Floodchaser MTG Card


Floodchaser - Morningtide
Mana cost
Converted mana cost6
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Elemental
Released2008-02-01
Set symbol
Set nameMorningtide
Set codeMOR
Power 0
Toughness 0
Number34
Frame2003
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred byEric Fortune

Key Takeaways

  1. Convert Islands into strength, with each land scaling Floodchaser’s power, bolstering both offensive and defensive plays.
  2. Demands careful hand management, as casting it requires a card discard which can affect your strategic plans.
  3. Presents a scalability aspect unique to blue mana decks, posing a growing threat if not addressed swiftly.

Text of card

Floodchaser comes into play with six +1/+1 counters on it. Floodchaser can't attack unless defending player controls an Island. , Remove a +1/+1 counter from Floodchaser: Target land becomes an Island until end of turn.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Floodchaser’s ability to boost its power and toughness by placing +1/+1 counters on it can become an engine of card advantage. Over time, this can result in a formidable creature that demands an answer, potentially drawing out your opponent’s resources and leaving the way clear for the rest of your spells.

Resource Acceleration: Able to capitalize on the number of Islands you control, Floodchaser encourages a strategy focused on land development. This translates to a type of resource acceleration where your land count directly influences the creature’s strengths, turning your mana base into an asset that goes beyond simple mana production.

Instant Speed: While Floodchaser itself does not have Instant speed, its synergy within decks that operate largely at instant speed is notable. Playing Floodchaser in a deck with instants and flash spells allows for flexible resource allocation, so you can choose the most opportune moment to strengthen your creature and apply pressure to your opponent.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Floodchaser necessitates the discarding of a card upon casting, which can be particularly taxing during games where hand size is already compromised or when retaining key cards is crucial for strategy execution.

Specific Mana Cost: This card’s casting cost demands a precise combination of blue mana. This requirement can be restrictive, as it may not seamlessly fit into multicolored deck strategies that are less focused on blue or where mana flexibility is paramount.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With its mana cost positioned on the higher end of the spectrum, Floodchaser can be less appealing compared to other creatures that provide immediately impactful abilities or present a greater threat upon entering the battlefield for a similar or lower investment.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Floodchaser’s unique mechanic to grow in power alongside the number of Islands you control makes it a natural fit for mono-blue or blue-centric, water-themed decks, amplifying both offensive and defensive strategies.

Combo Potential: This card is a prime candidate for synergizing with effects that manipulate land types or count, as well as benefiting from spells that allow you to play extra lands on your turns, potentially maximizing Floodchaser’s power for a decisive impact.

Meta-Relevance: In a format where blue-based control and ramp decks are popular, Floodchaser can serve as an efficient threat that scales in power as the game progresses, aligning well with the strategic patience these decks often exhibit.


How to beat

When facing off against Floodchaser in Magic: The Gathering, the key lies in leveraging its evolving nature. As a creature that grows each time a land enters the battlefield, it may seem daunting, particularly on land-rich boards. An effective strategy is to limit the land plays, either through land destruction or control mechanics, thus stunting the Floodchaser’s growth.

Alternatively, employ removal spells before it becomes too large to handle. Cards like Path to Exile or Murder are effective against it regardless of its size. Counterspells are also an excellent preemptive measure, ensuring that Floodchaser never hits the field in the first place.

It’s also worthwhile to consider utilizing bounce spells to return Floodchaser to the owner’s hand. Since it’s mana-intensive for its size early on, this could set back your opponent’s development significantly. Given the right strategy and card choice, overcoming Floodchaser can be a straightforward affair, keeping this potential threat in check.


Cards like Floodchaser

Floodchaser is an intriguing creature within the vast array of options in MTG. This element-based creature often draws comparisons with other mana-efficient creatures like Gaea’s Skyfolk. Both cards offer a blend of utility and aggression; however, Floodchaser offers a unique mana investment payoff that can render it increasingly powerful over time, something the Skyfolk lacks. The fluid ability to grow stronger mirrors the designs of cards like Chasm Skulker, which also benefits as you funnel more resources into it, swelling in power with each card drawn.

Similarly, cards such as Lorescale Coatl encourage strategic build-up of power through card draw, but again, it’s the direct mana investment into Floodchaser that sets it apart, allowing it to scale in size specific to the mana you’re able to pour into it. Another creature of note is the Shaper Parasite – its flexibility in manipulating power and toughness presents a different angle of adaptability, but it doesn’t provide the tangible and sustained board presence that comes with Floodchaser’s growth potential.

Undoubtedly, when you weigh the merits of mana-flexible creatures, the scalability of Floodchaser is a distinct characteristic that makes it stand out in MTG, capable of becoming an imposing threat when fueled appropriately.

Gaea's Skyfolk - MTG Card versions
Chasm Skulker - MTG Card versions
Lorescale Coatl - MTG Card versions
Shaper Parasite - MTG Card versions
Gaea's Skyfolk - Apocalypse (APC)
Chasm Skulker - Magic 2015 Promos (PM15)
Lorescale Coatl - Alara Reborn (ARB)
Shaper Parasite - Planar Chaos (PLC)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Floodchaser MTG card by a specific set like Morningtide, 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 Floodchaser and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Floodchaser has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

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