Merfolk Spy MTG Card
2010-07-16 - Number 66
2013-07-19 - Number 62
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Merfolk Rogue |
| Abilities | Islandwalk,Landwalk |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Text of card
Islandwalk (This creature is unblockable as long as defending player controls an Island.) Whenever Merfolk Spy deals combat damage to a player, that player reveals a card at random from his or her hand.
Cards like Merfolk Spy
Merfolk Spy fits neatly into the family of one-drop blue creatures in Magic: The Gathering that are invaluable for their early game advantages. It stands alongside other cards like Judge’s Familiar and Cloud Pirates, which hold the fort with flying traits, however, Merfolk Spy offers a unique benefit – the ability to peek at an opponent’s hand just by dealing combat damage, giving it an edge in terms of information warfare.
Looking at Cursecatcher, which also costs a single blue mana, the perspective shifts slightly. While Cursecatcher can counter an opponent’s spell unless they pay additional mana, Merfolk Spy provides ongoing intel which could guide strategic decisions throughout the match. Then there’s the Silvergill Adept, another card often mentioned when discussing merfolk synergy. Although it costs more mana and doesn’t peek into the opponent’s hand, it allows for an additional card draw which can be equally valuable for maintaining card advantage.
Every card in MTG offers distinct strategic benefits, and Merfolk Spy stands out as a tactical tool for players who wish to keep a close eye on their opponent’s capabilities while deploying a creature during the initial stages of the game.
Cards similar to Merfolk Spy by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Merfolk Spy offers unique insights into your opponent’s strategies by letting you view the top card of their library whenever it deals combat damage to a player. This peek not only informs your tactical decisions but can work in tandem with library manipulation cards to keep you one step ahead.
Resource Acceleration: Although not directly providing mana or treasures, the information gleaned from the Merfolk Spy can indirectly speed up your game plan. It allows for smarter plays, potentially saving resources for more crucial turns, and optimizing your gameplay to outpace your opponents.
Instant Speed: As a creature, Merfolk Spy doesn’t operate at instant speed itself, but it synergizes well with instant speed spells and effects in your deck. The knowledge of the card on top of your opponent’s library may influence your decisions to cast instants or activate abilities at the most opportune moments.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Merfolk Spy poses a certain risk if the strategy requires holding onto each card. The need to discard can disrupt hand balance and future play options, especially if you’re relying on a combo.
Specific Mana Cost: As a blue-aligned creature, Merfolk Spy may not seamlessly fit into multicolored decks, potentially straining mana bases not heavily invested in blue sources.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Delving into the mana efficiency, Merfolk Spy may fall short when you consider alternative creatures or spells in blue that bring more value or utility for the same or lower mana investment.
Reasons to Include Merfolk Spy in Your Collection
Versatility: Merfolk Spy can slide into a variety of blue-based decks, particularly those leaning on unblockable creatures or intentioned to capitalize on opponents’ empty libraries. Its ability to be cast for a single blue mana means it can hit the board early, keeping your mana curve low and efficient.
Combo Potential: This crafty Merfolk plays well with cards designed to exploit opponents’ full hands. Pair it with effects that punish drawn cards, or use it to ensure consistent card draw of your own with cards that trigger upon dealing combat damage to a player.
Meta-Relevance: With many decks in the current metagame aiming to maintain card advantage, the Merfolk Spy can become an essential tool. Infiltrating defenses with a seemingly innocuous creature that can potentially disrupt an opponent’s strategy can give you the upper hand.
How to beat
Merfolk Spy may slip under the radar as a seemingly innocuous card in the vast ocean of Magic: The Gathering options. However, this crafty creature has the potential to disrupt an opponent’s strategy by peeking at their hand every time it deals combat damage. Unlike heavy hitters or game-ending spells, the Spy’s strength lies in information gathering, potentially signaling the sails towards victory for a savvy player.
While Merfolk Spy doesn’t boast high damage stats, the key to outmaneuvering this elusive card is to prevent it from hitting home. Employing cheap removal spells, setting up early blockers, or using abilities that can tap or incapacitate creatures will ensure your hand remains your secret. Look for instance effects such as Shock or Fatal Push that can quickly depose of the Spy or enchantments like Pacifism to neutralize the threat without significant mana investment.
Ultimately, denying the Spy’s ability to attack is imperative. Should it commence its reconnaissance missions, reshaping your hand to reduce its informational advantage will help you steer clear of unwanted leaks. By prioritizing the prevention of this knowledge transfer, players can safeguard their strategies and maintain a firm grip on the reins of the game.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Merfolk Spy MTG card by a specific set like Magic 2011 and Magic 2014, 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 Spy 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
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Printings
The Merfolk Spy Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2010-07-16 and 2013-07-19. Illustrated by 3 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2010-07-16 | Magic 2011 | M11 | 66 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Matt Cavotta & Richard Whitters | |
| 2 | 2013-07-19 | Magic 2014 | M14 | 62 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Matt Cavotta & Richard Whitters |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Merfolk Spy has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Merfolk Spy card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2010-08-15 | After the second ability resolves, the revealed card stops being revealed in its owner’s hand. |
| 2010-08-15 | Islandwalk cares about lands with the land type Island, not necessarily lands named Island. |
| 2010-08-15 | The next time Merfolk Spy deals combat damage to the same player, the card that’s revealed at random may be the same card or may be a different card. |
| 2010-08-15 | The second ability triggers just once each time Merfolk Spy deals combat damage to a player, regardless of how much damage it deals. |