Shipwreck Dowser MTG Card


Shipwreck Dowser excels at returning spells, offering sustained card advantage in longer matches. The prowess ability enhances its value by bolstering power in response to noncreature spells. While powerful, the Dowser demands specific mana costs and a discard, which could be limiting.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Merfolk Wizard
Abilities Prowess
Power 3
Toughness 3

Text of card

Prowess (Whenever you cast a noncreature spell, this creature gets +1/+1 until end of turn.) When Shipwreck Dowser enters the battlefield, return target instant or sorcery card from your graveyard to your hand.

Lost at sea doesn't have to mean lost forever.


Cards like Shipwreck Dowser

Shipwreck Dowser joins the ranks of recursion creatures within Magic: The Gathering. Comparable to Archaeomancer, the Dowser has the ability to retrieve an instant or sorcery card from your graveyard to your hand when it enters the battlefield. However, the Dowser stands out with its prowess ability – each time you cast a noncreature spell, it gets stronger in power.

In comparison to Mnemonic Wall, which also returns an instant or sorcery card upon entering the battlefield, Shipwreck Dowser offers more as it is a creature capable of applying pressure to opponents. Mnemonic Wall boasts a higher toughness, but lacks the offensive capabilities Dowser holds. Salvager of Secrets is another akin card with similar recursion ability, yet it has neither the toughness of Mnemonic Wall nor the prowess of Shipwreck Dowser, placing it in a middle ground in terms of defense and offense tactics.

Thus, Shipwreck Dowser carves its niche in the MTG universe by balancing offensive potential with strategic card recovery, making it a multifaceted choice for players looking to recover key spells while maintaining a threat on the board.

Archaeomancer - MTG Card versions
Mnemonic Wall - MTG Card versions
Salvager of Secrets - MTG Card versions
Archaeomancer - MTG Card versions
Mnemonic Wall - MTG Card versions
Salvager of Secrets - MTG Card versions

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Timin, Youthful Geist - MTG Card versions
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Card Pros

Card Advantage: Shipwreck Dowser provides valuable card advantage by allowing you to return an instant or sorcery card from your graveyard to your hand, keeping your options rich and your hand fortified with choices.

Resource Acceleration: While this card does not directly produce mana or treasure tokens, it plays a crucial role in resource acceleration by effectively recycling high-impact spells that can change the course of the game, ensuring your resources continue to work for you turn after turn.

Instant Speed: As a creature with prowess, Shipwreck Dowser synergizes remarkably with instant-speed spells. Being able to cast an instant on your opponent’s turn not only increases the Dowser’s power but also provides tactical flexibility, allowing for surprise blocks or unexpected damage on the fly.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While the Shipwreck Dowser offers the flexibility to return an instant or sorcery from your graveyard to your hand, it does require you to have a relevant card to discard. This can sometimes be counterproductive, particularly if your hand is already low on cards, forcing you to make difficult choices about resource management.

Specific Mana Cost: The Shipwreck Dowser comes with a specific mana cost of two blue and three generic mana, making it a card with a color-heavy requirement. This can limit its integration in decks that are not primarily blue, potentially restricting the card’s versatility across different deck types.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a total casting cost of five mana for a 3/3 body that offers a spell retrieval ability, Shipwreck Dowser’s efficiency can be called into question. Considering that there are other creatures or spells in MTG that might retrieve cards from the graveyard for less, the cost of Shipwreck Dowser could be deemed steep in environments where speed and efficiency are key.


Reasons to Include Shipwreck Dowser in Your Collection

Versatility: Shipwreck Dowser is a utility player in blue-based decks, adept at recurring spells that have been played earlier in the game. This makes it a valuable inclusion in control or combo decks that aim to maximize the impact of their instants and sorceries.

Combo Potential: With the ability to return a spell from your graveyard to your hand when it enters the battlefield, Shipwreck Dowser can be a key component in setting up powerful chains of plays. Pair it with spells that have buyback or flashback to create repeatable sequences that can overwhelm opponents.

Meta-Relevance: As the meta shifts and control decks become more prevalent, having access to sustainable resources is crucial. Shipwreck Dowser can consistently bring back high-impact spells, keeping you in line with the pace of play and ensuring you have the right answers at the right time.


How to beat

Shipwreck Dowser is an intriguing creature in MTG, presenting a unique challenge on the battlefield. It’s known for its prowess ability, which can quickly escalate its power and toughness, and its ability to return an instant or sorcery card from your graveyard to your hand when it enters the battlefield. To successfully navigate against this card, it’s essential to limit its impact.

One of the most effective strategies is to prevent the Dowser from resolving in the first place. Counterspells can be your best defense, keeping this potent creature in your opponent’s hand or sending it directly to the graveyard. If the creature hits the board, instant removal spells are key — eliminating it before it can utilize its prowess and recursive abilities.

Another approach is graveyard disruption. Exiling cards from the opponent’s graveyard can thwart the Dowser’s ability, making it just a creature with no additional benefit. Prioritizing the removal of instants and sorceries from the graveyard lessens the Dowser’s effectiveness, ensuring that even if it resolves, the advantage your opponent gains is minimal. In conclusion, maintaining control of the game’s pace and utilizing strategic removals are critical in tipping the scales in your favor against Shipwreck Dowser.


BurnMana Recommendations

Dive deeper into the mechanics and strategies surrounding Shipwreck Dowser to enhance your MTG gameplay. Appreciate the subtle interplay it offers in blue-based decks, and understand the intricacies of using it to retrieve your powerful spells. Whether it’s forging synergies with other cards or making the most of instant-speed spells, this card has a range of applications waiting to be explored. We welcome you to join our community, where we delve into the multifaceted world of MTG, offering insights that could give you an edge during your next duel. Learn, adapt, and refine your playstyle with us.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Shipwreck Dowser MTG card by a specific set like Core Set 2021 and Commander Masters, 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 Shipwreck Dowser and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Shipwreck Dowser Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2020-07-03 and 2023-08-04. Illustrated by Caroline Gariba.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12020-07-03Core Set 2021M21 712015NormalBlackCaroline Gariba
22023-08-04Commander MastersCMM 1192015NormalBlackCaroline Gariba

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Shipwreck Dowser has restrictions

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