Engulf the Shore MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityRare
TypeInstant

Key Takeaways

  1. Engulf the Shore offers board reset potential, disrupting opponents’ creature-based strategies at instant speed.
  2. Restrictive mana requirements can limit its use, calling for heavy blue mana deck strategies.
  3. Its unique island-tied mechanic can be turned to an advantage with deck construction and meta shifts.

Text of card

Return to their owners' hands all creatures with toughness less than or equal to the number of Islands you control.

"The tides have begun to ignore the moon." —Tamiyo's journal


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Engulf the Shore shines in scenarios where you’re facing numerous creatures. By bouncing them back to your opponent’s hand, you not only disrupt their battlefield presence but also potentially strand them with a glut of cards to replay, a tactic that can provide you with significant card advantage.

Resource Acceleration: While this card doesn’t directly accelerate your resources, it resets the tempo of the game by clearing the board. This allows you to utilize your mana more efficiently post-wipe, potentially casting threats that can capitalize on an empty board.

Instant Speed: The true power of Engulf the Shore lies in its versatility granted by instant speed. It can be a surprise defense, enabling a massive swing in board state at a crucial moment. It also keeps opponents on edge, deterring them from overcommitting to the battlefield when they know such a reset is possible.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Engulf the Shore does not directly require a card to be discarded, its requirement to return creatures to their owners’ hands can often force players to discard if they exceed their maximum hand size before their next turn.

Specific Mana Cost: This instant requires four mana, all of which must be blue. This can be restrictive and difficult to generate in a timely manner for decks that aren’t heavily blue-focused.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a four mana cost, Engulf the Shore may not always be the most mana-efficient way to deal with opposing creatures, especially when the board is not significantly populated or when cheaper removal options are available.


Reasons to Include Engulf the Shore in Your Collection

Versatility: Engulf the Shore offers a level of flexibility that can be crucial in shifting the momentum of the game. It can be slotted into control decks or any blue-centric build that looks to manage the board and capitalize on spell-based strategies.

Combo Potential: By bouncing creatures back to players’ hands, Engulf the Shore sets the stage for powerful synergies. It pairs well with cards that have enter-the-battlefield effects, allowing you to reuse these abilities and generate value repeatedly.

Meta-Relevance: Against aggressive creature-heavy decks, Engulf the Shore acts as a timely reset button. When the meta sways towards such strategies, it can be a game-changer, providing a much-needed response to swarming tactics.


How to beat

Engulf the Shore is an intriguing instant spell that enables players to bounce creatures back to their owners’ hands based on the number of Islands you control. This can be particularly disruptive to opponents with a board full of creatures, temporarily clearing the way for your victory. To strategize against Engulf the Shore, it’s essential to be unpredictable and flexible with your plays. Having a variety of lands in your deck reduces the impact of the spell, as it targets creatures whose toughness is less than or equal to the number of Islands controlled by the spell’s caster.

Furthermore, utilizing creatures with enter-the-battlefield effects can turn the tide in your favor as you will benefit from their abilities again when they are recast. Hexproof creatures offer another solid layer of protection, making them immune to Engulf the Shore’s sweep. You may also consider spells that grant your creatures indestructible until end of turn or cards that allow you to quickly repopulate the board after a mass bounce effect. Mastery of the game requires an understanding of such complex interactions and adaptations, and with these tactics, you will be able to counter the wave of Engulf the Shore efficiently.


BurnMana Recommendations

Exploring the depths of MTG and its versatile spellbook takes both cunning and foresight. Engulf the Shore stands as a potent tool in your arsenal, providing a tide of control over the game board. Weighing its strengths and limitations carefully can mold it into a cornerstone of strategic gameplay. While the card alone is a powerful asset, integrating it effectively with your deck’s mechanics is key to leveraging its full potential. Curious about perfecting its use or seeking alternatives that might suit your playstyle better? Dive deeper with us to uncover insights and tactics that can turn the tide in your favor, making every match a testament to your adaptability and finesse. Join the wave of skilled players who master the ebb and flow of MTG’s intricate battles.


Cards like Engulf the Shore

Engulf the Shore is a unique instant in the world of Magic: The Gathering that offers a tactical edge by potentially clearing the battlefield of creatures. In comparison to other creature bounce spells, Cyclonic Rift stands out – it can be overloaded to return each nonland permanent to its owner’s hand, not just creatures, giving it a notably broader scope of impact. However, Engulf the Shore has a specific requirement that ties its effectiveness to the number of Islands you control, which can be both a limitation and a strategy enhancer depending on your deck’s construction.

Another card that echoes this reactive control playstyle is Whelming Wave, which affects a wider variety of creatures, sparing only Krakens, Leviathans, Octopuses, and Serpents. This can strategically be advantageous in a deck tailored to those creature types. Aetherize, albeit it affects only creatures attacking you, offers a similar board-clearing effect at a lower mana cost, providing a defensive option that could alter the course of the game at a critical moment.

While each card has its particular strengths and situational advantages, Engulf the Shore is a strong contender for control-based blue decks that value strategic creature management and can capitalize on the Island-count mechanic.

Cyclonic Rift - Return to Ravnica (RTR)
Whelming Wave - Born of the Gods (BNG)
Aetherize - Gatecrash (GTC)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Engulf the Shore MTG card by a specific set like Shadows over Innistrad Promos and Shadows over Innistrad, 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 Engulf the Shore and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Engulf the Shore Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2016-04-08 and 2019-11-15. Illustrated by Cliff Childs.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12016-04-08Shadows over Innistrad PromosPSOI 58s2015normalblackCliff Childs
22016-04-08Shadows over InnistradSOI 582015normalblackCliff Childs
32017-10-24Duel Decks: Merfolk vs. GoblinsDDT 52015normalblackCliff Childs
42019-11-15Game Night 2019GN2 212015normalblackCliff Childs

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Engulf the Shore has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal
PennyLegal

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