The Flood of Mars MTG Card


Grants card advantage and mana acceleration to stay ahead, making it highly resourceful. Plays at instant speed for strategic flexibility, allowing rapid adaptation in-game. Demands discarding and specific mana, which may limit its use in diverse decks.
Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Alien Zombie Horror
Abilities Islandwalk,Landwalk,Water Always Wins
Power 3
Toughness 3

Text of card

Islandwalk (This creature can't be blocked as long as defending player controls an Island.) Water Always Wins — Whenever The Flood of Mars attacks, put a flood counter on another target creature or land. If it's a creature, it becomes a copy of The Flood of Mars. If it's a land, it becomes an Island in addition to its other types.


Cards like The Flood of Mars

The Flood of Mars offers a unique twist on creature removal strategies in Magic: The Gathering, reminiscent of cards that can shift the battlefield dynamic. When drawing parallels, Damnation springs to mind as it also clears the board of creatures. However, Damnation wipes the slate clean without prejudice, affecting all creatures. The Flood of Mars narrows its focus, targeting only non-red creatures and thus allowing red-heavy decks to leverage their board presence.

Another card that sometimes echoes the selective removal of The Flood of Mars is Slaughter the Strong. Both cards force players to adjust to a reduced creature environment, but Slaughter the Strong requires each player to make crucial decisions about which creatures to keep. The Flood of Mars, on the other hand, makes the decision for them based on color allegiance. Moreover, unlike the indiscriminate carnage of Wrath of God, The Flood of Mars provides an asymmetric advantage favoring red creatures which has its own strategic implications in deck building and gameplay.

Considering these comparisons, The Flood of Mars finds its place in MTG as a potentially game-altering card for red-centric decks, offering targeted removal that can be both a sword and a shield depending on your deck’s composition and strategic direction.

Damnation - MTG Card versions
Slaughter the Strong - MTG Card versions
Wrath of God - MTG Card versions
Damnation - MTG Card versions
Slaughter the Strong - MTG Card versions
Wrath of God - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to The Flood of Mars by color, type and mana cost

Phantasmal Forces - MTG Card versions
Wall of Vapor - MTG Card versions
Tradewind Rider - MTG Card versions
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Thieving Magpie - MTG Card versions
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Sakashima of a Thousand Faces - MTG Card versions
Laboratory Drudge - MTG Card versions
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Cytoplast Manipulator - MTG Card versions
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Glen Elendra Archmage - MTG Card versions
Fatestitcher - MTG Card versions
Argent Sphinx - MTG Card versions
Lumengrid Drake - MTG Card versions
Vedalken Infuser - MTG Card versions
Phantasmal Dragon - MTG Card versions
Phantasmal Forces - MTG Card versions
Wall of Vapor - MTG Card versions
Tradewind Rider - MTG Card versions
Archivist - MTG Card versions
Thieving Magpie - MTG Card versions
Inga Rune-Eyes - MTG Card versions
Sakashima of a Thousand Faces - MTG Card versions
Laboratory Drudge - MTG Card versions
Johnny, Combo Player - MTG Card versions
Dream Prowler - MTG Card versions
Clone - MTG Card versions
Cytoplast Manipulator - MTG Card versions
Crookclaw Transmuter - MTG Card versions
Turtleshell Changeling - MTG Card versions
Glen Elendra Archmage - MTG Card versions
Fatestitcher - MTG Card versions
Argent Sphinx - MTG Card versions
Lumengrid Drake - MTG Card versions
Vedalken Infuser - MTG Card versions
Phantasmal Dragon - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Flood of Mars card is a powerhouse when it comes to pulling ahead in the resource game. Drawing multiple cards means you’ll rarely be left without options, keeping you one step ahead of the competition.

Resource Acceleration: In addition to enhancing your hand, this card gives a significant boost to your mana resources. This boost can be the tipping point, allowing you to deploy threats or responses sooner than your opponent anticipates.

Instant Speed: The ability to play The Flood of Mars at instant speed provides unparalleled flexibility. React to your opponent’s moves, outpace them, or simply optimize your mana usage – all without skipping a beat.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Flood of Mars card asks the player to discard another card from their hand to fully leverage its potential. This requirement can be detrimental during late-game scenarios when a player’s hand might be running thin, forcing them to make tough decisions about what to keep and what to sacrifice.

Specific Mana Cost: With a mana cost that requires specific types of mana to cast, The Flood of Mars might not be the most versatile option for decks that run more than one color. Players might find themselves unable to cast it on cue due to an inadequacy of the required mana, thus hampering their strategy.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While The Flood of Mars card offers a unique ability or an impactful game effect, its mana cost is on the higher side when compared to other spells or creatures of similar functionalities. Players must consider whether its inclusion in their deck is worth the potential lag it could cause to their game’s momentum.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: The Flood of Mars offers adaptability for players favoring control or land-based strategies, seamlessly slotting into decks that capitalize on land manipulation or need flexible responses to evolving on-board threats.

Combo Potential: This card’s ability to interact with landfall triggers and other land-centric strategies provides numerous opportunities for creative combos, enhancing game-ending potentials when paired with the right deck components.

Meta-Relevance: Given that current decks often leverage land dynamics for advantage, The Flood of Mars can be an instrumental card in disrupting opponents’ plans while fortifying your own board position in competitive play.


How to beat

The Flood of Mars is a dynamic card known for its ability to drastically alter the battlefield in MTG. When facing this formidable card, it’s crucial to deploy a well-thought-out strategy to mitigate its impactful game state changes. One effective tactic is to utilize counterspells to prevent The Flood of Mars from resolving in the first place. This preemptive move can safeguard your board and resources before your opponent has the chance to leverage its effects.

In addition to counterspells, another technique is to employ instant-speed removal or bounce effects in response to the card’s trigger. By removing key creatures or the card itself before it can fully manifest its potential, you maintain the upper hand. Moreover, graveyard-based strategies can also be an antidote to this card, as cards like rest in peace can essentially nullify the card’s ability to disrupt your game plan. Always remember to keep your deck versatile and ready to adapt to any threat, especially ones as imposing as The Flood of Mars.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase The Flood of Mars MTG card by a specific set like Doctor Who and Doctor Who, 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 The Flood of Mars and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The The Flood of Mars Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2023-10-13 and 2023-10-13. Illustrated by Andrey Kuzinskiy.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12023-10-13Doctor WhoWHO 9512015NormalBlackAndrey Kuzinskiy
22023-10-13Doctor WhoWHO 3602015NormalBlackAndrey Kuzinskiy
32023-10-13Doctor WhoWHO 452015NormalBlackAndrey Kuzinskiy
42023-10-13Doctor WhoWHO 6502015NormalBlackAndrey Kuzinskiy

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where The Flood of Mars has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering The Flood of Mars card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2023-10-13 If the target is both a creature and a land as the triggered ability resolves, it will become a copy of The Flood of Mars. Excepting some very unusual cases, that copy won't be a land, so it won't also become an Island.