Sealock Monster MTG Card
2013-09-27 - Number 62
2015-02-27 - Number 42
2019-11-07 - Number 481
2020-09-26 - Number DDO-42
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Octopus |
| Abilities | Monstrosity |
| Power | 5 |
| Toughness | 5 |
Text of card
Sealock Monster can't attack unless defending player controls an Island. : Monstrosity 3. (If this creature isn't monstrous, put three +1/+1 counters on it and it becomes monstrous.) When Sealock Monster becomes monstrous, target land becomes an Island in addition to its other types.
Cards like Sealock Monster
The depths of Magic: The Gathering’s vast sea of cards reveal the formidable Sealock Monster as a unique creature of the blue mana realm. If you’re familiar with the game’s colossal leviathans, you’ll note similarities to cards like Icefall Regent and Tromokratis. Sealock Monster delivers a potent battlefield presence with its ability to become unblockable by transforming a land into an Island, echoing Tromokratis’ function of being hard to block unless all creatures the opponent controls are tapped.
While Icefall Regent doesn’t change the battlefield’s landscape, it brings a chilling effect, tapping down creatures and making their abilities costlier to activate. It lacks Sealock Monster’s land manipulation but compensates with a form of control that can be just as impactful. Another kin from the deep is Lorthos, the Tidemaker, which, though it requires a substantial mana investment, can lock down multiple permanents at once, a broad stroke of control compared to Sealock Monster’s targeted approach.
In comparison, Sealock Monster stands out with its monstrosity ability, modifying the battlefield and fitting well within a deck that values board control or Island-centric benefits. These formidable sea giants each bring their unique tide of strength to the blue mana arsenal in MTG.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Sealock Monster boasts an ability to control the board by turning a land into an Island, synergizing splendidly with cards that gain benefits from controlling Islands, thereby potentially providing a tactical edge and card advantage over opponents.
Resource Acceleration: As a creature that can become unblockable, the Sealock Monster can facilitate a consistent offensive strategy, thereby accelerating the consumption of the opponent’s resources as they scramble to deal with a persistent and unrelenting threat.
Instant Speed: Although the Sealock Monster itself does not operate at instant speed, its activation condition — having three or more Islands — can be achieved through instant-speed interaction, enabling you to surprise opponents by transforming the battlefield just before your turn and thus advancing your board state while maintaining flexibility in your plays.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Sealock Monster requires a significant investment in board presence, specifically demanding control of an Island before it can transform. This can impede your momentum, especially if you find yourself without the necessary Island early in the game.
Specific Mana Cost: Boasting a mana cost that requires both generic and blue mana, Sealock Monster might strain your mana base. Integrating it into a multi-color deck can be particularly challenging, given its double blue mana requirement.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a cost of five mana to summon, Sealock Monster is on the higher end of the curve. Considering other creatures you could play at this stage, it may not always represent the best value for the mana spent, especially if you cannot activate its monstrous ability promptly.
Reasons to Include Sealock Monster in Your Collection
Versatility: Sealock Monster thrives in decks that manipulate or take advantage of lands. Its ability to become an indestructible Island plays well with strategies that require land alteration or benefit from having more control over the battlefield’s resources.
Combo Potential: A deck featuring Sealock Monster can harness its Monstrosity ability for more than just turning lands into Islands. Use it to your advantage within combos that capitalize on creature size or activate abilities triggered by becoming monstrous.
Meta-Relevance: In environments where control decks predominate, Sealock Monster can be a formidable card. Not only does it offer a sturdy blocker, but it also disrupts your opponent’s mana base, which can be pivotal in swinging the game in your favor.
How to Beat
The Sealock Monster card is a leviathan of the seas in MTG that can become an imposing threat if left unchecked. Its ability to lock down opposing lands offers a strategic advantage. However, despite its strengths, there are effective tactics to navigate this monstrosity.
One viable strategy is to utilize removal spells that bypass the Monster’s abilities. Cards like Path to Exile or Rapid Hybridization can remove the creature before it transforms a land into an island. For decks lacking in removal, countering the Sealock Monster’s monstrous activation is another route. By keeping mana open for counterspells like Negate or Essence Scatter, you can prevent the Sealock Monster from achieving its true potential.
Lastly, maintaining a faster pace with your aggro creatures can pressure opponents before they have the chance to leverage Sealock Monster’s advantages. It’s crucial to apply pressure and diminish their life total, forcing them to deal with your threats rather than focusing on their own game plan. In doing so, players minimize the impact of the Sealock Monster and retain control over the match’s flow.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Sealock Monster MTG card by a specific set like Theros and Duel Decks: Elspeth vs. Kiora, 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 Sealock Monster and other MTG cards:
BUY NOW BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
- 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
Printings
The Sealock Monster Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2013-09-27 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by Adam Paquette.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2013-09-27 | Theros | THS | 62 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Adam Paquette | |
| 2 | 2015-02-27 | Duel Decks: Elspeth vs. Kiora | DDO | 42 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Adam Paquette | |
| 3 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 481 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Adam Paquette | |
| 4 | The List | PLST | DDO-42 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Adam Paquette |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Sealock Monster has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Sealock Monster card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2013-09-15 | An ability that triggers when a creature becomes monstrous won't trigger if that creature isn't on the battlefield when its monstrosity ability resolves. |
| 2013-09-15 | Monstrous isn't an ability that a creature has. It's just something true about that creature. If the creature stops being a creature or loses its abilities, it will continue to be monstrous. |
| 2013-09-15 | Once a creature becomes monstrous, it can't become monstrous again. If the creature is already monstrous when the monstrosity ability resolves, nothing happens. |
| 2013-09-15 | The effect making the land an Island doesn't have a duration and will last indefinitely. The land retains any land types and abilities it already had. An Island has the ability “: Add .” |