Lullmage Mentor MTG Card
Mana cost | |
Converted mana cost | 3 |
Rarity | Rare |
Type | Creature — Merfolk Wizard |
Released | 2009-10-02 |
Set symbol | |
Set name | Zendikar |
Set code | ZEN |
Power | 2 |
Toughness | 2 |
Number | 54 |
Frame | 2003 |
Layout | Normal |
Border | Black |
Illustred by | Jaime Jones |
Text of card
Whenever a spell or ability you control counters a spell, you may put a 1/1 blue Merfolk creature token onto the battlefield. Tap seven untapped Merfolk you control: Counter target spell.
"Many voices are needed to quiet this land."
Cards like Lullmage Mentor
Lullmage Mentor is a unique creature card that offers an intriguing synergy with merfolk and countering spells. When we compare it to other similar cards, one such card that comes to mind is Patron Wizard. This card gives a similar ability for Wizards, enabling the player to counter spells at the cost of tapping an untapped Wizard you control, but without creating tokens.
Another associated card is Guile. It turns any countered spell into an opportunity by allowing you to exile it and potentially cast it without paying its mana cost, further capitalizing on your opponent’s loss. While Guile doesn’t produce additional creature tokens like Lullmage Mentor, its effect can still have a powerful impact on the game state.
Lastly, Docent of Perfection provides a final comparison. While directly not a counter-related card, it does offer the ability to produce Wizard creature tokens, much like Lullmage Mentor generates merfolk tokens. However, Docent of Perfection requires you to cast instant or sorcery spells to create tokens, altering the type of gameplay it encourages.
Each of these cards has its place, but Lullmage Mentor carves a niche in MTG for its potential to both fortify a merfolk strategy and control the game through its counterspell token-generation ability.
Cards similar to Lullmage Mentor by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Lullmage Mentor allows for repeated token generation under the right conditions, effectively creating an army of Merfolk to overwhelm opponents. When paired with other cards that facilitate card drawing, this translates to sustained card advantage over the course of a match.
Resource Acceleration: While not directly impacting mana resources, the synergy of Lullmage Mentor with other Merfolk or counterspell strategies can accelerate the development of your board presence, effectively giving you more resources to work with in terms of creatures on the field.
Instant Speed: The Mentor’s ability can be triggered at instant speed whenever you counter an opponent’s spell. This allows for a tactical edge, as you can expand your Merfolk cadre during the opponent’s turn, keeping mana open for counterspells and other instant-speed interactions.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One notable downside to Lullmage Mentor is that to activate its ability to counter spells, you must have seven or more Merfolk on the battlefield. This can be a demanding requirement, as it forces you to accumulate a significant number of tribe-specific creatures, which may not always be feasible, especially in faster-paced games where board presence is constantly threatened.
Specific Mana Cost: Lullmage Mentor requires two blue mana symbols in its casting cost. This specificity can be restrictive, tethering the card firmly in mono-blue or blue-heavy decks. For players running multicolored decks that don’t lean heavily on blue, finding the mana to cast Lullmage Mentor consistently can pose a challenge.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of 2U (three mana), including double blue, Lullmage Mentor is somewhat costly for its 2/2 body. Other cards at this mana range could potentially offer more impactful game presence or immediate effects on the board state without the prerequisite of a Merfolk-heavy battlefield.
Reasons to Include Lullmage Mentor in Your Collection
Versatility: Lullmage Mentor can be a powerful addition to decks focused on Merfolk synergies or countering spells. With the ability to produce a steady stream of Merfolk tokens, it’s also an excellent fit for strategies that capitalize on creature numbers.
Combo Potential: This card works well in combos, especially with other cards that allow you to counter multiple spells. Each counter spell generates a Merfolk, which contributes to the seven needed to activate the Mentor’s second ability for a non-ending counter loop.
Meta-Relevance: As metagames ebb and flow, Lullmage Mentor can become increasingly valuable in environments ripe with spells that need to be stopped. Its inherent ability to control the game while establishing a board presence can be critical against certain archetypes.
How to beat Lullmage Mentor
Lullmage Mentor stands out among MTG cards, presenting a unique challenge with its ally mill mechanic and the capability to generate a merfolk army. Unlike other creatures that rely solely on combat, Lullmage Mentor deters opponents through its ability to counter spells, conditional upon having enough merfolk under your command. This can lead to a lock on the game if not addressed quickly.
To effectively counter this blue card, remove the mentor early before it snowballs out of control. Aggressive removal spells or board wipes can disrupt the synergy required for its ability. Moreover, graveyard manipulation such as Scavenging Ooze can prevent the merfolk counterspell condition from being met. Targeted removal like Fatal Push or board-clearing effects from cards like Wrath of God also provide a solution to the swarm of merfolk tokens.
It’s crucial to prevent the Lullmage Mentor from establishing a foothold; a deck equipped with the right spells can ensure that your gameplay remains fluid and your strategies unimpeded by a growing tide of merfolk adversaries.
BurnMana Recommendations
If you’re intrigued by the potential of Lullmage Mentor to enhance your MTG gameplay, consider integrating it into your collection for its prowess in Merfolk-synergy decks and its nuanced spell-countering mechanics. With its ability to generate a defensive line of Merfolk tokens while disrupting opponents, this mentor becomes a linchpin in decks focused on creature control and spell countering. Overlook the rigidity of its casting cost and embrace the strategic depth it adds to your blue-aligned decks. Dive deeper into this card’s possibilities and refine your deck’s performance in the MTG arena. Unlock insights and strategies to turn the tide in your favor with Lullmage Mentor. Join us, and unravel the full potential of your deck’s capabilities.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Lullmage Mentor MTG card by a specific set like Zendikar, 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 Lullmage Mentor 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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Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Lullmage Mentor has restrictions
Format | Legality |
---|---|
Commander | Legal |
Legacy | Legal |
Modern | Legal |
Oathbreaker | Legal |
Vintage | Legal |
Duel | Legal |
Predh | Legal |
Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Lullmage Mentor card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
Date | Text |
---|---|
2009-10-01 | A spell or ability counters a spell only if it specifically contains the word “counter” in its text. If a spell or ability you control causes all the targets of a spell to become illegal, that spell doesn’t resolve but is not countered. |
2009-10-01 | Lullmage Mentor’s second ability will cause its first ability to trigger. |
2009-10-01 | Since the second ability doesn’t have a tap symbol in its cost, you can tap creatures (including Lullmage Mentor itself) that haven’t been under your control since your most recent turn began to pay the cost. |