Tidal Warrior MTG Card
1998-03-02 - Number 47
2017-10-24 - Number 20
2019-11-07 - Number 525
2020-09-26 - Number DDT-20
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Merfolk Warrior |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Text of card
oc T: Target land is an island until end of turn.
The tide of battle favors those who can swim.
Cards like Tidal Warrior
Tidal Warrior holds a unique position within MTG as it allows players to tactically turn a land into an Island until end of turn. Functionally similar to other land alteration spells like Aquitect’s Will, Tidal Warrior offers the flexibility of being a creature card. Aquitect’s Will, on the flip side, has a sorcery speed and permanently changes the targeted land, plus it lets you draw a card if you control a Merfolk.
Comparable in effect, we find cards like Sea’s Claim, which also turns a land into an Island, yet with the benefit of being an enchantment that permanently affects the game. Conversely, Tidal Warrior can be summoned early and adds to your creature count, which is advantageous for tribal decks focused on Merfolks. Another similar card is Spreading Seas which not only changes the land type but also provides card draw, an essential part of advancing your game strategy.
While evaluating other options within this mechanic, Tidal Warrior emerges as a multi-faceted tool – a merge of creature presence and strategic land transformation. Its versatility and synergy with Merfolk-centric decks make it a strategic choice for players looking to exploit land-type manipulation in MTG.
Cards similar to Tidal Warrior by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Tidal Warrior may not directly allow you to draw cards, but its ability to disrupt an opponent’s mana base can indirectly lead to card advantage. By turning key lands into Islands, you can prevent opponents from casting spells on curve, effectively causing them to have unused cards in hand.
Resource Acceleration: While Tidal Warrior itself doesn’t ramp your mana, it contributes to resource acceleration by setting your opponent back. This can give you a vital edge, ensuring that your resources are being utilized more efficiently in relation to your opponent’s.
Instant Speed: The beauty of Tidal Warrior lies in its ability to activate at instant speed. This allows you to transform an opponent’s land into an Island right before they use it, potentially disrupting their strategy mid-combo or before they declare attackers, giving you an unexpected defensive advantage.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Tidal Warrior’s ability does not inherently require a discard, making this point not applicable to this card’s evaluation. Players seeking to analyze the drawbacks of Tidal Warrior should consider other aspects of card utility and interaction.
Specific Mana Cost: Tidal Warrior necessitates a blue mana for play. This makes it a specialized choice for blue or blue-inclusive decks, possibly excluding it from other deck types where it could otherwise prove useful if not for the color restriction.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: While Tidal Warrior itself is a low-cost creature, its utility may not always justify its slot in a deck, especially when valuable lower-cost alternatives are available in the metagame that might offer more versatility or power for the same or minimal additional mana investment.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Tidal Warrior offers unique flexibility for blue-focused decks, allowing players to temporarily change land types, disrupting opponents’ mana bases or enabling land-type synergies within your own strategy.
Combo Potential: This card can be a critical piece in combos, particularly with cards that punish or capitalize on opponents having islands, or that benefit from controlling various land types.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where land interaction is key, Tidal Warrior can give you the upper hand, especially against non-blue decks that rely on specific land types to execute their strategy.
How to Beat Tidal Warrior
Tidal Warrior may not be the most formidable creature card on its own, but in the right deck, it can be quite the nuisance. As a low-cost creature with the ability to turn any land into an Island, Tidal Warrior can throw a wrench in your opponent’s mana base, especially if they rely on non-blue sources. To effectively counter this ability, players should look towards card strategies that neutralize or bypass the need for specific land types.
Inclusion of versatile mana-producing artifacts or land cards that can tap for multiple colors of mana can diminish Tidal Warrior’s impact on your game. Spells that untap lands or provide protection from abilities can help shield your resources from being tampered with. Additionally, instant removal spells that can target and kill creatures at a low cost will take care of Tidal Warrior before its ability can be used disruptively. Prioritizing removal and having versatile mana sources in your deck are key tactics to beating Tidal Warrior’s strategy.
Ultimately, while Tidal Warrior poses a distinct tactical advantage within island-focused decks, players who are prepared with varied mana solutions and instant-speed removal will be well-equipped to counter its land-altering ability and minimize its influence on the battlefield.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Tidal Warrior MTG card by a specific set like Stronghold and Duel Decks: Merfolk vs. Goblins, 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 Tidal Warrior 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
Printings
The Tidal Warrior Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 1998-03-02 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by Daren Bader.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1998-03-02 | Stronghold | STH | 47 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Daren Bader | |
| 2 | 2017-10-24 | Duel Decks: Merfolk vs. Goblins | DDT | 20 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Daren Bader | |
| 3 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 525 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Daren Bader | |
| 4 | The List | PLST | DDT-20 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Daren Bader |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Tidal Warrior has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |