Merfolk Trickster MTG Card
Text of card
Flash When Merfolk Trickster enters the battlefield, tap target creature an opponent controls. It loses all abilities until end of turn.
Saved from destruction by one planeswalker's sacrifice, the Eliterate colony forswore the taking of life.
Cards like Merfolk Trickster
The Merfolk Trickster is a versatile creature card that shines within the blue tempo decks in Magic: The Gathering. It bears a resemblance to cards like Tidebinder Mage, which is also a blue Merfolk and capable of tapping down an opponent’s creature. Merfolk Trickster goes a step further by neutralizing all abilities of the targeted creature for the turn, an edge that can significantly disrupt the opponent’s strategy.
Harbinger of the Tides is another Merfolk that offers a form of creature interaction. Although it can bounce an opponent’s creature to their hand, the Merfolk Trickster edges it out in instant-speed interaction without requiring additional mana to be paid. This subtle difference can be pivotal in a match, allowing for surprise plays during the opponent’s turn. Then there is Mist-Cloaked Herald, which is part of the Merfolk family as well and offers consistent unblockable damage, but lacks any form of control or disruption, highlighting the Trickster’s balance between offensive and defensive capabilities.
As we juxtapose these similar creatures, Merfolk Trickster stands as a key card. Its ability to interject during the opponent’s turn with an ability shutdown makes it a formidable choice for players valuing control within their aquatic arsenals.
Cards similar to Merfolk Trickster by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Merfolk Trickster. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Merfolk | Modern | Merfolk | $10K RCQ - Modern - SCG CON Atlanta - Saturday - 9:00 am (Gold) |
 | Simic Merfolk | Pioneer | Simic Merfolk | Pioneer Showcase Challenge 2024-04-14 |
| Mono-Blue Merfolk | Modern | Merfolk | CMF Invitational Training #1 |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Merfolk Trickster gives players the upper hand by neutralizing a key opposing creature during the opponent’s turn. This strategic play can lead to advantageous block or attack paths, effectively disrupting the flow for the opponent and often resulting in a favorable board state.
Resource Acceleration: Though Merfolk Trickster doesn’t directly increase mana resources, its ability to tap an opponent’s creature can indirectly accelerate your board presence. This tempo play reduces the need for immediate removal spells, conserving your resources for pivotal moments.
Instant Speed: The flash ability of Merfolk Trickster is a formidable tool. It allows players to utilize mana efficiently by keeping options open until the end of an opponent’s turn. Responsive play can shift the tide of the game, providing a surprise factor and the opportunity to disrupt enemy strategies at a crucial point.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While the Merfolk Trickster itself doesn’t have a discard requirement, incorporating it into a strategy might force you to prioritize it over cards that could be essential later, thus effectively acting as a discard in critical situations.
Specific Mana Cost: Merfolk Trickster’s blue mana cost necessitates a focus on blue mana sources within your deck, potentially restricting its use to decks with a heavy blue presence or those with adequate mana fixing capabilities.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Despite its potential to temporarily disable an opponent’s creature, the two blue mana cost for a 2/2 creature could be seen as a steep investment, particularly when you could allocate those resources to more versatile or impactful spells or creatures within the same mana range.
Reasons to Include Merfolk Trickster in Your Collection
Versatility: Merfolk Trickster shines with its ability to adapt to various in-game situations. It can disrupt opponents during their turn with its flash ability, and chime in offensively or defensively for any deck looking to have interactive plays.
Combo Potential: This card can synergize well with other Merfolk, potentially unlocking powerful combo plays. It taps down key threats and can remove abilities temporarily, allowing for strategic opportunities and board control.
Meta-Relevance: With the ever-changing metagame, having Merfolk Trickster at your disposal means you’re ready for matchups that rely heavily on creature-based strategies or those with abilities crucial for their game plan. Its capacity to interfere with enemy creatures makes it a valuable card against a wide array of decks.
How to beat
The Merfolk Trickster is a versatile card known for its ability to disrupt opponents in Magic: The Gathering. With its flash ability, it can be played at almost any time, surprising an adversary by tapping a target creature and stripping it of all abilities until the end of turn. This can neutralize formidable attackers or defenders, throwing a wrench in your opponent’s strategy.
To counteract the Merfolk Trickster’s influence, ensure your deck has instant-speed removals or board wipes to handle it the moment it hits the battlefield. Having spells that can unconditionally destroy or exile creatures at instant speed mitigates the surprise factor of the Trickster. Also, you can hold on to your removal spells until after the Merfolk Trickster has been played, limiting the impact of its entrance on the game. Additionally, utilizing creatures with hexproof or spells that grant it momentarily can safeguard your critical creatures from being targeted by the Trickster’s ability. By incorporating these strategies into your MTG game plan, you’re better equipped to handle the unexpected twists the Merfolk Trickster brings to the table.
BurnMana Recommendations
Dive deep into the world of MTG where Merfolk Trickster is more than just a card – it’s a tide-turning play. With its flash ability and power to disrupt your opponent’s best-laid plans, this creature is a cornerstone for blue tempo decks. It’s about reading the game, making pivotal decisions at instant speed, and keeping your foes on their toes. If you relish strategic depth and aspire for dominance at your local game nights or competitive tournaments, understanding and harnessing the strengths of Merfolk Trickster is key. Ready to gain the upper hand with this sly sea creature? Expand your knowledge and collection with us.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Merfolk Trickster MTG card by a specific set like Dominaria, 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 Trickster 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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Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Merfolk Trickster 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 |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Merfolk Trickster card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2018-04-27 | If the target creature has an ability that triggers when it becomes tapped, that ability triggers before it loses all abilities. |
| 2018-04-27 | If the target creature has power and toughness written as */* with an ability that defines its power and toughness, it’s 0/0 when it loses all abilities. If its power and toughness are written as */*+1, it’s 0/1, and so on. |
| 2018-04-27 | Once you announce that you’re casting a spell or activating an ability, no player may take other actions until the spell or ability has been paid for. Notably, players can’t try to remove a permanent’s activated abilities to stop them from happening. Once activated, the ability on the stack will resolve even if the creature loses the ability. |
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.