Thing from the Deep MTG Card

Portal (POR)
1997-05-01 - Number 73

Thing from the Deep - Masters Edition IV (ME4)

Masters Edition IV (ME4)
2011-01-10 - Number 68

The List (PLST)
2020-09-26 - Number POR-73

Card sets	Released in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	9
Rarity	Rare
Type	Creature — Leviathan
Power	9
Toughness	9

Key Takeaways

Its ability to potentially draw cards can significantly sway the game’s momentum in your favor.
Despite its high impact, discarding crucial cards and its mana demands could hinder deck synergy.
Thing from the Deep’s board presence and meta-relevance make it a powerful addition in specific decks.

Text of card

If Thing from the Deep attacks, destroy one of your islands or destroy Thing from the Deep.

Seafarers fear sailing off the world's edge not so much as down its gullet.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: When Thing from the Deep enters the battlefield, its ability to potentially draw cards upon the sinking of an island taps into the essential strategy of broadening your hand and giving you more options each turn. This can significantly impact the flow of the game, ensuring that you are not falling behind in resources.

Resource Acceleration: Thing from the Deep doesn’t directly generate resources, but its looming presence can disrupt your opponent’s board, leading to a form of indirect resource acceleration by clearing the path for your other creatures to attack and establishing board control.

Instant Speed: This creature itself may not be an instant, but it can be a pivotal play during your main phases that sets up the field for any instant-speed removals or counterspells you may hold. With Thing from the Deep on the field, you create pressure that may force your opponent to act hastily, which, in turn, can give you an advantage when reactively using your instant-speed interactions.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Thing from the Deep asks a player to pitch a card from their hand into the graveyard. This can be a steep price especially when you’re trying to maintain card advantage against your opponent. There’s always a risk of discarding a crucial spell or creature that could be essential for future turns.

Specific Mana Cost: This card comes with a mana cost that demands both blue and generic mana, impacting its flexibility. This particular cost structure can be challenging for multi-colored decks to accommodate, especially if they are already strained in maintaining a balanced mana base.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a demanding casting cost that sits on the higher end of the spectrum, Thing from the Deep may not always be the most tempo-efficient play. There are alternatives on the lower end of the mana curve that can provide players with significant board presence or card advantage without such a hefty investment.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Thing from the Deep can be a game-changer in a variety of Blue-based control or ramp decks. Its capacity to disrupt the board state on summoning is invaluable, making it a utility player in decks that seek to turn the tide with impactful creatures.

Combo Potential: The card has natural synergy with strategies aiming to capitalize on bounce or sacrifice mechanics. It also works well with cards that can cheat it into play earlier than expected, revealing unexpected combinations that can dominate a game.

Meta-Relevance: In a gameplay environment where tapping strategies and creature-based aggro decks are common, Thing from the Deep offers a powerful counter-approach. It provides substantial presence both as an offensive threat and a defensive measure, establishing its relevancy in diverse competitive scenes.

How to beat

Thing from the Deep is one of those cards that can turn the tide in a match if left unchecked. This powerful sea creature makes a splash by demanding sacrifice from your opponents each time it attacks. The best strategy to overcome this leviathan is to manage the battlefield effectively. Removal spells are key – think along the lines of “Swords to Plowshares” or “Path to Exile” which can get rid of Thing from the Deep regardless of its size.

Another angle is countering it before it hits the board, utilizing spells like “Counterspell” or “Negate” to ensure it doesn’t get the chance to cause havoc. Moreover, keeping creature removal in hand for when your opponent casts Thing from the Deep is essential. If it does resolve, instant-speed answers will prevent you from being forced into unwanted sacrifices. Additionally, creatures with abilities triggered upon dying could turn those sacrifices into strategic advantages, so including these in your deck could flip the script on Thing from the Deep.

In essence, prompt action and a deck equipped with proper answers are your best allies in ensuring that this deep-sea terror doesn’t dominate the game. With these tips, you’ll be sailing to victory even when facing the most daunting depths of your opponent’s deck.

Cards like Thing from the Deep

Thing from the Deep is a sea monster that has made waves among MTG players. Comparable to other behemoths of the deep, such as Inkwell Leviathan, Thing from the Deep offers a colossal presence on the board. While both creatures come with intimidating power and toughness, Inkwell Leviathan brings with it an added level of protection with shroud, meaning it can’t be the target of spells or abilities.

Another creature looming in similar depths is Lorthos, the Tidemaker, which shares the aquatic theme and the potential to control the game through its tap-down ability. Although it does not match the sheer size of Thing from the Deep, it can be more disruptive to an opponent’s board state on attack. Kraken of the Straits also shares the seas, limiting opponents from blocking unless they command a considerable number of creatures. While Thing from the Deep does not impose such restrictions on blocking, it reinforces a dominant board position just by its sheer presence.

Evaluating the diversity and potential of similar sea monsters in MTG, Thing from the Deep holds its own, especially in games where its massive bulk and formidable presence can decisively shape the battlefield.

Lorthos, the Tidemaker - MTG Card versions

Kraken of the Straits - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Thing from the Deep by color, type and mana cost

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Thing from the Deep MTG card by a specific set like Portal and Masters Edition IV, 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 Thing from the Deep and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Thing from the Deep Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 1997-05-01 and 2011-01-10. Illustrated by Paolo Parente.

#	Released	Name	Code	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	1997-05-01	Portal	POR	73	1997	Normal	Black	Paolo Parente
2	2011-01-10	Masters Edition IV	ME4	68	1997	Normal	Black	Paolo Parente
3	~~2020-09-26~~	The List	PLST	POR-73	1997	Normal	Black	Paolo Parente