Foul Watcher MTG Card
2021-06-18 - Number 43
2021-08-26 - Number 194
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Nightmare Bird |
| Abilities | Delirium,Flying,Surveil |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Text of card
Flying When Foul Watcher enters the battlefield, surveil 1. (Look at the top card of your library. You may put that card into your graveyard.) Delirium — Foul Watcher gets +1/+0 as long as there are four or more card types among cards in your graveyard.
Cards like Foul Watcher
Foul Watcher offers an intriguing dynamic within the family of surveil creatures in Magic: The Gathering. Its similarities with Nightveil Sprite are evident as both creatures have the surveil mechanic. Foul Watcher allows a peek at the top card of the library upon attacking, much like Nightveil Sprite. Despite both having flying, Foul Watcher stands out with its exploit ability, giving players the option to sacrifice another creature for beneficial effects.
Another card that mirrors the utility of Foul Watcher is Dimir Spybug. This creature grows stronger with each surveil activation. While it doesn’t offer the immediate card selection that Foul Watcher provides upon attacking, it has the potential to become a much bigger threat over time. Whispering Snitch also capitalizes on the surveil mechanic but in a different way, draining opponents’ life whenever you surveil. Unlike Foul Watcher, this can occur without needing to declare an attack, providing a more defensive edge.
Ultimately, Foul Watcher carves out its niche amongst surveil creatures, blending both offensive and strategic card selection with the added versatility of its exploit ability, marking its presence in the MTG universe.
Cards similar to Foul Watcher by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Foul Watcher’s ability to enable scrying for you sets the stage for more strategic planning in the game, effectively improving your card quality and decisions. This bonus acts as a lever, giving you a head start in outmaneuvering your opponent and establishing potential card advantage.
Resource Acceleration: Triggering investigate upon spell casting translates into an extra clue token which can be cracked open for an additional card, subtly boosting your resource availability. This mechanic not only ensures that your hand stays replenished but also offers a steady pace for a stronger board presence.
Instant Speed: Foul Watcher can be cast at instant speed, providing a tactical advantage by allowing players to react swiftly to the changing dynamics of their matches. This caliber of speed alters how opponents may play, introducing an element of surprise and strategic depth to your gameplay.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One downside to the Foul Watcher card is its reliance on the player discarding another card. This aspect means you might be forced to lose a valuable card from your hand, which could be a tactical setback, especially if you’re already struggling with maintaining card advantage against your opponent.
Specific Mana Cost: Foul Watcher’s mana cost is not the most flexible, requiring a specific combination of colors to cast, which could potentially restrict its integration in a multi-color deck that doesn’t focus on those particular mana types.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost that’s on the higher side for its effects, players might find it difficult to justify allocating space for Foul Watcher in a deck. There are alternative cards within the same mana range that may provide a more impactful presence or effect on the game.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Foul Watcher thrives in environments that capitalize on its Observer status, offering crucial insights for any strategy that leverages scrying to ensure the right cards come to hand when needed.
Combo Potential: As a piece in a puzzle, this card’s ability to scry pairs well with library manipulation tactics, setting up the perfect conditions for powerful plays and amplifying synergies within a deck.
Meta-Relevance: In a gaming landscape teeming with combo decks and a necessity for consistent performance, Foul Watcher offers reliability and the potential to outpace opponents by proactively arranging the top cards of your library.
How to beat
Foul Watcher is a unique blue creature card that adds surveillance depth to your opponent’s strategy. Notably, it grants the valued “scry” ability each time your opponent plays an instant or sorcery spell during their turn, potentially filtering their upcoming draws for better consistency. However, despite its advantages, certain methods can effectively neutralize its impact on the game.
To counter Foul Watcher, consider removal spells that can slip past counterspells or remove it without targeting, such as board wipes or cards like “Wrath of God”. Additionally, pressing your advantage quickly with aggressive creatures can overwhelm a strategy relying on Foul Watcher’s slower value game. Pieces that restrict spell casting, like “Eidolon of the Great Revel”, also disrupt the synergy Foul Watcher provides. Lastly, playing on your opponent’s turn mitigates the scry ability, rendering Foul Watcher less effective.
Thus, while Foul Watcher can be daunting with its information-gathering ability, an adaptable strategy could turn the tables, making the defeat of this creature not only possible but manageable within the dynamic landscape of Magic: The Gathering.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Foul Watcher MTG card by a specific set like Modern Horizons 2 and Jumpstart: Historic Horizons, 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 Foul Watcher 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
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
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Printings
The Foul Watcher Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2021-06-18 and 2021-08-26. Illustrated by Mila Pesic.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2021-06-18 | Modern Horizons 2 | MH2 | 43 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Mila Pesic | |
| 2 | 2021-08-26 | Jumpstart: Historic Horizons | J21 | 194 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Mila Pesic |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Foul Watcher has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |