Ambassador Laquatus MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityRare
TypeLegendary Creature — Merfolk Wizard
Abilities Mill
Power 1
Toughness 3

Key Takeaways

  1. Card advantage through milling makes Ambassador Laquatus a strategic asset in longer matches.
  2. Indirect resource acceleration occurs when synergizing with untap effects and mana generation.
  3. Instant speed activation allows for flexible and disruptive play, countering opponent strategies.

Text of card

o3: Target player puts the top three cards of his or her library into his or her graveyard.

"He smiles with poisoned lips." —Empress Llawan


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Ambassador Laquatus offers sustained card knowledge by allowing you to repeatedly target a player to mill cards, potentially diminishing their strategic resources over time. This continuous action can lead to a significant card advantage, especially in longer games where eroding an opponent’s library becomes increasingly impactful.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly impacting your mana resources, Ambassador Laquatus synergizes well with cards that untap creatures or provide additional mana, hastening the rate at which you can activate its ability. This effective use of mana can be a form of indirect resource acceleration, translating mana into strategic advantage on the board.

Instant Speed: The versatility of Ambassador Laquatus lies in the instant speed of its ability. This means you can utilize your mana efficiently during your opponent’s end step, keeping up the pressure without sacrificing your own turn’s resources. Moreover, it allows you to react to your opponent’s strategies by milling them at critical moments, potentially disrupting their plans.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Ambassador Laquatus demands you to pitch a card to utilize its abilities. When your hand is already running low, exerting its power might sink you further into a disadvantage.

Specific Mana Cost: To harness the full potential of Ambassador Laquatus, you’ll need to tap into blue mana. This mana specificity can restrict deck-building choices, leaving those without ample blue sources unable to cast him effectively.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that earmarks three mana, including two blue, Ambassador Laquatus sits on the higher end of the curve for its ability set. Certain decks may find this cost-intensive, particularly when competing cards offer similar effects for less investment.


Reasons to Include Ambassador Laquatus in Your Collection

Versatility: Ambassador Laquatus offers a unique mana sink capable of depleting an opponent’s library. This ability can be an effective strategy in various formats, fitting well in control decks seeking a reliable finisher or in mill-focused strategies where every card pull counts.

Combo Potential: Given the right setup with untap mechanics and abundant mana sources, Ambassador Laquatus can become a combo enabler. Cards that untap lands or provide infinite mana can partner with Ambassador Laquatus to mill an opponent in a single turn, aligning with numerous game-winning combos seen across MTG’s extensive history.

Meta-Relevance: In formats such as Commander, where long games give way to substantial mana reserves, the repetitive use of Ambassador Laquatus’s ability can swiftly eliminate an opponent’s resources, particularly in metas less accustomed to facing mill strategies. His relevance increases when opponents rely on large libraries, turning his ability into a formidable threat.


How to beat

Ambassador Laquatus presents a unique challenge as a legendary creature in Magic: The Gathering. Known for his ability to relentlessly mill opponents’ decks, he becomes a ticking clock the moment he arrives on the battlefield. The key to countering Ambassador Laquatus lies in preventing this powerful ability from activating. This can be achieved through the use of instant-speed removal spells such as Swords to Plowshares or Path to Exile, removing him before he can deplete your library.

Another effective strategy is to apply pressure with aggressive creatures, forcing the Laquatus player to use mana defensively rather than on the card’s ability. Making use of graveyard interactions can also turn the tables, as cards that benefit from a full graveyard, like Tarmogoyf or delve spells, gain value from the milling. Ultimately, remaining proactive and aware of your opponent’s mana availability will be critical in overcoming the threat of Ambassador Laquatus. It’s not just about outlasting the mill but disrupting your opponent’s game plan altogether.


Cards like Ambassador Laquatus

Ambassador Laquatus is an intriguing creature in Magic: The Gathering, offering a unique spin on deck manipulation and card advantage strategies. Comparing it to fellow blue card, Arcanis the Omnipotent, both present formidable card drawing capabilities. However, Ambassador Laquatus provides a consistent mill strategy, where Arcanis requires tapping to draw cards which is beneficial for the player itself. Arcanis draws three cards with no additional cost, while Laquatus demands three mana to force the opponent to put cards from their library into their graveyard, which can be an endless source of frustration for them.

Looking towards Duskmantle Guildmage, another card with a similar disruptive ability, it offers a different approach. The Guildmage can force a mill upon activation and additionally punishes the opponent with life loss, however, it lacks the repeatability seen with Laquatus without additional setup. Moreover, Ambassador Laquatus does not require the card to be in play for a turn, allowing for immediate impact on the board state, whereas Duskmantle Guildmage’s abilities are split between separate costs, which could affect the efficiency of your strategy.

Ultimately, Ambassador Laquatus stands out with its potential for relentless milling, making it a valued card among those who prefer to win by depleting their opponent’s library. Its synergy with untap effects and strong late-game presence bolsters blue control decks uniquely in Magic: The Gathering.

Arcanis the Omnipotent - MTG Card versions
Duskmantle Guildmage - MTG Card versions
Arcanis the Omnipotent - Onslaught (ONS)
Duskmantle Guildmage - Gatecrash (GTC)

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Wall of Water - Limited Edition Alpha (LEA)
Prodigal Sorcerer - Unlimited Edition (2ED)
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Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Ambassador Laquatus MTG card by a specific set like Torment and Tenth Edition, 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 Ambassador Laquatus and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Ambassador Laquatus Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2002-02-04 and 2007-07-13. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-02-04TormentTOR 231997normalblackEric Peterson
22007-07-13Tenth Edition10E 652003normalblackJim Murray

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Ambassador Laquatus has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

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