Inkfathom Divers MTG Card
2007-10-12 - Number 70
2017-10-24 - Number 8
2019-11-07 - Number 405
2020-09-26 - Number DDT-8
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Merfolk Soldier |
| Abilities | Islandwalk,Landwalk |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Text of card
Islandwalk When Inkfathom Divers comes into play, look at the top four cards of your library, then put them back in any order.
"None appreciate sun and shallows like those who have seen the depths." —Lianda of the Stonybrook school
Cards like Inkfathom Divers
Delving into the depths of utility creatures in Magic the Gathering, Inkfathom Divers stands out with its ability to intricately shape a player’s upcoming turns. Resembling cards such as Sage Owl and Augury Owl, Inkfathom Divers shares the theme of deck manipulation. Yet, the Divers offer a broader selection, allowing a player to look at the top four cards instead of just two or three.
When examining Merfolk creatures with similar effects, Silvergill Douser also manipulates the flow of the game but through controlling opponents’ creatures rather than curating one’s own deck. Contrasting with the Divers, Silvergill Douser enables ongoing interaction, as opposed to a single profound insight into future draws. Another Merfolk of note is the Harbinger of the Tides, able to impact the board immediately by returning an opponent’s creature to their hand, albeit without providing the card knowledge Inkfathom Divers can.
In summary, while there are a variety of cards that offer deck control or interactive gameplay, Inkfathom Divers claims its niche by allowing for a deeper look into upcoming cards and therefore crafting a more informed strategy for MTG enthusiasts focused on long-term planning.
Cards similar to Inkfathom Divers by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: When you play Inkfathom Divers, it helps to set up your next draws. Upon entering the battlefield, it lets you look at the top four cards of your library, then put one of them into your hand and the rest on the bottom of your library in any order. This selection process ensures that you get closer to the cards you need, enhancing your strategic position.
Resource Acceleration: Although Inkfathom Divers doesn’t directly accelerate resources like some ramp spells, it does contribute to resource acceleration indirectly by helping you find your key mana sources or acceleration tools faster through its library manipulation ability, ensuring smoother gameplay progression.
Instant Speed: With its merfolk synergies, Inkfathom Divers can often benefit from other cards in your deck that may allow you to play merfolk spells as though they had flash. This potential interaction could enable you to play Inkfathom Divers at instant speed, surprising your opponent and keeping your options open during their turn.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: With Inkfathom Divers your deck manipulation capabilities come at a cost. To take full advantage of its ability, there’s a prerequisite of sorting the top four cards of your library. While this offers selection, it doesn’t match the instant impact of drawing a card and can be a tempo setback in fast-paced games.
Specific Mana Cost: This card’s mana cost requires a commitment to blue mana sources, which can dictate the deck archetypes it fits into. Deck builders who are working with a multicolored strategy may find the double blue in its casting cost restrictive when considering the overall mana base.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Inkfathom Divers demands four mana, including two that must be blue, which can be heavy for a 3/3 creature. In environments where the board can be dominated by creatures with more impact or lower costs, its commitment can be seen as an inefficient use of valuable mana resources, especially if you’re aiming to maintain tempo against aggressive opposition.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Inkfathom Divers can be a strategic addition to blue-based control or midrange decks. The ability to arrange the top four cards of your library can smooth out draws and ensure you get valuable cards when needed.
Combo Potential: When combined with library manipulation and top-deck control strategies, Inkfathom Divers can serve as a key in setting up the perfect draw. This synergizes well with effects that let you play the top card of your library.
Meta-Relevance: Given the right environment where slower, more deliberate play is effective, Inkfathom Divers’ ability to sculpt your upcoming turns becomes a tool that can decisively impact the game’s outcome.
How to beat
Inkfathom Divers, a blue creature card from the Lorwyn set, provides a valuable service for players by enabling a thorough search of the top four cards of their library. Unlike some other similar functions in Magic: The Gathering, the Divers allow for a deep dive into deck manipulation, offering choice and strategy to the player’s benefit. To effectively counter this card, denying the opponent’s ability to exploit their library becomes key.
Removing Inkfathom Divers from play is straightforward, with plenty of removal spells in various colors that can handle the task. Countering it upon cast is another effective strategy, thwarting the look-ahead ability that can set up an opponent’s upcoming plays. For those playing blue, cards like Essence Scatter or Negate can be particularly useful. Ensnaring the divers in battlefield effects that lock creatures down is also a valid approach, preventing the reshuffling of the opponent’s deck to their advantage, which can often be instrumental in their game plan.
Ultimately, managing Inkfathom Divers comes down to timing and control. While they pose a solid utility for card advantage, like many creatures in Magic: The Gathering, they are vulnerable to targeted removal and counterspells, providing several avenues to mitigate their impact on the game.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Inkfathom Divers MTG card by a specific set like Lorwyn and Duel Decks: Merfolk vs. Goblins, 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 Inkfathom Divers 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 Inkfathom Divers Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2007-10-12 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by Steven Belledin.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2007-10-12 | Lorwyn | LRW | 70 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Steven Belledin | |
| 2 | 2017-10-24 | Duel Decks: Merfolk vs. Goblins | DDT | 8 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Steven Belledin | |
| 3 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 405 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Steven Belledin | |
| 4 | The List | PLST | DDT-8 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Steven Belledin |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Inkfathom Divers has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |