Aquamoeba MTG Card


Low casting cost and instant speed ability make Aquamoeba a nimble addition to early game strategies. Card advantage is gained indirectly through graveyard mechanics and hand manipulation potential. The requirement to discard for power adjustment can be a strategic disadvantage if not managed well.
Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Elemental Beast
Power 1
Toughness 3

Text of card

Discard a card from your hand: Switch Aquamoeba's power and toughness until end of turn.

Some tides need no moon.


Cards like Aquamoeba

Aquamoeba is a curious creature in the world of Magic: The Gathering, echoing similarities with other cards that feature flexible power and toughness adjustments. For instance, Wild Mongrel has a striking resemblance, giving players the ability to change its color and increase its power with a simple discard. Unlike Aquamoeba, Wild Mongrel gets a power and toughness boost from the ability, posing a slightly different strategic advantage.

Psychatog is another card that benefits from card discard, but it adds the layer of exiling cards from the graveyard to grow even stronger, which Aquamoeba does not. This adds a grave-digging dimension that can be exploited later in the game. Cephalid Inkshrouder also bears comparison with its discard feature, yet offers a distinct upside with its innate ability to grant unblockable and shroud until end of turn, an invaluable asset for evasion-focused decks that Aquamoeba lacks.

Each of these cards harnesses the power of discard in unique ways, placing Aquamoeba in a niche spot for enthusiasts of twisty, adaptable gameplay in Magic: The Gathering. It may not have extra graveyard synergies or evasion tactics, but its cost-efficient adaptability makes it a card worth considering for specific decks.

Wild Mongrel - MTG Card versions
Psychatog - MTG Card versions
Cephalid Inkshrouder - MTG Card versions
Wild Mongrel - MTG Card versions
Psychatog - MTG Card versions
Cephalid Inkshrouder - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Aquamoeba by color, type and mana cost

Vodalian Soldiers - MTG Card versions
Zephyr Falcon - MTG Card versions
Lord of Atlantis - MTG Card versions
Giant Albatross - MTG Card versions
Phantasmal Sphere - MTG Card versions
Skyshroud Condor - MTG Card versions
School of Piranha - MTG Card versions
Coral Merfolk - MTG Card versions
Wu Light Cavalry - MTG Card versions
Sea Eagle - MTG Card versions
Overtaker - MTG Card versions
Hazy Homunculus - MTG Card versions
Darting Merfolk - MTG Card versions
Thought Eater - MTG Card versions
Spellstutter Sprite - MTG Card versions
Sneaky Homunculus - MTG Card versions
Coral Eel - MTG Card versions
Storm Crow - MTG Card versions
Soratami Cloudskater - MTG Card versions
Minamo Sightbender - MTG Card versions
Vodalian Soldiers - MTG Card versions
Zephyr Falcon - MTG Card versions
Lord of Atlantis - MTG Card versions
Giant Albatross - MTG Card versions
Phantasmal Sphere - MTG Card versions
Skyshroud Condor - MTG Card versions
School of Piranha - MTG Card versions
Coral Merfolk - MTG Card versions
Wu Light Cavalry - MTG Card versions
Sea Eagle - MTG Card versions
Overtaker - MTG Card versions
Hazy Homunculus - MTG Card versions
Darting Merfolk - MTG Card versions
Thought Eater - MTG Card versions
Spellstutter Sprite - MTG Card versions
Sneaky Homunculus - MTG Card versions
Coral Eel - MTG Card versions
Storm Crow - MTG Card versions
Soratami Cloudskater - MTG Card versions
Minamo Sightbender - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Aquamoeba. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
MadnessMadness PremodernEternal Weekend Europe 2023 Premodern Mainevent

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Aquamoeba’s ability to discard a card allows players to access graveyard mechanics or manipulate their hand for strategic advantage, indirectly contributing to card advantage.

Resource Acceleration: Although Aquamoeba doesn’t directly offer resource acceleration, its low casting cost makes it an efficient play early in the game, aligning well with strategies that aim to develop board presence quickly.

Instant Speed: The creature’s activated ability can be used at instant speed, presenting opportunities to surprise opponents by altering its power and toughness during combat or in response to removals.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Aquamoeba’s ability mandates discarding a card to switch its power and toughness. This can deplete your hand, leaving fewer options for subsequent turns.

Specific Mana Cost: Being a blue creature, it requires blue mana sources. This demands a deck build with enough blue mana, which could reduce flexibility in a multi-colored deck.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of two mana, other creatures or spells at similar cost may offer greater impact or value on the game board, especially considering Aquamoeba’s modest base stats.


Reasons to Include Aquamoeba in Your Collection

Versatility: Aquamoeba offers a flexible role in blue-based decks, fitting well into strategies that require a creature that can easily adjust its power and toughness. Its discard ability can also synergize with graveyard mechanics or madness triggers.

Combo Potential: The ability to discard a card at instant speed allows for unexpected combo interactions, turning Aquamoeba into a surprise blocker or an enabler for various discard-related strategies.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where instant-speed interaction is key, Aquamoeba’s simple yet effective ability to toggle its defense and offense makes it a useful tool against opponents who rely on combat math to secure victories.


How to beat

Aquamoeba is an intriguing creature card found in many blue decks within Magic: The Gathering. Its ability to transform discards into a temporary boost in power makes it a flexible threat on the battlefield. To successfully navigate around Aquamoeba’s strengths, one must look at targeted removal spells. Cards like Fatal Push or Path to Exile can efficiently remove Aquamoeba from play without the need for combat, thus circumventing its power-boosting ability.

Another approach to overcoming Aquamoeba is to use spell-based control elements like countermagic. By keeping mana open for spells like Counterspell or Mana Leak, you can address Aquamoeba before it ever becomes a nuisance on the board. It’s also beneficial to apply pressure with creatures that outclass Aquamoeba in combat, forcing your opponent to make unfavorable trades or to hold back their creature for defense.

Ultimately, the key to beating Aquamoeba lies in swift removal, strategic control of the game, and maintaining a board state that limits your opponent’s opportunities to utilize Aquamoeba’s discard ability to their advantage. Adaptation and careful planning will steer you towards victory against this slippery adversary.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Aquamoeba MTG card by a specific set like Torment and World Championship Decks 2003, 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 Aquamoeba and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Aquamoeba Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2002-02-04 and 2023-01-13. Illustrated by Arnie Swekel.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-02-04TormentTOR 241997NormalBlackArnie Swekel
22003-08-07World Championship Decks 2003WC03 dh242003NormalGoldArnie Swekel
32014-06-16Vintage MastersVMA 562015NormalBlackArnie Swekel
42023-01-13Dominaria RemasteredDMR 382015NormalBlackArnie Swekel

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Aquamoeba has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2021-03-19 Because damage remains marked on a creature until the damage is removed as the turn ends, nonlethal damage dealt to a creature may become lethal if you switch its power and toughness during that turn.
2021-03-19 Effects that switch a creature's power and toughness apply after all other effects, regardless of when those effects began to apply. For instance, if you target a 1/2 creature then give it +2/+0 later in the turn, it's a 2/3 creature, not a 4/1 creature.
2021-03-19 Switching a creature's power and toughness twice (or any even number of times) effectively returns the creature to the power and toughness it had before any switches.