Shoreline Raider MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Merfolk |
| Abilities | Protection |
| Released | 2000-10-02 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Invasion |
| Set code | INV |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
| Number | 73 |
| Frame | 1997 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Nelson DeCastro |
Text of card
Protection from Kavu
"This strange new beast makes for an excellent meal. Get me more." —Empress Galina
Cards like Shoreline Raider
Shoreline Raider carves out its niche in the realm of creature control within the game. When comparing it to other cards that leverage damaging effects, it shares similarities with Pyroclasm, which also inflicts 2 damage to each creature. While Pyroclasm affects all creatures, Shoreline Raider offers pinpoint precision by targeting only Merfolk and Islandwalk creatures, offering a valuable edge in specific matchups.
Fiery Cannonade enters the fray as another comparable card, delivering 2 damage to non-Pirate creatures. It’s similar to Shoreline Raider in that it discriminates in its destruction, but it does so in a broader scope. Furthermore, Fiery Cannonade operates at instant speed, giving players the strategic advantage of timing, whereas Shoreline Raider, being a creature itself, can repeatedly attack turn after turn while selectively suppressing certain foes.
Lastly, considering its targeted removal aspect, Shoreline Raider can be juxtaposed with cards such as Reprisal which eliminates creatures with power 4 or greater. Shoreline Raider’s restriction to specific creature types can be seen as a limitation or strategic focus depending on the deck it’s played against. This offers an interesting dynamic that can be pivotal in certain game scenarios.
Cards similar to Shoreline Raider by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Shoreline Raider is an asset when it comes to card advantage. By offering a way to replenish your hand, it can convert a temporary setback into a long-term edge against your adversaries. This can be particularly useful in formats where maintaining a full grip of options is key to outlasting the competition.
Resource Acceleration: This creature can play a pivotal role in resource acceleration. By potentially allowing additional plays or enabling the use of higher-cost cards earlier in the match, Shoreline Raider can shift the momentum in your favor, putting you steps ahead of your opponent.
Instant Speed: Its ability to be used at instant speed grants a remarkable flexibility. This level of responsiveness is crucial in a dynamic game environment where the tactical advantage often hinges on the capacity to react to an opponent’s moves unpredictably and efficiently.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Playing Shoreline Raider demands a card to be discarded when casting it. This can deplete your hand quickly, often leaving you at a strategic disadvantage, especially if your deck relies on maintaining card advantage over your opponent.
Specific Mana Cost: The casting cost for Shoreline Raider includes blue mana, which can restrict deck-building options. This requirement means you must have a source of blue mana, which could complicate your mana base if you’re running a multicolored deck not focused on blue.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: The mana investment for summoning Shoreline Raider is considerable. When evaluating the cost-to-effect ratio, it is vital to consider alternatives that may provide similar or better value for a lower mana investment, potentially leading to a more streamlined and efficient deck build.
Reasons to Include Shoreline Raider in Your Collection
Versatility: Shoreline Raider slides smoothly into a variety of blue control or aggressive tempo decks. With its adaptability, you can disrupt opponent’s strategies while building your own board presence.
Combo Potential: This card works well with strategies focused on utilizing creature abilities, such as tapping or untapping, to gain tactical advantage over your opponent. Its presence can enhance these interactions significantly.
Meta-Relevance: Given its ability to handle different types of threats, the Shoreline Raider can be particularly useful in a meta dominated by creature-based strategies or decks that play many utility creatures.
How to beat
The Shoreline Raider card introduces a new challenge for players navigating the battlefield of Magic: The Gathering. This aggressive creature thrives in decks that can capitalize on islandwalk abilities, making it a slippery opponent for those unprepared. However, there are several strategies to counter this aquatic antagonist effectively.
Utilizing removal spells that specifically target creatures, such as Path to Exile or Doom Blade, can prove highly efficient against the Raider. With its strength lying in avoiding being blocked by players that control Islands, denying its potential buffs by controlling the type of lands you play is also a clever tactic. Transforming Islands into another land type, for example, through the use of cards like Blood Moon or changing the Raider’s land type affinity with cards like Artificial Evolution, would render its abilities irrelevant. Alternatively, having creatures that can block regardless of landwalk abilities or employing global effects that negate abilities, such as those that make a creature lose all abilities until end of turn, can nullify the Raider’s advantage.
In sum, strategizing around Shoreline Raider’s strengths and equipping your deck with the right answers are key to overcoming this formidable foe in Magic: The Gathering.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Shoreline Raider MTG card by a specific set like Invasion, 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 Shoreline Raider and other MTG cards:
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- 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
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Shoreline Raider has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |