Mesmerizing Benthid MTG Card


Mesmerizing Benthid thrives by providing card advantage and creating a formidable board presence. The card’s instant speed abilities disrupt opponents, making it a valuable tactical asset. Despite its benefits, the card’s high mana cost and specific requirements can be limiting.
Mesmerizing Benthid - Ravnica Allegiance
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityMythic
TypeCreature — Octopus
Released2019-01-25
Set symbol
Set nameRavnica Allegiance
Set codeRNA
Power 4
Toughness 5
Number43
Frame2015
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byKev Walker

Text of card

When Mesmerizing Benthid enters the battlefield, create two 0/2 blue Illusion creature tokens with "Whenever this creature blocks a creature, that creature doesn't untap during its controller's next untap step." Mesmerizing Benthid has hexproof as long as you control an Illusion.


Cards like Mesmerizing Benthid

Mesmerizing Benthid stands out in the realm of sea creature cards in Magic: The Gathering with its ability to create illusory duplicates, which not only bulk up your defenses but also serve as excellent blockers that require your opponents to tread carefully. Its closest cousins might be cards like Reef Worm, which also employs a defensive angle by spawning progressively larger creatures upon death. Yet, the Benthid doesn’t wait to be destroyed to offer protection and strategic depth.

Another creature that swims in the same school is the Serpentine Basilisk, with its innately evasive nature, forcing your opponent to choose their blocks wisely. While the Basilisk’s effect is also defensive, it lacks the immediate board presence of the Benthid’s octopus tokens. Then consider Lorthos, the Tidemaker, whose eight tentacles inspire its ability to lock down multiple permanents, a different yet captivating form of board control that’s proactive rather than reactive like Mesmerizing Benthid’s.

Ultimately, Mesmerizing Benthid provides a sturdy barrier that can be a hassle for opponents to deal with, placing it in a niche of protective sea monsters with a twist. It’s the combination of immediate impact and defense that gives Mesmerizing Benthid a unique fin in the vast ocean of MTG cards.

Reef Worm - MTG Card versions
Serpentine Basilisk - MTG Card versions
Lorthos, the Tidemaker - MTG Card versions
Reef Worm - MTG Card versions
Serpentine Basilisk - MTG Card versions
Lorthos, the Tidemaker - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Mesmerizing Benthid ensures a persistent presence on the board by creating two 0/2 blue Illusion creature tokens with hexproof as soon as it hits the field. This not only gives you additional blockers but also maintains your card economy by effectively countering removal spells that would usually diminish your resources.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly influencing mana, this sea creature can be a tactical asset. The tokens can be creatively leveraged with various sacrifice outlets or flicker effects in the game, thereby indirectly accelerating your deck’s overall resource options and enabling dynamic plays that could outpace your opponent.

Instant Speed: Coupled with the octopus’ inherent threat on the battlefield, it demands an immediate answer. Whenever Mesmerizing Benthid becomes the target of a spell, ability, or gets attacked, being able to flicker it at instant speed or generate sudden blockers can throw off an adversary’s strategy, providing a pivotal tempo swing in your favor when timed correctly.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Mesmerizing Benthid demands a high toll from your hand, requiring a strategic discard which can set you back if your card options are already slim.

Specific Mana Cost: The intricate blue mana alignment required to summon this sea creature could restrict its versatility, making it less suitable for a multicolor deck strategy.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a requirement of five mana, including three of any type and two blue, this card comes at a significant cost that could potentially slow down your game progress compared to other creatures that offer similar effects at a lower expense.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Mesmerizing Benthid offers utility across various deck archetypes thanks to its role as both a defensive and offensive creature. Its ability to create two 0/2 blue Illusion creature tokens with hexproof ensures that diverse strategies in your deck have protective measures in place.

Combo Potential: This card synergizes with strategies that capitalize on creature count or those that manipulate token generation. Additionally, the hexproof offered to the tokens aids in protecting key pieces of intricate combos from targeted removal.

Meta-Relevance: In a game state that leans heavily on creature-based strategies or where targeted removal is rampant, Mesmerizing Benthid’s capacity to establish a board presence and provide resilience is extremely pertinent. Its evasion and ability to deter attacks can shift the tide in matches against aggressive decks.


How to beat

The allure of the Mesmerizing Benthid in the world of Magic: The Gathering comes from its capacity to create challenging board states. Its power lies in providing both a resilient body and token generation, which may pose as a roadblock for direct assaults. When confronting a Mesmerizing Benthid, it’s pivotal to focus on strategies that remove it from the battlefield without triggering its hexproof-like ability from the generated tokens.

Edict effects, which compel a player to sacrifice a creature, say from cards like Plaguecrafter or Liliana’s Triumph, are highly effective as they circumvent hexproof. Furthermore, board wipes, such as Wrath of God or Damnation, can clear the tokens and the Benthid in a single, sweeping motion, providing a clean slate. Utilizing enchantments that can pacify or neutralize creatures without targeting, such as Pacifism or Frogify, can silence the otherwise mesmerizing effect of the Benthid on the game. Lastly, improving your ability to manage the board through counterspells and hand disruption like Thoughtseize to prevent the Benthid from hitting the table is a sound strategy.

By integrating these tactics, players can confidently dismantle the seemingly complex defense that Mesmerizing Benthid brings to the battlefield.


BurnMana Recommendations

Dive into the depths of MTG gameplay with tactics and cards that not only challenge your opponents but also hone your strategic prowess. If the Mesmerizing Benthid has sparked your fascination with multi-dimensional play, don’t stop there. Explore further the world of token generation and protective strategies to fortify your deck. Connect with fellow enchanters and deck builders to exchange insights that can transform your next duel into a powerful display of skill and planning. Ready for more? Swim over to our reservoir of tips, tricks, and card analysis designed to bolster your gameplay to mythical heights.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Mesmerizing Benthid MTG card by a specific set like Ravnica Allegiance, 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 Mesmerizing Benthid and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Mesmerizing Benthid has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Mesmerizing Benthid card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2019-01-25 Mesmerizing Benthid has hexproof as long as you control any Illusion, not just Illusion tokens like the ones created by its first ability.
2019-01-25 The triggered ability of the Illusion tokens doesn’t tap the attacking creature if it’s untapped, most likely because it has vigilance.