Sinister Starfish MTG Card

Starfish’s scry ability offers consistent deck filtering, leading to more efficient card draws. Its activation at instant speed provides flexibility, adapting swiftly to opponents’ moves. Requires careful use due to its discard requirement and specific blue mana cost.

Sinister Starfish - Modern Horizons 2 (MH2)

Modern Horizons 2 (MH2)
2021-06-18 - Number 99

Sinister Starfish - Jumpstart: Historic Horizons (J21)

Jumpstart: Historic Horizons (J21)
2021-08-26 - Number 383

Sinister Starfish - Murders at Karlov Manor Commander (MKC)

Murders at Karlov Manor Commander (MKC)
2024-02-09 - Number 140

Card sets	Released in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Starfish
Abilities	Surveil
Power	0
Toughness	3

Text of card

: Surveil 1. (Look at the top card of your library. You may put that card into your graveyard.)

"Throw that one back. I don't like how it's looking at me." —Netos, Meletian fisherman

Cards like Sinister Starfish

Sinister Starfish adds an intriguing layer to the surveillance strategy within Magic: The Gathering. Analogous to creatures like Wall of Lost Thoughts, both creatures have the power to manipulate the top card of a player’s library. The Sinister Starfish stands out with its sustainable draw power, capable of consistently impacting the board with just a tap, while Wall of Lost Thoughts offers a one-time large mill when it enters the battlefield.

In the same realm, Sage’s Row Denizen can be compared. This creature also leverages the mill strategy but requires casting blue spells to be effective. Though it can potentially mill more cards, Sinister Starfish offers pinpoint control and demands less setup. Another counterpart is Hedron Crab, known for its landfall-triggered milling. While the crab can mill more cards per land drop, the Starfish provides steady influence without the need for land drops, an advantage in a game where land draws can be uncertain.

The strategic value of Sinister Starfish is notable for those embracing a mill-focused deck in Magic: The Gathering, offering controlled, repeatable library manipulation that few creatures can match.

Wall of Lost Thoughts - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Sinister Starfish by color, type and mana cost

Order of the Ebon Hand - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Sinister Starfish offers consistent scry each turn, providing a method to sift through the deck and access the most valuable cards more efficiently. Effective deck filtering can lead to indirect card advantage over the course of a game.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly impacting mana resources, the Sinister Starfish can enhance the quality of draw steps, leading to faster acquisition of key lands and spells, thereby optimizing the pace at which you can execute your game plan.

Instant Speed: The Starfish’s activated ability can be used at instant speed, giving the flexibility to react to an opponent’s actions before deciding on the best course for your turn. This adaptability allows for smarter and more efficient plays.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Sinister Starfish necessitates the discard of a card for activation. This can deplete your hand, particularly if you’re already struggling to maintain card advantage.

Specific Mana Cost: This card’s activation cost demands blue mana, making it less versatile and potentially unfit for multicolor decks that cannot reliably provide blue mana.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With an activation cost that’s on the higher end for its effect, Sinister Starfish might not be as cost-effective as other options available, potentially leading to less optimal gameplay or slower deck performance.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Sinister Starfish offers a unique form of card filtering that can integrate seamlessly across various control and combo decks, making it a versatile asset when looking to adjust your draw to the current game state.

Combo Potential: With its scry ability, Sinister Starfish can help setup the top of your library to unlock powerful combos, ensuring that essential pieces are drawn when needed to execute your strategy effectively.

Meta-Relevance: In an environment that favors longer, grindier games, the consistent scry ability of Sinister Starfish helps maintain card quality turn after turn, giving you an edge in maintaining control and executing your game plan.

How to beat

Sinister Starfish presents an interesting challenge for MTG players, as it combines the ability to surveil with its ability to block. Its ability to peek at the top card of a player’s library and give a choice to leave it there or put it into their graveyard can lead to strategic advantages, especially when it comes to setting up the right draws or fueling graveyard synergies.

To counteract Sinister Starfish’s subtle influence on the game, the key is to prioritize removal spells that can deal with it without much fuss. A simple burn spell or a quick targeted removal like Fatal Push can handle the Starfish before its controller can leverage too much information from the surveil ability. Consider instant speed interaction to eliminate the Starfish in response to its activation, thus neutralizing its control over the game’s flow. Balancing the timing of your removal with your opponent’s potential to use the Starfish to their advantage is crucial. Ensuring Sinister Starfish spends minimal time on the battlefield will significantly reduce the card advantage it might provide to your opponent.

Without the constant threat of surveil, you can proceed with your own game plan, unhindered by the Starfish’s ability to manipulate the top of the deck, thus maintaining the balance and unpredictability that is often key to victory in MTG.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Sinister Starfish MTG card by a specific set like Modern Horizons 2 and Jumpstart: Historic Horizons, 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 Sinister Starfish and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Sinister Starfish Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2021-06-18 and 2024-02-09. Illustrated by Nils Hamm.

#	Released	Name	Code	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	2021-06-18	Modern Horizons 2	MH2	99	2015	Normal	Black	Nils Hamm
2	2021-08-26	Jumpstart: Historic Horizons	J21	383	2015	Normal	Black	Nils Hamm
3	2024-02-09	Murders at Karlov Manor Commander	MKC	140	2015	Normal	Black	Nils Hamm

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Sinister Starfish has restrictions

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