evolve tries to resolve, use its last known power and toughness to compare the stats.
2013-04-15 If multiple creatures enter the battlefield at the same time, evolve may trigger multiple times, although the stat comparison will take place each time one of those abilities tries to resolve. For example, if you control a 2/2 creature with evolve and two 3/3 creatures enter the battlefield, evolve will trigger twice. The first ability will resolve and put a +1/+1 counter on the creature with evolve. When the second ability tries to resolve, neither the power nor the toughness of the new creature is greater than that of the creature with evolve, so that ability does nothing.
2013-04-15 When comparing the stats as the evolve ability resolves, it’s possible that the stat that’s greater changes from power to toughness or vice versa. If this happens, the ability will still resolve and you’ll put a +1/+1 counter on the creature with evolve. For example, if you control a 2/2 creature with evolve and a 1/3 creature enters the battlefield under your control, it toughness is greater so evolve will trigger. In response, the 1/3 creature gets +2/-2. When the evolve trigger tries to resolve, its power is greater. You’ll put a +1/+1 counter on the creature with evolve.
2013-04-15 When comparing the stats of the two creatures for evolve, you always compare power to power and toughness to toughness.
2013-04-15 Whenever a creature enters the battlefield under your control, check its power and toughness against the power and toughness of the creature with evolve. If neither stat of the new creature is greater, evolve won’t trigger at all.