Ominous Seas MTG Card


Ominous Seas can convert any draw into a board-presence threat with a potential 8/8 Kraken token. The enchantment synergizes with instant-speed draw spells, creating token buildup on your terms. Flexibility within specific deck types makes Ominous Seas a versatile inclusion worth considering.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityUncommon
TypeEnchantment
Abilities Cycling

Text of card

Whenever you draw a card, put a foreshadow counter on Ominous Seas. Remove eight foreshadow counters from Ominous Seas: Create an 8/8 blue Kraken creature token. Cycling (, Discard this card: Draw a card.)


Cards like Ominous Seas

Ominous Seas has found its niche among blue cards that reward long-term strategy in Magic: The Gathering. It brings to mind cards like Metallurgic Summonings, which also capitalizes on the casting of noncreature spells. However, Ominous Seas differs with its unique focus on drawing cards to accumulate foreshadow counters that eventually unleash a massive Kraken creature. In contrast, Metallurgic Summonings requires you to cast spells to create artifact creatures that mirror the spell’s mana cost.

Another analog is Chasm Skulker, a creature that grows with each card drawn, similar to the accumulation of counters in Ominous Seas. But instead of just one giant payoff, Chasm Skulker splits into many smaller Squid tokens upon death. Ominous Seas also shares conceptual space with Lorescale Coatl, which gains +1/+1 counters with each draw, though it gets the immediate benefit of combat potential that Ominous Seas delays until threshold completion.

Ultimately, while each of these blue spells in MTG leverages card draw for different advantages, Ominous Seas stands out for its game-changing creature generation, offering a different angle of value generation through drawing cards.

Metallurgic Summonings - MTG Card versions
Chasm Skulker - MTG Card versions
Lorescale Coatl - MTG Card versions
Metallurgic Summonings - MTG Card versions
Chasm Skulker - MTG Card versions
Lorescale Coatl - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Ominous Seas is a beacon for card advantage, cleverly turning each draw into a potential 8/8 Kraken. This enchantment allows dedicated players to build their board presence by merely doing what they love most: drawing cards with no additional mana investment once it’s on the battlefield.

Resource Acceleration: While Ominous Seas itself may not direct resources, the Krakens it produces can quickly accelerate the pressure you apply on an opponent. A successful navigation on the Sea of cards can reward you with an army of tentacled behemoths which can overwhelm your opposition with ease.

Instant Speed: While Ominous Seas operates at the mercy of the draw and isn’t cast at instant speed, it synergizes well with instant-speed draw spells. This harmony allows you to swell the seas with foreshadow tokens at the end of an opponent’s turn, setting the stage for a monstrous creature to emerge on your upkeep.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Ominous Seas necessitates that you draw cards, often in large numbers, to trigger its effect. For decks not built around consistent card draw, this can be a challenging hurdle, demanding additional resources or card slots specifically for drawing, which could dilute your strategy.

Specific Mana Cost: Ominous Seas has a dedicated blue mana cost in its casting, making it a less flexible option for decks that are not primarily blue. This can also make it cumbersome in multicolored decks that have a less consistent blue mana base.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of two blue mana and two colorless mana, Ominous Seas may arrive too late in games where quicker threats or responses are necessary. Its payoff also takes time to materialize, potentially giving opponents the chance to disrupt your plan before it comes to fruition.


Reasons to Include Ominous Seas in Your Collection

Versatility: Ominous Seas is a unique enchantment that can seamlessly adapt to various blue-based control or draw-heavy strategies. Its ability to generate an 8/8 Kraken token with cycling and card draw mechanics can complement a wide array of deck archetypes.

Combo Potential: Coupled with cards that allow you to draw multiple cards in a single turn, Ominous Seas can rapidly proliferate its lore counters. This synergy unlocks the potential for creating multiple Kraken tokens, turning the tides in your favor.

Meta-Relevance: In an environment rich with control and combo decks, Ominous Seas holds its ground by providing a continuous threat that opponents must address. Its low cost and scalability with card draw make it a potent tool against a range of decks in the current meta.


How to beat

Ominous Seas is a unique enchantment in MTG that progressively builds towards releasing a monstrous Kraken creature. Much like a ticking time bomb, with each card drawn, it adds a foreshadow counter, and when it reaches eight, a formidable 8/8 Kraken emerges on the battlefield. Understanding the mechanics of Ominous Seas can be crucial in developing a strategy to overcome it.

To effectively counteract Ominous Seas, consider using enchantment removal cards like Disenchant or Naturalize, which can dispose of the threat before it escalates. Interaction is key; don’t allow the counters to accumulate. Cards with the counter ability, such as Negate, can preemptively address Ominous Seas when it’s played. Alternatively, employ cards that can exile Ominous Seas from the game, such as Scour from Existence, to ensure it does not return to haunt your game.

Strategy and timing are everything. Act swiftly to dismantle the impending swarm of Krakens, and remember, staying ahead in the game means dealing with threats like Ominous Seas before they overpower your defenses.


BurnMana Recommendations

Ominous Seas can be the cornerstone of a powerful draw-based MTG strategy. For enthusiasts who revel in the prospect of turning every card draw into a potential game-changing threat, this card promises a sea of opportunity. It’s perfect for those who relish the blue archetype’s patience and control, providing a way to make every draw phase an exciting event. With the right deck built around maximizing card draw, Ominous Seas becomes less of an ominous forecast and more of a beacon of victory. Dive deeper with us into MTG strategy and learn how to unleash the Kraken for your next big win.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Ominous Seas MTG card by a specific set like Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths and The List, 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 Ominous Seas and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Ominous Seas Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2020-04-24 and 2020-04-24. Illustrated by Vincent Proce.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12020-04-24Ikoria: Lair of BehemothsIKO 612015NormalBlackVincent Proce
22020-09-26The ListPLST IKO-612015NormalBlackVincent Proce

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Ominous Seas has restrictions

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

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2020-04-17 If a spell or ability causes you to put cards into your hand without specifically using the word “draw,” it’s not a card drawn.