Tide Shaper MTG Card


Offers mana base disruption against decks relying on nonblue sources, influencing the battlefield substantially. Has versatile play options—can be an efficient creature or a strategic kicker play for land conversion. Aligns well with flash strategies, enabling sudden game state changes to gain an upper hand.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Merfolk Wizard
Abilities Kicker
Power 1
Toughness 1

Text of card

Kicker (You may pay an additional as you cast this spell.) When Tide Shaper enters the battlefield, if it was kicked, target land becomes an Island for as long as Tide Shaper remains on the battlefield. Tide Shaper gets +1/+1 as long as an opponent controls an Island.


Cards like Tide Shaper

Tide Shaper offers a unique twist to the array of mana disruption cards in Magic: The Gathering. It shares similarities with cards like Spreading Seas, which also transforms a land into an Island, disrupting the opponent’s mana base. However, Tide Shaper steps up with its potential to be a creature on the board, providing not only mana disruption but also a presence on the field.

Looking at Aquitect’s Will, we see a card that tattoos an Island mark on a land as well, but instead of having a creature option, it cantrips, allowing the caster to draw a card. This difference highlights Tide Shaper’s dual functionality against the sheer card advantage of Aquitect’s Will. Then there’s Sea’s Claim, working in a similar way to turn lands into Islands but at a fixed lower cost without the versatility of becoming a creature.

In the end, Tide Shaper competes admirably with other mana disruption cards. Its ability to scale with the game via its kicker cost and its creature utility give it an edge in certain strategic scenarios, making it a versatile addition to Magic: The Gathering decks that aim to control opponents’ land capabilities.

Spreading Seas - MTG Card versions
Aquitect's Will - MTG Card versions
Sea's Claim - MTG Card versions
Spreading Seas - MTG Card versions
Aquitect's Will - MTG Card versions
Sea's Claim - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Tide Shaper by color, type and mana cost

Merfolk of the Pearl Trident - MTG Card versions
Flying Men - MTG Card versions
Shrieking Drake - MTG Card versions
Cloud Pirates - MTG Card versions
Fledgling Osprey - MTG Card versions
Manta Riders - MTG Card versions
Faerie Squadron - MTG Card versions
Faerie Seer - MTG Card versions
Fugitive Wizard - MTG Card versions
Wandering Ones - MTG Card versions
Teardrop Kami - MTG Card versions
Dreamcatcher - MTG Card versions
Drifter il-Dal - MTG Card versions
Sage of Epityr - MTG Card versions
Screeching Sliver - MTG Card versions
Timebender - MTG Card versions
Cloud Sprite - MTG Card versions
Merrow Witsniper - MTG Card versions
Cursecatcher - MTG Card versions
Martyr of Frost - MTG Card versions
Merfolk of the Pearl Trident - MTG Card versions
Flying Men - MTG Card versions
Shrieking Drake - MTG Card versions
Cloud Pirates - MTG Card versions
Fledgling Osprey - MTG Card versions
Manta Riders - MTG Card versions
Faerie Squadron - MTG Card versions
Faerie Seer - MTG Card versions
Fugitive Wizard - MTG Card versions
Wandering Ones - MTG Card versions
Teardrop Kami - MTG Card versions
Dreamcatcher - MTG Card versions
Drifter il-Dal - MTG Card versions
Sage of Epityr - MTG Card versions
Screeching Sliver - MTG Card versions
Timebender - MTG Card versions
Cloud Sprite - MTG Card versions
Merrow Witsniper - MTG Card versions
Cursecatcher - MTG Card versions
Martyr of Frost - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

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

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
MerfolkMerfolk ModernMerfolkModern Preliminary 2024-04-10 (1)
Mono-Blue MerfolkMono-Blue Merfolk LegacyMerfolk3 Etapa - 3 Liga Legacy Jundia
Simic MerfolkSimic Merfolk ModernMerfolk*HALF PRICE FRIDAY* $5K RCQ - Modern - SCG CON Atlanta - Friday - 1:00 pm

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Tide Shaper can provide a significant advantage when it comes to disrupting your opponent’s mana base. Once on the board, it can transform an opposing nonbasic land into an Island, which is especially beneficial against decks heavily reliant on nonblue sources.

