Merfolk of the Pearl Trident MTG Card
1993-08-05 - Number 66
1993-10-04 - Number 67
1993-12-01 - Number 67
1993-12-10 - Number 67
1993-12-10 - Number 67
1994-04-01 - Number 68
1994-04-01 - Number 68
1994-06-21 - Number 68
1995-04-01 - Number 86
1995-04-01 - Number 86
1996-07-01 - Number 10
1996-12-31 - Number 10
1997-03-24 - Number 104
1997-05-01 - Number 60
1999-04-21 - Number 82
1999-07-01 - Number 42
2001-04-11 - Number 90
2001-04-11 - Number 90★
2001-08-08 - Number ab90
2005-08-22 - Number E42
2005-08-22 - Number E43
2012-07-13 - Number 60
2022-11-28 - Number 363
2022-11-28 - Number 66
2019-12-02 - Number 714
| Card sets | Released in 25 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Merfolk |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Cards like Merfolk of the Pearl Trident
Merfolk of the Pearl Trident brings the classic flavor of oceanic influence into MTG as an archetype of the merfolk tribe. Its simplicity is mirrored by other one-mana creatures like Silvergill Adept, yet the latter offers more as it combines the potential to draw a card when it enters the battlefield, provided you reveal a merfolk or pay additional mana. In contrast, the Merfolk of the Pearl Trident stands as a straightforward creature, lacking additional abilities or triggers.
Exploring the family of modestly costed blue creatures, we find Zephyr Sprite, which shares the same mana cost. However, Zephyr Sprite boasts flying, allowing it to evade many defenders and get in those key early hits. While Merfolk of the Pearl Trident may appeal due to its tribal synergies, other cards in the category seem to offer more dynamic play options and strategic depth. Another card worth mentioning is Mist-Cloaked Herald which can’t be blocked, ensuring it can press damage through congested boards where Merfolk of the Pearl Trident might falter.
All considered, for those building a deck centered around merfolk or requiring a broad number of creatures, Merfolk of the Pearl Trident can serve as a foundational card, although there are stronger alternatives for those seeking impactful abilities or more nuanced card interactions.
Cards similar to Merfolk of the Pearl Trident by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Merfolk of the Pearl Trident. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Mono-Blue Aggro | Vintage | 2023 NA Vintage Champs |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Merfolk of the Pearl Trident is a classic example of a card that integrates well with deck themes to synergize and create card advantage. While it may not draw cards directly, its Merfolk type allows it to benefit from tribal support cards, often yielding indirect card advantage through empowerment of your board presence.
Resource Acceleration: In the realm of resource acceleration, this card alone may not generate additional mana. However, when it’s part of a Merfolk deck featuring cards that untap lands or other Merfolk, it contributes to an overall strategy of ramping up your resources, allowing you to play your hand at a quicker pace.
Instant Speed: Though Merfolk of the Pearl Trident is not an instant itself, it pairs excellently with cards that operate at instant speed. As part of a strategy that keeps mana open for counterspells or instant speed interaction, playing this one-drop creature early on allows you to establish a board while still keeping options open to react to an opponent’s actions.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While this card doesn’t have a discard requirement per se, it’s important for players to weigh the card slot it occupies against potential alternatives. This can be especially critical when considering the overall deck synergy and card draw opportunities, as it may not always contribute effectively to your hand or battlefield presence.
Specific Mana Cost: Merfolk of the Pearl Trident comes with a mono blue mana cost. Although this can seamlessly fit into blue-themed decks, it may be less desirable for multi-colored decks where mana flexibility is key. It means that this card can occasionally restrict deck-building options and hinder the inclusion of more versatile or powerful creatures.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Sporting a mana cost for a 1/1 vanilla creature, many players find that Merfolk of the Pearl Trident doesn’t provide a cost-effective benefit when compared to other cards with the same cost. More impactful creatures or spells might offer greater utility or combat prowess, which can sway the balance of the game more in your favor than the humble Merfolk can.
Reasons to Include Merfolk of the Pearl Trident in Your Collection
Versatility: As a classic creature card, Merfolk of the Pearl Trident slides easily into mono-blue or multicolored decks that capitalize on tribal synergies. With the right support, this card can reinforce your battlefield presence from the early game.
Combo Potential: This card works well with strategies focused on discounting creature spells or those that trigger effects based on the number of creatures you control. It’s also a fitting choice for decks that profit from tap and untap mechanics.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta that heavily favors creature-based tactics, having a cost-effective creature like this merfolk can be beneficial to outpace opponents with aggressive starts or to enable larger strategies for creature-based combos.
