Tidebinder Mage MTG Card
2013-07-19 - Number 73
2017-10-24 - Number 22
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Merfolk Wizard |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Text of card
When Tidebinder Mage enters the battlefield, tap target red or green creature an opponent controls. That creature doesn't untap during its controller's untap step for as long as you control Tidebinder Mage.
Cards like Tidebinder Mage
Tidebinder Mage stands out in the assortment of blue creature cards within Magic the Gathering. This card highlights its utility by locking down opposing red or green creatures, an attribute reminiscent of cards such as Frost Lynx. While Frost Lynx may freeze any target creature upon entering the battlefield, it doesn’t offer the sustained control Tidebinder Mage does against specific colors.
Examining another parallel, Merfolk Trickster also taps an opponent’s creature and negates its abilities for the turn. Although versatile against any creature regardless of color, it lacks the ongoing detainment Tidebinder Mage provides. Then there’s Harbinger of the Tides, capable of bouncing creatures to the owner’s hand, offering a temporary respite rather than the potentially game-long suppression achieved by Tidebinder Mage.
Ultimately, Tidebinder Mage finds its niche against red and green-heavy decks where its power to consistently hinder an opponent’s offensive can turn the tide of the game. It becomes a strategic inclusion, especially in sideboards, for players looking to outmaneuver specific matchups in Magic the Gathering.
Cards similar to Tidebinder Mage by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Tidebinder Mage can effectively remove an opponent’s creature from combat, which can lead to a better board state and ultimately card advantage. It’s particularly potent in matchups where the opposition relies on powerful red or green creatures.
Resource Acceleration: While not directly providing mana, locking down an opposing creature can indirectly accelerate your resources by freeing up your own creatures to attack and potentially reducing the need to spend mana on removal spells.
Instant Speed: Although Tidebinder Mage itself doesn’t function at instant speed, its ability to tap an enemy creature upon entering the battlefield can function similarly to an instant by disrupting the opponent’s combat phase or before a key ability is activated. This timing flexibility can be a significant tactical advantage.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Tidebinder Mage doesn’t directly require you to discard a card, its condition of targetting only red or green creatures can sometimes feel as constricting as a discard requirement when facing decks that don’t follow those colors.
Specific Mana Cost: The casting cost for Tidebinder Mage includes two specific blue mana. This makes it a better fit for mono-blue or heavily blue-focused decks, potentially limiting its versatility in multicolor decks that may not always have the required mana.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of two blue mana for a 2/2 creature, its ability to lock down a red or green creature can sometimes be underwhelming when compared to other two-mana creatures that might offer broader effects or higher power and toughness. As game pace increases, mana efficiency becomes crucial, and Tidebinder Mage may not always hit the mark.
Reasons to Include Tidebinder Mage in Your Collection
Versatility: Tidebinder Mage is a card that finds its place in various blue-centric and tempo decks. Its ability to lock down a red or green creature adds a level of control that can be pivotal in many matches.
Combo Potential: This card serves as an excellent support for creature-based combo strategies, capable of suppressing potential blockers or threats while you assemble your winning pieces.
Meta-Relevance: With a meta that often showcases powerful red or green creatures, Tidebinder Mage is an essential sideboard card that can shift the balance of a game in your favor, keeping the competition at bay.
How to beat
Tidebinder Mage is a specialized piece in player arsenals within Magic: The Gathering, adept at locking down red or green creatures. This seemingly simple merfolk has the potential to halt an opponent’s aggresive strategy, especially when creatures like Tarmogoyf or Goblin Guide dominate the board. As such, understanding how to neutralize Tidebinder Mage is crucial for maintaining the flow of your game.
To effectively counter Tidebinder Mage, one should consider creature removal spells like Lightning Bolt or Fatal Push, which can dispatch the Mage before the freeze effect becomes a hindrance. For a less direct approach, passive creature protections such as hexproof or shroud can prevent Tidebinder Mage from targeting your key creatures in the first place. Furthermore, switching to non-targeted board wipes such as Wrath of God or Damnation can bypass Tidebinder Mage’s binding ability, clearing the way for your creatures to move uninhibited.
Finally, adjusting your strategy by diversifying the colors of creatures in your deck may dilute Tidebinder Mage’s impact. Incorporating black, white, or blue creatures ensures that the Mage’s ability won’t completely stall your board presence. By implementing these tactics, you can tip the scales back in your favor against a Tidebinder Mage control strategy in Magic: The Gathering.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Tidebinder Mage MTG card by a specific set like Magic 2014 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 Tidebinder Mage and other MTG cards:
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Printings
The Tidebinder Mage Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2013-07-19 and 2017-10-24. Illustrated by John Severin Brassell.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2013-07-19 | Magic 2014 | M14 | 73 | 2003 | Normal | Black | John Severin Brassell | |
| 2 | 2017-10-24 | Duel Decks: Merfolk vs. Goblins | DDT | 22 | 2015 | Normal | Black | John Severin Brassell |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Tidebinder Mage has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Tidebinder Mage card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2013-07-01 | If another player gains control of Tidebinder Mage, the creature will no longer be affected by the ability preventing it from untapping, even if you later regain control of Tidebinder Mage. |
| 2013-07-01 | If you gain control of the creature that’s being prevented from untapping, that creature won’t untap during your untap step for as long as you control Tidebinder Mage. |
| 2013-07-01 | If you lose control of Tidebinder Mage between when it entered the battlefield and when the ability resolves, the target creature will become tapped. However, it won’t be affected by the other effect and will untap as normal during its controller’s untap step. |
| 2013-07-01 | The ability can target a tapped creature. If the targeted creature is already tapped when it resolves, that creature just remains tapped and doesn’t untap during its controller’s next untap step. |