Resource Acceleration: Due to its kicker cost, this creature can be played early as a mana-efficient 1/1 or alternatively, for its kicker cost to immediately “Islandize” a land. This versatility gives players the ability to pace their resource development and potentially ramp into bigger threats.

Instant Speed: While Tide Shaper itself doesn’t operate at instant speed, its ability to turn lands into Islands can instantaneously enable your cards with flash or cards that benefit from having more Islands on the field. This can lead to surprising shifts in the state of the game right before your turn commences.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Tide Shaper may require you to discard another card or give up a valuable Merfolk on the board in order to fully utilize its kicker ability, affecting your hand advantage and board presence.

Specific Mana Cost: This card demands blue mana, making it less flexible for decks that aren’t heavily invested in blue mana pools or multi-color decks that struggle with color fixing.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: For its land conversion ability, Tide Shaper can be seen as costly, particularly when trying to capitalize on its kicker cost. This can potentially slow your tempo when competing against low-cost ramp strategies.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Tide Shaper offers a unique flexibility for decks that seek mana denial strategies or need a one-drop creature to smooth out their curve. As a changeling, it can also fit into tribal themes with ease.

Combo Potential: This card has synergy with land-focused combos, enabling disruption by turning opponent’s lands into Islands. It can serve as an integral piece in any strategy aiming to capitalize on opponents being “underwater”.

Meta-Relevance: Given its power in dealing with nonbasic lands, the Tide Shaper shines in metas where multicolored or utility lands are prevalent, allowing you to gain significant tempo advantage.


How to beat

Tide Shaper is a dynamic force for blue mana decks in MTG, known for its ability to convert any land into an Island, potentially hamstringing an opponent’s mana base. What makes Tide Shaper distinct is its kicker cost, giving it versatility as either an early game nuisance or a mid-game tactical play. In a similar role, we find cards like Aquitect’s Will which can also turn lands into Islands, though without the body on the board that Tide Shaper offers.

Confronting Tide Shaper requires strategic resource management. A key tactic is removing it quickly before its controller can benefit from the Island land type conversion. Rapid removal spells, like Lightning Bolt or Fatal Push, can efficiently handle the Tide Shaper threat. It’s also beneficial to diversify your mana base with nonbasic lands that can’t be targeted by Tide Shaper’s ability, ensuring your deck’s functionality even when faced with this aquatic threat.

In summary, when dealing with Tide Shaper, keeping versatile removal handy and maintaining a varied mana base are your essential tools. Cards that can deal with multiple types of threats without costing too much of your own resources can turn the tide in your favor, mitigating the impact Tide Shaper could have on your game plan in MTG.


BurnMana Recommendations

The art of deck construction in MTG is a delicate balance, and Tide Shaper could be the card that tips the scales in your favor. Understanding its capabilities to disrupt, accelerate resources, and uncover combo potential is pivotal. Facing the challenge of whether to include Tide Shaper in your arsenal requires evaluating the meta, your strategy, and how it aligns with your deck’s needs. Interested in enhancing your land control tactics and exploiting your opponent’s vulnerabilities? Dive deeper with us as we analyze the strategic depth Tide Shaper brings to the MTG battlefield and ensure your deck is not just ready, but a step ahead. Learn more and transform your game understanding into tangible victories.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Tide Shaper MTG card by a specific set like Modern Horizons 2 and Modern Horizons 2, 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 Tide Shaper and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Tide Shaper Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2021-06-18 and 2021-06-18. Illustrated by Lie Setiawan.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12021-06-18Modern Horizons 2MH2 722015NormalBlackLie Setiawan
22021-06-18Modern Horizons 2MH2 3941997NormalBlackLie Setiawan

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Tide Shaper has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2021-06-18 A land that becomes an Island gains “: Add ” and loses all other abilities. It loses any other land types, but it doesn't lose any types or supertypes, such as creature, legendary, or snow.
2021-06-18 If Tide Shaper leaves the battlefield before its triggered ability resolves, the target land will not become an Island.
2021-06-18 Tide Shaper will get +1/+1 as long as an opponent controls any land with the Island land type, not just ones named Island.