Tide Skimmer MTG Card


Enables card draw on attacks, providing players with tactical flexibility and hand advantage. Needs other flyers to activate; can be costly without support from a synergistic deck build. Blends well in flying-focused decks, becoming an asset to your strategy when utilized effectively.
Tide Skimmer - Core Set 2021
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Drake
Abilities Flying
Released2020-07-03
Set symbol
Set nameCore Set 2021
Set codeM21
Power 2
Toughness 3
Number79
Frame2015
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byJoseph Meehan

Text of card

Flying Whenever you attack with two or more creatures with flying, draw a card.

Fishing boats often follow hunting drakes to find the largest schools of fish.


Cards like Tide Skimmer

Tide Skimmer is a noteworthy creature card in MTG that provides players with a unique advantage during the game. Just like Coastal Piracy, Tide Skimmer allows players to draw a card whenever a creature you control deals combat damage to an opponent. Coastal Piracy though not a creature itself, shares this beneficial triggered ability without adding to your board presence.

Another card similar in effect is Bident of Thassa. Not only does Bident of Thassa offer the same card-drawing ability when creatures you control deal combat damage, but it also gives you the power to force opponents into unfavorable attacks with its activated ability. While Tide Skimmer demands the presence of another attacking flyer to trigger its effect, Bident of Thassa amplifies any combat damage from your creatures, airborne or not.

Considering these aspects, Tide Skimmer holds its own among cards that reward players for aggressive strategies. Its synergy with flying creatures can be particularly potent in decks that emphasize aerial combat, encouraging a swift and evasive playstyle.

Coastal Piracy - MTG Card versions
Bident of Thassa - MTG Card versions
Coastal Piracy - MTG Card versions
Bident of Thassa - MTG Card versions

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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: Tide Skimmer enables additional card draw whenever you attack with two or more flying creatures, bolstering your hand and giving you more options for strategic plays on subsequent turns.

Resource Acceleration: While Tide Skimmer itself doesn’t directly produce mana or tokens, its card-drawing capability can lead to you finding other cards in your deck that accelerate your resources, therefore indirectly contributing to your overall mana development and board state.

Instant Speed: Although Tide Skimmer is not an instant, it still provides immediate value during the combat phase, which can be just as crucial. It creates potential for instant-like reactions in the form of card draw, which can disrupt your opponent’s strategy as they must consider the growing advantage you gain with each attack phase.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Tide Skimmer requires you to have other attacking creatures with flying to draw a card, which can deplete your hand quickly if you’re forced to consistently provide other fliers to activate its ability.

Specific Mana Cost: This flying creature demands both blue and colorless mana, restricting its seamless play to decks that can afford such specifics in their mana base or to those heavily invested in blue strategies.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that involves two blue mana and two of any other type, the Tide Skimmer may seem steep when you’re comparing it to other cards at the same mana slot that potentially offer immediate impact or higher stats.


Reasons to Include Tide Skimmer in Your Collection

Versatility: Tide Skimmer is a card that proves its worth in numerous blue-based decks, adept at capitalizing on having multiple creatures. Its ability to draw a card whenever you attack with two or more creatures with flying buffs both aggression and card advantage.

Combo Potential: This card shines in setups that nurture flyers, pairing exceptionally well with token strategies to ensure a steady stream of card draw. Enhanced by proliferate mechanics or doubling effects, Tide Skimmer could become a cornerstone of an aerial-command deck.

Meta-Relevance: With flying creatures frequently circumventing ground-stalled board states, Tide Skimmer holds a spot in metas where evasion is key. It’s a natural inclusion for tempo decks aiming to maintain board presence while replenishing their hand to secure the late game.


How to Beat

Overcoming Tide Skimmer in Magic: The Gathering requires a blend of tactics and timely disruption. This blue creature card is best known for its ability to draw you a card whenever you attack with two or more flying creatures. Clearly, the key here is to limit the Skimmer’s influence by managing the battlefield. Removal spells that can target Tide Skimmer directly such as Murder or Shock will prevent the card draw engine from getting off the ground.

Additionally, denying your opponent a substantial flying troop by using cards like Gust of Wind or Plummet can thwart their plans and leave the Skimmer without its draw-triggering partner. Controlling the pace and composition of the match is crucial. Moreover, deploying cards with Reach or any that can grant it, also serves as an effective barrier against flying-dominated strategies, clipping the wings of your opponent’s offense and, by extension, the utility of Tide Skimmer.

Therefore, a winning strategy involves early disruption, consistent board control, and aptly chosen removals or deterrents to inhibit the synergy that Tide Skimmer relies upon, securing you the upper hand in the duel.


BurnMana Recommendations

As MTG enthusiasts passionate about strategy and deck optimization, we recognize the complexity behind every card choice. Tide Skimmer, with its specific utilities and restrictions, serves a role that can be pivotal in the right deck. Embracing its card advantage potential requires an understanding of synergy and meta strategies. For those intrigued by the prospect of an aerial combat approach, incorporating Tide Skimmer into your lineup might just be the tactical edge you’re looking for. Dive into the depths of deck building and optimization with us, where every card is a step towards victory. Enhance your MTG knowledge and strategies now.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Tide Skimmer MTG card by a specific set like Core Set 2021, 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 Tide Skimmer and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Tide Skimmer has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2020-06-23 Tide Skimmer's ability triggers just once, no matter how many creatures with flying attack beyond the second.
2020-06-23 You draw a card even if some or all of the attacking creatures lose flying or leave combat before Tide Skimmer's ability resolves.