Magic: The Gathering has introduced countless iconic cards over the years, but few capture the imagination (well, my imagination) quite like Shark Typhoon from the Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths set. My own copy came in my Miracle Worker Commander deck from the Duskmourn set. This versatile enchantment has made waves in various formats, offering both strategic depth and a touch of whimsy with its flying shark tokens.
Shark Typhoon is a rare blue enchantment with a converted mana cost of 6. Its primary ability allows you to create an X/X blue Shark creature token with flying whenever you cast a noncreature spell, where X is that spell’s mana value. Additionally, it has a cycling ability which lets you discard the card to draw a new one and create an X/X blue Shark creature token with flying where X is relative to the mana spent to execute the cycling.
The beauty of Shark Typhoon lies in its flexibility. Here are a few ways you can leverage this card in your decks:
- Control Decks: Shark Typhoon shines in control decks that rely on a high density of noncreature spells. Each counterspell, draw spell, or removal spell you cast can generate a flying shark, providing both defense and a win condition.
- Cycling Synergy: The cycling ability of Shark Typhoon is scalable, fitting any spot on your mana curve. Early in the game, you can cycle it to draw a card and create a small shark to block or pressure opponents. Later, you can cycle it for a massive shark, turning excess mana into a formidable threat.
- Ramp Decks: In ramp decks, Shark Typhoon can serve as a powerful payoff. With ample mana, you can cast or cycle it to create large flying sharks, overwhelming your opponent with sheer size and numbers.
In considering how we use our Sharp Typhoon, there are a few factors to consider:
- Timing is Key: Consider the timing of your noncreature spells. Casting instant spells on your opponent’s turn can surprise them with unexpected blockers.
- Mana Management: Efficiently managing your mana is crucial. Decide whether to cast Shark Typhoon as an enchantment or cycle it based on the game state and your hand. Both options have value, but there’s usually a better option at any given time.
- Synergize with Other Cards: Pair Shark Typhoon with cards that benefit from casting noncreature spells, such as Niv-Mizzet, Parun or Saheeli, Sublime Artificer, to maximize its potential. With both cards, we’re seeing a red/blue deck starting to form…
Look, Shark Typhoon is more than just a fun card with a quirky theme; it’s a powerful tool that can fit into various strategies and deck archetypes. Whether you’re creating an army of flying sharks or using it as a flexible draw engine, Shark Typhoon offers a whole bunch of cool possibilities for creative deck building.
It’s also just fun. That has to count for something, no?
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