Rishadan Dockhand MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 5 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Merfolk
Abilities Islandwalk,Landwalk
Power 1
Toughness 2

Key Takeaways

  1. Rishadan Dockhand disrupts opponents, potentially leading to a significant card advantage through resource control.
  2. Instant-speed ability allows for tactical plays, escalating its versatility in MTG matches.
  3. While powerful, the Dockhand’s mana requirements and cost can challenge card advantage retention.

Text of card

Islandwalk (This creature can't be blocked as long as defending player controls an Island.) , : Tap target land.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Rishadan Dockhand’s ability to tap and interact with an opponent’s land can indirectly lead to card advantage by disrupting their strategy and occupying their resources.

Resource Acceleration: Boasting a mana ability that can tap target land, Rishadan Dockhand effectively functions as a tool for resource acceleration by setting your opponent back and potentially accelerating your own board presence.

Instant Speed: The Dockhand’s versatility is further enhanced by its instant speed ability. This allows you to wait for the most opportune moment to interrupt your opponent’s plans, making it a flexible and tactical option during gameplay.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Rishadan Dockhand does not exactly demand discarding cards, it requires specific resources, typically cards in hand, to fully utilize its tap ability, which can be challenging when trying to maintain card advantage.

Specific Mana Cost: Rishadan Dockhand demands a blue mana to play, which restricts its integration exclusively to blue or multicolor decks. This characteristic may not align with the strategy or mana base of every player’s deck design.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With its capability to tap artifacts or lands, Rishadan Dockhand’s initial mana cost of one blue might seem economical. However, its true utility is hinged on the activation of its ability, which requires one mana of any color and tapping an untapped Island you control. In the early game, this can set back your mana development, particularly when more efficient mana denial or creature options are available.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Rishadan Dockhand is not just a mere one-drop; it offers strategic flexibility by allowing you to tap potential threats or key lands your opponent controls. This ability fits into control or tempo decks seeking to dictate the pace of the match.

Combo Potential: With Islandwalk and the ability to tap artifacts and lands, this Dockhand syncs well with cards that capitalize on tapped-out opponents or that benefit from creatures with evasion. It’s a perfect cog in a well-oiled machine aiming to outmaneuver opponents.

Meta-Relevance: Today’s MTG landscape often revolves around resource management. Those who accurately predict and respond to the shifts in resource dynamics hold the upper hand. Rishadan Dockhand provides that edge, making it a compelling choice for blue players keen on staying relevant in changing competitive environments.


How to beat

Rishadan Dockhand, a utility creature in the world of Magic: The Gathering, stands out with its distinct ability to tap opponents’ lands. This taps into the strategy of resource denial, making it a sneaky component for control decks. The Dockhand can significantly disrupt the opposing player’s plans if left unchecked, especially when it tactically targets mana of specific colors or utility lands.

To effectively counter this maritime meddler, instant speed removal such as Fatal Push or Path to Exile can clear the way before the Dockhand anchors your strategy in place. Alternately, players may focus on robust mana bases with lands that can become creatures, sidestepping the Dockhand’s ability which only targets non-creature lands. Running cards like Pithing Needle can also silence Dockhand’s ability, allowing you to navigate your game plan smoothly without the fear of being stranded at sea by resource denial tactics.

Conclusively, addressing Rishadan Dockhand promptly and with the right tools is crucial in maintaining the flow of your game and keeping your lands free from the grasps of your opponent’s Dockhand-led disruption.


Cards like Rishadan Dockhand

Rishadan Dockhand brings a unique twist to the world of Magic the Gathering with its mana disruption ability. This card echoes the effects of older staples like Tapping Stone, which also taps opponents’ lands, although it requires tapping other creatures you control. Unlike Tapping Stone, Rishadan Dockhand thrives in a deck built with a strong focus on its maritime theme, granting it synergy with other pirates and instant-speed disruption.

Merrow Reejerey is another comparable card, essentially as a Merfolk that also taps or untaps permanents whenever you cast another Merfolk spell. The Dockhand, however, doesn’t rely on casting spells to activate its tapping ability and is available right from turn one. Frost Titan follows suit, being a giant with a tap-down effect whenever it attacks or enters the battlefield, but the dockhand offers this control element at a much lower mana cost.

In evaluating mana disruption in your MTG deck, Rishadan Dockhand offers a unique advantage with its discreet yet powerful early game presence. Its potential to fit into various control strategies makes it a valuable card, especially for players seeking to integrate this subtle but effective form of board influence.

Merrow Reejerey - MTG Card versions
Frost Titan - MTG Card versions
Merrow Reejerey - Lorwyn (LRW)
Frost Titan - Magic 2011 (M11)

Cards similar to Rishadan Dockhand by color, type and mana cost

Merfolk of the Pearl Trident - MTG Card versions
Flying Men - MTG Card versions
Shrieking Drake - MTG Card versions
Cloud Pirates - MTG Card versions
Fledgling Osprey - MTG Card versions
Manta Riders - MTG Card versions
Faerie Squadron - MTG Card versions
Faerie Seer - MTG Card versions
Fugitive Wizard - MTG Card versions
Wandering Ones - MTG Card versions
Teardrop Kami - MTG Card versions
Dreamcatcher - MTG Card versions
Drifter il-Dal - MTG Card versions
Sage of Epityr - MTG Card versions
Screeching Sliver - MTG Card versions
Timebender - MTG Card versions
Cloud Sprite - MTG Card versions
Merrow Witsniper - MTG Card versions
Cursecatcher - MTG Card versions
Martyr of Frost - MTG Card versions
Merfolk of the Pearl Trident - Seventh Edition (7ED)
Flying Men - Time Spiral Timeshifted (TSB)
Shrieking Drake - Media Inserts (PMEI)
Cloud Pirates - Portal (POR)
Fledgling Osprey - Urza's Destiny (UDS)
Manta Riders - Battle Royale Box Set (BRB)
Faerie Squadron - Invasion (INV)
Faerie Seer - Jumpstart: Historic Horizons (J21)
Fugitive Wizard - Ninth Edition (9ED)
Wandering Ones - Champions of Kamigawa (CHK)
Teardrop Kami - Betrayers of Kamigawa (BOK)
Dreamcatcher - Saviors of Kamigawa (SOK)
Drifter il-Dal - Time Spiral (TSP)
Sage of Epityr - Time Spiral (TSP)
Screeching Sliver - Secret Lair Drop (SLD)
Timebender - Planar Chaos (PLC)
Cloud Sprite - Tenth Edition (10E)
Merrow Witsniper - Morningtide (MOR)
Cursecatcher - Shadowmoor (SHM)
Martyr of Frost - Duel Decks: Jace vs. Chandra (DD2)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Rishadan Dockhand MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Modern Horizons 2, 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 Rishadan Dockhand and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Rishadan Dockhand Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2021-06-18 and 2021-06-19. Illustrated by Manuel Castañón.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 912352015normalblackManuel Castañón
22021-06-18Modern Horizons 2MH2 4472015normalblackManuel Castañón
32021-06-18Modern Horizons 2MH2 592015normalblackManuel Castañón
42021-06-18Modern Horizons 2MH2 3911997normalblackManuel Castañón
52021-06-19Modern Horizons 2 PromosPMH2 59s2015normalblackManuel Castañón

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Rishadan Dockhand has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PennyLegal

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