How to beat
Merfolk of the Pearl Trident, while iconic, is a fundamental creature card in the expansive world of Magic: The Gathering. As a card that’s been around since the game’s inception, it has a simple structure: a single blue mana for a modest 1/1 creature. Its strength lies not in its individual power but in its potential to bolster the might of a Merfolk deck synergistically.
To outplay this card, focus on removal spells that can handle multiple creatures at once. A card like Pyroclasm or Electrickery can be excellent choices to sweep away these small creatures before they can be buffed by other Merfolk or enchantments. Additionally, keeping a counter strategy ready for Merfolk lords—cards that strengthen other Merfolk—can prevent your opponent’s Merfolk from becoming too overwhelming. Lastly, implementing flying or other evasive creatures can often bypass the Merfolk’s defensive lines, offering an avenue to victory against decks that feature Merfolk of the Pearl Trident.
Overcoming a Merfolk deck requires tactical response and preemptive control to ensure these sea dwellers do not take over the game with their camaraderie and numbers.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Merfolk of the Pearl Trident MTG card by a specific set like Limited Edition Alpha and Limited Edition Beta, 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 of the Pearl Trident 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
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Printings
The Merfolk of the Pearl Trident Magic the Gathering card was released in 22 different sets between 1993-08-05 and 2022-11-28. Illustrated by 5 different artists.
Show/hide all sets| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1993-08-05 | Limited Edition Alpha | LEA | 66 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Jeff A. Menges | |
| 2 | 1993-10-04 | Limited Edition Beta | LEB | 67 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Jeff A. Menges | |
| 3 | 1993-12-01 | Unlimited Edition | 2ED | 67 | 1993 | Normal | White | Jeff A. Menges | |
| 4 | 1993-12-10 | Collectors' Edition | CED | 67 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Jeff A. Menges | |
| 5 | 1993-12-10 | Intl. Collectors' Edition | CEI | 67 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Jeff A. Menges | |
| 6 | 1994-04-01 | Revised Edition | 3ED | 68 | 1993 | Normal | White | Jeff A. Menges | |
| 7 | 1994-04-01 | Foreign Black Border | FBB | 68 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Jeff A. Menges | |
| 8 | 1994-06-21 | Summer Magic / Edgar | SUM | 68 | 1993 | Normal | White | Jeff A. Menges | |
| 9 | 1995-04-01 | Fourth Edition | 4ED | 86 | 1993 | Normal | White | Jeff A. Menges | |
| 10 | 1995-04-01 | Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border | 4BB | 86 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Jeff A. Menges | |
| 11 | 1996-07-01 | Rivals Quick Start Set | RQS | 10 | 1993 | Normal | White | Jeff A. Menges | |
| 12 | 1996-12-31 | Introductory Two-Player Set | ITP | 10 | 1993 | Normal | White | Jeff A. Menges | |
| 13 | 1997-03-24 | Fifth Edition | 5ED | 104 | 1997 | Normal | White | John Matson | |
| 14 | 1997-05-01 | Portal | POR | 60 | 1997 | Normal | Black | DiTerlizzi | |
| 15 | 1999-04-21 | Classic Sixth Edition | 6ED | 82 | 1997 | Normal | White | DiTerlizzi | |
| 16 | 1999-07-01 | Starter 1999 | S99 | 42 | 1997 | Normal | White | DiTerlizzi | |
| 17 | 2001-04-11 | Seventh Edition | 7ED | 90 | 1997 | Normal | White | Ray Lago | |
| 18 | 2001-04-11 | Seventh Edition | 7ED | 90★ | 1997 | Normal | Black | Ray Lago | |
| 19 | 2001-08-08 | World Championship Decks 2001 | WC01 | ab90 | 1997 | Normal | Gold | Ray Lago | |
| 20 | 2005-08-22 | Salvat 2005 | PSAL | E42 | 2003 | Normal | White | Ray Lago | |
| 21 | 2005-08-22 | Salvat 2005 | PSAL | E43 | 2003 | Normal | White | Ray Lago | |
| 22 | 2012-07-13 | Magic 2013 | M13 | 60 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Ray Lago | |
| 23 | Secret Lair Drop | SLD | 714 | 2015 | Normal | Borderless | Dani Pendergast | ||
| 24 | 2022-11-28 | 30th Anniversary Edition | 30A | 363 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Jeff A. Menges | |
| 25 | 2022-11-28 | 30th Anniversary Edition | 30A | 66 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jeff A. Menges |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Merfolk of the Pearl Trident has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Oldschool | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |