Manta Ray MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Fish
Released	1997-06-09
Set symbol
Set name	Weatherlight
Set code	WTH
Power	3
Toughness	3
Number	42
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Una Fricker

Key Takeaways

Manta Ray stands out in decks with a sea creature theme, granting card advantage and board control.
While low cost aids tempo, the discard requirement and mana limitations can hamper flexibility.
Its conditional attack capability makes it a strategic addition in the ever-evolving MTG metagame.

Text of card

Islandhome (If defending player controls no islands, this creature cannot attack. If you control no islands, bury this creature.) Manta Ray cannot be blocked except by blue creatures.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Manta Ray shines in its synergy with decks focused on sea creatures, where it ensures an advantage by meeting simple island requirements. By guaranteeing a dependable presence in aquatic-themed decks, it helps maintain board control.

Resource Acceleration: Though not directly impacting mana resources, the Manta Ray’s low casting cost contributes to quicker deck tempo, enabling players to deploy threats and reinforce board presence without significant investment.

Instant Speed: The Manta Ray itself may not be an instant, but its existence in a deck can complement strategies that prioritize instant speed interactions. Permament’s like Manta Ray benefit from open mana, as opponents might hesitate to attack or commit to spells, fearing instant-speed responses.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Manta Ray mandates discarding another card to keep it on the battlefield, which can strain your hand and diminish your late-game options.

Specific Mana Cost: Requiring both blue mana and generic mana, it demands a commitment to blue-aligned decks, potentially stifling deck-building flexibility.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With an initial casting cost that might compete with more impactful four-mana creatures or spells in your deck, Manta Ray can feel costly for its stats and abilities.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Manta Ray adapts seamlessly to various game plans, particularly in decks geared towards flying synergy or as a defensive option against flying creatures your opponents control.

Combo Potential: This card’s requirement to control an island for it to attack means it has inherent combo potential in blue-focused decks that play with land dynamics or island-specific buffs.

Meta-Relevance: As the game evolves, creatures with simple conditional requirements like Manta Ray remain relevant, able to outmaneuver certain popular flying-heavy strategies found in many competitive formats.

How to beat

Manta Ray is a unique creature in Magic: The Gathering that brings an aquatic flair to the battlefield. As a card that can only attack if an opponent controls an island, it poses a particular challenge. To successfully counter this sea dweller, adapting your strategy to minimize the number of islands in play can be an effective tactic. This reduces the Manta Ray’s ability to engage and forces your opponent to think of alternative paths to victory.

Another avenue is to employ spells that change the land type of the islands. Transformational magic can turn potent islands into less useful lands, ensuring the Manta Ray loses its attacking capability. Furthermore, don’t overlook the power of creature removal. Simple, direct spells can send the Manta Ray right back to the depths it came from. By maintaining control over the board and keeping your opponent’s island count in check, you stand a strong chance of negating the advantages the Manta Ray provides.

Devising a strategy that includes these elements will help you maintain a strong defense against Manta Ray and similar MTG cards that depend on specific land types to showcase their strengths. With a blend of adaptive playstyle and strategic removal, sailing to victory against a Manta Ray-anchored opponent becomes a likely outcome.

Cards like Manta Ray

Manta Ray is an intriguing creature in Magic The Gathering’s vast ocean of blue spells. Much like its cousin, Spiny Starfish, it also has the capability to regenerate, allowing it to withstand damage that would destroy most other creatures. However, Manta Ray comes with a unique requirement, demanding an island be in play not just to remain on the battlefield but also to attack. This is a stark contrast to Spiny Starfish, which needs no such condition.

Another creature card with similarities is Harbor Serpent, which also requires islands to be effective. Harbor Serpent, however, is larger and has the islandwalk ability, making it unblockable as long as the opponent controls an island. While Manta Ray may seem modest next to Harbor Serpent’s formidable size and unblockable nature, its lower casting cost and regenerative ability offer flexibility and resilience in the early to mid-game phases.

Reflecting on these qualities, Manta Ray offers a blend of tactical advantages for Blue decks, championed by its persistent presence on the field. This makes it a worthwhile consideration for players preferring a responsive strategy with a focus on board control within the Magic The Gathering universe.

Cards similar to Manta Ray by color, type and mana cost

Volrath's Shapeshifter - MTG Card versions

Stronghold Biologist - MTG Card versions

Animating Faerie // Bring to Life - MTG Card versions

Ghost of Ramirez DePietro - MTG Card versions

Grazilaxx, Illithid Scholar - MTG Card versions

Queen of Ice // Rage of Winter - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Manta Ray MTG card by a specific set like Weatherlight, 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 Manta Ray and other MTG cards: