Storm Fleet Spy MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Human Pirate |
| Abilities | Raid |
| Released | 2017-09-29 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Ixalan |
| Set code | XLN |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
| Number | 84 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Scott Murphy |
Text of card
Raid — When Storm Fleet Spy enters the battlefield, if you attacked with a creature this turn, draw a card.
"They're searching in the same direction we are. And for the same thing, I'll wager."
Cards like Storm Fleet Spy
Storm Fleet Spy is an intriguing creature card in Magic: The Gathering, reminiscent of several notable cards in the realm of blue-based card advantage. Comparable to it is the likes of Cloudkin Seer, which shares the propensity to draw a card upon entering the battlefield. While the Seer offers flying as an extra ability, Storm Fleet Spy’s card advantage is contingent upon attacking with another creature that turn, encouraging a more aggressive playstyle.
Another kin in strategy is the Looter il-Kor, whose power lies within its shadow ability, ensuring it’s often unblockable. The looter allows you to draw and then discard a card whenever it deals combat damage, thus prioritizing card selection over raw card advantage like the Spy. Considering cost efficiency, the Riverwise Augur also stands out – entering the battlefield triggers a Brainstorm effect, offering immediate deeper card selection, despite not influencing the board right away like Storm Fleet Spy’s potential immediate attack.
In assessing the aptitudes of these cards, Storm Fleet Spy emerges as a solid choice for decks that thrive on maintaining battlefield presence while incrementally drawing into their strategic components, particularly benefiting from the synergy with a proactive gameplan. Its unique requirement provides a distinct layer to gameplay, positioning it as a valuable asset for tempo-focused blue strategies in Magic: The Gathering.
Cards similar to Storm Fleet Spy by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Storm Fleet Spy is adept at sneaking in to secure valuable intel. When it enters the battlefield, if you attacked with a creature this turn, you get to draw a card, potentially giving you an edge over your opponent by growing your options in hand.
Resource Acceleration: While the Spy doesn’t directly produce resources, its ability to smoothly curve out on turn three after an attack can set the pace for a tempo-driven strategy, ensuring you’re maximizing the use of your mana each turn.
Instant Speed: Although not an instant itself, the constellation of cards that synergize with the Spy, such as flash creatures or quick combat tricks, will facilitate maintaining its requirement to attack and enable instant-speed interactions, essentially assimilating the Spy into your swift offensive maneuvers.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Storm Fleet Spy requires a successful attack to trigger its card draw ability. Without having dealt combat damage to a player, its potential remains unrealized, which can be problematic in a game where an opportunity to attack may not always be present.
Specific Mana Cost: This card necessitates both blue and generic mana, making it exclusive to decks that can produce blue mana. This can be restrictive and may not fit seamlessly into all deck strategies, especially those that don’t support blue mana or multicolor flexibility.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana, including one blue, Storm Fleet Spy’s card draw utility may come at a slower pace compared to other low-cost cards that can provide immediate card advantage. This can sometimes result in an unfavorable tempo, especially during the critical early turns of a game.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Storm Fleet Spy brings a well-rounded capability to your deck with its ability to provide card advantage regardless of the match situation. It’s particularly effective in decks that plan to attack early and often.
Combo Potential: This card shines in synergy-rich environments, where casting multiple spells in a turn can set off a chain of advantageous events. It pairs well with cards that benefit from the ascension mechanic or with pirate themed strategies.
Meta-Relevance: Given that quick, aggressive strategies frequently populate the meta, the Spy’s ability to replace itself in your hand while contributing to board presence makes it an asset in keeping the pressure on opponents continuously.
How to beat Storm Fleet Spy
Storm Fleet Spy is a notable card in Magic: The Gathering, especially within the context of blue-based aggro strategies. Its draw card ability upon entering the battlefield can give a subtle yet impactful lead when facing opponent decks. To outmaneuver this spy, one must recognize the importance of preventing its trigger condition. Since the ability hinges on attacking with another creature on the same turn, ensuring control of the battlefield and managing your opponent’s creatures through removal or bounce spells could stymie the Spy’s effectiveness.
Strategic use of counterspells can also be a solid approach, keeping the Storm Fleet Spy from ever hitting the field. Alternatively, employ hand disruption techniques early in the game, which can preemptively deal with the Spy and other threats. Engage in a playstyle that emphasizes on diminishing your opponent’s resources while bolstering your board presence. This strategy ranges from aggressive creature deployment to maximizing the value of your removal and counterspell suite.
Therefore, mastering the timing of your spells, prioritizing threats, and controlling the pace of the game are key in conquering the advantage Storm Fleet Spy brings to the table. Balancing your plays will disrupt your opponent’s momentum and push you towards victory.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Storm Fleet Spy MTG card by a specific set like 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 Storm Fleet Spy 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 Storm Fleet Spy has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Storm Fleet Spy card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2018-01-19 | Raid abilities care only that you attacked with a creature. It doesn’t matter how many creatures you attacked with, or which opponent or planeswalker controlled by an opponent those creatures attacked. |
| 2018-01-19 | Raid abilities evaluate the entire turn to see if you attacked with a creature. That creature doesn’t have to still be on the battlefield. Similarly, the player or planeswalker it attacked doesn’t have to still be in the game or on the battlefield, respectively. |