Vodalian Mage MTG Card

Fallen Empires (FEM)
1994-11-01 - Number 30b

Fallen Empires (FEM)
1994-11-01 - Number 30c

Fallen Empires (FEM)
1994-11-01 - Number 30a

Card sets	Released in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Merfolk Wizard
Power	1
Toughness	1

Key Takeaways

Vodalian Mage excels in card advantage by disrupting the opponent’s game plan through spell negation.
Instant speed activation of its ability provides flexibility and an element of surprise in gameplay.
Its specific mana requirements and discard activation cost can pose challenges in deck integration.

Text of card

o U, oc T: Counters a target spell if caster of target spell does not pay an additional o1. Play this ability as an interrupt.

"Come back, cowards! Everyone knows Merfolk can't wield magic!" —Pashadar Dirf, Goblin Flotilla Commander, last words

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Vodalian Mage provides a unique advantage by granting the ability to effectively disrupt an opponent’s strategy. Its built-in disruption can negate an opponent’s spell, which can translate into card advantage over the course of the game as they lose valuable resources.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly a source of resource acceleration, Vodalian Mage can indirectly contribute to this facet by preserving your board state, ensuring you can utilize your lands and creatures without interruption from opposing spells and abilities.

Instant Speed: The ability to cast Vodalian Mage itself may not be at instant speed, its activated ability certainly is. This allows players to wait until the most opportune moment to disrupt an opponent’s play, maintaining flexibility and the element of surprise within the flow of the game.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Vodalian Mage demands a card to be discarded each time you aim to use its key ability. This can exhaust your hand quickly, especially in longer games where card advantage is vital.

Specific Mana Cost: To cast Vodalian Mage, you need both blue and green mana. This specific requirement can be a hurdle in multicolored decks that might struggle with mana consistency.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a demanding mana cost for its abilities, Vodalian Mage is sometimes overshadowed by more mana-efficient options in the same role. Its casting cost could potentially slow down your early game, which is a crucial time for setting up board presence and resources.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Vodalian Mage offers flexibility to control enthusiasts. Its ability to work as a creature with the added benefit of a spell-like effect means it can adapt to various situations and can be a great asset in decks focusing on board state manipulation.

Combo Potential: This card shines when paired with strategies aiming to disrupt opponent plays. Its tap to counter functionality synergizes with decks that take advantage of tapping and untapping creatures for multiple uses.

Meta-Relevance: In a game scenario where instant-speed interaction is vital, Vodalian Mage maintains a presence. Its capability to delay or halt an opponent’s key spell can be instrumental in prevailing over decks that rely heavily on noncreature spells for momentum.

How to beat

Vodalian Mage is a classic Magic: The Gathering card steeped in the lore of the Vodalian Empire. Its key ability of counterspell through mana payment can interrupt your game flow by stopping your crucial spells. To tackle Vodalian Mage effectively, considering cards that can’t be countered or deploying spells that strip your opponent’s hand of reactive options are sound strategies. Creatures with hexproof also provide a solid barrier against targeted control tactics.

Moreover, baiting out the Mage’s counters before playing your high-value spells can leave your opponent struggling for responses. Employing a rush strategy can also overwhelm the Mage before its ability becomes a significant deterrent. Lastly, removing the Mage directly through removal spells or utilizing abilities that force your opponent to sacrifice it can neutralize this threat from the game board. By understanding these methods, the disruptive potential of Vodalian Mage becomes far less daunting.

When facing a card with the disruptive abilities of Vodalian Mage, adjusting your play style and incorporating strategic countermeasures ensures that its presence does not dominate the course of the match.

Cards like Vodalian Mage

The Vodalian Mage stands out in the rich tapestry of interrupt-style cards in Magic: The Gathering. It has similarities with cards like Prodigal Sorcerer, in that it offers targeted damage, but with the additional flexibility of casting spells as interrupts. One key distinction is that Prodigal Sorcerer doesn’t provide the same level of control over spell casting timing as the Vodalian Mage does.

Considering cards like Power Sink, Vodalian Mage also shines because of its creature type, offering a body on the board in addition to its counter ability. When counter abilities are critical, Power Sink can be more mana-efficient, yet it lacks the presence of a creature which Vodalian Mage provides.

Spellstutter Sprite is another creature with a counter spell ability, yet it counters based on the number of faeries you control, marking a clear difference in utility and deck synergy compared to Vodalian Mage. Each of these similar cards brings its unique utility to a deck, but for players looking for a blend of creature advantage and spell interruption, Vodalian Mage is an exceptional choice. Its distinct combination of abilities allows for tactical plays that can disrupt opponents while maintaining board presence.

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Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Vodalian Mage MTG card by a specific set like Fallen Empires and Fallen Empires, 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 Vodalian Mage and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Vodalian Mage Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 1994-11-01 and 1994-11-01. Illustrated by 3 different artists.

#	Released	Name	Code	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	1994-11-01	Fallen Empires	FEM	30b	1993	Normal	Black	Mark Poole
2	1994-11-01	Fallen Empires	FEM	30c	1993	Normal	Black	Quinton Hoover
3	1994-11-01	Fallen Empires	FEM	30a	1993	Normal	Black	Susan Van Camp