Merfolk Sovereign MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 6 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Merfolk Noble
Power 2
Toughness 2

Key Takeaways

  1. Merfolk Sovereign elevates merfolk decks with its unblockable granting ability and tribal bonuses.
  2. It synergizes well within its tribe, but its specific mana cost can be restrictive.
  3. Timing removal spells can effectively counteract Merfolk Sovereign’s advantages.

Text of card

Other Merfolk creatures you control get +1/+1. : Target Merfolk creature is unblockable this turn.

"The sharks envy our ferocity. The eels envy our cunning."


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Merfolk Sovereign works seamlessly in your deck to enhance the power of your merfolk, turning each one into a multifaceted threat. With its ability to grant bonuses to other merfolk, each card you put into play can become significantly more valuable, providing you with a genuine edge in card quality if not quantity.

Resource Acceleration: The true prowess of Merfolk Sovereign comes in its contribution to resource acceleration within a merfolk-focused deck. By boosting the strength of your merfolk creatures, the Sovereign may help to reduce the need for extra spells or effects to win combat, indirectly accelerating your resources as you can utilize your mana more effectively elsewhere.

Instant Speed: While Merfolk Sovereign itself doesn’t operate at instant speed, its inherent ability to grant unblockable status to your merfolk at a moment’s notice can be a game-changer. This feature enables strategic maneuvers that can catch an opponent off guard during their most vulnerable moments, similar to the tactical deployment that instant speed spells provide.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Merfolk Sovereign doesn’t directly ask for a card to be discarded, running it in a deck might mean forgoing cards that provide this mechanism for maintaining card advantage. This could be detrimental in formats where each card’s impact is vital.

Specific Mana Cost: Merfolk Sovereign’s casting cost requires one colorless and two blue mana, which may not blend well with multicolored Merfolk decks. This can make it challenging to summon the Sovereign on curve, especially when non-blue mana sources dominate your mana base.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana, Merfolk Sovereign competes with other three-drop cards within the tribal and broader format metagame. Given that other creatures or enchantments might offer immediate board impact or stronger synergistic effects at the same cost, the Sovereign might not always be the optimal play.


Reasons to Include Merfolk Sovereign in Your Collection

Versatility: Merfolk Sovereign offers a boost to Merfolk creatures, making it a strong inclusion in tribal decks that focus on this creature type. Its ability to grant your Merfolk unblockable for a turn also provides strategic advantages in various gameplay situations.

Combo Potential: This card synergizes with other Merfolk and islandwalk abilities, allowing for potentially unblockable creatures. Its lord effect of giving other Merfolks +1/+1 can be the cornerstone of powerful combos and synergistic plays that can overwhelm opponents.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where tribal themes are prevalent, Merfolk Sovereign shines by enhancing one of the game’s most well-supported tribes. It holds its ground in both casual and competitive play circles, making it a worthy addition to any player’s arsenal, especially in blue-centric strategies.


How to beat Merfolk Sovereign

Merfolk Sovereign, an elusive creature card from Magic: The Gathering, empowers its fellow Merfolk, granting them +1/+1 and the ability to become unblockable. This trait can quickly turn a game in favor of Merfolk deck players, establishing a formidable presence on the board. To counteract this, strategic removal spells are essential. Cards like Doom Blade or Go for the Throat can efficiently dispose of Merfolk Sovereign before its ability becomes a persistent threat.

Enchantment-based removal, such as Oblivion Ring, also serves as an effective measure, bypassing the Sovereign’s inherent ability to dodge spells. Additionally, board wipe spells like Day of Judgment could reset the playing field, nullifying the Sovereign’s advantage by clearing all creatures. However, timing is vital. Implementing these measures after Merfolk Sovereign has enhanced its team would be less impactful than a preemptive strike.

It’s always prudent to monitor the mana availability of your opponent as well, given that the Sovereign’s unblockable ability hinges on it. By doing so, players can predict and thwart potential synergies, maintaining control over the battlefield dynamics. With the right strategy and timely responses, overcoming Merfolk Sovereign’s influence in the game is within any player’s grasp.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering the strategies of MTG is an ongoing quest, much like the characters in the fantastical realms we explore with each card play. If you find resonance with the tidal power of Merfolk Sovereign, there’s much more to discover and optimize in your gameplay. By tapping into our insights, you can further empower your deck, sharpening your tactics to harness the full potential of your aquatic allies. Dive deeper into the depth of MTG strategies and deckbuilding tips with us and make every match you play resonate with the cunning and agility of the merfolk. Enhance your MTG journey today.


