Seafloor Stalker MTG Card


Seafloor Stalker - Zendikar Rising
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Merfolk Rogue
Released2020-09-25
Set symbol
Set nameZendikar Rising
Set codeZNR
Power 2
Toughness 3
Number78
Frame2015
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred byCristi Balanescu

Key Takeaways

  1. Creates card advantage with unblockable attacks, perfect for late-game strategies and party mechanics.
  2. Demanding blue mana base and Island discard requirement may limit deck building options.
  3. Excels in rogue or sea creature-themed decks, offering repeatable unblockable attacks for consistent pressure.

Text of card

: Seafloor Stalker gets +1/+0 until end of turn and can't be blocked this turn. This ability costs less to activate for each creature in your party. (Your party consists of up to one each of Cleric, Rogue, Warrior, and Wizard.)

"Sunken ruins? My specialty."


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Seafloor Stalker has the ability to create significant card advantage in the late game. With the capacity to become unblockable, it can reliably connect with your opponent, paving the way for potential combat tricks or synergies with cards that benefit from successful attacks.

Resource Acceleration: This card synergizes well with party mechanics or cards that benefit from having a Rogue on the battlefield, potentially accelerating your resource development by working in tandem with other cards that care about party type or creature count.

Instant Speed: Seafloor Stalker’s activated ability can be used at instant speed, providing strategic flexibility. You can decide to make it unblockable at the last possible moment, forcing your opponent to hesitate before committing blockers, and potentially keeping mana open for other instant-speed interactions.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Seafloor Stalker requires you to discard an Island card to activate its ability. This condition might force players to make undesirable trade-offs, particularly in situations where hand preservation is critical for maintaining gameplay strategies.

Specific Mana Cost: This card demands a specific combination of mana types to cast—namely blue mana. This can sometimes restrict deck flexibility, as players will need to ensure they have an adequate blue mana base to play Seafloor Stalker consistently.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that includes multiple mana symbols, Seafloor Stalker can be a costly investment in the early game. Given the competitive nature of creature cards across various mana slots, there are instances where players may find more impactful creatures or spells for the same or lower mana investment.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Seafloor Stalker proves to be adaptable in decks focusing on sea creature themes or those utilizing party mechanics. Its ability to become unblockable ensures it can fit into strategies that require guaranteed damage or sneaky win conditions.

Combo Potential: Harnessing the power of Seafloor Stalker with cards that increase the number of creatures in your party can lead to significant damage spikes. It also pairs well with cards that benefit from deal damage to opponents or that trigger upon a creature attacking.

Meta-Relevance: As control and midrange decks remain prevalent, Seafloor Stalker’s late-game potential surges. Its ability to dodge removal and blockers makes it quite a contender in current matchups.


How to beat

Seafloor Stalker is an intriguing creature card that can be quite slippery for opponents due to its ability to become unblockable. It thrives in decks with a strong party mechanic, becoming a persistent threat each turn it remains on the battlefield. To effectively counter this watery adversary, keep a few strategies in mind. Managing your resources to leave available mana for instant-speed removal can catch the stalker before it delves into the depths. Cards like Murder or Heartless Act are excellent tools for instant removal.

Another strategy involves controlling the number of creatures in your party, limiting the stalker’s unblockable potential. Field wipes such as Wrath of God or Doomskar can reset the board and keep your opponent’s party from forming. Engaging in combat with first-strike or deathtouch creatures can also be a deterrent, making it risky for your opponent to attack without their stalker’s unblockable ability. Adjusting your play to anticipate and address Seafloor Stalker’s strengths can turn the tides in your favor and keep your opponent’s strategy at bay.


Cards like Seafloor Stalker

Seafloor Stalker has carved its niche amongst the myriad of creatures in Magic: The Gathering’s vast ocean of creature cards. With abilities akin to that of other aggressive blue creatures, it shines in a particular aspect: its ability to become unblockable. This is reminiscent of Mist-Cloaked Herald, a card that is inherently unblockable, yet lacks the scalability of Seafloor Stalker’s power boost.

Comparing it further, we find Aether Tunnel, an enchantment that grants unblockability as well. The Seafloor Stalker stands out by offering flexibility; it doesn’t need another card to start making your opponent’s life total sink. Moreover, we have Watertrap Weaver, which can temporarily render a creature unable to block, clearing the way for your sea creatures. However, Weaver cannot repeatedly ensure a path like Seafloor Stalker can with enough mana reservoirs.

Advantageously placed in party or rogue-themed decks, the Seafloor Stalker thrives in decks that maximize on its land-based activation, boasting a capacity for repeated unblockable attacks; a trait not common to others in its category. A connoisseur of MTG strategies will recognize the Seafloor Stalker’s unique role in the tapestry of blue creatures designed to swiftly and inexorably deplete an opponent’s health.

Mist-Cloaked Herald - MTG Card versions
Aether Tunnel - MTG Card versions
Watertrap Weaver - MTG Card versions
Mist-Cloaked Herald - Rivals of Ixalan (RIX)
Aether Tunnel - Core Set 2019 (M19)
Watertrap Weaver - Ixalan (XLN)

Cards similar to Seafloor Stalker by color, type and mana cost

Wall of Water - MTG Card versions
Prodigal Sorcerer - MTG Card versions
Apprentice Wizard - MTG Card versions
Homarid - MTG Card versions
Wall of Air - MTG Card versions
Daring Apprentice - MTG Card versions
Cloud Elemental - MTG Card versions
Time Elemental - MTG Card versions
Reef Pirates - MTG Card versions
Rootwater Shaman - MTG Card versions
Wind Drake - MTG Card versions
Volrath's Shapeshifter - MTG Card versions
Clam Session - MTG Card versions
Stronghold Biologist - MTG Card versions
Quicksilver Wall - MTG Card versions
Phantom Warrior - MTG Card versions
Glacial Wall - MTG Card versions
Wormfang Drake - MTG Card versions
Animating Faerie // Bring to Life - MTG Card versions
Ghost of Ramirez DePietro - MTG Card versions
Wall of Water - Limited Edition Alpha (LEA)
Prodigal Sorcerer - Unlimited Edition (2ED)
Apprentice Wizard - The Dark (DRK)
Homarid - Fallen Empires (FEM)
Wall of Air - Seventh Edition (7ED)
Daring Apprentice - Mirage (MIR)
Cloud Elemental - Visions (VIS)
Time Elemental - Fifth Edition (5ED)
Reef Pirates - Fifth Edition (5ED)
Rootwater Shaman - Tempest (TMP)
Wind Drake - Magic 2010 (M10)
Volrath's Shapeshifter - Stronghold (STH)
Clam Session - Unglued (UGL)
Stronghold Biologist - Nemesis (NEM)
Quicksilver Wall - Prophecy (PCY)
Phantom Warrior - Duels of the Planeswalkers (DPA)
Glacial Wall - Seventh Edition (7ED)
Wormfang Drake - Judgment (JUD)
Animating Faerie // Bring to Life - Throne of Eldraine (ELD)
Ghost of Ramirez DePietro - Commander Legends (CMR)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Seafloor Stalker MTG card by a specific set like Zendikar Rising, 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 Seafloor Stalker and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Seafloor Stalker has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Seafloor Stalker card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

DateText
2020-09-25 An ability referring to the number of creatures in your party gets a number from zero to four. Such abilities never ask which creatures are in your party, and you never have to designate specific creatures as being in your party. You can’t choose to exclude creatures from this count to lower the number.
2020-09-25 If a creature has more than one party creature type, and there are multiple ways to count that creature that could result in a different number of creatures in your party, the highest such number is used. For example, if you control a Cleric and a Cleric Wizard, the number of creatures in your party is two. You can’t choose to have it be just one by counting the Cleric Wizard first as a Cleric.
2020-09-25 Once a creature has blocked Seafloor Stalker, activating its ability won’t cause it to become unblocked or remove that blocking creature from combat.
2020-09-25 Once you declare that you’re activating Seafloor Stalker’s ability, no player can take actions to try and change the number of creatures in your party and change the activation cost.
2020-09-25 To determine “the number of creatures in your party,” check whether you control a Cleric, whether you control a Rogue, whether you control a Warrior, and whether you control a Wizard. The number is the total number of those checks to which you answered yes. Each creature you control can be counted for only one of those checks.
2020-09-25 You can activate Seafloor Stalker’s ability more than once, even if it already can’t be blocked this turn.

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