Subterranean Schooner MTG Card


Offers card advantage and mana acceleration with the right battlefield conditions, ideal for creature-heavy decks. Demanding mana cost and discard requirements may limit flexibility and deck incorporation for diverse strategies. Pair with removal and counter strategies to mitigate against its transforming capability and maintain control.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityRare
TypeArtifact — Vehicle
Abilities Crew,Explore
Power 3
Toughness 4

Text of card

Whenever Subterranean Schooner attacks, target creature that crewed it this turn explores. Crew 1


Cards like Subterranean Schooner

Subterranean Schooner introduces an intriguing dynamic to Magic: The Gathering’s collection of vehicle cards. Within this category, it bears resemblance to other vehicles like the Smuggler’s Copter, known for its loot ability granting the chance to draw and discard when it attacks or blocks. Subterranean Schooner, though, offers a different approach to managing card advantage and field presence with its unique set of abilities that cater to strategies focused on underground or sneaky maneuvers.

On the same track, we have Sky Skiff, which appeals to players due to its low crew cost and versatility as a flying threat. Despite not having the same card filtering capability, Sky Skiff’s easy-to-activate nature makes it a convenient choice for many deck types. Subterranean Schooner, in contrast, asks for a more considerate strategy, integrating particularly well with decks that manipulate or take advantage of the graveyard.

In summary, while each vehicle in Magic: The Gathering offers its own advantages, Subterranean Schooner’s distinctive abilities provide a strategic depth that can enhance gameplay, making it a noteworthy option for players looking to trundle along less beaten paths in their deck building adventures.

Smuggler's Copter - MTG Card versions
Sky Skiff - MTG Card versions
Smuggler's Copter - MTG Card versions
Sky Skiff - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Subterranean Schooner by color, type and mana cost

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Etherium Sculptor - MTG Card versions
Gust-Skimmer - MTG Card versions
Spellskite - MTG Card versions
Glassblower's Puzzleknot - MTG Card versions
Wall of Fortune - MTG Card versions
Silent Submersible - MTG Card versions
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Folio of Fancies - MTG Card versions
Corridor Monitor - MTG Card versions
Mystery Key - MTG Card versions
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Decks using this card

MTG decks using Subterranean Schooner. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Simic Artifact AggroSimic Artifact Aggro StandardSimic Artifact AggroTraditional Standard Ranked Decklists: April 15, 2024
Izzet Artifact AggroIzzet Artifact Aggro StandardIzzet Artifact AggroStandard Challenge 32 2024-05-04
Esper MidrangeEsper Midrange StandardEsper MidrangeStandard Super Qualifier 2024-04-28
Simic ArtifactsSimic Artifacts StandardSimic Artifact AggroF2F Tour Championship: Montreal May 2024 Top 12 Standard
Dimir MidrangeDimir Midrange StandardDimir MidrangeTraditional Standard Ranked Decklists: April 22, 2024
Azorius SpiritsAzorius Spirits PioneerAzorius SpiritsPioneer League 2024-04-21
Izzet PiratesIzzet Pirates StandardIzzet PiratesStandard Challenge 32 2024-04-20
Azorius Artifact AggroAzorius Artifact Aggro StandardAzorius Artifact AggroTraditional Standard Ranked Decklists: April 15, 2024

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Subterranean Schooner can quickly become a formidable source of card draw in decks that capitalize on numerous creatures entering the battlefield. This not only keeps your hand full but also allows you to stay ahead in the long game.

Resource Acceleration: This card has the potential to generate significant mana resources by tapping untapped creatures you control, which can give you a crucial speed boost. This ability to turn your creatures into mana can be the difference between victory and defeat, particularly in prolonged matches.

Instant Speed: The ability to manage your resources at instant speed gives you flexibility and strategic depth. You can react to your opponents’ moves with precision, using Subterranean Schooner to tap or untap creatures in response to the evolving game state, thus staying one step ahead.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: As a part of activating its abilities, Subterranean Schooner may ask players to discard a card. This can hamper strategies, particularly in the late game when players could be holding onto key cards they need to guarantee victory or respond to an opponent’s threats.

