Deep Spawn MTG Card


Self-milling ability benefits graveyard-based decks, allowing for strategic plays and recurring threats. Instant speed regeneration defends Deep Spawn, creating a tactical advantage during combat phases. Its substantial mana cost can be a limiting factor, making card selection in deck building crucial.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost8
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Homarid
Abilities Mill,Trample
Power 6
Toughness 6

Text of card

Trample During your upkeep, take two cards from the top of your library and put them in your graveyard, or destroy Deep Spawn. oo U Deep Spawn may not be the target of spells or effects until end of turn and does not untap as normal during your next untap phase. If Deep Spawn is untapped, tap it.


Cards like Deep Spawn

Deep Spawn stands as a noteworthy creature within Magic: The Gathering’s diverse array of blue creatures. This formidable beast bears a comparison with other hefty blue creatures like Serpent of the Endless Sea. Much like Deep Spawn, the Serpent offers substantial toughness, impacting board state presence. Yet, Deep Spawn’s unique aspect rests with its self-milling ability, which on top of fueling graveyard strategies, also grants it trample, marking a synergistic edge over other sea monsters.

Wrexial, the Risen Deep shares the deep-sea theme, bringing an intimidating combination of islandwalk and swampwalk, thus evading blockers with ease. Unlike the serpentine brethren, Wrexial provides an additional advantage of casting spells from opponents’ graveyards. While Wrexial doesn’t have the self-enabling mill, its offensive potential is certainly on par.

Exploring such aquatic monsters, we realize that Deep Spawn, with its trample ability and self-milling tactic, is a unique addition to any MTG deck with graveyard synergies at its core. Though its mana cost is substantial, it fits well into certain decks, especially those looking to cast from their own graveyard or enable other strategies that thrive on a filled graveyard.

Serpent of the Endless Sea - MTG Card versions
Wrexial, the Risen Deep - MTG Card versions
Serpent of the Endless Sea - MTG Card versions
Wrexial, the Risen Deep - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Deep Spawn by color, type and mana cost

Benthic Behemoth - MTG Card versions
Denizen of the Deep - MTG Card versions
Tidal Kraken - MTG Card versions
Avatar of Will - MTG Card versions
Cognivore - MTG Card versions
Brinelin, the Moon Kraken - MTG Card versions
Sphinx of the Second Sun - MTG Card versions
Scornful Egotist - MTG Card versions
Qumulox - MTG Card versions
Hoverguard Sweepers - MTG Card versions
Greater Morphling - MTG Card versions
Tidespout Tyrant - MTG Card versions
Slipstream Serpent - MTG Card versions
Kederekt Leviathan - MTG Card versions
Lorthos, the Tidemaker - MTG Card versions
Stormtide Leviathan - MTG Card versions
Trench Gorger - MTG Card versions
Tidal Force - MTG Card versions
Elder Deep-Fiend - MTG Card versions
Vexing Scuttler - MTG Card versions
Benthic Behemoth - MTG Card versions
Denizen of the Deep - MTG Card versions
Tidal Kraken - MTG Card versions
Avatar of Will - MTG Card versions
Cognivore - MTG Card versions
Brinelin, the Moon Kraken - MTG Card versions
Sphinx of the Second Sun - MTG Card versions
Scornful Egotist - MTG Card versions
Qumulox - MTG Card versions
Hoverguard Sweepers - MTG Card versions
Greater Morphling - MTG Card versions
Tidespout Tyrant - MTG Card versions
Slipstream Serpent - MTG Card versions
Kederekt Leviathan - MTG Card versions
Lorthos, the Tidemaker - MTG Card versions
Stormtide Leviathan - MTG Card versions
Trench Gorger - MTG Card versions
Tidal Force - MTG Card versions
Elder Deep-Fiend - MTG Card versions
Vexing Scuttler - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Deep Spawn has a self-milling ability, which can be a significant boon in formats and decks that benefit from having a stocked graveyard. By putting cards into your own graveyard, you can set up powerful graveyard synergies and recurring strategies.

Resource Acceleration: Though Deep Spawn doesn’t traditionally accelerate resources, its upkeep cost allows you to potentially thin your deck, bringing you closer to your other key cards and lands. Additionally, being a blue creature, it can be a beneficiary of various blue mana acceleration strategies.

Instant Speed: Deep Spawn’s abilities operate at instant speed. Its regeneration ability can be used as a response to preserve it from destruction, maintaining your board presence and potentially discouraging opponents from targeting it, thus requiring them to account for your open mana as a tactical resource.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Deep Spawn requires you to mill two cards from the top of your library each upkeep. For decks looking to conserve resources or avoid self-mill, this can be a significant drawback, potentially depleting your deck of valuable cards.

Specific Mana Cost: With a casting cost demanding two blue mana, Deep Spawn is somewhat restrictive in its requirements. This makes it somewhat challenging to include in multicolored decks that may struggle with consistent blue mana generation.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Costing a total of eight mana to put onto the battlefield, Deep Spawn’s cost is on the higher end of the spectrum. Given this substantial mana investment, players might opt for creatures with greater immediate impact or lower-cost alternatives that are easier to summon.


Reasons to Include Deep Spawn in Your Collection

Versatility: Deep Spawn boasts a unique mixture of abilities such as trample and the capacity to self-mill, making it a crafty addition to mill strategies or decks that capitalize on having creatures in the graveyard. This allows it to be a flexible tool in both offensive and strategic plays.

Combo Potential: Within the right framework, this card operates well with mechanics that activate when creatures are put into the graveyard from the library. It can also serve as a substantial recurring threat when combined with reanimation spells or abilities.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where games tend to last longer and the battlefield gets cluttered with numerous creatures, Deep Spawn can be a game changer. Its trample ability enables it to push through defenses, and its capacity to repeatedly submerge into your library makes it a resilient threat against control decks.


How to beat

Confronting Deep Spawn in your MTG games requires a strategy that takes advantage of its shortcomings. Despite its ability to provide a substantial defensive front with trample and increased survivability through self-milling, it’s noteworthy that Deep Spawn demands a hefty upkeep cost. This can deplete resources quickly if not properly managed by its controller. To outmaneuver Deep Spawn, smart removal choices are key. Consider using instant-speed removal spells to bypass the hexproof barrier it might achieve when untapped. Cards such as Swords to Plowshares and Path to Exile can efficiently deal with it before the tap ability is utilized.

Maintaining pressure is also vital. Don’t allow Deep Spawn’s controller to stabilize the board, or the game could tilt in their favor. Aggressive strategies with a fast pace can outpace Deep Spawn before it becomes a significant threat. It’s important to capitalize on its dormant state if it’s tapped for the upkeep cost. Combining these tactics will give you a sturdy game plan against Deep Spawn, ensuring you maintain the upper hand throughout your match.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Deep Spawn MTG card by a specific set like Fallen Empires and Masters Edition II, 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 Deep Spawn and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Deep Spawn Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1994-11-01 and 2008-09-22. Illustrated by Mark Tedin.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11994-11-01Fallen EmpiresFEM 171993NormalBlackMark Tedin
22008-09-22Masters Edition IIME2 451997NormalBlackMark Tedin

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Deep Spawn has restrictions

FormatLegality
OldschoolLegal
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal