Harbinger of the Tides MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 5 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Merfolk Wizard
Power 2
Toughness 2

Key Takeaways

  1. Disrupts opponents by returning their tapped creatures, potentially leading to a card and tempo advantage.
  2. Instant-speed castability provides a tactical edge, yet a high mana cost demands strategic resource management.
  3. In the realm of blue tempo spells, Harbinger’s unique flexibility makes it a powerful deck addition.
Flash card art

Guide to Flash card ability

Explore the dynamic Flash ability in Magic: The Gathering (MTG), a feature that allows you to cast spells at lightning speed, often leaving your opponents reeling and your strategy several steps ahead. This versatile ability can turn the tide of a game, providing the element of surprise and tactical advantage. It places a premium on timing and foresight, transforming an ordinary deck into a formidable arsenal of instant threats and responses.

Text of card

You may cast Harbinger of the Tides as though it had flash if you pay more to cast it. (You may cast it any time you could cast an instant.) When Harbinger of the Tides enters the battlefield, you may return target tapped creature an opponent controls to its owner's hand.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Harbinger of the Tides provides strategic board control by returning tapped creatures to an opponent’s hand. This utility can indirectly lead to card advantage as it disrupts your opponent’s plans and forces them to redeploy their resources, often costing them valuable card plays and tempo.

Resource Acceleration: Utilizing Harbinger of the Tides effectively can accelerate your board presence. By bouncing key creatures at crucial moments, you’re able to maintain a stronger position and pressurize your opposition without committing additional cards from your hand.

Instant Speed: The versatility of casting Harbinger of the Tides as though it had flash (if you pay its alternative cost) grants you the flexibility to react in real-time to battlefield changes. This can provide surprise interactions and advantageous plays during your opponent’s turn to keep the upper hand in the game.


Card Cons

Specific Mana Cost: Harbinger of the Tides requires blue mana for casting, which can be restrictive. Decks without blue mana sources won’t be able to utilize this card, thereby limiting its flexibility in various MTG deck builds.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of two blue mana (or four mana if you want to take advantage of its instant-speed ability by casting it during an opponent’s turn), Harbinger of the Tides can be considered costly for the effect of returning a tapped creature an opponent controls to their hand. This may deplete your mana quickly, affecting other plays you could make during your turn.

Discard Requirement: Although Harbinger of the Tides does not have a discard requirement, it’s important for players to weigh its casting cost against their hand and the tempo of the game. Casting it at instant speed for its higher cost may not always be the most resource-efficient play, especially if the returned creature can be easily replayed.


Reasons to Include Harbinger of the Tides in Your Collection

Versatility: Harbinger of the Tides offers a dynamic addition to decks focused on creature control. Capable of being cast normally or with flash when using its alternate casting cost, the card easily slots into various tempo and control shells, adapting to the tide of gameplay with ease.

Combo Potential: This card excels in scenarios where bouncing creatures to an opponent’s hand can disrupt their plans or remove troublesome blockers. This function pairs well with cards that punish opponents when they cast spells, or with finishers that require a clear path to deal damage.

Meta-Relevance: Given the card’s ability to unsettle creature-centric strategies, Harbinger of the Tides remains a tactical choice in an environment populated by aggressive creature decks. With agility and the right timing, it can be key in swinging game momentum in your favor.


How to beat

Harbinger of the Tides stands out in MTG as a versatile creature known for its ability to return another creature to its owner’s hand. It poses a strategic disruption, especially when your opponents rely on battlefield presence. To overcome this card, consider using instant speed removals that can eliminate Harbinger before its ability triggers. Cards like Fatal Push and Path to Exile are exemplary for their cost-efficient removal capabilities.

Additionally, playing around Harbinger’s timing can be key. Since it requires mana to be spent for its ability, keeping track of your opponent’s mana pool and casting spells when they’re tapped out minimizes the risk of an untimely bounce. Prioritize creatures with enter-the-battlefield effects as well, since they offer value even when returned to your hand.