Specific Mana Cost: Subterranean Schooner’s mana cost demands a particular combination of resources, which could potentially restrict its inclusion to decks that can reliably produce those mana types. This might require players to adjust their mana base or exclude the card from more versatile decks that can’t accommodate the specific mana requirements.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Given its casting and operating costs, Subterranean Schooner can be seen as a less efficient choice compared to other options available within the same mana range. Many players evaluate the card’s impact against its mana investment and may prefer alternatives that provide greater utility or more immediate board presence for a similar cost.


Reasons to Include Subterranean Schooner in Your Collection

Versatility: Subterranean Schooner offers a unique function as it easily slots into artifact-centric and multicolor decks. Its ability to masquerade as a land before transforming allows it to fit seamlessly into various strategies.

Combo Potential: This card has latent synergies within artifact and vehicle brews; just imagine the possibilities it could unlock with the right mix of crew and tap abilities.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where games are frequently decided by pivotal turns, Subterranean Schooner’s transformational nature can give players the upper hand by being a surprise blocker or an unexpected source of damage.


How to beat Subterranean Schooner

The Subterranean Schooner is a unique vehicle card that allows players to delve into their deck, offering a strategic advantage. To outmaneuver this card, one needs to focus on disrupting the opponent’s board presence. Artifact removal spells like Abrade or Disenchant can effectively eliminate the Schooner before it becomes a threat. Additionally, using counterplay strategies such as counterspells ensures that Subterranean Schooner never makes it to the battlefield.

It’s crucial to keep pressure on vehicle-related cards by utilizing creature removals or board wipes when they’re crewed. Cards like Doom Blade or Wrath of God can help maintain control and prevent the Schooner from carrying out its ability to provide card advantage. Watch for opportunities to use instant-speed interaction, as responding to the crewing action can mean the difference between a floated strategy and your opponent gaining a significant lead.

Remember, staying ahead in the resource game and keeping a close eye on your opponent’s artifacts will ultimately help you navigate the challenge presented by Subterranean Schooner and keep your deck on a winning course.


Where to buy

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

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Printings

The Subterranean Schooner Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2023-11-17 and 2023-11-17. Illustrated by Svetlin Velinov.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12023-11-17The Lost Caverns of IxalanLCI 3652015NormalBlackSvetlin Velinov
22023-11-17The Lost Caverns of IxalanLCI 802015NormalBlackSvetlin Velinov

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Subterranean Schooner has restrictions

FormatLegality
StandardLegal
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
AlchemyLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
FutureLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
BrawlLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Subterranean Schooner 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 If a resolving spell or ability instructs a specific creature to explore but that creature has left the battlefield, the creature still explores. If you reveal a nonland card this way, you won't put a +1/+1 counter on anything, but you may put the revealed card into your graveyard. Effects that trigger "whenever a creature explores" trigger as appropriate.
2023-11-10 If an ability instructs a creature to explore, its controller reveals the top card of their library. If it's a land card, they'll put it into their hand. Otherwise, they'll put a +1/+1 counter on that creature, then choose to either leave that card on top of their library or put it into their graveyard.
2023-11-10 If no card is revealed, most likely because that player's library is empty, the exploring creature receives a +1/+1 counter.
2023-11-10 In some unusual cases, noncreature permanents may explore. For example, if the creature card returned by Defossilize is somehow not a creature once it's on the battlefield, it can still explore. You'll take all the same actions, and you may end up putting a +1/+1 counter on the permanent. (Note that some effects target a creature, and those effects would still require a legal target to have it explore.)
2023-11-10 Once an ability that causes a creature to explore begins to resolve, no player may take any other actions until it's done. Notably, opponents can't try to remove the exploring creature after you reveal a nonland card but before it receives a counter.
2023-11-10 Some spells or abilities might cause a creature to explore multiple times in a row. If you reveal a nonland card when a creature explores and leave it on top of your library, then the creature explores again immediately afterwards, you'll reveal the same card again.