Coastline Chimera MTG Card


Coastline Chimera - Theros
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Chimera
Abilities Flying
Released2013-09-27
Set symbol
Set nameTheros
Set codeTHS
Power 1
Toughness 5
Number44
Frame2003
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred byDan Scott

Key Takeaways

  1. Coastline Chimera shines as a multiblocker, ideal for defending against numerous attackers each combat.
  2. Optimized for blue decks, its specific mana requirement may restrict its use in multicolor strategies.
  3. Despite its prowess, a high mana cost for modest power can be a drawback in resource allocation.

Text of card

Flying : Coastline Chimera can block an additional creature this turn.

Seeing a chimera overhead foretells good fortune, but only because seeing one any closer foretells dismemberment.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Coastline Chimera can block multiple creatures each combat, effectively aiding in preserving your hand by reducing the need to play additional creatures for defense.

Resource Acceleration: While Coastline Chimera itself doesn’t directly accelerate resources, its ability to effectively hold the line defends your more significant investments and mana-generating creatures on the board.

Instant Speed: Although Coastline Chimera isn’t an instant, its flexibility in combat as a flying blocker can disrupt an opponent’s strategy at pivotal moments, akin to the tactical timing of an instant.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Coastline Chimera doesn’t directly require you to discard cards, but its ability to block multiple creatures can be less relevant if you’re forced to discard other cards to maintain a defensive board presence.

Specific Mana Cost: Featuring a blue mana cost, this card is primarily suited for blue-based decks, potentially limiting its integration with other color strategies.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: At a total of four mana for a creature with only one power, Coastline Chimera might be considered inefficient compared to other creatures that could provide a greater impact on the game at the same cost.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Coastline Chimera can be a flexible defender in any deck, capable of blocking multiple creatures with its ability to fly. This makes it particularly useful in formats where fliers are prevalent.

Combo Potential: This card offers combo potential in decks that revolve around flying creatures or those that can benefit from creatures with multiple blocking capabilities. It can also synergize well with enchantments or effects that reward you for having creatures with flying.

Meta-Relevance: In metas where aggressive, creature-based strategies are common, Coastline Chimera serves as a robust line of defense. It can deter multiple attackers each turn, potentially disrupting your opponent’s pace and allowing you to stabilize the board.


How to beat

Coastline Chimera, a creature card from Theros, presents a unique challenge on the battlefield with its flying ability and the option to block an additional creature for each color of mana invested. When up against this versatile defender, the key to gaining the upper hand lies in removing its ability to guard the skies effectively. Targeted removal spells, such as Murder or Doom Blade, can swiftly deal with the Chimera, bypassing its multi-blocking ability outright.

Another strategy is to utilize spells that negate flying, grounding the Chimera and making it vulnerable to ground assaults. Cards like Earthbind or Clinging Webspinners are examples of this tactic in action. Alternatively, overpowering the Chimera with high-power creatures can prove effective, as its modest 1/5 stats can be a limitation during combat. In essence, tactics that circumvent the creature’s flying or exploit its blocking restrictions will turn the tide of battle in your favor against the Coastline Chimera.


Exploring Coastline Chimera and Its Counterparts

Coastline Chimera stands out in MTG for its flying ability and the option to block an additional creature for a mana cost. This puts it in a unique category when compared to cards like Wall of Air. While both have the flying trait, Wall of Air offers more toughness, which is critical for surviving attacks. However, it doesn’t have the versatility of multiple blocks like Coastline Chimera does.

Cards like Coastline Chimera

When assessing Coastline Chimera, one could consider Guardian of the Gateless. It has a similar ability to block multiple creatures, but it also comes with the added benefit of gaining extra toughness for each creature it’s blocking, something the Chimera lacks. Conversely, the Chimera is a more mana-efficient option with a lower casting cost, which can be pivotal for earlier board presence.

Moorland Inquisitor is another card that comes to mind. While it lacks the capability to block additional creatures, its strength lies in its potential to gain first strike, which can be a game-changer during combat. Both are useful, yet serve different strategic roles within a deck. Coastline Chimera’s added blocking flexibility could be more favorable in situations requiring effective defense tactics.

Taking multiple elements into consideration, Coastline Chimera has its place, providing a blend of defensive utility and cost-effectiveness that can be harnessed in specific MTG deck builds focusing on control and defensive strategies.

Wall of Air - MTG Card versions
Guardian of the Gateless - MTG Card versions
Moorland Inquisitor - MTG Card versions
Wall of Air - Limited Edition Alpha (LEA)
Guardian of the Gateless - Gatecrash (GTC)
Moorland Inquisitor - Avacyn Restored (AVR)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Coastline Chimera MTG card by a specific set like Theros, 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 Coastline Chimera and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Coastline Chimera has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Coastline Chimera card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

DateText
2013-09-15 Coastline Chimera's activated ability is cumulative. Activating it a second time will allow it to block three creatures, and so on.

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