Fathom Fleet Boarder MTG Card

Fathom Fleet Boarder enhances early game pressure, beneficial in pirate or black aggressive decks. The card’s discard requirement on entry may pose a strategic challenge in resource management. Despite its instant play limitation, its synergy potential in specific MTG strategies can be high.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Orc Pirate
Released	2018-01-19
Set symbol
Set name	Rivals of Ixalan
Set code	RIX
Power	3
Toughness	3
Number	71
Frame	2015
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Sidharth Chaturvedi

Text of card

When Fathom Fleet Boarder enters the battlefield, you lose 2 life unless you control another Pirate.

Without frequent raids, orcs sometimes get bored and plunder their own ships.

Cards like Fathom Fleet Boarder

Fathom Fleet Boarder offers an interesting play for those delving into the aggressive strategies Magic: The Gathering offers. As a black creature card, Fathom Fleet Boarder brings a notable entrance to the battlefield by providing immediate board presence at the cost of life points, reminiscent of cards like Phyrexian Rager. However, unlike the Rager, the Boarder forces a greater loss of life for a boost in power.

The Dusk Legion Zealot emerges as a comparable choice, aiming for a different balance – it draws you a card upon entry, at the cost of only one life, but at weaker stats. Further in the vein of self-inflicted life trade-offs, there is Bloodsoaked Champion, allowing recurring assault possibilities albeit without any card advantage. Keldon Marauders from the red camp plays a similar role, though it impacts life totals on both ends of the table and exits the battlefield quicker.

In weighing the pros and cons of each, Fathom Fleet Boarder’s stronger attack capability can be a significant advantage in a deck that values aggressive tactics and rapid life total reduction in Magic: The Gathering, making it a worthy inclusion for players who favor swift and decisive plays.

Bloodsoaked Champion - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Fathom Fleet Boarder experience grants a solid presence on the battlefield, which can be particularly advantageous in the early to mid-game. While it may not provide card draw directly, its aggressive stance can pressure opponents into unfavorable trades, indirectly leading to a card advantage.

Resource Acceleration: While this card does not inherently accelerate resources, the use of a Fathom Fleet Boarder can affect the board state in ways that help you maintain tempo. In some deck types, the life loss can be strategically used to enable specific abilities or conditions that benefit the player.

Instant Speed: As a creature card, Fathom Fleet Boarder operates at sorcery speed, meaning it doesn’t offer the flexibility of instant-speed plays. However, its impact when played at the appropriate time, especially in pirate-themed or aggressive decks, can be substantial enough to offset this characteristic.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Fathom Fleet Boarder demands players to discard a card upon entering the battlefield. This can lead to a strategic disadvantage if your hand is already depleted, potentially costing you valuable momentum in the game.

Specific Mana Cost: With a casting requirement of two black mana and one of any color, Fathom Fleet Boarder necessitates a commitment to black mana sources. This can restrict deck-building options and may not fit into multicolored strategies that require flexible mana bases.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Costing three mana may seem fair for a 3/3 creature, but when considering the additional discard cost, it might not deliver the same value as other cards at a similar mana point. Players often seek more impactful effects or larger creatures for such a resource investment in their decks.

Reasons to Include Fathom Fleet Boarder in Your Collection

Versatility: Fathom Fleet Boarder is a card that can adapt to various strategies within pirate-oriented or aggressive black decks. Its ability to provide immediate board presence as a 3/3 creature for a minimal cost makes it an appealing option for players looking to exert early game pressure or fill their curve.

Combo Potential: While it comes with a life payment, this downside can be turned into an advantage in decks that thrive on life loss for various synergies, such as enabling spectacle costs or powering up cards that benefit from life loss triggers.

Meta-Relevance: In matchups where tempo is key and establishing a presence on the board swiftly is crucial, Fathom Fleet Boarder offers a cost-effective way to gain a foothold. Its relevance in the meta can swing favorably in an environment where aggressive strategies outpace slower control or combo decks.

How to beat

Fathom Fleet Boarder might seem like an unruly foe on the surface due to its efficient cost to power ratio. When it enters the battlefield, its ability forces you to lose two life unless you control another Pirate, which can be a double-edged sword. Although it’s a 3/3 creature for three mana, the life loss is significant, especially in the early game. To overcome this card in Magic: The Gathering, it’s advisable to manage it swiftly.

Utilize removal spells efficiently; Timing is everything. Employ your Fatal Push or Shock to dispatch the Boarder before it gains momentum. Another strategy is to block with creatures that have death-trigger abilities, such as Doomed Dissenter, which mitigates losing creatures while setting yourself up for a stronger board presence. If you’re running a control deck, keep counterspells in hand for essential moments, negating the Boarder’s entry altogether. And finally, maximize your life-gain resources. Cards like Essence Warden can counteract the life lost and give you an advantage over the board state.

Recognizing the key moments to take action against Fathom Fleet Boarder and handling it promptly can ensure this aggressive Pirate doesn’t plunder your chances for victory in Magic: The Gathering.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Fathom Fleet Boarder MTG card by a specific set like Rivals of Ixalan, 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 Fathom Fleet Boarder and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Fathom Fleet Boarder has restrictions

Format	Legality
Historicbrawl	Legal
Historic	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Gladiator	Legal
Pioneer	Legal
Commander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Explorer	Legal
Penny	Legal
Timeless	Legal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Fathom Fleet Boarder 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	Fathom Fleet Boarder’s ability triggers regardless of whether you control another Pirate. Whether you control another Pirate is checked only as the ability resolves.