Sea-Dasher Octopus MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 6 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Octopus
Abilities Mutate, Flash
Power 2
Toughness 2

Key Takeaways

  1. Sea-Dasher Octopus provides consistent card advantage via combat damage, benefiting players significantly during matches.
  2. Playable at instant speed, the flash ability of Sea-Dasher Octopus allows for unexpected game shifts and strategic flexibility.
  3. Though impactful, its dependency on non-Human creatures and specific mana costs can pose deckbuilding constraints.
Flash card art

Guide to Flash card ability

Explore the dynamic Flash ability in Magic: The Gathering (MTG), a feature that allows you to cast spells at lightning speed, often leaving your opponents reeling and your strategy several steps ahead. This versatile ability can turn the tide of a game, providing the element of surprise and tactical advantage. It places a premium on timing and foresight, transforming an ordinary deck into a formidable arsenal of instant threats and responses.

Text of card

Mutate (If you cast this spell for its mutate cost, put it over or under target non-Human creature you own. They mutate into the creature on top plus all abilities from under it.) Flash Whenever this creature deals combat damage to a player, draw a card.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Sea-Dasher Octopus offers consistent card draw with its Mutate ability, giving players the opportunity to pull an additional card whenever the creature deals combat damage to an opponent. This can quickly snowball into a significant lead in resources over your adversary.

Resource Acceleration: With a relatively low Mutate cost, Sea-Dasher Octopus can be mutated onto another non-Human creature early in the game. Doing so not only boosts the stats and abilities of the host creature but accelerates your gameplay by potentially drawing cards each turn, propelling you ahead of your opponent.

Instant Speed: The flash ability of Sea-Dasher Octopus allows you to play it at any time you could cast an instant, adding a layer of surprise and strategy. You can hold up mana and choose the right moment to mutate onto an unblocked attacker or to simply flash in the Octopus as an additional blocker or attacker during combat.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Although Sea-Dasher Octopus offers the potential for repeatable card draw, it requires you to have another non-Human creature to mutate onto, which could be challenging if your board presence is low or if your hand is already depleted.

Specific Mana Cost: Featuring both blue mana symbols in its casting cost can sometimes restrict deck building, particularly for those wishing to incorporate the Octopus into a more diverse multi-color deck, as it requires a commitment to blue mana sources.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: When looking at the requirement of three mana, with two being blue, the Sea-Dasher Octopus may seem to have a steeper cost compared to other creatures or spells that provide immediate card draw or board impact without the condition of mutating.


Reasons to Include Sea-Dasher Octopus in Your Collection

Versatility: Sea-Dasher Octopus offers adaptability across numerous deck archetypes due to its flash ability and ability to mutate. This allows it to be a surprising blocker or to mutate onto an unblocked attacker, effectively turning any creature into a card-drawing engine.

Combo Potential: This card can become integral to combos, especially in decks that capitalize on drawing cards or dealing combat damage. Its synergy with evasive creatures ensures a steady flow of card advantage whilst contributing to battlefield presence.

Meta-Relevance: In a landscape where keeping your hand filled with options is critical, Sea-Dasher Octopus maintains its relevance. It can slip into play at the end of an opponent’s turn or pivot your strategy mid-combat, making it a surprising addition against various meta decks.


How to beat

Mastering the seas of MTG, the Sea-Dasher Octopus brings an intriguing mix of creature and card advantage to the table. This enigmatic cephalopod offers potent card draw capabilities through its Mutate mechanic, effectively transforming the battlefield into an ocean of opportunity for savvy players. However, like the tides, Sea-Dasher Octopus has its ebbs and flows. Defeating this card demands a strategic approach, similar to navigating treacherous waters.

Efficient removal spells are the lighthouse guiding you away from the perilous depths. Instant-speed interaction, such as Fatal Push or Path to Exile, can catch the Octopus before it sinks its tentacles into the game. In addition, countering the Mutate spell with a well-timed Counterspell prevents the multifaceted threat from ever taking shape. If Sea-Dasher Octopus has already mutated onto a creature, board wipes like Wrath of God can clear the path, ensuring you stay above water. Lastly, engaging in combat with deathtouch creatures or those with higher power can dissuade your opponent from attacking and thus prevent the Octopus’s card draw ability from triggering.

