Sea Troll MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Troll |
| Released | 1995-10-01 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Homelands |
| Set code | HML |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 1 |
| Number | 39 |
| Frame | 1993 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Daniel Gelon |
Text of card
o U: Regenerate. Use this ability only during a turn in which Sea Troll blocked a blue creature or a blue creature blocked Sea Troll.
"I've seen those Trolls devour a drowning sailor faster than his lungs could fill with water." —Zeki, Reef Pirate
Cards like Sea Troll
Sea Troll stands as an intriguing creature in the vast expanse of Magic: The Gathering card pool. It bears resemblance to other regeneration creatures like Drudge Skeletons, which also offers the tactical advantage of consistent board presence. However, Sea Troll presents a unique edge by requiring blue mana to activate this ability, tying its regeneration specifically to island-rich environments.
Comparatively, Merfolk Thaumaturgist can be a kin in terms of its affinity for islands, however, it lacks the regenerative resilience of the Sea Troll. Instead, it brings a versatile tap ability to the table. The Thaumaturgist is a testament to the variety of strategies supported by blue-oriented cards. Mossbridge Troll is another creature card that regenerates, but it sacrifices the maritime adaptability for sheer power, capable of growing to gargantuan proportions under the right conditions.
While not identical in function, each of these cards illustrates the strategic importance of card abilities in relation to the overarching deck theme. Sea Troll finds its role within blue-centered decks that benefit from a persistent blocker, bolstering defenses while maintaining thematic consistency.
Cards similar to Sea Troll by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Sea Troll card can offer a tactical edge by potentially negating the effectiveness of blue creatures, which can prevent your opponent from gaining card advantage through blue creature-based synergies or abilities.
Resource Acceleration: Though not directly contributing to resource acceleration, the presence of Sea Troll on the battlefield can disincentivize opponents from playing costly blue creatures, indirectly preserving your resources for more impactful plays.
Instant Speed: Sea Troll doesn’t have an instant speed ability itself; however, its static ability to pose a continuous threat against blue creatures allows you to operate at a pace where quick, responsive plays may prove less necessary, giving you the upper hand to control the tempo of the game.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Sea Troll’s ability can require a card to be discarded, which may not be ideal during the late game when hand resources become scarce.
Specific Mana Cost: This creature card demands a strict blue and green mana to activate its abilities, potentially limiting its flexibility in multi-colored decks.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: The mana needed to cast Sea Troll is on the higher side, which could be a setback when trying to maintain tempo against more aggressive decks that deploy threats earlier.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: The Sea Troll offers a unique blend of defense and offense, fitting well in blue and green decks that focus on creature-based strategies. Its ability to regenerate provides a solid line of defense, able to withstand removal spells and combat.
Combo Potential: Alongside cards that manipulate the number of islands you control or use creature tapping as an asset, Sea Troll can become an essential piece in creating a formidable, synergistic battlefield presence.
Meta-Relevance: In a metagame teeming with red aggro strategies, Sea Troll’s natural resilience against red creatures makes it a strategically defensive inclusion that can stabilize your board and disrupt the pace of your opponent’s game plan.
How to beat
The Sea Troll card presents unique challenges on the battlefield due to its ability to regenerate when a blue or black spell is cast. To effectively deal with this aquatic adversary, players must think strategically. One practical method is to utilize spells that prevent regeneration, such as those inflicting exile or -X/-X effects that ensure the Sea Troll’s removal from play without the opportunity for its revival.
Another tactic is to bypass the Sea Troll’s regenerative capabilities altogether. Engaging in combat with creatures that have trample or employing direct player damage spells can shift focus away from the Sea Troll, reducing its impact. Targeted removal spells that circumvent regeneration, perhaps by sending the Sea Troll back to its owner’s hand or library, can also serve as valuable tools, providing temporary relief or a more lasting solution, respectively.
In essence, overcoming the Sea Troll’s regenerative strength involves a combination of disruption and strategic avoidance, highlighting the importance of versatile deck construction and adaptive play styles to gain the upper hand against such resilient foes in Magic: The Gathering.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Sea Troll MTG card by a specific set like Homelands, 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 Sea Troll 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 Sea Troll has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |