Merfolk Raiders MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Merfolk Soldier
Abilities	Islandwalk,Landwalk,Phasing
Released	1996-10-08
Set symbol
Set name	Mirage
Set code	MIR
Power	2
Toughness	3
Number	75
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Steve Luke

Key Takeaways

Merfolk Raiders enhance tribal decks, boosting other Merfolk and synergistic spells.
The card’s ability to clear paths for attacks accentuates resource acceleration.
Its simplicity aids in maintaining mana for instant-speed reactions in gameplay.

Text of card

Phasing; islandwalk (If defending player controls any islands, this creature is unblockable.)

"Turn your back for a second and they just vanish! As if they weren't shifty enough before." —Rhirhok, goblin archer

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Though Merfolk Raiders may not directly grant card draw, this card shines in tribal synergy. In the right deck, bolstering your Merfolk count can have deck-wide benefits, increasing the potency of other Merfolk and synergistic spells.

Resource Acceleration: Merfolk Raiders offers a unique type of acceleration by potentially unblocking your resources. Its ability to possibly make an opponent’s creature unable to block for a turn can free up the battlefield, allowing for more direct attacks and resource leveraging through combat damage.

Instant Speed: While not an instant itself, the simplistic mana cost of Merfolk Raiders aligns well with holding mana for instant-speed interaction in your deck. Playing Merfolk Raiders doesn’t impede your ability to respond to other threats or opportunities, thus maintaining tactical flexibility.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Playing Merfolk Raiders comes with a considerable drawback. To unleash these sea-dwelling creatures onto the battlefield, you need to commit to discarding a card from your hand. This can lead to a significant loss of resources, especially in a tense late-game scenario where every card in hand could turn the tides in your favor.

Specific Mana Cost: Summoning Merfolk Raiders demands a tailored mana setup. These creatures require not just any mana, but one that must be drawn from the depths of blue mana pools. This requirement can sometimes prove restrictive, limiting them to a deck that’s attuned to the rhythms of the ocean’s might and the islands that harness such power.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: If you cast your gaze across the vast sea of available cards, you may find the mana investment for bringing Merfolk Raiders aboard quite steep. Weighing at three mana, they may not be the most efficient choice when you consider other cards in your arsenal which could offer more for the same, or even less, mana expenditure.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Merfolk Raiders offers a solid play in blue-focused decks. As a two-mana creature, it can easily fit into aggressive strategies, offering early board presence while being a relevant tribal piece in Merfolk decks.

Combo Potential: Thanks to its subtype, Merfolk Raiders synergizes with cards that bolster Merfolks, potentially unlocking powerful interactions which can be devastating for opponents, especially when combined with tap/untap mechanics.

Meta-Relevance: Given the right environment, such as a meta where islandwalk could be advantageous, Merfolk Raiders’ unblockable ability becomes highly valuable, allowing for consistent damage and pressure on opponents who use Islands.

How to beat

Merfolk Raiders, known for their islandwalk ability, are an intriguing card for enthusiasts who enjoy aquatic-themed decks. Their edge lies in slipping past conventional ground defenses unblocked when an opponent has an Island on the battlefield. This makes them an ally for hitting your opponent directly under the right conditions.

To effectively counter Merfolk Raiders, it’s important to remove or transform the Islands that enable their unblockable status. Utilizing land alteration spells or employing creatures that can block flying or unblockable creatures are solid strategies. Incorporating cards that manipulate the battlefield—changing land types, for example—can neutralize the advantage Merfolk Raiders bring to the table. Additionally, cards that can remove or pacify creatures regardless of their abilities are also effective in mitigating the threat posed by these elusive assailants.

Awareness of your opponent’s strategy and preparation with the right countermeasures in your deck can mean the difference between victory and defeat. In the vast and varied universe of card interactions, understanding the strengths and weaknesses of cards like Merfolk Raiders is key to mastering the game.

Cards like Merfolk Raiders

Merfolk Raiders is an intriguing creature card that finds its place within the wider Merfolk tribe in Magic: The Gathering. What makes this card similar to others in its category is its base structure as a 2/3 creature for three mana, a common benchmark within this creature type. When you look at other Merfolk like the River Sneak, there’s a shared focus on evasiveness, yet the River Sneak’s ability to grow with each Merfolk spells cast offers potentially a greater threat over time.

Another card worth mentioning in close relation to Merfolk Raiders is the Seafloor Oracle. While the Oracle demands a higher mana investment, it boasts a more impactful tribal synergy, rewarding you with card draw for your attacking Merfolk, which can lead to an overwhelming advantage in card resources. Merfolk Mistbinder also comes into play by providing a static boost to your Merfolk creatures’ power and toughness, which can outshine the standalone nature of Merfolk Raiders.

In consolidating the strengths and synergies of various members of the Merfolk family, you can see how Merfolk Raiders may not be the flashiest card in the arsenal, but it remains a solid inclusion, especially within decks that lack the rarer synergistic pieces.

Cards similar to Merfolk Raiders by color, type and mana cost

Soratami Cloudskater - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Merfolk Raiders MTG card by a specific set like Mirage, 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 Merfolk Raiders and other MTG cards: