Mercurial Geists MTG Card
2016-07-22 - Number 186
2019-11-07 - Number 1454
2023-03-21 - Number 236
2020-09-26 - Number EMN-186
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Spirit |
| Abilities | Flying |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Text of card
Flying Whenever you cast an instant or sorcery spell, Mercurial Geists gets +3/+0 until end of turn.
"Procedural misstep: provocation of geists for the purpose of yielding more energy can compromise containment units. Next action: clean up mess." —Laboratory notes
Cards like Mercurial Geists
Mercurial Geists, as it flutters into the realm of creature spells in Magic: The Gathering, aligns itself with a unique family of flyers. A spectral entity that rewards players for casting noncreature spells, it can be compared to creatures like Nivix Cyclops that also gain power from casting instants and sorceries. What sets Mercurial Geists apart from Nivix Cyclops is its inherent ability to fly, escalating its threat level as it soars over ground-based defenses.
Analogous to Mercurial Geists, we have Wee Dragonauts—another card that thrives on spellslinging. They share a similar mechanic; however, Mercurial Geists boasts a higher base power, which can lead to larger damage outputs with fewer spells. However, its higher casting cost dictates a different pace of play, which can affect deck building decisions.
When weighing the attributes of these cards, Mercurial Geists seems to offer a substantial impact in the right deck. It combines aerial supremacy with a potent spells-trigger response, securing its status as a formidable card for players looking to capitalize on spell-heavy strategies within Magic: The Gathering.
Cards similar to Mercurial Geists by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Mercurial Geists grants a notable advantage by drawing extra cards with certain spells, thereby delivering a valuable addition to your hand and keeping the momentum in your favor.
Resource Acceleration: This card synergizes with decks focusing on using instants and sorceries, quickly boosting your threat level through its power-increasing ability whenever you cast a noncreature spell.
Instant Speed: Compatible with instant-speed spells, Mercurial Geists can become an even more formidable flyer when you’re able to buff it unexpectedly during combat or at the end of your opponent’s turn, keeping them on their toes.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: In the case of Mercurial Geists, playing spells is the key to unlocking its power. However, each time you cast a noncreature spell to boost the Geists, you’re diminishing your hand. This mandatory discard can be a setback when you’re trying to maintain card advantage over your opponent.
Specific Mana Cost: The casting cost of the Geists is not just steep but also color-demanding, requiring both blue and red mana. This specificity could hamper deck flexibility, especially in formats where mana-fixing might not always be reliable or available.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although a 3/3 flying creature is decent, the four-mana investment is significant. While the potential for power increase is there, other cards at a similar or lower cost could provide immediate impact without the need for additional spell casting, making them more appealing in fast-paced games or in decks that value mana efficiency.
Reasons to Include Mercurial Geists in Your Collection
Versatility: Mercurial Geists shines in decks that value spell casting and prowess. Their ability to scale in power with each instant or sorcery cast makes them adaptable across multiple game scenarios, catering to a dynamic playstyle.
Combo Potential: This creature card becomes increasingly threatening with spells that draw cards or deal damage, potentially turning it into a game-ending threat. When combined with cheap cantrips or spells that untap lands, it can become a persistent problem for opponents.
Meta-Relevance: In environments rich with instants and sorceries, Mercurial Geists can be a game-changer. As control and tempo decks often flourish in such metas, including this card could tip the scales in your favor, leveraging fast-paced games and spell-slinging strategies.
How to beat
Mercurial Geists present an interesting challenge in the battlefield of Magic: The Gathering. This creature card shines in decks that are heavy on instants and sorceries, as it gets stronger each time you cast a noncreature spell. To effectively counter this rising threat, it’s crucial to neutralize it before it becomes too powerful. This can be achieved through timely removal spells that can target creatures, regardless of their size. Aim to use removals when the stack is empty to avoid giving an opponent the chance to respond with instant spells that could further buff the Geists.
Another strategy involves employing counterspells to prevent the casting of the said instants and sorceries that fuel Mercurial Geists’ strength. Disruption tactics such as discard or hand disruption can also be effective in hindering an opponent’s ability to enable their Mercurial Geists’ abilities. Ultimately, staying one step ahead by keeping their hand and battlefield clear of influential noncreature spells can be the key to overcoming this potent threat.
In essence, taking proactive measures against Mercurial Geists’ strategy can keep this card from reaching its full potential, thus maintaining the equilibrium of the game in your favor.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Mercurial Geists MTG card by a specific set like Eldritch Moon and Mystery Booster, 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 Mercurial Geists 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
See MTG Products
Printings
The Mercurial Geists Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2016-07-22 and 2023-03-21. Illustrated by Lake Hurwitz.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2016-07-22 | Eldritch Moon | EMN | 186 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Lake Hurwitz | |
| 2 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 1454 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Lake Hurwitz | |
| 3 | The List | PLST | EMN-186 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Lake Hurwitz | ||
| 4 | 2023-03-21 | Shadows over Innistrad Remastered | SIR | 236 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Lake Hurwitz |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Mercurial Geists has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |