Fathom Fleet Swordjack MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Orc Pirate |
| Abilities | Encore |
| Released | 2020-11-20 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Commander Legends |
| Set code | CMR |
| Power | 4 |
| Toughness | 3 |
| Number | 177 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Zoltan Boros |
Text of card
Whenever Fathom Fleet Swordjack attacks, it deals damage to the player or planeswalker it's attacking equal to the number of artifacts you control. Encore (, Exile this card from your graveyard: For each opponent, create a token copy that attacks that opponent this turn if able. They gain haste. Sacrifice them at the beginning of the next end step. Activate only as a sorcery.)
Cards like Fathom Fleet Swordjack
Fathom Fleet Swordjack stands as a distinctive figure among pirate-themed creatures in Magic: The Gathering. This card reminds seasoned players somewhat of the fan-favorite Dire Fleet Daredevil in terms of its flavor and piratical appeal. Nevertheless, Fathom Fleet Swordjack veers into its own territory with its unique damage-trigger ability whenever it attacks, differentiating it from the spell-thieving nature of Dire Fleet Daredevil.
When considering the card’s aggressive stance, it draws comparisons with another pirate, Rigging Runner. Both are red creatures that have the potential to deal more damage as the game progresses. However, Rigging Runner’s First Strike ability contrasts with Swordjack’s ability to generate damage based on the number of artifacts you control, rewarding a different style of play. Mariners in MTG also take note of the similar card Emberwilde Captain. It too deals damage, not merely when attacking, but also when becoming the monarch, adding a layer of political strategy that Fathom Fleet Swordjack does not provide.
In sum, Fathom Fleet Swordjack offers a blend of aggression and artifact synergy that may attract players who favor a direct combat strategy and enjoy leveraging their artifact collection to maximize damage output on the battlefield.
Cards similar to Fathom Fleet Swordjack by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Fathom Fleet Swordjack offers a notable benefit when it comes to card advantage. Each time it attacks, it affords you the opportunity to potentially deal direct damage equivalent to its power to an opponent. This ability makes it a source of repeatable value, leveraging board presence to whittle down an opponent’s life total without expending additional cards.
Resource Acceleration: In decks that utilize Pirate synergies or artifacts, Fathom Fleet Swordjack can act as a catalyst for resource acceleration. Its damage potential increases with the number of artifacts you control, allowing for explosive turns that can rapidly change the tide of a game. This acceleration can be a key factor in outpacing opponents.
Instant Speed: While Fathom Fleet Swordjack itself doesn’t operate at instant speed, it can synergize well with instant-speed spells. The threat of activating its ability during combat can pressure opponents to respond prematurely or inefficiently. By playing instants that manipulate the number of artifacts you control or buff the Swordjack’s power, you can maximize its impact during the crucial combat phase.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Fathom Fleet Swordjack may restrict your hand size by having a discard requirement for its ability to trigger or enhance its performance. Such a cost can set you back, especially when you’re strategizing for the late game and every card in your hand counts.
Specific Mana Cost: With a casting requirement that includes specific colored mana, integrating Fathom Fleet Swordjack into multi-colored decks can be challenging. It may not always align with the mana base of your deck, potentially causing delays or issues with consistently playing it on curve.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: The mana investment for Fathom Fleet Swordjack might be on the higher side when compared to other creatures with similar or more impactful abilities. This can influence deck building as players often seek optimal mana-to-effect ratios to increase the efficiency and competitiveness of their deck.
Reasons to Include Fathom Fleet Swordjack in Your Collection
Versatility: Fathom Fleet Swordjack offers a significant degree of flexibility for various deck builds. With its ability to scale damage based on the number of artifacts you control, it suits artifact-heavy decks or those looking to capitalize on aggressive red strategies.
Combo Potential: The inherent synergy with artifact mechanics means Fathom Fleet Swordjack works to amplify the impact of artifact-centered combos. Its triggered ability can turn any artifact into a potential source of damage, rewarding you for playing a strategy that can put numerous artifacts into play.
Meta-Relevance: As the MTG metagame ebbs and flows, cards that interact well with popular deck themes become more valuable. Fathom Fleet Swordjack is particularly useful in a meta that favors tempo plays and the use of equipment and treasure tokens, situating itself as a finisher in aggressive red decks or as a value piece in artifact synergistic strategies.
How to beat
Fathom Fleet Swordjack operates as a notable threat on the battlefield with its capacity to deal damage to opponents based on the number of artifacts you control. To effectively counteract this card, consider reducing the number of artifacts in play. Artifact removal spells such as Abrade or Nature’s Claim can dismantle an opponent’s artifact-based strategies and significantly diminish Fathom Fleet Swordjack’s impact. Keeping the board clear of artifacts limits the damage potential this creature can harness.
Furthermore, Fathom Fleet Swordjack’s reliance on casting other artifacts makes it vulnerable to counterspells and interruption techniques. Efficient spells like Negate or Essence Scatter can prevent key artifacts from ever hitting the playing field, undercutting the Swordjack’s damage-dealing mechanism. It’s also important to note its vulnerability to common removal spells – even a simple Shock can eliminate Fathom Fleet Swordjack outright if your opponent is unable to boost its toughness. Blockers may also serve as a deterrent for its attack-triggered ability.
Staying proactive in controlling your opponent’s artifact count and knowing when to neutralize threats are crucial to staying ahead of Fathom Fleet Swordjack’s aggressive playstyle and turning the tides in your favor.
BurnMana Recommendations
The strategic depths of MTG are ever-expanding, and Fathom Fleet Swordjack is a unique included should your strategy converge on leveraging artifacts. The potential to tip the battlefield in your favor by increasing your damage output creates tantalizing possibilities for aggressive red or artifact-centric decks. Whether you are refining your collection for competitive play or cultivating a commanding presence during casual matches, Fathom Fleet Swordjack could prove to be a crucial cog in your machine. Sail over to learn more and discover how to deploy this potent pirate to your advantage in the art of MTG conquest.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Fathom Fleet Swordjack MTG card by a specific set like Commander Legends, 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 Swordjack and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
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- MTG Mint Card
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Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Fathom Fleet Swordjack has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Fathom Fleet Swordjack card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2020-11-10 | Each token must attack the appropriate player if able. |
| 2020-11-10 | Exiling the card with encore is a cost to activate the ability. Once you announce that you're activating it, no player may take actions until you've finished. They can't try to remove the card from your graveyard to stop you from paying the cost. |
| 2020-11-10 | If Fathom Fleet Swordjack leaves the battlefield after its triggered ability triggers but before it resolves, the ability will resolve as normal. The player or planeswalker it was attacking will be dealt damage. On the other hand, if it remains on the battlefield but leaves combat before its triggered ability resolves, no player or planeswalker is dealt damage. |
| 2020-11-10 | If one of the tokens can't attack for any reason (such as being tapped), then it doesn't attack. If there's a cost associated with having it attack, you aren't forced to pay that cost, so it doesn't have to attack in that case either. |
| 2020-11-10 | If one of the tokens somehow is under another player's control as the delayed triggered ability resolves, you can't sacrifice that token. It remains on the battlefield indefinitely, even if you regain control of it later. |
| 2020-11-10 | Opponents who have left the game aren't counted when determining how many tokens to create. |
| 2020-11-10 | The tokens copy only what's on the original card. Effects that modified that creature when it was previously on the battlefield won't be copied. |
| 2023-07-28 | If an effect stops a token from attacking a specific player, that token can attack any player, planeswalker, or battle, or not attack at all. If the effect stops the token from attacking a specific player unless a cost is paid, you don't have to pay that cost unless you want to attack that player. |