Shaper Apprentice MTG Card

Shaper Apprentice thrives in decks that benefit from flying creatures and card interactions. In resource allocation, its presence offers an edge by facilitating early game pressure. Though useful, its dependence on hand resources and blue mana demands careful deck building.

Ixalan (XLN)
2017-09-29 - Number 75

Shaper Apprentice - Jumpstart 2022 (J22)

Jumpstart 2022 (J22)
2022-12-02 - Number 346

Card sets	Released in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Merfolk Wizard
Power	2
Toughness	1

Text of card

Shaper Apprentice has flying as long as you control another Merfolk.

The River Heralds would wreck a thousand ships to keep intruders from finding the golden city.

Cards like Shaper Apprentice

Shaper Apprentice shines in the roster of Magic: The Gathering’s blue creatures, reminiscent of other two-cost creatures such as Welkin Tern or Mist-Cloaked Herald. What makes Shaper Apprentice stand out is its potential to gain flying whenever you have another Merfolk or an enchantment in play. Welkin Tern already has flying but can only block creatures with flying, whereas Mist-Cloaked Herald boasts unblockability but lacks the flying trait entirely.

Considering other Merfolk in the format, River Sneak is a contender that also enjoys a stealthy aspect with its unblockability, but it benefits from played Merfolk to grow stronger, unlike Shaper Apprentice’s straightforward conditional flying. Similarly, Merfolk Looter offers utility with its looting ability, yet it doesn’t pose the same aerial threat. Moreover, while Tempest Djinn capitalizes immensely on islands to grow in power, Shaper Apprentice asks for less specific board presence to excel.

Thus, Shaper Apprentice makes for an intriguing choice within the MTG card context, balancing the acts of aggression and adaptability, especially within Merfolk-centric decks or enchantment-heavy strategies, marking its place with subtle versatility and dynamic gameplay.

Cards similar to Shaper Apprentice by color, type and mana cost

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Shaper Apprentice shines in decks that capitalize on card synergies, especially with its ability to potentially draw into more powerful spells or creatures that benefit from having flying.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly impacting your mana pool, Shaper Apprentice can offer an indirect form of resource acceleration by promoting a quicker board presence, enabling you to apply pressure and reduce the need for defensive resource allocation.

Instant Speed: This creature may not have instant speed itself, but its low mana cost allows for efficient use of mana, enabling you to keep open mana for responses or other instant speed interactions within your turn or your opponent’s turn.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Shaper Apprentice has the potential to maximize your plays, its utility is somewhat diminished by the need to discard other cards from your hand to unleash certain effects. This can leave you at a deficit, particularly if the match drags on and you find yourself short on options.

Specific Mana Cost: Shaper Apprentice boasts a specific blue mana requirement, making it a less flexible option for players who prefer to run multicolored or colorless decks. The reliance on blue mana can pigeonhole your deck construction, potentially stunting its adaptability in variable gameplay situations.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: For two mana, a 2/1 creature might already seem reasonable, but when stacked against other cards in the same mana slot, Shaper Apprentice’s cost effectiveness becomes a point of contention. In a game where mana efficiency can make or break a match, ensuring each card maximizes potential output is crucial, and in the case of Shaper Apprentice, its worth in your deck might be outmatched by other lower-cost cards with bigger impacts.

Reasons to Include Shaper Apprentice in Your Collection

Versatility: Shaper Apprentice is a great addition to decks that focus on creature synergies, especially those that capitalize on Merfolk or wizard types. As a two-cost creature, it slots easily into early game plans while offering potential flying capabilities.

Combo Potential: As a Merfolk Wizard, Shaper Apprentice can work well within tribal combos, particularly in Ixalan block constructed formats or any deck that cares about creature types. Its potential to become a flying threat pairs nicely with various lords and tribal buffs.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where evasion is key, Shaper Apprentice stands out for being able to soar over ground stalls. Particularly in a Limited format game, having evasive creatures can be the difference between victory and defeat.

How to beat

Shaper Apprentice shines in Magic: The Gathering as a Merfolk Wizard with a knack for taking over the skies. With its ability to gain flying when you control another Merfolk, it establishes itself as a subtle threat on the board. To effectively counter this card, strategic removal of Merfolk is essential. Direct removal spells that don’t target the Apprentice but diminish its partners thus grounding the Apprentice, are your safest bet.

Control decks could utilize board wipes to reset the field and easily sidestep the Apprentice’s advantage. Moreover, players could employ flying blockers or reach creatures to neutralize the Apprentice’s aerial offense. Pay attention to your opponent’s Merfolk count and strike when their guard is down to ensure this card doesn’t become the linchpin of their strategy.

Understanding the synergy within a Merfolk deck is key to disrupting its game plan. Keep this in mind, and the Shaper Apprentice will be less of a challenge to navigate around as you steer towards victory. Bring along some well-chosen interrupts, and the path to overcoming the Apprentice’s influence will be clear.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Shaper Apprentice MTG card by a specific set like 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 Shaper Apprentice and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Shaper Apprentice Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2017-09-29 and 2022-12-02. Illustrated by Yongjae Choi.

#	Released	Name	Code	Symbol	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	2017-09-29	Ixalan	XLN		75	2015	Normal	Black	Yongjae Choi
2	2022-12-02	Jumpstart 2022	J22		346	2015	Normal	Black	Yongjae Choi

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Shaper Apprentice has restrictions

Format	Legality
Historicbrawl	Legal
Historic	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Gladiator	Legal
Pioneer	Legal
Commander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Explorer	Legal
Penny	Legal
Timeless	Legal