Aquatic Incursion MTG Card
2018-01-19 - Number 32
2022-12-02 - Number 271
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Enchantment |
Text of card
When Aquatic Incursion enters the battlefield, create two 1/1 blue Merfolk creature tokens with hexproof. (They can't be the targets of spells or abilities your opponents control.) : Target Merfolk can't be blocked this turn.
Cards like Aquatic Incursion
Aquatic Incursion stands out in Magic: The Gathering as a blue enchantment that’s designed to bolster your board presence with elusive sea creatures. When compared to similar cards like Call to the Kindred, which also centers around thematic creature support, Aquatic Incursion offers a more immediate impact by providing two 0/1 blue Merfolk creature tokens. Furthermore, these tokens make a splash with hexproof, adding a layer of protection against targetted spells and abilities, a feature Call to the Kindred does not provide directly to the conjured creatures.
Akin to Coralhelm Commander, another card that shines among the Merfolk tribe, Aquatic Incursion shares the tribal enhancement theme but diverges with its ability to give a Merfolk creature unblockable until end of turn. This is a contrast to Coralhelm Commander’s potential to become a larger threat outright. On the cost spectrum, Lullmage Mentor provides a solid comparison with a seven-Merfolk counter spell ability, but Aquatic Incursion offers a more accessible means to create Merfolk tokens without the prerequisite of a large Merfolk populous.
As players dive deep into the synergy of underwater strategies, Aquatic Incursion holds its tide firmly within the MTG Merfolk tributes, providing both creature quantity and quality to command the currents of gameplay.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Aquatic Incursion adds depth to your deck by providing access to additional undersea creatures. This enchantment not only summons two Merfolk tokens for building your army but also paves the way for drawing cards through its activated ability. Your hand remains stocked, leading to an underwater onslaught your opponents will struggle to contain.
Resource Acceleration: Aquatic Incursion sets the stage for a surge in your board presence. By creating token creatures, you sidestep the typical mana costs associated with casting creatures, allowing you to save resources for more significant plays. Furthermore, being able to tap your unblocked Merfolk to draw a card effectively turns each swimmer into a potential source of resource acceleration, as it can lead to drawing into more land or pivotal spells.
Instant Speed: While Aquatic Incursion itself is cast at sorcery speed, the real magic lies in its synergy with other instant-speed spells in your repertoire. The ability to activate the card-drawing power of your Merfolk during your opponent’s turn, or in response to their actions, adds a layer of tactical advantage, keeping your hand fluid and responsive to the ever-changing tides of the game.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: For players considering the inclusion of Aquatic Incursion in their deck, there’s a notable absence of a discard requirement which, while not a con in itself, may signal a missed opportunity for synergizing with decks that benefit from discarding cards as part of their strategy.
Specific Mana Cost: Aquatic Incursion’s mana cost demands two blue mana, which can potentially restrict its playability to mono-blue or dual-color decks that can reliably generate this specific mana type.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With an investment of four total mana required to bring Aquatic Incursion into play, players might find its cost on the higher side in comparison to other enchantments or creatures that could provide a more immediate impact on the game state.
Reasons to Include Aquatic Incursion in Your Collection
Versatility: Aquatic Incursion offers a flexible approach for players who run blue-based decks. This enchantment can seamlessly integrate into strategies revolving around Merfolk tribal themes or decks that capitalize on token generation.
Combo Potential: By creating Merfolk tokens, it opens up possibilities for synergies with cards that benefit from creature tokens or specifically Merfolk. Coupled with lords or cards like “Deeproot Waters,” it can significantly amplify your board presence.
Meta-Relevance: In environments where tribal decks are prominent, Aquatic Incursion could find a place in the sideboard or even the main deck. It benefits from a metagame where establishing a wide board state is advantageous against non-creature-heavy strategies.
How to beat Aquatic Incursion
Aquatic Incursion is a unique blue enchantment that delves into the depth of MTG’s Merfolk strategy. It brings to the field not just one but two Merfolk creature tokens, a boon for tribal decks. This influx of creatures can quickly turn the tides in favor of Merfolk synergy, letting players draw on their deck’s aquatic power. Additionally, it offers the ability to turn any Merfolk into an unblockable threat for a turn, getting past your defenses with ease.
Dealing with Aquatic Incursion effectively requires disrupting the Merfolk synergy it thrives on. Removal spells can systematically dismantle the Merfolk lineup, lessening the enchantment’s impact. Board wipes are particularly effective, as they can clear out multiple tokens and creatures with a single card. Another strategy is to target the enchantment directly with counter spells or enchantment destruction before the Merfolk army becomes overwhelming. Direct damage spells can also keep the tokens in check, keeping your opponent’s battlefield manageable.
Ultimately, preventing the build-up of Merfolk and maintaining control over the board state is key to staying ahead of Aquatic Incursion. It’s about anticipation and timely execution, ensuring that the enchantment’s inclusion doesn’t tip the scales too far in favor of your aquatic adversaries.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Aquatic Incursion MTG card by a specific set like Rivals of Ixalan and Jumpstart 2022, 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 Aquatic Incursion and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
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Printings
The Aquatic Incursion Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2018-01-19 and 2022-12-02. Illustrated by Jason Rainville.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2018-01-19 | Rivals of Ixalan | RIX | 32 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jason Rainville | |
| 2 | 2022-12-02 | Jumpstart 2022 | J22 | 271 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jason Rainville |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Aquatic Incursion has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Aquatic Incursion card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2018-01-19 | Activating the last ability of Aquatic Incursion after a Merfolk has become blocked won’t cause it to become unblocked. |