Cards like Merfolk Sovereign

Merfolk Sovereign’s allure in the MTG realm stems from its status buffing ability, echoed by cards like Lord of Atlantis. Both cards invigorate fellow Merfolk, with Lord of Atlantis granting not only a power boost but also the coveted ‘islandwalk’ ability. Merfolk Sovereign, however, offers an additional tactical advantage with its ability to make a Merfolk unblockable for a turn. This subtle difference can turn the tides of a match by ensuring critical damage goes unchecked.

Moving through the ocean of synergistic cards, we find Master of the Pearl Trident. This card shares similarities with Merfolk Sovereign, as it too bolsters fellow Merfolk. Yet, Master of the Pearl Trident further fortifies defenses by providing Merfolk with a +1/+1 and ‘islandwalk’. This cements its role in emphasizing both offensive and defensive strategies during gameplay. Comparatively, Merfolk Sovereign prioritizes evasive maneuvers to safely deliver blows to your opponent.

Considering the strategic depths of MTG, Merfolk Sovereign holds its own among its counterparts due to its unique ability to clear a path for a crucial strike, offering a tactic that other similar cards do not—making it a considerable choice for players weaving together a Merfolk-heavy deck.

Lord of Atlantis - MTG Card versions
Master of the Pearl Trident - MTG Card versions
Lord of Atlantis - Limited Edition Alpha (LEA)
Master of the Pearl Trident - Magic 2013 (M13)

Cards similar to Merfolk Sovereign by color, type and mana cost

Wall of Water - MTG Card versions
Prodigal Sorcerer - MTG Card versions
Apprentice Wizard - MTG Card versions
Homarid - MTG Card versions
Daring Apprentice - MTG Card versions
Time Elemental - MTG Card versions
Reef Pirates - MTG Card versions
Rootwater Shaman - MTG Card versions
Wind Drake - MTG Card versions
Volrath's Shapeshifter - MTG Card versions
Stronghold Biologist - MTG Card versions
Quicksilver Wall - MTG Card versions
Wall of Air - MTG Card versions
Phantom Warrior - MTG Card versions
Wormfang Drake - MTG Card versions
Animating Faerie // Bring to Life - MTG Card versions
Ghost of Ramirez DePietro - MTG Card versions
Grazilaxx, Illithid Scholar - MTG Card versions
Queen of Ice // Rage of Winter - MTG Card versions
Svyelun of Sea and Sky - MTG Card versions
Wall of Water - Limited Edition Alpha (LEA)
Prodigal Sorcerer - Unlimited Edition (2ED)
Apprentice Wizard - The Dark (DRK)
Homarid - Fallen Empires (FEM)
Daring Apprentice - Mirage (MIR)
Time Elemental - Fifth Edition (5ED)
Reef Pirates - Fifth Edition (5ED)
Rootwater Shaman - Tempest (TMP)
Wind Drake - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Volrath's Shapeshifter - Stronghold (STH)
Stronghold Biologist - Nemesis (NEM)
Quicksilver Wall - Prophecy (PCY)
Wall of Air - Seventh Edition (7ED)
Phantom Warrior - Duels of the Planeswalkers (DPA)
Wormfang Drake - Judgment (JUD)
Animating Faerie // Bring to Life - Throne of Eldraine (ELD)
Ghost of Ramirez DePietro - Commander Legends (CMR)
Grazilaxx, Illithid Scholar - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Queen of Ice // Rage of Winter - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Svyelun of Sea and Sky - Magic Online Promos (PRM)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Merfolk Sovereign MTG card by a specific set like Magic 2010 and Magic 2011, 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 Merfolk Sovereign and other MTG cards:

Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See Magic products

Printings

The Merfolk Sovereign Magic the Gathering card was released in 6 different sets between 2009-07-17 and 2023-11-17. Illustrated by 3 different artists.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12009-07-17Magic 2010M10 622003normalblackJesper Ejsing
22010-07-16Magic 2011M11 652003normalblackJesper Ejsing
32017-10-24Duel Decks: Merfolk vs. GoblinsDDT 112015normalblackJesper Ejsing
42017-11-24Explorers of IxalanE02 102015normalblackSlawomir Maniak
52022-12-02Jumpstart 2022J22 3212015normalblackJesper Ejsing
62023-11-17The Lost Caverns of Ixalan CommanderLCC 1642015normalblackMarta Nael

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Merfolk Sovereign has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Merfolk Sovereign card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

DateText
2009-10-01 To have any effect, Merfolk Sovereign's activated ability must be activated before the declare blockers step begins. Once a Merfolk has become blocked, activating Merfolk Sovereign's ability won't change that.

Recent MTG decks

Continue exploring other format decks
More decks