Jolting Merfolk MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Creature — Merfolk
Abilities	Fading
Released	2000-02-14
Set symbol
Set name	Nemesis
Set code	NEM
Power	2
Toughness	2
Number	34
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Glen Angus

Key Takeaways

Offers card draw and resource acceleration, key for maintaining the upper hand in game tempo.
Instant-speed playability introduces strategic depth and surprise elements in match-ups.
Demands careful deck construction due to specific mana and discard requirements.

Text of card

Fading 4 (This creature comes into play with four fade counters on it. At the beginning of your upkeep, remove a fade counter from it. If you can't, sacrifice it.) Remove a fade counter from Jolting Merfolk: Tap target creature.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Jolting Merfolk card can be a significant boost to your hand by providing additional draw options. In matches where maintaining a flow of resources is crucial, this card ensures you’re not falling behind in the draw race.

Resource Acceleration: This agile inhabitant of the deep isn’t just about speed in the water; it helps accelerate your resources on the board. Whether it’s untapping lands or enabling combo plays, the Jolting Merfolk gives players the surge they need to outpace their opponents.

Instant Speed: With the ability to bring the Jolting Merfolk into play at instant speed, savvy players can adapt to the ever-changing battlefield. This allows for reactive strategies and adds an element of surprise, disrupting the best-laid plans of your adversaries at a moment’s notice.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Jolting Merfolk introduces a challenging dynamic owing to its discard clause. Players must let go of a card, which can be particularly problematic during the late game when card advantage is crucial.

Specific Mana Cost: The card’s casting cost demands a precise blend of mana types, necessitating a commitment to a blue-centric mana base. This can restrict the card’s integration into a multi-colored deck or those that have less focus on blue mana sources.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost that is substantial when compared to other creatures of its type, Jolting Merfolk may not always be the most mana-efficient option on the battlefield. Other creatures or spells could offer similar or greater impact for a less demanding mana investment.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Jolting Merfolk offers flexibility in its function, easily sliding into various blue-based builds that lean on tactics like tempo control or evasion. Its ability to disrupt the opponent’s plans makes it a handy card in any player’s arsenal.

Combo Potential: This card can serve as an integral part of beneficial interactions, particularly in decks geared towards tap and untap mechanics. Its entry effect can synergize with other cards that capitalize on the state of your opponent’s creatures.

Meta-Relevance: Given that creature-based strategies are a staple in many metagames, Jolting Merfolk’s ability to temporarily neutralize key creatures can tip scales in your favor, making it a timely addition to your collection.

How to beat

Jolting Merfolk is an intriguing creature in the universe of Magic: The Gathering, adept at catching opponents off-guard with its lightning-quick abilities. As a card that thrives in decks focused on surprise tactics and swift board presence, overcoming it requires strategic play. To effectively counter this card, consider utilizing removal spells that can quickly dispatch this threat before it becomes untouchable or gains too much value. Efficient spells like Shock or Fatal Push are excellent tools, as they are low in cost and can target the Merfolk before it has a chance to establish itself or disrupt your strategy.

Another tactic is to exploit its creature type. Utilizing cards that specifically hinder or neutralize Merfolk can be a game-changer. While Jolting Merfolk may enhance the mobility of other creatures in its archetype, it can also be a liability if confronted with a well-timed Essence Scatter or a creature with protection from blue, rendering its abilities ineffective. Moreover, be vigilant in managing your resources. Keeping up the necessary mana to cast instant-speed interaction is key so that whenever the Merfolk dives into play, you’re ready to respond without missing a beat.

Ultimately, understanding your opponent’s deck and anticipating the arrival of Jolting Merfolk is paramount. With the right removal assets and strategic foresight, you can turn the tide and maintain control of the game.

Cards like Jolting Merfolk

Jolting Merfolk is an intriguing inclusion in the roster of creature spells in the world of MTG. It can be likened to other Merfolk such as Silvergill Adept in terms of its synergy within the Merfolk deck types. While Silvergill Adept is known for its ability to draw a card alongside adding a body to the battlefield, Jolting Merfolk introduces a different angle to Merfolk gameplay with its potent ability to potentially tap multiple opponents’ creatures.

Merfolk Trickster is another card that shares some functionalities with Jolting Merfolk as they both can alter the state of the opponent’s creatures. The Trickster taps and negates abilities upon entry, while Jolting Merfolk can impact multiple creatures but without the ability negation aspect. Additionally, Master of the Pearl Trident is often a staple in Merfolk decks, providing a robust lord effect that boosts other Merfolk, something that Jolting Merfolk can benefit from but doesn’t itself offer.

Ultimately, while each of these cards has its unique role within a Merfolk strategy, Jolting Merfolk stands out by offering multiple disruption possibilities, making it a potentially game-changing card when played tactically in MTG.

Master of the Pearl Trident - MTG Card versions

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

Sakashima of a Thousand Faces - MTG Card versions

Johnny, Combo Player - MTG Card versions

Cytoplast Manipulator - MTG Card versions

Crookclaw Transmuter - MTG Card versions

Turtleshell Changeling - MTG Card versions

Glen Elendra Archmage - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

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