Shipwreck Sentry MTG Card

Shipwreck Sentry provides card advantage and can be played strategically at instant speed for game flexibility. While low in mana cost, it requires discarding for activation and exclusive blue mana for play. It’s versatile, combo-friendly in tribal decks, and relevant in various MTG metagames.

Shipwreck Sentry - The Lost Caverns of Ixalan

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Human Pirate
Abilities	Defender
Released	2023-11-17
Set symbol
Set name	The Lost Caverns of Ixalan
Set code	LCI
Power	3
Toughness	3
Number	75
Frame	2015
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Ryan Valle

Text of card

Defender As long as an artifact entered the battlefield under your control this turn, Shipwreck Sentry can attack as though it didn't have defender.

"That's close enough, stranger."

Cards like Shipwreck Sentry

Shipwreck Sentry enters the realm of creatures for Magic: The Gathering players with a distinctive edge for those who appreciate a stalwart defender. It mirrors the utility of cards such as Kraken Hatchling, which also carries the mantle of a low-cost defender. However, Shipwreck Sentry sets itself apart with its ability to become stronger in the presence of a blue spell, enhancing its defensive capabilities temporarily.

Likewise, Wall of Frost is another bulwark against attackers, providing a robust defense with its freezing ability upon blocking. While it’s a sturdier defender in terms of raw toughness, it lacks the scaling synergistic potential that Shipwreck Sentry offers through spell casting. And then there’s Jeskai Barricade, which not only acts as a shield but can also return a creature to its owner’s hand, providing unexpected versatility and defensive strategy.

To sum it up, Shipwreck Sentry adds strategic depth to the classic defender role. With its situational strength boost, it caters to a dynamic playstyle, positioning itself as a notable option for players who value flexibility and interaction in their defense.

Cards similar to Shipwreck Sentry by color, type and mana cost

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Card Pros

Card Advantage: Gaining advantage in the game is critical, and one way Shipwreck Sentry enhances your hand is by offering a potential increase in card count, putting you steps ahead of your opponent.

Resource Acceleration: As a low mana-cost card, Shipwreck Sentry can be an efficient addition to your deck, potentially speeding up your capacity for larger plays in the future by not overcommitting resources early on.

Instant Speed: The versatility of playing at instant speed cannot be overstated. Shipwreck Sentry can be summoned at the most opportune moments, allowing strategic players to adapt fluidly to the evolving state of the game.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Shipwreck Sentry may require you to discard a card to trigger its abilities. This trade-off can be costly, especially in game states where card advantage is crucial.

Specific Mana Cost: It’s essential to have blue mana available to play Shipwreck Sentry. Decks without a blue mana base will not be able to include this card, limiting its versatility.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Considering its power and toughness, the mana cost of Shipwreck Sentry might feel steep compared to other creatures with similar stats. Players often seek a better balance between mana investment and in-game effect.

Reasons to Include Shipwreck Sentry in Your Collection

Versatility: Shipwreck Sentry is a flexible choice that can adapt to multiple situations on the battlefield, fitting seamlessly into decks that require early blockers or those that capitalize on its Merfolk subtype for tribal synergy.

Combo Potential: With its ability to scale defensively based on the number of Islands you control, this card works well in combination with other Island-matters or Merfolk-focused cards to create powerful board states.

Meta-Relevance: Given that control and Merfolk tribal decks are often present in various meta environments, Shipwreck Sentry’s cost-effectiveness and defensive capabilities make it a strategic addition to any collection aiming to stay competitive.

How to beat

Shipwreck Sentry, with its sturdy stance in blue, presents an interesting challenge for Magic: The Gathering players. At first glance, it might appear as a simple creature card but its ability to gain hexproof until end of turn when a creature an opponent controls becomes the target of a spell, gives it an unexpected resilience against targeted removal spells. To effectively clear the board of this vigilant defender, timing is key.

Instead of straightforward destruction or exile spells, strategies to bypass the Sentry’s ability can include mass removal cards such as Wrath of God or Doomskar that don’t target specific creatures and therefore sidestep the hexproof protection. Alternatively, leveraging effects that cause players to sacrifice creatures can force an opponent to choose the Sentry regardless of hexproof, with cards like Diabolic Edict shining as practical examples. Lastly, employing counterspells when the Sentry is cast ensures that it never even reaches the battlefield to pose a threat.

Overall, Shipwreck Sentry requires a strategic approach to conquer. By understanding its strengths and limitations, players can navigate around its defenses and maintain control over the game. With the right tactics, this seemingly unassailable sentry can be efficiently dealt with, allowing players to advance their board state unimpeded.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Shipwreck Sentry MTG card by a specific set like The Lost Caverns of Ixalan, 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 Sentry and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Shipwreck Sentry has restrictions

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

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2023-11-10	Once an artifact enters the battlefield under your control, Shipwreck Sentry can attack that turn as though it didn't have defender. It doesn't matter if that artifact stays an artifact or stays under your control.