Coral Barrier MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Wall
Abilities	Defender
Released	2014-07-18
Set symbol
Set name	Magic 2015
Set code	M15
Power	1
Toughness	3
Number	49
Frame	2015
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Florian de Gesincourt

Key Takeaways

Coral Barrier offers card advantage by creating an additional Squid token alongside the main creature.
The Squid token enhances resource strategies and synergizes with sacrifice-based mechanics.
Coral Barrier’s instant speed interaction and islandwalk can catch opponents off guard.

Text of card

Defender (This creature can't attack.) When Coral Barrier enters the battlefield, put a 1/1 blue Squid creature token with islandwalk onto the battlefield. (It can't be blocked as long as defending player controls an Island.)

Card Pros

Card Advantage: By summoning a Squid token with islandwalk when Coral Barrier enters the battlefield, you effectively get two creatures for the price of one. This can give you an edge by increasing your board presence and providing potential blockers or attackers.

Resource Acceleration: While Coral Barrier itself does not provide direct mana acceleration, it can indirectly contribute to your resource pool. The Squid token can be used in conjunction with other cards to fuel effects that require sacrificing creatures, acting as a resource to power various strategies.

Instant Speed: Although Coral Barrier is not an instant, it interacts well with cards that have flash or can be played at instant speed. It provides a defensive body that can be unexpected by opponents, especially since the Squid token it creates inherits the rarely-seen islandwalk ability, potentially leaving opponents unprepared.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Coral Barrier does not require a discard upon casting, which helps preserve hand advantage.

Specific Mana Cost: Requiring both generic and blue mana to cast, this card demands commitment to blue mana sources, making it less flexible for multi-colored decks.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana, including one blue, it may be considered costly, given that it produces a creature with only one power and an additional 1/1 Squid Token with islandwalk.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Coral Barrier can serve multiple roles within various deck builds. As a creature that also produces a Wall token with defender, it offers both offense and defense, adding to board presence in decks that value numerous creatures or require blockers.

Combo Potential: The squid token that comes with Coral Barrier has synergy in decks revolving around sea creatures or tokens. It can be an essential part of combos with cards that capitalize on token generation or creatures entering the battlefield.

Meta-Relevance: In game environments flush with aggressive decks, Coral Barrier provides a useful deterrent. The defender token can help stabilize the board, potentially turning the tide in matchups where early creature control is crucial.

How to Beat

Coral Barrier is a unique card in Magic: The Gathering, providing not just a defender creature but also creating a token upon entry to the battlefield. Its squid token can be particularly troublesome due to the unexpected additional creature it presents. The main strategy to defeat Coral Barrier revolves around bypassing its defenses or nullifying its token-creating ability.

Targeted removal spells can cleanly dispatch the Barrier or its token, with cards like Dismember or Path to Exile being particularly effective. Alternatively, using spells that prevent the Barrier from blocking, such as Teleportal, can also be an efficient method to overcome this obstacle and ensure your creatures connect with your opponent. It’s also worth noting that enchantments like Claustrophobia can neutralize Coral Barrier, effectively taking it out of the game without having to destroy it.

In conclusion, while Coral Barrier might initially stall an aggressive strategy with its defender ability and token generation, it’s quite manageable with the right tactics. Be prepared with removal or control enchantments, focus on strategic play, and Coral Barrier can be overcome without too much trouble.

Cards like Coral Barrier

Coral Barrier provides a unique twist in the lineup of defensive MTG cards. As a creature that brings along its own protection in the form of a 1/1 blue Squid creature token with islandwalk, it shares similarities with other token-generating cards. Wall of Omens, for example, also offers a defense while drawing a card upon entering the battlefield, minus the token. Where Coral Barrier gives you immediate board presence with an extra creature, Wall of Omens boosts your hand.

Another comparable card is Hornet Nest, which defensively stings by creating many 1/1 Insect creature tokens with flying and deathtouch when it’s dealt damage. Unlike Coral Barrier, Hornet Nest has the potential to produce multiple tokens, yet it requires being damaged to do so, making it reactive rather than proactive. The Squid from Coral Barrier needs no trigger to come into play, offering a surefire token on cast.

These comparisons highlight the varied strategies for players looking to fortify their defense while maintaining board presence. Coral Barrier slots into decks aiming for dependable token generation and an extra layer of protection. It stands out with its guarantee of immediate additional creatures, poised to deter attackers and benefit sea-themed synergies.

Cards similar to Coral Barrier by color, type and mana cost

Volrath's Shapeshifter - MTG Card versions

Stronghold Biologist - 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

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Coral Barrier MTG card by a specific set like Magic 2015, 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 Coral Barrier and other MTG cards: