Merrow Levitator MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Merfolk Wizard
Released	2008-07-25
Set symbol
Set name	Eventide
Set code	EVE
Power	2
Toughness	3
Number	26
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Jim Pavelec

Key Takeaways

Merrow Levitator’s ability to consistently confer flying poses a recurring threat to opponents’ defenses.
Its instant-speed activation allows for dynamic, tactical play, enhancing both offense and defense.
However, the discard requirement for its ability may leave players at a card disadvantage.

Text of card

: Target creature gains flying until end of turn. Whenever you play a blue spell, you may untap Merrow Levitator.

He fancies himself a master thief, claiming to "steal the ground" from his victims.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Merrow Levitator offers the strategic benefit of being able to consistently manipulate the board state by providing a recurring option to give a creature flying until end of turn. This repetitive use can effectively turn each of your creatures into potential aerial threats, helping you to bypass ground defenses and pressurize your opponent more effectively.

Resource Acceleration: Although Merrow Levitator itself does not directly accelerate your resources in terms of mana, its ability to alter the flow of the game can help maintain or advance your position on the board. By allowing your attacking creatures to evade blockers, you can ensure that your attacks are more likely to connect, which might lead to damage-based triggers or synergies that can lead to further resource advantages.

Instant Speed: The ability of Merrow Levitator to give a creature flying until end of turn can be activated at instant speed. This flexibility allows you to make tactical decisions in real-time, adapting to the evolving game state. It enables surprise defenses against flying creatures or unexpected offensive maneuvers, making it a versatile tool in many situations.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Merrow Levitator asks you to throw another card away from your hand to trigger its ability. This can potentially leave you at a disadvantage, especially if you’re already behind and need to maintain options in hand.

Specific Mana Cost: This creature card requires a specific blend of mana, including blue, to be played. This restricts its inclusion to just blue-aligned decks or those running multiple colors, which can sometimes challenge your mana base.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Casting the Merrow Levitator costs you four mana, which is notable when you can utilize that amount for spells or creatures that might provide immediate and more impactful board presence or card advantage.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Merrow Levitator has a unique flexibility that warrants its inclusion in many blue-based decks. Its ability to grant creatures the power of flight until end of turn can be a game-changer, providing evasion for your heavy hitters or protecting key creatures from being blocked.

Combo Potential: With the Merrow Levitator, you unlock potential synergies with cards that benefit from tapping/untapping mechanics or those that capitalize on flying creatures. This card can be a linchpin in an intricate combo that leads to a dominating board state.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta filled with ground-based threats, giving your creatures the edge with flying can help you outmaneuver the competition. Merrow Levitator can be particularly handy in dealing with otherwise hard-to-block threats and can adjust the tide of battle in your favor.

How to Beat

The Merrow Levitator is a card that can pose quite a stretch for players as it grants the ability to make creatures fly temporarily, disrupting standard combat strategies. This flexibility can take opponents off guard and turn the tide if left unchecked. To effectively counter the Levitator, focus on removal spells that can target it before its ability is activated. Cards like Murder or Doom Blade are excellent choices for swiftly dealing with this threat.

Moreover, since Merrow Levitator’s strength lies in its continuous effect on the board, playing with counterspells can also be a sound strategy. Denying your opponent the chance to cast it in the first place can save you from the hassle of dealing with a levitated army. A card like Counterspell can provide a timely disruption, preventing the Levitator from hitting the field.

Lastly, adjusting your playstyle can also be key in nullifying the Levitator’s impact. Ensuring you have a way to block flying creatures or cards that can unequip abilities can diminish the advantage this card grants. Always keep an eye on your resources and plan ahead to ground your opponent’s aerial threats.

Cards like Merrow Levitator

Merrow Levitator is an intriguing creature in the vast universe of Magic: The Gathering, with the ability to render creatures temporarily airborne. When looking at comparatives, it stands toe-to-toe with cards such as Watertrap Weaver, which also interacts with the battlefield by incapacitating an opponent’s creature. Both offer strategic value, yet the Levitator’s gift of flight can impact the board in a different dimension.

Another relative at the table is Tempest Caller, a fellow Merfolk which instead of elevating, taps all creatures your opponents control. Though this doesn’t allow for aerial attacks, it presents a temporary clear path for assault. Levitator, is unique with its repeatable effect, giving winged advantage one creature at a time. Then, there’s the card Separatist Voidmage, with a similar mana value and craftsmanship in controlling the board by sending creatures back to their owner’s hand. Unlike Merrow Levitator, Voidmage is a single-use spell within a creature.

Dive into these comparisons, and it becomes evident that while there are many manipulative spells and abilities within Magic: The Gathering, Merrow Levitator offers a particular blend of control and tactical elevation, excelling in decks that capitalize on both.

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Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Merrow Levitator MTG card by a specific set like Eventide, 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 Merrow Levitator and other MTG cards: