Spectral Sailor MTG Card


Spectral Sailor excels in advantage, drawing cards as mana allows during opponents’ turns. Instant speed ability of Sailor makes it a formidable and versatile late-game asset. Despite its high activation cost, the card’s benefits in blue decks make it a strong contender.
Card setsReleased in 5 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Spirit Pirate
Abilities Flying, Flash
Power 1
Toughness 1

Text of card

Flash (You may cast this spell any time you could cast an instant.) Flying : Draw a card.

"Any ship that sails on these mean seas for long is bound to pick up a ghost or two." —Admiral Beckett Brass


Cards like Spectral Sailor

Spectral Sailor stands out in the world of MTG as a versatile creature with its instant-speed draw ability. It’s often compared to cards like Faerie Seer for its low casting cost and flying attribute. However, Spectral Sailor presents an extended advantage with its mana ability to draw a card, giving players a significant edge by offering card advantage on demand.

Looking at Looter il-Kor, another card with a draw ability, we see notable differences. Unlike Spectral Sailor, Looter il-Kor requires the player to attack and deals combat damage before drawing a card, which then forces a discard. This makes the Sailor’s ability more controllable and flexible in various game stages. Moreover, Siren Stormtamer is also a card that shares the flying trait and a low mana cost, but its ability serves more as a protective measure rather than providing card advantage.

Deciding which card to include in a deck often comes down to strategy and playstyle. Spectral Sailor’s instant card draw and being able to sneak onto the battlefield at any time often makes it a preferred choice for players geared towards reactive tactics and maintaining hand superiority.

Faerie Seer - MTG Card versions
Looter il-Kor - MTG Card versions
Siren Stormtamer - MTG Card versions
Faerie Seer - MTG Card versions
Looter il-Kor - MTG Card versions
Siren Stormtamer - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Spectral Sailor. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Azorius SpiritsAzorius Spirits PioneerAzorius SpiritsPioneer League 2024-05-01
Mono-Blue SpiritsMono-Blue Spirits PioneerMono-Blue SpiritsPioneer Challenge 32 2024-04-29
WUWU PioneerPioneer Challenge 64 2024-05-05

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Spectral Sailor shines in its ability to provide incremental card advantage. With its activated ability, you can draw cards at the end of your opponent’s turn or whenever you have spare mana, ensuring that your hand remains full and you have access to more options and answers.

Resource Acceleration: While Spectral Sailor itself does not directly accelerate resources, it aids in maintaining a presence on the board without committing a substantial amount of mana. This allows you to keep up mana for other spells while still applying pressure and having a play available.

Instant Speed: The real power of Spectral Sailor lies in its versatility at instant speed. You can play it at the end of your opponent’s turn, remaining mana-efficient and holding up the threat of interaction. Additionally, its ability to draw cards can be activated instantaneously, keeping you always ready to respond to an opponent’s actions with a full grip of cards.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Spectral Sailor comes without the downside of requiring card discard, but instead presents other challenges for deck builders to consider.

Specific Mana Cost: Though spectral in nature, this card necessitates a blue mana source for casting, potentially restricting its integration in multi-color decks that run tighter mana bases.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While one blue mana for a 1/1 creature with flying and flash is efficient, the activation cost of drawing a card is set at an ambitious four mana. This could strain your resources in key moments, especially when mana could be allocated to more demanding spells or board-presence-establishing threats.


Reasons to Include Spectral Sailor in Your Collection

Versatility: Spectral Sailor offers a unique flexibility for blue-focused decks. As a 1/1 creature with flying for a single mana, it’s a fantastic early game play as well as a late game mana sink thanks to its card draw ability.

Combo Potential: In combination-based strategies, this card is a quiet powerhouse. Its ability to draw a card at instant speed means it can help dig for vital combo pieces in a pinch or simply keep the hand stocked with options.

Meta-Relevance: Given its efficiency and utility, Spectral Sailor holds its own in various MTG metas. It’s a proactive play against control decks and a form of resilience against more aggressive strategies, ready to repopulate the board after a sweep or contribute to maintaining card advantage.


How to beat

Encountering Spectral Sailor in a game of Magic: The Gathering can often mean facing a persistent and elusive threat. This small creature carries the advantage of being able to slip past blockers thanks to its flying ability and can be a thorn in the side due to its card drawing ability activatable at instant speed. But don’t worry, there are strategies to navigate this spectral nuisance effectively.

One key method is to use targeted removal spells that can bypass the Sailor’s flash and flying capabilities. Look to instant-speed removal like Fatal Push or Shock, which can handle the Sailor before it becomes a larger problem or starts to draw cards for your opponent. Alternatively, board wipes don’t discriminate; a well-timed Wrath of God or Supreme Verdict can clear the Sailor along with other threats.

Timing is crucial as well. Attempt to eliminate the Sailor on your opponent’s turn, preventing them from utilizing available mana for drawing cards. Always be aware of the mana they have open – removing the Sailor when they’re tapped out ensures success. In summary, your strategy to beat Spectral Sailor should focus on instant-speed interaction, careful timing, and an eye on your opponent’s resources.


BurnMana Recommendations

Deep diving into the strategic depth of MTG can transform the way you play and compound the effects every card can have on the game. Spectral Sailor is no exception with its card advantage and instant-speed adaptability — a pint-sized yet potent piece in the puzzle of victory. Whether you’re a seasoned player or fresh to the fold, consider this little spirit’s significant impact on your blue-centered decks. Embrace its strengths, counter its limitations, and savor the subtle art of deckbuilding. Curious to weave this spectral force into your grand strategy? Head over to our platform to expand your knowledge and refine your decks for triumph.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Spectral Sailor MTG card by a specific set like Core Set 2020 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 Spectral Sailor and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Spectral Sailor Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2019-07-12 and 2023-11-17. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12019-07-12Core Set 2020M20 762015NormalBlackCristi Balanescu
22020-07-17JumpstartJMP 1782015NormalBlackCristi Balanescu
32021-11-19Crimson Vow CommanderVOC 1142015NormalBlackCristi Balanescu
42022-12-02Jumpstart 2022J22 642015NormalBlackFuzichoco
52023-11-17The Lost Caverns of Ixalan CommanderLCC 1722015NormalBlackCristi Balanescu

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Spectral Sailor has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
TimelessLegal
Flash card art

Guide to Flash card ability

Explore the dynamic Flash ability in Magic: The Gathering (MTG), a feature that allows you to cast spells at lightning speed, often leaving your opponents reeling and your strategy several steps ahead. This versatile ability can turn the tide of a game, providing the element of surprise and tactical advantage. It places a premium on timing and foresight, transforming an ordinary deck into a formidable arsenal of instant threats and responses.