Ultimately, defeating Harbinger of the Tides relies on careful play and resource management. By maintaining removal options and strategically deploying creatures, you can mitigate the impact of this merfolk and maintain control of the game state.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastery of MTG lies in knowing every card’s role within a vast array of strategies. Harbinger of the Tides exemplifies control and tempo, offering significant advantages during pivotal game moments. To truly capitalize on its potential, understanding when to deploy its ability is crucial. Whether disrupting an opponent’s plans or optimizing the rhythm of your plays, this card is a substantial piece of the intricate MTG puzzle. We invite you to delve deeper into its applications and integrate it into your gameplay for optimal performance. For more insights and to enhance your deck with Harbinger of the Tides, continue your journey with us.


Cards like Harbinger of the Tides

Harbinger of the Tides offers a unique place among creature spells in Magic: The Gathering. This card draws a parallel with the likes of Man-o’-War which also allows players to return a tapped creature an opponent controls back to their hand. However, Harbinger of the Tides provides the flexibility of being cast at either sorcery or, with enough mana, instant speed, offering a defensive play during an opponent’s attack phase.

Another akin power is found in Aether Adept, sharing the ability to bounce creatures upon entering the battlefield. The main distinction, though, lies in Harbinger’s condition to target tapped creatures, which can tactically exploit an opponent’s aggressive strategy. Whereas Aether Adept can be utilized to reset any creature without such restrictions. However, the timing advantage provided by Harbinger truly separates it from other similar cards.

In deciphering the strategic value and utility within blue creature spells, Harbinger of the Tides stands out with its versatility and tactical advantage in tempo play. It effectively disrupts opponents’ plans while maintaining a strong presence on the board.

Man-o'-War - MTG Card versions
Aether Adept - MTG Card versions
Man-o'-War - Visions (VIS)
Aether Adept - Magic 2011 (M11)

Cards similar to Harbinger of the Tides by color, type and mana cost

Vodalian Soldiers - MTG Card versions
Zephyr Falcon - MTG Card versions
Giant Albatross - MTG Card versions
Phantasmal Sphere - MTG Card versions
Skyshroud Condor - MTG Card versions
School of Piranha - MTG Card versions
Coral Merfolk - MTG Card versions
Wu Light Cavalry - MTG Card versions
Sea Eagle - MTG Card versions
Overtaker - MTG Card versions
Hazy Homunculus - MTG Card versions
Darting Merfolk - MTG Card versions
Thought Eater - MTG Card versions
Spellstutter Sprite - MTG Card versions
Sneaky Homunculus - MTG Card versions
Coral Eel - MTG Card versions
Storm Crow - MTG Card versions
Aquamoeba - MTG Card versions
Soratami Cloudskater - MTG Card versions
Minamo Sightbender - MTG Card versions
Vodalian Soldiers - Fallen Empires (FEM)
Zephyr Falcon - Fourth Edition (4ED)
Giant Albatross - Homelands (HML)
Phantasmal Sphere - Alliances (ALL)
Skyshroud Condor - Tempest (TMP)
School of Piranha - Exodus (EXO)
Coral Merfolk - Seventh Edition (7ED)
Wu Light Cavalry - Portal Three Kingdoms (PTK)
Sea Eagle - Starter 1999 (S99)
Overtaker - Mercadian Masques Promos (PMMQ)
Hazy Homunculus - Prophecy (PCY)
Darting Merfolk - World Championship Decks 2001 (WC01)
Thought Eater - Odyssey (ODY)
Spellstutter Sprite - Secret Lair Drop (SLD)
Sneaky Homunculus - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Coral Eel - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Storm Crow - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Aquamoeba - World Championship Decks 2003 (WC03)
Soratami Cloudskater - Champions of Kamigawa (CHK)
Minamo Sightbender - Betrayers of Kamigawa (BOK)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Harbinger of the Tides MTG card by a specific set like Magic Origins and Magic Origins Promos, 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 Harbinger of the Tides and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Harbinger of the Tides Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2015-07-17 and 2022-12-02. Illustrated by Svetlin Velinov.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12015-07-17Magic OriginsORI 582015normalblackSvetlin Velinov
22015-07-17Magic Origins PromosPORI 58s2015normalblackSvetlin Velinov
32017-08-25Commander 2017C17 852015normalblackSvetlin Velinov
42017-10-24Duel Decks: Merfolk vs. GoblinsDDT 72015normalblackSvetlin Velinov
52022-12-02Jumpstart 2022J22 3062015normalblackSvetlin Velinov

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Harbinger of the Tides has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal
PennyLegal

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