Shore Snapper MTG Card


Shore Snapper - Shards of Alara
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Beast
Released2008-10-03
Set symbol
Set nameShards of Alara
Set codeALA
Power 2
Toughness 2
Number87
Frame2003
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byDave Kendall

Key Takeaways

  1. Shore Snapper fits well in tribal decks enhancing synergy, especially with Rogues or Merfolk strategies.
  2. It can alter combat dynamics with its ability activated at instant speed, possibly surprising the opponent.
  3. Though its mana requirement is specific, it offers versatility and combo potential in various deck types.

Text of card

: Shore Snapper gains islandwalk until end of turn.

Kathari, the sickly aven of Grixis, have learned that the corpses by the shoreline are more trap than treat.


Card Pros

Deep diving into the abilities of Shore Snapper reveals why it can be a solid addition to specific MTG decks. Let’s break down the advantages it might provide if included in your arsenal.

Card Advantage: While Shore Snapper does not inherently generate card advantage, its creature type can interact well with tribal decks that focus on Merfolk or Rogues, potentially providing indirect card advantage through synergistic effects. For instance, when paired with cards that reward you for controlling a Rogue, Shore Snapper could help in leveraging card draw or disrupting opponent strategies.

Resource Acceleration: Shore Snapper itself doesn’t accelerate resources in the traditional sense of ramping mana. However, being a low-cost creature, it enables early board presence. This can be crucial for strategies that aim to outpace the opponent, setting the stage for more impactful plays in subsequent turns and preserving mana for other uses.

Instant Speed: Although Shore Snapper is a creature card that doesn’t operate at instant speed, its hidden gem lies in its special ability which is activatable at instant speed. This ability, typically costing mana, can be used to modify Shore Snapper’s combat characteristics on the fly, catching an opponent off-guard during the combat phase and potentially swaying the tide of battle in your favor.

In the carefully balanced ecosystem of MTG, Shore Snapper may not be the flashiest card, but it brings subtle efficiency to the table that can be exploited by savvy players.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Shore Snapper card may necessitate discarding another card to trigger certain abilities or enhance its effectiveness on the battlefield. This can be particularly taxing when your hand is already limited, potentially causing you to lose out on future strategic plays.

Specific Mana Cost: Shore Snapper requires a precise combination of mana to cast, including black mana. This specificity demands a tailored mana base within your deck, potentially reducing the card’s versatility and limiting its integration into multi-colored decks that may not prioritize black mana.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: For a creature of its size, Shore Snapper comes with a mana cost that might be on the higher side. Considering the pace of most matches, the investment to bring this creature to play could outweigh its impact, especially when there are alternatives available that provide more value for the same, if not lesser, investment.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Shore Snapper is a creature card that can seamlessly slide into multiple deck archetypes, particularly those requiring a balance between aggressive early play and tactical late-game blocking.

Combo Potential: This creature’s unassuming presence on the battlefield offers subtle combo potential with its ability to easily fit into sacrifice strategies, synergizing with cards that reap benefits from creatures dying.

Meta-Relevance: As the game’s landscape shifts, Shore Snapper remains a valuable asset in several MTG formats where low-cost creatures with modular abilities can tip the scales in a tight match-up.


How to beat

The Shore Snapper card presents a unique challenge with its stealthy ability to strike unblocked under the right circumstances. This card, a mainstay in many black decks within Magic: The Gathering, showcases a powerful offensive capability when leveraged correctly. Despite its initial simplicity, the real strength lies in its morph ability, allowing it to turn face up and become unblockable for a turn.

To effectively counteract this sneaky tactic, players should focus on removal spells that can target creatures regardless of their state. Spells like Murder or Doom Blade are particularly effective, as they can eliminate the Shore Snapper before it flips and becomes a threat. Board wipes, such as Damnation or Wrath of God, can also clear the field if the creature has already morphed, ensuring it won’t slip past your defenses. It’s crucial to maintain open mana for these interactions, especially if you suspect your opponent has a morph creature ready to pounce.

Ultimately, maintaining control over the battleground and preempting your opponent’s moves is the most reliable method to surpass the challenge posed by Shore Snapper. By staying one step ahead, you can navigate around its lurking danger and keep your life total secure.


Cards like Shore Snapper

Shore Snapper is a creature card that calls to mind other stealthy attackers in Magic: The Gathering. Just like its kin Mist-Cloaked Herald, Shore Snapper provides a lower-cost option for sneaking damage past defenses. While Mist-Cloaked Herald is unblockable, Shore Snapper requires just one black mana to obtain the ability to safely attack each turn, which makes it versatile yet requiring a commitment of resources.

Comparably, there’s Prickly Boggart that shares the evasive features, boasting the fear ability which limits blockage to artifact creatures and those that share a color. Aligning closer to Shore Snapper in terms of adaptability, Typhoid Rats adds not just evasion through deathtouch but also serves as a deterrent for attackers. Yet, it lacks the on-demand evasion Shore Snapper has when enhanced.

These alternatives each have their edge within creature-based strategies; but Shore Snapper’s on-call evasion might tip the scale in favor of players who prefer a more controlled approach to their offensive tactics. This adaptability could make it a sleeper hit in decks optimized for precision over raw power.

Mist-Cloaked Herald - MTG Card versions
Prickly Boggart - MTG Card versions
Typhoid Rats - MTG Card versions
Mist-Cloaked Herald - MTG Card versions
Prickly Boggart - MTG Card versions
Typhoid Rats - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Shore Snapper by color, type and mana cost

Mundungu - MTG Card versions
Phyrexian Infiltrator - MTG Card versions
Urborg Phantom - MTG Card versions
Dralnu's Pet - MTG Card versions
Shadowmage Infiltrator - MTG Card versions
Psychatog - MTG Card versions
Satoru Umezawa - MTG Card versions
Master of Death - MTG Card versions
Urborg Emissary - MTG Card versions
Dimir Cutpurse - MTG Card versions
Dimir Doppelganger - MTG Card versions
Cemetery Puca - MTG Card versions
Gravelgill Duo - MTG Card versions
Wasp Lancer - MTG Card versions
Harbor Bandit - MTG Card versions
Nightveil Specter - MTG Card versions
Bane Alley Broker - MTG Card versions
Siren of the Silent Song - MTG Card versions
Jorubai Murk Lurker - MTG Card versions
Mindmelter - MTG Card versions
Mundungu - MTG Card versions
Phyrexian Infiltrator - MTG Card versions
Urborg Phantom - MTG Card versions
Dralnu's Pet - MTG Card versions
Shadowmage Infiltrator - MTG Card versions
Psychatog - MTG Card versions
Satoru Umezawa - MTG Card versions
Master of Death - MTG Card versions
Urborg Emissary - MTG Card versions
Dimir Cutpurse - MTG Card versions
Dimir Doppelganger - MTG Card versions
Cemetery Puca - MTG Card versions
Gravelgill Duo - MTG Card versions
Wasp Lancer - MTG Card versions
Harbor Bandit - MTG Card versions
Nightveil Specter - MTG Card versions
Bane Alley Broker - MTG Card versions
Siren of the Silent Song - MTG Card versions
Jorubai Murk Lurker - MTG Card versions
Mindmelter - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Shore Snapper MTG card by a specific set like Shards of Alara, 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 Shore Snapper and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Shore Snapper has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

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