Wishmonger MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Unicorn Monger |
| Released | 1999-10-04 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Mercadian Masques |
| Set code | MMQ |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 3 |
| Number | 57 |
| Frame | 1997 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Heather Hudson |
Text of card
: Target creature gains protection from the color of its controller's choice until end of turn. Any player may play this ability.
"It's not what you ask for, but how you ask for it."
Cards like Wishmonger
Wishmonger brings a unique twist to the creature spells in Magic: The Gathering, sharing similarities with other intriguing creatures like Trading Post Goat. Both creatures have abilities that relate to the wishes and choices of the players, yet Wishmonger’s uniqueness is marked by its ability to grant any player the option to give a creature protection from the color of their choice until end of turn. Unlike Trading Post Goat, which allows a player to exchange resources with the opponent, Wishmonger is a more politically-driven card, influencing alliances and potentially affecting the entire board dynamic.
Looking at Master of the Veil, a card that also manipulates gameplay through choices, we notice it has less direct influence on opponents’ creatures compared to Wishmonger. While Master of the Veil’s morph mechanic unveils hidden information, Wishmonger is straightforward in its offer of protection. Additionally, Orzhov Advokist is another creature that gives something to opponents each upkeep yet does so in the form of +1/+1 counters. This potentially ‘friendly’ approach from Wishmonger and Orzhov Advokist can paradoxically advance the user’s gameplay strategy significantly.
Wishmonger demonstrates its strength within creature-based strategies in the game, fostering versatile interactions that keep the table engaged and constantly reassessing alliances.
Cards similar to Wishmonger by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Wishmonger offers strategic hand maneuvering by potentially providing access to needed cards that are otherwise out of reach during gameplay. It grants a foothold for setting up future plays, giving you a leverage over your opponents.
Resource Acceleration: The card opens avenues for resource acceleration by facilitating effective mana usage. It can pave the way to deploying more expensive spells earlier in the game or bolstering your board presence rapidly.
Instant Speed: Being an instant, Wishmonger can be woven seamlessly into your strategy, allowing for reactive gameplay. This attribute offers the flexibility to adapt swiftly to the evolving state of the game, making it a powerful tool in maintaining control.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Wishmonger’s function necessitates an ongoing exchange, possibly depleting your hand and leaving you vulnerable to opponent moves.
Specific Mana Cost: Sporting a mana cost that includes both generic and white mana, Wishmonger demands a specific deck structure, potentially limiting its inclusion only to decks that heavily favor white or multicolored schemes.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a cost of four mana, which includes one white, Wishmonger’s benefits can be overshadowed when compared to other options. Cheaper creatures or enchantments could offer similar or even more impactful board presence for the same or lesser investment.
Reasons to Include Wishmonger in Your Collection
Versatility: Wishmonger’s unique ability to allow any player to give a creature protection from the color of their choice makes it a flexible addition to decks that thrive on diplomatic play and strategic board state manipulation.
Combo Potential: This card opens up avenues for various combos, particularly in decks that capitalize on altering creatures’ abilities or in tandem with spells and abilities that benefit from the protection it provides.
Meta-Relevance: With an ever-shifting competitive landscape, Wishmonger remains a relevant choice for sideboards or main decks to counteract prevalent color-specific threats or as a creative tool to outmaneuver opponent’s strategies.
How to beat
Confronting the Wishmonger in Magic: The Gathering can be a nuanced challenge due to its unique ability to grant any player the power to make one of their creatures untargetable. This ability functions as an intriguing political tool in multiplayer games, often creating temporary alliances and unexpected gameplay twists. To effectively neutralize the Wishmonger, one must tackle it from two angles: preventing its activation and dealing with it directly.
Controlling the flow of mana is critical. Since players must pay the activation cost to utilize Wishmonger’s effect, straining opponents’ mana resources can limit or completely hinder their ability to engage with the card’s ability. Furthermore, when it comes time to directly deal with the Wishmonger, consider spells that can bypass its abilities, such as board wipes or effects that don’t target, or using instant-speed removal in response to the activation before it resolves.
A strategy that revolves around quick and efficient removal will keep the Wishmonger in check. It’s all about timing and choosing the right window of opportunity to remove or neutralize it before it becomes a thorny issue on the board. By understanding its potential and the dynamics it introduces to the battlefield, savvy players can prepare their decks to handle this sly negotiator and maintain control of the game.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Wishmonger MTG card by a specific set like Mercadian Masques, 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 Wishmonger 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 Wishmonger has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |