Surgespanner MTG Card


Surgespanner manipulates gameplay by returning creatures to hands, disrupting opponent strategies and pacing. Its activated ability at instant speed provides strategic advantages, although it requires a careful mana balance. While powerful, Surgespanner’s high activation cost and blue mana dependency may limit its versatility in some decks.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Merfolk Wizard
Power 2
Toughness 2

Text of card

Whenever Surgespanner becomes tapped, you may pay . If you do, return target permanent to its owner's hand.

They ride on waves of Æther, washing out anything that might pollute the Merrow Lanes.


Cards like Surgespanner

Surgespanner, an intriguing creature in Magic: The Gathering, offers utility and board control in a compact package. When looking at cards with similar abilities, Man-o’-War comes to mind – a creature that also bounces other creatures to their owner’s hand. Surgespanner, however, is distinguished by its repeatability, allowing players to bounce multiple creatures as long as they have the mana and the ability to tap it.

Comparatively, we have Venser, Shaper Savant. While Venser has a more immediate impact by bouncing a spell or permanent on cast, Surgespanner provides a consistent presence on the board that can be leveraged across multiple turns. Capsize is another analog, offering ongoing disruption with its buyback ability, yet it’s purely a spell and doesn’t offer the board presence or attacking potential that Surgespanner does.

Ultimately, Surgespanner grants a level of flexibility and repetitive control that is quite unique. Its ability to tactically disrupt opponents’ strategies turn after turn gives it a notable position within creature-based control cards in Magic: The Gathering, solidifying its role as both a threatening creature and a versatile control tool within the game.

Man-o'-War - MTG Card versions
Venser, Shaper Savant - MTG Card versions
Capsize - MTG Card versions
Man-o'-War - MTG Card versions
Venser, Shaper Savant - MTG Card versions
Capsize - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Surgespanner by color, type and mana cost

Phantasmal Forces - MTG Card versions
Phantom Monster - MTG Card versions
Wall of Vapor - MTG Card versions
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Sakashima of a Thousand Faces - MTG Card versions
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Clone - MTG Card versions
Cytoplast Manipulator - MTG Card versions
Crookclaw Transmuter - MTG Card versions
Dreamborn Muse - MTG Card versions
Turtleshell Changeling - 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
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
Turtleshell Changeling - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Surgespanner provides a repeatable mechanic to bounce opposing creatures, which can disrupt your opponent’s board presence. This continuous interaction with the battlefield can indirectly lead to gaining card advantage as it may force opponents to repeatedly spend mana and turns redeploying their threats.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly providing resource acceleration, the ability to consistently return creatures to an opponent’s hand with Surgespanner can effectively slow down an opponent’s tempo. This allows you to maintain or even surpass them in terms of available resources and board development.

Instant Speed: Surgespanner’s activated ability can be used at instant speed, offering flexibility during the game. This enables strategic plays by waiting until the most opportune moment during an opponent’s turn before deciding to use the ability, potentially disrupting their plans and conserving your resources for when they’re most needed.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Surgespanner doesn’t mandate a card discard to activate its ability, players must be prepared to let go of cards when using it in combination with effects that do require discarding as a cost to maximize its potential.

Specific Mana Cost: Surgespanner’s activation cost includes blue mana, which may not seamlessly fit into decks that do not primarily utilize blue mana resources. This can become a bottleneck in multi-colored decks that are not centered around blue.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With its activation cost set at two mana, including one blue, plus the necessity to tap Surgespanner, its cost can be considered high given that it only targets a single permanent. There may be alternative blue spells available that can control multiple permanents for a similar or slightly higher investment, thereby offering a better cost-to-effect ratio.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Surgespanner offers a unique form of control that can blend into multiple blue-based decks. Its ability to return target creatures to their owner’s hand allows for both offensive and defensive strategies, adapting to the fluid dynamics of the game.

Combo Potential: In conjunction with cards that untap creatures, Surgespanner can become a powerful tool to repeatedly bounce opponents’ threats, thus paving the way for infinite combos or locking down the board in your favor.

Meta-Relevance: As creature-based strategies remain prevalent in various formats, having a reliable creature like Surgespanner can significantly disrupt your opponents’ plans. By selectively targeting key creatures, it can alter the pace of the battlefield in your favor, potentially swinging the game.


How to beat Surgespanner

Surgespanner presents a unique challenge on the battlefield, distinguishing itself from many creatures in Magic: The Gathering. Its ability to bounce permanents back to an opponent’s hand can create significant tempo swings. However, there are tactics to undermine its influence. When combating this card, prioritize removal spells that can target it directly and swiftly remove it from play before its ability can be activated. Consider including instant-speed spells like Murder or Path to Exile in your deck, which can deal with Surgespanner the moment it hits the field.

Another strategy is to employ hexproof or shroud effects that render your valuable assets immune to Surgespanner’s targeted ability. By incorporating cards like Lightning Greaves or Swiftfoot Boots into your deck, you protect your key permanents from being returned to your hand. It’s also worth noting the mana-intensive nature of Surgespanner’s ability. Take advantage of this by pressuring your opponent’s mana resources, leaving them less able to use Surgespanner’s ability multiple times in a turn.

Adapting your gameplay and deck construction to anticipate and counter Surgespanner’s disruptive capabilities will solidify your position on the board and increase your chances of overcoming this mercurial threat in Magic: The Gathering.


BurnMana Recommendations

As an MTG enthusiast delving into the depths of control and tempo play, Surgespanner stands out as a card that could significantly enhance your game. Its ability to manage the battlefield by bouncing creatures provides you with a unique edge, disrupting opponent strategies turn after turn. However, mastering its use also means recognizing potential drawbacks and preparing your deck with counters or synergistic elements. If you’re eager to further explore strategic deck building and refine your approach to using cards like Surgespanner, dive into our repository of knowledge. Discover new combos, tips to mitigate its weaknesses, and ways to optimize your playstyle.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Surgespanner MTG card by a specific set like Lorwyn and The Lost Caverns of Ixalan Commander, 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 Surgespanner and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Surgespanner Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2007-10-12 and 2023-11-17. Illustrated by Warren Mahy.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12007-10-12LorwynLRW 922003NormalBlackWarren Mahy
22023-11-17The Lost Caverns of Ixalan CommanderLCC 1742015NormalBlackWarren Mahy

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Surgespanner has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2007-10-01 For the ability to trigger, the creature has to actually change from untapped to tapped. If an effect attempts to tap the creature, but it was already tapped at the time, this ability won't trigger.
2007-10-01 This is a triggered ability, not an activated ability. It doesn't allow you to tap the creature whenever you want; rather, you need some other way of tapping it, such as by attacking with the creature.