Riptide Entrancer MTG Card


Riptide Entrancer - Onslaught
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Human Wizard
Abilities Morph
Released2002-10-07
Set symbol
Set nameOnslaught
Set codeONS
Power 1
Toughness 1
Number108
Frame1997
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred byScott Hampton

Key Takeaways

  1. Riptide Entrancer offers significant card advantage by seizing opponents’ creatures during combat.
  2. Morphing at instant speed provides unforeseen combat tricks, disrupting opponents’ plans strategically.
  3. While powerful, the high mana cost and blue mana dependency limit its wider deck inclusion.

Text of card

Whenever Riptide Entrancer deals combat damage to a player, you may sacrifice it. If you do, gain control of target creature that player controls. (This effect doesn't end at end of turn.) Morph o Uo U (You may play this face down as a 2/2 creature for o3. Turn it face up any time for its morph cost.)


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Riptide Entrancer’s potential to take control of an opponent’s creature after dealing combat damage opens the door to significant card advantage. By commandeering an opponent’s resources, you can effectively diminish their board presence while bolstering your own.

Resource Acceleration: Once Riptide Entrancer secures control of an opponent’s creature, you gain not just the creature itself but also any abilities that provide mana or other forms of resource acceleration. This can turn the tide of the game by leveraging an opponent’s strategies against them.

Instant Speed: The ability to morph Riptide Entrancer empowers you with the flexibility to surprise your opponent. You can flip it at instant speed, activating its creature-stealing ability unexpectedly during combat, which can drastically alter the flow of the game and offers a form of interaction that’s difficult for opponents to anticipate.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Riptide Entrancer’s ability demands you discard a card to take control of a creature that it deals combat damage to. This cost can be a significant drawback when you’re already depleted of hand resources, thereby constraining your strategic options and potentially leading to a disadvantageous position in-game.

Specific Mana Cost: This creature requires a combination of blue mana which might restrict its integration into multi-colored decks. Players focused on building a deck without a strong blue mana base may find it challenging to summon the Riptide Entrancer without compromising their mana curve or deck consistency.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a conversion cost of three mana for a 1/1 creature, the Entrancer’s upfront investment may not align with the immediate impact on the board. Given its specific role in commandeering opponent’s creatures, some may argue that there are other options within the card pool that offer more immediate or less conditional board presence or control effects for a similar or lower mana investment.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Riptide Entrancer showcases its adaptability by slipping into varied deck themes, particularly those centered around creature control and theft strategies. Its ability to sneak under opponent’s defenses can pivot games in your favor.

Combo Potential: This card shines when paired with enablers of repeated creature attacks, unlocking the potential to repeatedly gain control of opponent’s key creatures. It thus acts as a linchpin in intricate combo setups.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where creature-based strategies prevail, the Entrancer becomes a valuable tool. It not only disrupts your opponent’s board but can also turn their resources into your advantage, making it a card to watch for in the current meta.


How to beat

Riptide Entrancer comes with a unique ability that can tip the game in its controller’s favor by allowing them to gain control of an opponent’s creature. Defeating a deck with this tricky card involves a solid understanding of interruption and removal tactics. One effective strategy is to keep instant-speed removal at the ready. Cards like Path to Exile or Fatal Push can be invaluable, letting you respond immediately to the Entrancer’s activation, neutralizing the threat before it can affect the board state.

Counterplay also lies in maintaining creature superiority. Utilizing creatures with hexproof or shroud prevents the Entrancer from targeting them, thus impeding your opponent’s game plan. It’s a delicate balance between managing your resources and timing your responses. Keep pressure on the opponent with these strategies, and the tide will likely turn in your favor against Riptide Entrancer.


Cards like Riptide Entrancer

Riptide Entrancer is an intriguing creature card in Magic: The Gathering that offers a unique ability to take control of an opponent’s creature. With characteristics that bring to mind cards like Willbreaker, it’s a crafty inclusion in decks revolving around control and theft. While Willbreaker can grab any creature that becomes a target of a spell or ability, Riptide Entrancer requires the more specific condition of dealing combat damage to a player before you snag a creature.

Another comparable card, Captivating Crew, also falls into the category of shifting creature allegiance. This red creature permits you to gain control of enemy creatures at a more considerable, repeatable mana investment and without needing to connect in combat. The trade-off, however, is the temporary control it offers, resetting at the end of turn, unlike the permanent change of ownership the Entrancer promises.

All things considered, Riptide Entrancer holds a distinct position within this niche, providing a permanent solution to command over your opponent’s key creatures, assuming you can bypass their defenses. Its usage in Magic: The Gathering could offer fascinating tactical advantages in the long game, cementing its appeal to players who favor control and strategy convergence.

Willbreaker - MTG Card versions
Captivating Crew - MTG Card versions
Willbreaker - Magic Origins Promos (PORI)
Captivating Crew - Ixalan Promos (PXLN)

Cards similar to Riptide Entrancer by color, type and mana cost

Wall of Water - MTG Card versions
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Wall of Water - Limited Edition Alpha (LEA)
Prodigal Sorcerer - Unlimited Edition (2ED)
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Rootwater Shaman - Tempest (TMP)
Wind Drake - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Volrath's Shapeshifter - Stronghold (STH)
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Quicksilver Wall - Prophecy (PCY)
Wall of Air - Seventh Edition (7ED)
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)
Svyelun of Sea and Sky - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Cephalid Pathmage - Legions (LGN)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Riptide Entrancer MTG card by a specific set like Onslaught, 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 Riptide Entrancer and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Riptide Entrancer has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

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