Benthicore MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	7
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Creature — Elemental
Released	2007-10-12
Set symbol
Set name	Lorwyn
Set code	LRW
Power	5
Toughness	5
Number	53
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Jim Nelson

Key Takeaways

Benthicore provides sizable board advantage by creating two Merfolk Wizards, ideal for maintaining card momentum.
Its ability for resource acceleration is noteworthy, allowing more mana availability with strategic Merfolk tapping.
The card poses a tactical advantage by mimicking instant speed actions to keep opponents on their toes.

Text of card

When Benthicore comes into play, put two 1/1 blue Merfolk Wizard creature tokens into play. Tap two untapped Merfolk you control: Untap Benthicore. It gains shroud until end of turn. (It can't be the target of spells or abilities.)

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Benthicore offers a unique benefit of creating not just one, but two Merfolk Wizard tokens upon entering the battlefield. This can significantly boost your presence on the board and works to maintain, or even increase, your card advantage against opponents.

Resource Acceleration: This sea creature brings an interesting twist to resource acceleration. By tapping an untapped Merfolk you control, you can untap Benthicore, potentially freeing up mana for other spells and abilities. This can be a strategic way to make the most of your resources each turn.

Instant Speed: While Benthicore itself is not an instant, its ability to tap or untap during any player’s turn can mimic the benefits of instant speed actions. This allows you to adapt to the evolving game state, keeping others guessing and allowing you to react swiftly to threats or opportunities.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: To bring Benthicore into play, you must prepare for the additional cost of discarding a card, potentially putting you at a resource disadvantage compared to your opponent.

Specific Mana Cost: Benthicore demands a precise blend of mana types to cast, primarily blue, which could restrict its inclusion in decks that are not tailored around that color or multi-color strategies that can support it.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that is on the higher end of the spectrum, Benthicore competes with other creatures and spells that might provide immediate game impact or more cost-effective solutions for control and board presence.

Reasons to Include Benthicore in Your Collection

Versatility: Benthicore is a card that seamlessly integrates into decks that revolve around sea creatures or those that utilize tap and untap mechanics for strategic advantages, making it a useful component in various themed decks.

Combo Potential: With its ability to tap an untapped Merfolk you control to untap Benthicore itself, it has the potential to create synergies with cards that benefit from creatures being tapped or becoming untapped. This can lead to powerful combo plays, increasing the strength of your setup.

Meta-Relevance: Given its solid body and the capacity to create two Merfolk token creatures, Benthicore can be particularly relevant in meta-games that focus on creature-based board presence and those that have numerous summoning sickness workarounds. Its ability to act both offensively and defensively can be pivotal in certain matchups.

How to beat

Benthicore emerges from the depths of MTG as a unique creature that presents a tactical challenge. Its key ability to tap two untapped Merfolk you control and put it onto the battlefield from your hand as though it were a flash spell can catch opponents off guard. However, controlling Benthicore requires strategic foresight. Removal spells that can target Benthicore while it’s on the stack or in response to the Merfolk tapping ability are essential.

Instant speed removals like Path to Exile or Murderous Rider can efficiently handle Benthicore before its presence becomes overwhelming. Moreover, board wipes such as Wrath of God remain effective tools for clearing Benthicore along with other creatures. Relying on strategies that minimize the number of creatures on the board can also render Benthicore’s signature ability less effective, disrupting an opponent’s game plan centered around this sea behemoth.

Ultimately, a plan that includes quick removal and managing the battlefield’s creature count serves as a sound strategy against Benthicore. With the right setup and timing, you can keep the tides of battle in your favor and this deep-sea creature at bay.

Cards like Benthicore

Benthicore emerges as a unique creature within the vast sea of Magic: The Gathering options. With an ability to tap two untapped Merfolk you control to summon Benthicore itself from your hand, it stands out for its distinctive summoning condition. This trait aligns it somewhat with Lullmage Mentor, another Merfolk that rewards you for controlling a legion of its kin, although the Mentor focuses on counter magic instead of direct summoning.

When diving deeper, cards like Whelming Wave offer a similar aquatic synergy but affect the board in a mass creature bounce, as opposed to Benthicore which has more of a singular, targeted presence. Still, Benthicore’s endgame, much like the Mentor, hinges on building and maintaining a Merfolk centric strategy. Pearl Lake Ancient is a further relative, trading tribal synergy for a prowess in control decks, offering the power to return to a player’s hand and, much like Benthicore, can be a late game surprise, albeit, without the ability to immediately impact the board with additional creature tokens.

Arguably, in a Merfolk deck, Benthicore has the potential to provide both offensive and defensive advantages with its unique summoning condition and the creation of two token creatures. This makes it a potent choice for maintaining board presence and expressing the Merfolk tribal theme.

Cards similar to Benthicore by color, type and mana cost

Island Fish Jasconius - MTG Card versions

Jin-Gitaxias, Progress Tyrant - MTG Card versions

Alhammarret, High Arbiter - MTG Card versions

Quicksilver Behemoth - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Benthicore MTG card by a specific set like Lorwyn, 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 Benthicore and other MTG cards: