Gulf Squid MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Squid Beast
Released	2000-06-05
Set symbol
Set name	Prophecy
Set code	PCY
Power	2
Toughness	2
Number	35
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Wayne England

Key Takeaways

Gulf Squid can dominate by tapping opponent’s lands, gaining crucial tempo advantage.
Its discard requirement and specific mana needs may limit its deck compatibility.
Despite drawbacks, its combo potential and control abilities justify inclusion.

Text of card

When Gulf Squid comes into play, tap all lands target player controls.

If it could capture the power it wastes, it would be invincible.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Gulf Squid has a unique ability to tap all lands an opponent controls when it comes into play, potentially denying them crucial resources and giving you a significant upper hand.

Resource Acceleration: By effectively setting your opponent back a turn, Gulf Squid can act as indirect resource acceleration for you, solidifying your lead in mana and board presence as you continue to deploy your strategies unimpeded.

Instant Speed: Although Gulf Squid is a creature, it pairs well with flash mechanics or cards that allow you to play creatures as though they had instant speed. This synergy can create surprise interactions, especially during critical moments of combat or in response to an opponent’s end step, putting you in an advantageous position.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Gulf Squid’s ability necessitates a card discard from your hand, a non-negligible cost that can deplete your hand quickly, forcing you to give up potentially vital cards that could be needed later in the game.

Specific Mana Cost: With an activation cost that requires blue mana, Gulf Squid cannot be easily slotted into any deck. Players running multicolored decks may find it challenging to consistently meet the specific mana needs, which can affect the card’s playability and synergy with other cards.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: To tap all lands an opponent controls, the cumulative investment in a Gulf Squid might not balance out, considering that other cards or strategies could accomplish similar effects with either a lower mana investment or additional benefits included. In the fast-paced environment where tempo is key, the high mana cost can be a setback.

Reasons to Include Gulf Squid in Your Collection

Versatility: Gulf Squid can seamlessly integrate into various deck strategies, especially those that revolve around tapping down opponents’ resources. Its ability to tap all lands an opponent controls when it comes into play makes it a useful asset for tempo and control decks.

Combo Potential: This creature can be a key component in lock-down combos. Pairing Gulf Squid with cards that can untap it or replay it can create a situation where an opponent’s lands stay tapped down, hindering their game plan significantly.

Meta-Relevance: In a game state where players heavily rely on instant-speed interaction, dropping a Gulf Squid at the right moment can unexpectedly strip them of their mana, providing you with a considerable tactical advantage for the next turn cycle.

How to beat

Gulf Squid is one of those creatures in Magic: The Gathering that can disrupt your battle plans by tapping your lands at the most inconvenient times. Addressing a threat like this requires planning and the right countermeasures. For starters, having instant-speed removal in your arsenal can help you eliminate Gulf Squid before its controller declares the beginning of their next upkeep, therefore preventing the tapping effect.

Another strategy is to employ cards with untap abilities or spells that provide mana regardless of whether your lands are tapped or untapped, diminishing the impact of Gulf Squid’s ability. Moreover, creatures with vigilance or those that can operate effectively without tapping for costs are generally unfazed by Gulf Squid’s tactics. Lastly, being cognizant of the timing and keeping mana open when you suspect the emergence of a Gulf Squid can save you from falling victim to its tides and keep you afloat in the match.

In essence, beating Gulf Squid comes down to anticipation, instant-speed interaction, and utilizing assets that are less reliant on the standard tapping of lands, placing you in prime position to handle what could otherwise be a slippery situation.

Cards like Gulf Squid

Gulf Squid is a unique card that opens avenues for control in MTG. It draws parallels with cards like Flood, which similarly incapacitates an opponent’s land during their untap phase. Gulf Squid’s ability to tap down lands the moment it enters the battlefield can be a game-changer, especially when played at the right moment, effectively disrupting an opponent’s mana base momentarily.

Turning to Man-o’-War, another card with a creature-based board impact, it allows for a creature to be returned to the owner’s hand upon its entrance to the battlefield. Although it does not directly interact with lands, it similarly provides a form of control by resetting an opponent’s field presence. However, Gulf Squid’s capacity to prevent an opponent from using lands even for a single turn creates a unique tactical advantage.

When looking at the broader spectrum of control cards within MTG, Gulf Squid earns its spot by offering players a strategic element of surprise and disruption that can be crucial during tight matches. Although it may not have recurring effects, its one-time mass land tap can significantly alter the course of a game.

Cards similar to Gulf Squid by color, type and mana cost

Sakashima of a Thousand Faces - MTG Card versions

Johnny, Combo Player - MTG Card versions

Cytoplast Manipulator - MTG Card versions

Crookclaw Transmuter - MTG Card versions

Turtleshell Changeling - MTG Card versions

Glen Elendra Archmage - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Gulf Squid MTG card by a specific set like Prophecy, 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 Gulf Squid and other MTG cards: