Tidepool Turtle MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Turtle |
| Abilities | Scry |
| Released | 2022-09-09 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Dominaria United |
| Set code | DMU |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 5 |
| Number | 69 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Andrew Mar |
Text of card
: Scry 1. (Look at the top card of your library. You may put that card on the bottom of your library.)
Prized by wizards as a mobile scrying pool, it bears visions drawn from the depths of the sea.
Cards like Tidepool Turtle
The Tidepool Turtle emerges as a steadfast defender in Magic: The Gathering, sharing traits with creatures like the Wall of Wood. Both provide a solid defense early in the game, with the Tidepool Turtle offering slightly less sturdiness due to its lower toughness. However, it compensates with the ability to contribute blue devotion, which is crucial in decks that capitalize on this mechanic.
Looking at another aquatic ally, the Kraken Hatchling also stands in the line of comparison. This creature shares the same mana cost and serves a similar purpose when it comes to early-game defense. Yet, it doesn’t add to your blue devotion, making Tidepool Turtle a potentially more strategic choice in specific deck builds. Conversely, Clinging Anemones also come to mind. While the anemones require more mana and enter the battlefield tapped, they offer the evolve mechanic, which can make them a growing threat over time unlike the static nature of Tidepool Turtle.
In essence, the Tidepool Turtle might carve its own niche within the realm of defensive creatures in Magic: The Gathering, particularly valued in decks that rely on blue devotion or require early game protection without the need for a growing threat.
Cards similar to Tidepool Turtle by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Tidepool Turtle rewards you for your defensive efforts by granting you extra draws, giving you the upper hand in maintaining card superiority on the battlefield.
Resource Acceleration: While not direct acceleration, the creature’s durability often protects valuable planeswalkers or life totals, indirectly preserving the resources needed to control the game pace.
Instant Speed: Although it doesn’t have instant speed itself, Tidepool Turtle can be a recipient of instant speed buffs or protections, making it a flexible defender when timing is critical. Additionally, it can unexpectedly impact the board state when combined with flash enablers.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Tidepool Turtle card mandates that you discard another card to activate certain abilities. This requirement can deplete your hand, leaving you vulnerable and reducing your options as the game progresses.
Specific Mana Cost: Operating with a constrained mana base can be tricky, and the Tidepool Turtle demands a specific blend of mana for casting. If your deck isn’t fine-tuned to provide this exact mana mix, playing the card when needed might not always be possible.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Certain players might find the mana investment to summon the Tidepool Turtle a bit steep. There are alternatives in the same mana range that could potentially offer greater impact or flexibility on the battlefield. Balancing cost against impact is crucial when building a winning deck.
Reasons to Include Tidepool Turtle in Your Collection
Versatility: Tidepool Turtle enhances a range of defensive strategies with its solid toughness, making it a reliable blocker in Limited formats. Its presence on the board helps stabilize against aggressive starts.
Combo Potential: In decks that capitalize on high-toughness creatures, Tidepool Turtle shines. It can synergize with effects that reward players for creatures with high defense, setting up for strong defense-oriented combos.
Meta-Relevance: When the competitive environment is swarming with early attackers, Tidepool Turtle serves as a low-cost deterrent. Its ability to hold the line against early threats makes it a pertinent choice in certain Constructed and Limited metas.
How to beat
Tidepool Turtle might seem unassuming at first glance, but this creature can be a thorn in the side of aggressive decks in Magic: The Gathering. Its high toughness paired with defender means it can stop early combat in its tracks, frustrating opponents who rely on fast creature damage. To effectively get past this maritime barrier, think about employing removal spells that can bypass its beefy defense, like Murder or Lava Coil, which can dispatch the turtle without having to engage it in combat.
Alternatively, consider cards that disable its defender ability, such as Rogue’s Passage, which can allow your creatures to sneak past unblocked. Direct burn spells are also a surefire remedy—flinging a Lightning Bolt or a Shock directly at our shelled friend ensures that it won’t be sticking around to halt your assault. If you’re not in a rush, using enchantments like Pacifism can render the Turtle harmless, allowing you to focus your attacks elsewhere and steadily beat your opponent. Remember to have more than one solution in your deck, as redundancy is key in overcoming such obstacles.
While the Tidepool Turtle may not be the flashiest card in MTG, it certainly teaches players the importance of flexibility and resourcefulness in overcoming seemingly minor but potentially game-stalling challenges.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Tidepool Turtle MTG card by a specific set like Dominaria United, 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 Tidepool Turtle 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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Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Tidepool Turtle has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Alchemy | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Future | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |