Seafloor Oracle MTG Card


Card draw engine for Merfolk decks, ensuring a constant hand refresh during combat phases. Indirect resource acceleration through increased chances of drawing lands or mana artifacts. Has synergy with instant speed cards, enabling surprise plays and strategy depth.
Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Merfolk Wizard
Power 2
Toughness 3

Text of card

Whenever a Merfolk you control deals combat damage to a player, draw a card.

Where the light falls dim and blue on broken ships, secrets lie unclaimed.


Cards like Seafloor Oracle

Seafloor Oracle is a unique card from Magic: The Gathering that offers card drawing power, specifically tailored for Merfolk decks. This card finds kinship with cards like Bident of Thassa, which also rewards players for a combat-oriented game plan by allowing you to draw a card for each creature that deals combat damage to a player. However, Seafloor Oracle focuses exclusively on Merfolk, potentially offering a higher card draw yield if your board is filled with these aquatic creatures.

Another relative in the card draw family is Coastal Piracy, a card with a similar mechanic that does not limit its effect to Merfolk but extends it to all attacking creatures you control. Though Coastal Piracy casts a wider net, Seafloor Oracle’s Merfolk-specific benefit can prove more synergistic within its tribal confines, leading to potentially greater draw power in a dedicated deck.

When considering the role that Seafloor Oracle plays in Magic: The Gathering, it stands out as a tribal centric piece with powerful draw capability. Its strength lies within Merfolk synergies, setting it apart from its broader counterparts and making it a valuable asset in any Merfolk commander’s arsenal.

Bident of Thassa - MTG Card versions
Coastal Piracy - MTG Card versions
Bident of Thassa - MTG Card versions
Coastal Piracy - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: With Seafloor Oracle, each time a Merfolk you control deals combat damage to a player, you can draw a card. This consistent card drawing mechanism ensures you won’t run out of gas and can keep the pressure on your opponent by constantly refreshing your hand.

Resource Acceleration: Even though the Seafloor Oracle itself doesn’t directly generate mana, the card advantage it provides can lead to drawing into more land cards or mana-producing artifacts. This allows you to ramp up your resources indirectly and gain a strong position during the mid to late game.

Instant Speed: Despite Seafloor Oracle not being an instant itself, this ability synergizes well with other cards that can be cast at instant speed. By drawing cards during the combat phase, you can potentially draw into instant spells that can be played during the same turn, providing unexpected plays and responses.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Seafloor Oracle doesn’t require discarding, its reliance on merfolk to trigger card draw means a hand devoid of these creatures can render its ability useless, similar to discard disadvantages.

Specific Mana Cost: Seafloor Oracle’s casting cost demands two blue mana, potentially restricting deck-building options for players who wish to use a wider variety of colors.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: At four mana, including two that must be blue, Seafloor Oracle can be expensive relative to other card-drawing options, which could deter players from including it in faster-paced decks that prioritize lower-cost spells.


Reasons to Include Seafloor Oracle in Your Collection

Versatility: Seafloor Oracle meshes well with a variety of blue-based decks, especially those capitalizing on Merfolk synergies. Its ability to draw cards whenever your Merfolk deal combat damage enhances both aggressive and midrange strategies by maintaining hand advantage.

Combo Potential: As a card that rewards players for combat with card draw, Seafloor Oracle can be a cornerstone in combos focused on unblockable or numerous Merfolk creatures. It works exceptionally well with cards that increase the number of Merfolk you control or enhance their evasion abilities.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where creature-based strategies thrive, this card becomes a key piece to outpace control decks through constant card advantage. As the Oracle is a must-answer threat for opponents, it ensures that Merfolk decks remain competitive and resilient against removal-heavy decks in the meta.


How to Beat Seafloor Oracle

Overcoming the advantage Seafloor Oracle provides in the card game can be a nuanced challenge. Primarily found in decks focused on the Merfolk tribe, Seafloor Oracle excels at granting card draw whenever a Merfolk you control deals combat damage to a player. Strategically, this makes removing it quickly a priority to prevent your opponent from snowballing card advantage.

One effective way to beat Seafloor Oracle is by employing spot removals such as Fatal Push or Path to Exile, which can efficiently dispatch the oracle before it generates extra draws. Furthermore, board wipes like Wrath of God can clear the table of Seafloor Oracle along with any other creatures that might be amping up its effect. It’s important to keep in mind cards like Unsummon or other bounce spells can serve as temporary solutions but may not solve the issue in the long term.

In essence, to triumph against Seafloor Oracle, one should focus on prompt creature removal or suppressing creature-based strategies that fuel its ability. Keep your answers ready and disrupt the synergy before the Merfolk cast too wide a net for you to escape.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering MTG means making the most of every card, and Seafloor Oracle is no exception. As you’ve seen, its ability can transform Merfolk skirmishes into valuable card draws, keeping your hand full and your strategies flexible. Considering its potential to propel your deck in both casual and competitive play, Seafloor Oracle could be the tidal force that surges your Merfolk deck to victory. Looking to dive deeper into optimizing your draws or finding the perfect synergy for your aquatic allies? Embrace the depths of strategy with us and chart a course to victorious shores in your next MTG challenge.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Seafloor Oracle MTG card by a specific set like Rivals of Ixalan and Jumpstart 2022, 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 Seafloor Oracle and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Seafloor Oracle Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2018-01-19 and 2023-11-17. Illustrated by Simon Dominic.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12018-01-19Rivals of IxalanRIX 512015NormalBlackSimon Dominic
22022-12-02Jumpstart 2022J22 3432015NormalBlackSimon Dominic
32023-11-17The Lost Caverns of Ixalan CommanderLCC 1702015NormalBlackSimon Dominic

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Seafloor Oracle has restrictions

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

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2018-01-19 If Seafloor Oracle is dealt lethal damage at the same time a Merfolk you control deals combat damage to a player, you'll draw a card.