Vineshaper Prodigy MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Elf Druid |
| Abilities | Kicker |
| Released | 2022-09-09 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Dominaria United |
| Set code | DMU |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
| Number | 187 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Inka Schulz |
Text of card
Kicker (You may pay an additional as you cast this spell.) When Vineshaper Prodigy enters the battlefield, if it was kicked, look at the top three cards of your library. Put one of them into your hand and the rest on the bottom of your library in any order.
Cards like Vineshaper Prodigy
Vineshaper Prodigy carves its niche within the pantheon of creature buffs in Magic: The Gathering. As a merfolk that serves as a tool for enhancing fellow tribe members, it’s reminiscent of cards like Merfolk Mistbinder. The Mistbinder offers a straightforward static power and toughness boost to other merfolk, whereas the Prodigy presents a more versatile approach, allowing for the placing of +1/+1 counters at the cost of a skill activation.
Merrow Reejerey is another relative, offering not only a stat increase to other merfolk but also providing a useful tap or untap mechanism each time another merfolk enters the battlefield under your control. This ability can pivot games in your favor through both offensive and defensive maneuvers. While Vineshaper Prodigy needs you to invest mana and a card to strengthen one creature at a time, Reejerey continuously impacts the board state with its synergistic passive ability.
It’s clear that each card has its place in a merfolk deck building strategy, with Vineshaper Prodigy offering a more resource-heavy but potentially larger one-time effect, while siblings like Merfolk Mistbinder and Merrow Reejerey opt for a persistent advantage over time.
Cards similar to Vineshaper Prodigy by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Vineshaper Prodigy facilitates the drawing of additional cards, providing a player with an edge by increasing hand options. This boost in card availability can be pivotal in outmaneuvering opponents.
Resource Acceleration: This card offers a cost-efficient way to enhance board presence, accelerating the deployment of valuable creatures or spells. It helps in advancing game state and applying pressure more rapidly than opponents.
Instant Speed: The ability to cast Vineshaper Prodigy at instant speed gives players flexibility, allowing them to adapt to dynamic game conditions and make strategic plays that capitalize on the perfect timing.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Playing Vineshaper Prodigy might necessitate discarding other valuable cards from your hand, diminishing your strategic versatility and making it potentially detrimental in situations where hand size is crucial.
Specific Mana Cost: Vineshaper Prodigy requires a precise color alignment in its mana cost, demanding inclusion of green mana sources that could restrict deck building options or hinder the card’s playability in multi-colored decks.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a higher mana investment than some other creatures with similar effects, Vineshaper Prodigy may not be as cost-effective, especially when considering the pace and mana efficiency demanded in competitive play.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Vineshaper Prodigy is a dynamic addition to any deck that thrives on +1/+1 counters. Its ability to target any Merfolk, allowing for broadened deck-building options, makes it a valuable asset in tribal and counter-centric decks alike.
Combo Potential: With a knack for enabling powerful synergies, Vineshaper Prodigy enhances strategies focused on proliferating or doubling up on counters. Its low mana cost also facilitates early combos, setting the stage for a dominating presence.
Meta-Relevance: Given the fluctuating nature of the meta, Vineshaper Prodigy holds its ground by fitting into decks that need to outpace opponents with swift growth in creature stats. It’s particularly adept in a meta that favors agility and adaptability.
How to beat
Vineshaper Prodigy is an interesting card in the Magic: The Gathering universe, especially due to its ability to strengthen other merfolk creatures. To effectively counter this card, one strategy is to control the board through removal spells. Focus on eliminating Vineshaper Prodigy quickly to prevent your opponent from establishing a powerful lineup of buffed merfolk.
Another effective tactic involves using cards that limit the benefits of counters, such as Solemnity, which can negate the Prodigy’s potential impact by preventing the placement of +1/+1 counters altogether. Additionally, applying pressure early in the game can thwart your opponent’s plans by forcing them to defend rather than build up their merfolk synergies.
Ultimately, staying one step ahead by predicting and disrupting your opponent’s merfolk-related strategy will go a long way in ensuring Vineshaper Prodigy doesn’t tip the scales in their favor. Keeping your options versatile and maintaining board control are key elements to triumphant gameplay when facing this particular threat.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Vineshaper Prodigy 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 Vineshaper Prodigy 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
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Vineshaper Prodigy 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 |