Herald of Secret Streams MTG Card


Herald’s ability offers tactical card advantage, enabling continuous, unblockable damage during gameplay. Enhances board state and demands opponents’ attention, indirectly accelerating your strategic win condition. Combines well with instant spells for surprise unblockable attacks, shifting game momentum swiftly.
Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Merfolk Warrior
Power 2
Toughness 3

Text of card

Creatures you control with +1/+1 counters on them can't be blocked.

"You might as well try to stop the waterfall."


Cards like Herald of Secret Streams

Herald of Secret Streams holds a distinctive place in the lineup of creature cards that favor the counters strategy in Magic: The Gathering. Its ability to make creatures with +1/+1 counters unblockable makes it a tactical asset, similar to Thassa, God of the Sea. Although Thassa offers a more controlled approach to unblockability, only targeting one creature per turn, Herald of Secret Streams affects all qualifying creatures, potentially turning the tide of a multiplayer game.

Another card to consider is Merfolk Mistbinder. While it boosts other Merfolk, it synergizes well with the Herald by increasing the likelihood of a wide unblockable attack. The Herald, however, doesn’t discriminate by creature type. Invisible Stalker is also worth mentioning for its inherent unblockability, but it lends its strength to solitary stealth rather than an army’s might.

Overall, Herald of Secret Streams shines in decks built around +1/+1 counters. Its unique blend of enabling a battalion of invisible attackers unlike any other compares favorably to cards with similar themes but differing in their individual approach to the unblockable strategy.

Thassa, God of the Sea - MTG Card versions
Merfolk Mistbinder - MTG Card versions
Invisible Stalker - MTG Card versions
Thassa, God of the Sea - MTG Card versions
Merfolk Mistbinder - MTG Card versions
Invisible Stalker - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Herald of Secret Streams by color, type and mana cost

Phantasmal Forces - MTG Card versions
Phantom Monster - MTG Card versions
Wall of Vapor - MTG Card versions
Screeching Drake - MTG Card versions
Tradewind Rider - MTG Card versions
Archivist - MTG Card versions
Extravagant Spirit - 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
Archmage Emeritus - 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
Phantasmal Forces - MTG Card versions
Phantom Monster - MTG Card versions
Wall of Vapor - MTG Card versions
Screeching Drake - MTG Card versions
Tradewind Rider - MTG Card versions
Archivist - MTG Card versions
Extravagant Spirit - 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
Archmage Emeritus - 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

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Herald of Secret Streams offers a subtle yet potent form of card advantage by making creatures with +1/+1 counters unblockable, thus ensuring continuous damage to opponents without the need to invest in additional cards for a clear attack path.

Resource Acceleration: Although not directly accelerating resources through additional mana or tokens, this card enhances your existing board state. By demanding answers from the opponent, it indirectly accelerates your game plan towards a winning position.

Instant Speed: While not an instant itself, Herald of Secret Streams synergizes well with other spells cast at instant speed. Instantaneous counter boosts can unexpectedly turn your entire squad into an unblockable force, creating sudden shifts in the game’s momentum.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Although Herald of Secret Streams doesn’t directly ask for a discard, it’s important to note that maintaining its value often depends on other cards that enable the +1/+1 counter strategy. Without the right setup, the card’s effectiveness is significantly diminished, as you might be relying on discarding or sacrificing other resources to place those essential counters.

Specific Mana Cost: Playing Herald of Secret Streams requires a specific blend of mana—two generic and two blue. This requirement makes it a less versatile inclusion in multicolored decks or those that have a harder time generating blue mana consistently, potentially causing it to be a dead card in hand at times.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: At four mana, this creature comes with an expectation of immediate impact on the board state. While its ability to make creatures with +1/+1 counters unblockable is potent, the initial investment can be steep, particularly if you are playing in a fast-paced environment where cheaper creatures or spells could potentially offer more immediate board control or presence.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Herald of Secret Streams can seamlessly blend into a variety of decks, shining in those that focus on +1/+1 counter strategies. Its ability to make creatures unblockable grants it a firm place in decks looking to push through for lethal combat damage.

Combo Potential: This card is a linchpin in combinations that exploit counters, working especially well with cards that proliferate or double the count of +1/+1 markers, thereby amplifying its board impact significantly.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where creature-based tactics are prevalent, Herald of Secret Streams becomes an asset by providing a reliable way to bypass defensive lines, making it a strategic inclusion for maintaining an edge in the meta.


How to beat Herald of Secret Streams

Herald of Secret Streams is a unique creature that can turn the tides in a game of Magic: The Gathering due to its ability to make creatures with +1/+1 counters unblockable. Encountering this card on the battlefield requires a strategic approach as traditional blocking tactics won’t suffice. The first step is to limit or remove the counters from your opponent’s creatures, thus negating the Herald’s advantage. Cards with proliferate abilities can unwittingly enhance your opponent’s creatures, so use them cautiously.

Removal spells are your best friend when facing creatures like Herald of Secret Streams. Direct removals such as Fatal Push or Path to Exile can deal decisively with the Herald before it can grant unblockable status to other creatures. Board wipes like Wrath of God or Doomskar can also reset the game state, clearing the board of all creatures including those with +1/+1 counters, although timing these spells is crucial to maximize their effectiveness. Adjustment of your deck to include control elements or additional removal spells should be considered if Herald of Secret Streams becomes a frequent obstacle in your matches.

Defeating this creature requires prompt action and a focus on control. With the right cards and strategy, heralding your success against Herald of Secret Streams and maintaining the flow of the game in your favor becomes entirely possible.


BurnMana Recommendations

With Herald of Secret Streams as a centerpiece in your MTG deck, savvy players capitalize on its full potential to secure victories. Unlocking its power hinges on strategic deck building around +1/+1 counters. If stealthy, unstoppable attacks resonate with your playstyle, integrating this card into your roster can shift the balance of a match decisively. For deeper insights into crafting a dominating deck or finding synergistic cards that complement the Herald, venture further into our resources. Enhance your gameplay and invigorate your collection—let BurnMana guide you through optimizing your deck’s performance and strategy. Dive in and gain the advantage with Herald of Secret Streams.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Herald of Secret Streams MTG card by a specific set like Ixalan and Ixalan 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 Herald of Secret Streams and other MTG cards:

TCGPlayerBUY NOW
BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See MTG Products

Printings

The Herald of Secret Streams Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2017-09-29 and 2023-11-17. Illustrated by Sara Winters.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12017-09-29IxalanXLN 592015NormalBlackSara Winters
22017-09-29Ixalan PromosPXLN 59p2015NormalBlackSara Winters
32017-09-29Ixalan PromosPXLN 59s2015NormalBlackSara Winters
42023-11-17The Lost Caverns of Ixalan CommanderLCC 1582015NormalBlackSara Winters

Legalities

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

Date Text
2017-09-29 Once a creature you control has become blocked, putting a +1/+1 counter on it won't cause it to become unblocked.