Prismwake Merrow MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Merfolk Wizard |
| Abilities | Flash |
| Released | 2008-05-02 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Shadowmoor |
| Set code | SHM |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 1 |
| Number | 46 |
| Frame | 2003 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Wayne England |
Text of card
Flash When Prismwake Merrow comes into play, target permanent becomes the color or colors of your choice until end of turn.
"Seeing is believing" is a fact the merrows ruthlessly exploit in their dealings with the other residents of Shadowmoor.
Cards like Prismwake Merrow
Prismwake Merrow is a unique creature card that finds its place in the vibrant world of Magic: The Gathering. In comparing it to similar cards, one might look at Merfolk Looter as a familiar reference. Both cards enable players to filter through their decks each turn, contributing to a more consistent play. However, Prismwake Merrow offers a twist with its ability to manipulate colors of mana, adding a layer of strategic depth that Merfolk Looter doesn’t provide.
Another card to consider is Ice-Fang Coatl, which shares the Merfolk creature type with Prismwake Merrow and offers card draw. While Ice-Fang Coatl can potentially have deathtouch making it a formidable blocker, Prismwake Merrow’s mana adaptability positions it better for multicolored decks in need of flexible mana sources.
Ultimately, Prismwake Merrow stands out for its novel combination of deck filtering and mana fixing. This versatility makes it a strong choice for players wanting to smooth out their mana curve while staying on top of their game with card selection. It’s a distinctive role that places Prismwake Merrow in a niche of its own within Magic: The Gathering’s vast array of creature cards.
Cards similar to Prismwake Merrow by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Prismwake Merrow shines in offering you the ability to repeatedly bolster your hand as this creature’s unique ability can potentially draw you into more spells each time it targets one of your multicolored permanents.
Resource Acceleration: By untapping a land whenever it targets a multicolored permanent, Prismwake Merrow provides incremental resource acceleration, subtly boosting your mana availability and allowing for more complex plays earlier in the game.
Instant Speed: This creature’s ability can be activated at instant speed, giving you the flexibility to respond to your opponent’s actions or maximize your mana usage during their turn, adding a layer of strategic depth to your game.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Playing Prismwake Merrow demands that you discard another card to unlock its full potential, which might not always be favorable, especially when your hand is already depleted or the discarded card was crucial for your strategy.
Specific Mana Cost: Prismwake Merrow requires a strict combination of mana colors to cast. This could be challenging for multi-colored decks that may experience mana inconsistencies, limiting the card’s universality and affecting deck fluidity.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Considering Prismwake Merrow’s abilities, the mana investment is significant, which could be inefficient compared to other options in the game. Players may find the cost to benefit ratio suboptimal, particularly in faster-paced games where lower-cost cards can provide quicker advantages.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Prismwake Merrow offers a flexible addition to decks seeking a multifaceted creature. Its shapeshifter lineage allows it to be integrated into various tribal strategies, enhancing its utility across multiple deck archetypes.
Combo Potential: This card’s ability to untap a permanent when another blue spell is cast opens the door for synergistic play. It aligns perfectly with decks that capitalize on chaining spells or utilizing untap abilities to maximize resource use during a turn.
Meta-Relevance: In environments where blue spells and control tactics prevail, Prismwake Merrow can become a critical part of maintaining momentum and gaining the upper hand. With its low casting cost and inherent combo potential, it situates itself as a card that can pivot a player’s board presence in the current metagame.
How to beat
Prismwake Merrow is a versatile creature that can be quite the puzzle to solve on the MTG battlefield. Dominating in decks that heavily feature multicolored spells, it reduces the casting cost and can subtly shift the tide of the game in your opponent’s favor. To effectively counteract Prismwake Merrow, a strategy should be in place. Removing it quickly is key, and cards like Fatal Push or Path to Exile are clean answers to its potential threat.
Adjusting your gameplay to manage the cost-effectiveness the Merrow provides is also vital. Deploying countermeasures such as countering multicolored spells with Disallow or Negate can hinder your opponent’s game plan and mitigate the advantage delivered by Prismwake Merrow. Additionally, cards that restrict casting or raise the cost of spells, like Thalia, Guardian of Thraben, can be a thorn in the side of any cost-reduction synergy your opponent is utilizing.
Ultimately, understanding the role of Prismwake Merrow in your opponent’s strategy and preparing with appropriate removal, counterspells, and disruptive tactics is essential in overcoming the challenge it presents on the board. Stay one step ahead, and the Merrow’s prism magic will be nothing but a fleeting ripple in the complex and enthralling world of MTG.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Prismwake Merrow MTG card by a specific set like Shadowmoor, 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 Prismwake Merrow 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
See MTG Products
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Prismwake Merrow has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Prismwake Merrow card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2008-05-01 | An effect that changes a permanent’s colors overwrites all its old colors unless it specifically says “in addition to its other colors.” For example, after Cerulean Wisps resolves, the affected creature will just be blue. It doesn’t matter what colors it used to be (even if, for example, it used to be blue and black). |
| 2008-05-01 | Changing a permanent’s color won’t change its text. If you turn Wilt-Leaf Liege blue, it will still affect green creatures and white creatures. |
| 2008-05-01 | Colorless is not a color. |
| 2008-05-01 | This ability won’t make an artifact stop being an artifact. It’ll just be a colorful artifact. |
| 2008-05-01 | You can choose any single color or any combination of more than one color. You can’t choose colorless. |
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.