Understanding the strengths and weaknesses of the Sea-Dasher Octopus can be the life raft required to keep your head above water, ensuring the cephalopod’s reign is as fleeting as the tides.


BurnMana Recommendations

With the Sea-Dasher Octopus in your MTG deck, the tides of battle can swiftly turn in your favor. Its ability to draw cards through combat damage makes it pivotal for maintaining momentum and hand superiority. As MTG continues to evolve, incorporating cards like Sea-Dasher Octopus that offer both offensive power and tactical advantage is key to staying afloat in the competitive scene. Enhance your collection and gameplay by exploring the depths of what this cephalopod has to offer. Dive deeper into MTG strategy and continue your journey to discovering potent combinations and synergies for your deck. Learn more and harness the power of Sea-Dasher Octopus to make your next match not just a duel, but a display of finesse and cunning strategy.


Cards like Sea-Dasher Octopus

Sea-Dasher Octopus adds an intriguing twist to creature cards with added card draw capabilities within Magic: The Gathering. When diving into comparisons, Curiosity stands out as a traditional enchantment with a similar card-drawing effect, yet it lacks the versatility of mutating onto a non-Human creature as Sea-Dasher Octopus offers. The octopus not only draws a card upon dealing damage to a player but also comes with a respectable 2/2 body that can be upgraded.

Further into the depths, we find Ninja of the Deep Hours with its Ninjutsu ability, swapping places with an attacking creature to draw cards. Although it shares the direct-damage card draw benefit, it misses the integration with other creatures for bolstered battlefield presence. Meanwhile, Ohran Frostfang provides a similar effect across all your creatures with deathtouch, turning each attack into a potential card advantage. The snow serpent, however, demands a more substantial mana investment and a different strategic setup than the swift Sea-Dasher Octopus.

In essence, while each of these cards provides a route to draw more cards, Sea-Dasher Octopus distinguishes itself with mutation versatility and immediate impact on the board, holding its own as a formidable pick for players looking to combine aggression with card draw.

Curiosity - MTG Card versions
Ninja of the Deep Hours - MTG Card versions
Ohran Frostfang - MTG Card versions
Curiosity - Exodus (EXO)
Ninja of the Deep Hours - Betrayers of Kamigawa (BOK)
Ohran Frostfang - Commander 2019 (C19)

Cards similar to Sea-Dasher Octopus 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
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Rootwater Shaman - MTG Card versions
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Quicksilver Wall - MTG Card versions
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Wormfang Drake - MTG Card versions
Animating Faerie // Bring to Life - MTG Card versions
Ghost of Ramirez DePietro - MTG Card versions
Grazilaxx, Illithid Scholar - MTG Card versions
Queen of Ice // Rage of Winter - 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)
Time Elemental - Fifth Edition (5ED)
Reef Pirates - Fifth Edition (5ED)
Rootwater Shaman - Tempest (TMP)
Wind Drake - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Volrath's Shapeshifter - Stronghold (STH)
Clam Session - Unglued (UGL)
Stronghold Biologist - Nemesis (NEM)
Quicksilver Wall - Prophecy (PCY)
Phantom Warrior - Duels of the Planeswalkers (DPA)
Wormfang Drake - Judgment (JUD)
Animating Faerie // Bring to Life - Throne of Eldraine (ELD)
Ghost of Ramirez DePietro - Commander Legends (CMR)
Grazilaxx, Illithid Scholar - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Queen of Ice // Rage of Winter - Magic Online Promos (PRM)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Sea-Dasher Octopus MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths Promos, 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 Sea-Dasher Octopus and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Sea-Dasher Octopus Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2020-04-24 and 2022-07-07. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 809952015mutateblackAntonio Bravo
22020-04-24Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths PromosPIKO 66p2015mutateblackChris Seaman
32020-04-24Ikoria: Lair of BehemothsIKO 662015mutateblackChris Seaman
42020-04-24Ikoria: Lair of BehemothsIKO 2862015mutateborderlessAntonio Bravo
52020-04-24Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths PromosPIKO 66s2015mutateblackChris Seaman
62022-07-07Alchemy Horizons: Baldur's GateHBG 9122015mutateblackChris Seaman

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Sea-Dasher Octopus has restrictions

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

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