Harpoon Sniper MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Creature — Merfolk Archer
Released	2007-10-12
Set symbol
Set name	Lorwyn
Set code	LRW
Power	2
Toughness	2
Number	19
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Dominick Domingo

Key Takeaways

Provides instant speed removal, enabling reactive play and board control during an opponent’s turn.
Requires heavy Merfolk synergy to maximize card utility and deck building strategies.
Its white mana cost can limit integration into multicolored Merfolk deck structures.

Text of card

, : Harpoon Sniper deals X damage to target attacking or blocking creature, where X is the number of Merfolk you control.

Made from whiskergill bones, merrow spinebows can fire bolts through tree trunks.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Harpoon Sniper provides a targeted removal ability, which can be a key to maintaining board control. Using this card, you can eliminate troublesome creatures your opponent controls, thus swinging the balance in your favor without losing a card in hand.

Resource Acceleration: While Harpoon Sniper itself does not directly accelerate resources, it synergizes well with other cards that generate Merfolk or those that benefit from having a Merfolk on the field, potentially leading to a quicker build-up of your board presence.

Instant Speed: Harpoon Sniper’s ability can be activated at instant speed, giving you the flexibility to respond to threats during your opponent’s turn or at the end of their turn to clear a path for your attack. This unpredictability works to your advantage, keeping opponents on their toes.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Harpoon Sniper’s utility hinges on the number of Merfolk you control, indirectly necessitating a Merfolk-heavy deck or mechanics to generate Merfolk tokens. This requirement might force you to tailor your deck heavily around this synergy, which could compromise its versatility.

Specific Mana Cost: Harpoon Sniper’s casting cost demands white mana, which might not seamlessly integrate into multicolored Merfolk decks that typically favor blue and green hues. This specific mana requirement could potentially restrict its inclusion only to mono-white or white-blue tribal builds.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Bearing a mana cost of three, including two generic and one white, might be considered steep for its ability’s effect. Analyzing the cost-to-effect ratio, players might opt for alternative removal options that are either more cost-effective or impactful for the same or less mana investment.

Reasons to Include Harpoon Sniper in Your Collection

Versatility: The Harpoon Sniper from Lorwyn set functions well in decks with a high number of Merfolk. This card can create unexpected tactical shifts, controlling the board by picking off your opponent’s key creatures.

Combo Potential: With the abundance of Merfolk synergies, Harpoon Sniper can be a lynchpin in combos, often enabling the removal of multiple threats as your Merfolk count grows.

Meta-Relevance: Given its utility against creature-heavy decks, Harpoon Sniper remains relevant in metas where token strategies or creature-based aggro decks are prominent.

How to Beat

Harpoon Sniper is an intriguing card that can become a tactical point in Magic: The Gathering matches, especially in decks heavy with Merfolk. Its ability to pick off creatures for each Merfolk you reveal provides a direct way to control the board. However, defeating this card isn’t about a head-on clash; it’s about outmaneuvering its targeted ability.

One effective strategy is to overwhelm the Sniper. Flood the battlefield with more creatures than the Harpoon Sniper can handle. If you play more creatures than the sniper has arrows, so to speak, its impact lessens. Also, creature protection spells or abilities that grant indestructibility or hexproof can also render the Sniper’s ability useless, safeguarding your key creatures from becoming targets.

Moreover, don’t underestimate the importance of instant speed removal. Having the capability to remove the Harpoon Sniper before it can use its ability is crucial. Waiting for your opponent to reveal a Merfolk only to respond by removing the sniper in a timely fashion can leave them tapped out and your board position intact.

Cards like Harpoon Sniper

Harpoon Sniper momentarily steers the game’s course, much like its kindred spirit, Avian Changeling, within Magic: The Gathering’s vast array of creature cards. Harpoon Sniper, a Merfolk Archer, has the distinctive ability to pick off creatures by leveraging the controller’s Merfolk quantity, offering tactical removal options. Avian Changeling, though it doesn’t offer creature removal, brings adaptability to the table as a Changeling, able to fit into various tribal strategies.

Seeking comparison, Veteran of the Depths shares a bond with Harpoon Sniper through their Merfolk lineage. While Veteran of the Depths excels in personal combat prowess by growing stronger with each Merfolk played, Harpoon Sniper deals directly with threats from afar. Another analogous card, Sigil Tracer, allows for spell duplication given enough Merfolk are paralleled on the field, contrasting with Harpoon Sniper’s straightforward, targetable control.

Each of these cards shines in a strategic light for Merfolk-tribal decks, yet Harpoon Sniper maintains a unique position. It offers an unyielding board influence by transforming Merfolk presence into a weapon – a seamless integration of offense and control, balancing your board state with precision.

Veteran of the Depths - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Harpoon Sniper by color, type and mana cost

Pianna, Nomad Captain - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Harpoon Sniper MTG card by a specific set like Lorwyn, 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 Harpoon Sniper and other MTG cards: