Terror Tide MTG Card
2023-11-17 - Number 372
2023-11-17 - Number 127
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Sorcery |
| Abilities | Fathomless descent |
Text of card
Fathomless descent — All creatures get -X/-X until end of turn, where X is the number of permanent cards in your graveyard.
Those who go under rise again as cruel mockeries of their former selves, spewing foul water and keening with sorrow.
Cards like Terror Tide
Terror Tide is the new captivating card on the block for MTG enthusiasts looking to wield fear and surprise. In the realm of creature removal, it stands shoulder to shoulder with other notable spells. Doom Blade, for example, is a classic removal spell that targets non-black creatures at a low cost; however, it doesn’t have Terror Tide’s ability to remove threats at instant speed while potentially disrupting an opponent’s graveyard synergy.
Time Ebb shares a theme with Terror Tide by putting a creature back into its owner’s library, yet Terror Tide excels with its ability to place that creature directly into the graveyard, therefore dealing with it more permanently. Murderous Cut also offers a similar utility with its delve mechanism, allowing for a potentially lower casting cost, but without the element of surprise that the flash ability of Terror Tide grants, allowing for more strategic play.
In comparing these alternatives, Terror Tide’s flexibility and efficiency in creature removal and graveyard disruption place it in a unique position within MTG. It offers players a fresh tactical edge, enhancing game dynamics and strategic planning for tempo plays.
Cards similar to Terror Tide by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Terror Tide. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Sultai Control | Standard | Sultai Graveyard | WPN QUALIFIERS SEASON 6 |
 | Sultai Reanimator | Standard | Sultai Reanimator | Standard Challenge 32 2024-03-09 |
| Sultai Combo | Standard | Sultai Reanimator | The Pizza Box Open: Standard |
| Dimir Reanimator | Standard | Sultai Reanimator | WPN QUALIFIERS SEASON 6 |
 | 5c Control | Standard | 5c Control | Traditional Standard Ranked Decklists: March 18, 2024 |
| WUBG Mill | Standard | 4c Control | HBMO24 - Common Ground Games Standard RCQ |
| Five-color Reanimator | Standard | Sultai Reanimator | HBMO24 - Common Ground Games Standard RCQ |
| Five-color Ramp | Standard | Sultai Graveyard | HBMO24 - Common Ground Games Standard RCQ |
| Sultai Graveyard | Standard | Sultai Graveyard | Standard Preliminary 2024-03-08 (1) |
| 4c Control | Standard | 4c Control | Standard Preliminary 2024-03-13 (1) |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Dive into the depths with Terror Tide and unearth the potential for significant card advantage. This formidable card lets you draw into the power you need when you need it most, keeping your hand flush with options and drowning your opponents in a sea of strategic depth.
Resource Acceleration: Unleash a wave of resources as Terror Tide provides you with the leverage to summon bigger threats earlier. It’s not just about the cards you play; it’s about playing them before your opponent even gets their bearings—a true high tide that accelerates your game plan.
Instant Speed: With the power to disrupt your opponent’s strategy at a moment’s notice, Terror Tide’s instant speed is a formidable weapon in your arsenal. Cast it when your adversary least expects it, turning the tides of the game in your favor and leaving them stranded in a sea of uncertainty.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: For Magic the Gathering players, the necessity to discard another card in order to deploy Terror Tide represents a tactical sacrifice. If your hand is already stretched thin, losing even a single card could put you at a considerable disadvantage, potentially stalling your game plan.
Specific Mana Cost: Terror Tide demands a precise combination of mana to cast, which includes blue mana. This requirement can sometimes be restrictive, especially in multicolored decks that may struggle with mana consistency, limiting the card’s versatility across different deck archetypes.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: When assessing the efficiency of spells, the mana investment for Terror Tide can seem steep relative to its effect. This can be particularly noticeable in decks that aim for a faster pace or in metagames where lower-cost spells can achieve comparable or more impactful results, leaving Terror Tide behind in terms of overall efficiency.
Reasons to Include Terror Tide in Your Collection
Versatility: Terror Tide offers strategic depth as it’s adaptable to several deck builds. Its ability to potentially clear the board or direct damage to creatures or players makes it a flexible addition to blue-based control or combo decks.
Combo Potential: This card seamlessly integrates with strategies that leverage spell casting or graveyard recursion. With the ability to return to a player’s hand under specific conditions, Terror Tide can be a recurring threat that enables repeated use in a combo-centric setup.
Meta-Relevance: Especially in metas where creature-heavy strategies are prevalent, Terror Tide can be a game changer. Its disruption capabilities and return mechanic ensure that you always have a response to creature-based threats, making it a crucial component against various popular decks in the current environment.
How to Beat
Terror Tide is a challenging force to reckon with on the battlefield of Magic the Gathering. This particular card brings a level of complexity due to its ability to sway control. To effectively counter Terror Tide, players need to focus on tactics that limit graveyard interactions or implement removal strategies before their opponent can exploit the card’s full potential.
An efficient approach involves incorporating graveyard hate cards that can disrupt any plans to utilize the graveyard as a resource. Cards such as Rest in Peace or Leyline of the Void prevent cards from entering the graveyard, rendering Terror Tide much less impactful. Additionally, playing instant-speed removal or counterspells while the card is on the stack can be a timely and definitive means to prevent its dreaded effects.
Selective removal spells, particularly exile effects, are also potent against Terror Tide. By removing the creatures from the game altogether, the advantages of Terror Tide are significantly hindered. When playing against Terror Tide, staying ahead with proactive control and disruption ensures that its threat is neutralized, maintaining an edge over your opponent’s strategies.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Terror Tide 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 Terror Tide 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
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Printings
The Terror Tide Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2023-11-17 and 2023-11-17. Illustrated by Brock Grossman.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2023-11-17 | The Lost Caverns of Ixalan | LCI | 372 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Brock Grossman | |
| 2 | 2023-11-17 | The Lost Caverns of Ixalan | LCI | 127 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Brock Grossman |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Terror Tide has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Alchemy | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Future | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Terror Tide 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 | Cards with the ability word "fathomless descent" have abilities that care how many permanent cards are in your graveyard. |
| 2023-11-10 | Some descend triggered abilities include intervening "if" clauses (i.e. "if you have -our or eight] permanent cards in your graveyard" in the middle of the ability). Each of these abilities checks your graveyard at the moment it would trigger to see if it does. If you don't have the required number of permanent cards in your graveyard at that time, the ability doesn't trigger at all. If it does trigger, it will check again as it tries to resolve. If you don't have the required number of permanent cards in your graveyard at that time, the ability won't resolve and none of its effects will happen. |
| 2023-11-10 | The value of X is checked only once, as Terror Tide resolves. |