Departed Deckhand MTG Card


Departed Deckhand excels in providing unblockability, quintessential for tactical advantage and direct damage. Specific mana requirements and vulnerability to targeting can limit its use and survivability in play. Its unique abilities, compared to similar cards, afford it a notable position within blue decks.
Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Spirit Pirate
Power 2
Toughness 2

Text of card

When Departed Deckhand becomes the target of a spell, sacrifice it. Departed Deckhand can't be blocked except by Spirits. : Another target creature you control can't be blocked this turn except by Spirits.


Cards like Departed Deckhand

Departed Deckhand stands out in MTG as a unique spirit pirate with an ability to make itself unblockable. In the realm of creatures with evasion, it shares similarities with Mist-Cloaked Herald, another unblockable creature. However, the distinction comes with the Deckhand’s secondary ability to grant unblockability to another creature, offering a more versatile strategy during play.

When examining Whispering Snitch, we note another creature imbued with a useful ability. While not directly related in terms of evasion, the Snitch’s ability to drain life upon surveil embodies a strategic advantage, much like how Departed Deckhand’s unblockability can be pivotal in certain game states. Furthermore, considering effectiveness, Departed Deckhand is susceptible to being targeted by spells that may disrupt its impact, a vulnerability less pronounced in Mist-Cloaked Herald due to its lower cost and simplicity.

Overall, while there are various creatures that offer forms of evasion and impact within the game, Departed Deckhand finds its niche through its ability to not only be a cunning threat on its own but also enhance the capability of other creatures to slip past defenses. Its combination of abilities adds depth to gameplay that similarly costed creatures might lack.

Mist-Cloaked Herald - MTG Card versions
Whispering Snitch - MTG Card versions
Mist-Cloaked Herald - MTG Card versions
Whispering Snitch - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Departed Deckhand by color, type and mana cost

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Soratami Cloudskater - MTG Card versions
Minamo Sightbender - MTG Card versions
Vodalian Soldiers - MTG Card versions
Zephyr Falcon - MTG Card versions
Giant Albatross - MTG Card versions
Phantasmal Sphere - MTG Card versions
Skyshroud Condor - MTG Card versions
School of Piranha - MTG Card versions
Coral Merfolk - MTG Card versions
Wu Light Cavalry - MTG Card versions
Sea Eagle - MTG Card versions
Overtaker - MTG Card versions
Hazy Homunculus - MTG Card versions
Darting Merfolk - MTG Card versions
Thought Eater - MTG Card versions
Spellstutter Sprite - MTG Card versions
Sneaky Homunculus - MTG Card versions
Coral Eel - MTG Card versions
Storm Crow - MTG Card versions
Aquamoeba - MTG Card versions
Soratami Cloudskater - MTG Card versions
Minamo Sightbender - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Departed Deckhand offers a strategic edge in gameplay by granting you the power to streamline your deck on the go. Its ability to bypass enemy defenses not only pressures the opponent but also ensures your crucial spells have a clear path to weave their magic, keeping your hand fluid and adaptable.

Resource Acceleration: While this spectral pirate does not directly accelerate resources, its mere presence can expedite your victory. By commanding the battlefield with its unblockable nature unless by Spirits, it opens the door for relentless assaults, pushing your opponent to expend resources hastily and inefficiently to stay afloat.

Instant Speed: Departed Deckhand’s ability to transform another creature into an unblockable entity until end of turn operates at instant speed. This versatile trait can disrupt your adversary’s calculations by delivering a surprise offensive or by cunningly nullifying their tactical blocks. Quick and decisive, this quality can tip the scales when least expected, keeping you at the helm of combat’s ebb and flow.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Departed Deckhand doesn’t explicitly require a discard, it does have an effect that shares a similar downside. When it becomes the target of a spell, it is sacrificed, which can feel like a loss of card advantage if you’ve invested resources to get it on the battlefield.

Specific Mana Cost: Departed Deckhand requires blue mana. This specific mana cost makes it exclusive to blue decks or decks that can generate blue mana, potentially limiting its versatility in multi-colored deck builds.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: For a 2/2 creature, the cost can be seen as high, especially when you consider that other creatures at a similar mana cost might provide additional value or have stronger resiliency against removal. Departed Deckhand’s susceptibility to being targeted and sacrificed can be a significant drawback when you’re counting on it for board presence.


Reasons to Include Departed Deckhand in Your Collection

Versatility: Departed Deckhand offers a unique ability to become unblockable by all but Spirits, making it a flexible option in any blue-focused deck, especially those looking to deal combat damage directly to opponents.

Combo Potential: Its synergy with other Spirits can enhance tribal decks, and its ability to give another creature unblockable by turning it into a Spirit can create unexpected win conditions or protect key creatures in a pinch.

Meta-Relevance: With evasion being a powerful quality in creature-centric metagames, Departed Deckhand holds relevance. It can be a thorn in the side of opponents who lack Spirit interaction, presenting a reliable and recurring threat.


How to Beat Departed Deckhand

Departed Deckhand has become a noteworthy challenger on the high seas of Magic: The Gathering. Its ability to become unblockable except by Spirits poses a unique challenge. Understanding the card’s strengths and weaknesses is key to formulating a successful strategy against it.

One effective tactic is to utilize removal spells that don’t target, such as board wipes or spells that force all creatures to be sacrificed, thus circumventing Deckhand’s protection from targeted spells. Cards like Wrath of God or Citywide Bust are excellent choices. Alternatively, one could employ forced blocking strategies using cards such as Siren’s Call or Alluring Siren, compelling Deckhand into unfavorable combat situations.

As with many creatures in Magic: The Gathering, having the correct answers in your deck can make all the difference. Even though Departed Deckhand can guide a player’s strategy towards evasive aggression, it’s the knowledgeable player that keeps their head above water with the right counters and controls tucked in their arsenal.


BurnMana Recommendations

Delving deeper into MTG’s tactical play, Departed Deckhand emerges as more than just a spectral seafarer. Its unorthodox abilities carve paths for victory in the right deck. The intricacies of its advantages and drawbacks have now been unpacked, revealing its potential to make waves in your collection. Balancing its allure with its limitations is the key to unlocking its real power. Ready to cast Departed Deckhand’s influence over your next game? Sail over to our detailed guides and deck-building strategies to ensure that this elusive spirit becomes a cornerstone in your journey to outmaneuver the opposition on the high seas of MTG.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Departed Deckhand MTG card by a specific set like Core Set 2019 and Jumpstart, 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 Departed Deckhand and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Departed Deckhand Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2018-07-13 and 2023-11-17. Illustrated by Zoltan Boros.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12018-07-13Core Set 2019M19 492015NormalBlackZoltan Boros
22020-07-17JumpstartJMP 1492015NormalBlackZoltan Boros
32023-11-17The Lost Caverns of Ixalan CommanderLCC 1532015NormalBlackZoltan Boros

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Departed Deckhand 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 Departed Deckhand card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2018-07-13 Activating Departed Deckhand's last ability after a creature has become blocked by a non-Spirit creature won't cause that creature to become unblocked.
2018-07-13 If the spell that targets Departed Deckhand has no other targets, it won't resolve (because it no longer has a legal target after Departed Deckhand is sacrificed).
2018-07-13 You'll sacrifice Departed Deckhand even if you counter the spell that targets it.