Quick Answer

Harbinger of the Tides is a rare Creature — Merfolk Wizard from C17 (C17) costing {U}{U}. Current price: $0.42 USD. Legal in Modern. Legal in Commander. Legal in Standard.

Harbinger of the Tides MTG card

Harbinger of the Tides

Creature — Merfolk Wizard

Card Text

You may cast this card as though it had flash if you pay {2} more to cast it. (You may cast it any time you could cast an instant.) When this creature enters, you may return target tapped creature an opponent controls to its owner's hand.

Card Stats

2/2 rare CMC: 2.0 C17 C17 🎨 Svetlin Velinov

Market Prices

TCGPlayer
$0.42
Normal
Buy
Card Kingdom
$0.59
Normal
Buy
Cardmarket
€0.47
Normal
Buy
Prices updated: 2025-12-04

Format Legality

Alchemy Legal
Brawl Legal
Commander Legal
Duel Legal
Future Legal
Gladiator Legal
Historic Legal
Legacy Legal
Modern Legal
Oathbreaker Legal
Penny Legal
Pioneer Legal
Standard Legal
Standardbrawl Legal
Timeless Legal
Vintage Legal

Similar Cards

Other Printings (6 total)

Community Stats

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Decks Using This Card
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Comments

Often Played With

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Harbinger of the Tides? Basics

Harbinger of the Tides is a Creature — Merfolk Wizard card from the Magic: The Gathering trading card game.

Its ability reads: "You may cast this card as though it had flash if you pay {2} more to cast it. (You may cast it any time you could cast an instant.) When this creature enters, you may return target tapped creature an opponent controls to its owner's hand."

How much mana does Harbinger of the Tides cost to cast? Basics

Harbinger of the Tides has a mana cost of {U}{U}, which equals 2.0 total mana (converted mana cost/mana value).

It requires U mana to cast.

What does mana cost mean in Magic: The Gathering? Basics

Mana cost is the amount and type of mana required to cast a spell in Magic: The Gathering.

Harbinger of the Tides's mana cost of {U}{U} means you need to pay that much mana from your lands or other sources.

Colored symbols (W=White, U=Blue, B=Black, R=Red, G=Green) must be paid with that specific color, while numbers can be paid with any color.

What is converted mana cost (CMC) or mana value? Basics

Converted mana cost (now officially called "mana value") is the total amount of mana in a card's mana cost, regardless of color.

Harbinger of the Tides has a mana value of 2.0. This is important for effects that care about a spell's total cost, like cascade or cards that say "mana value 3 or less."

What is oracle text? Basics

Oracle text is the official, current rules text for a Magic card as maintained by Wizards of the Coast. It supersedes any printed text on older cards.

Harbinger of the Tides's current oracle text is: "You may cast this card as though it had flash if you pay {2} more to cast it. (You may cast it any time you could cast an instant.) When this creature enters, you may return target tapped creature an opponent controls to its owner's hand."

What is the current price of Harbinger of the Tides? Pricing

The current market price for Harbinger of the Tides is approximately $0.42 USD on TCGPlayer.

On Cardmarket (Europe), it's approximately €0.47 EUR.

Where can I buy Harbinger of the Tides? Pricing

You can purchase Harbinger of the Tides from major MTG retailers including:

Prices vary by condition and printing. Check multiple sellers to find the best price.

What is the difference between normal and foil cards? Pricing

Foil cards have a shiny, holographic finish that makes them more collectible. They are functionally identical to normal cards but typically cost more due to their rarity and visual appeal.

Is Harbinger of the Tides legal in Standard? Legality

Harbinger of the Tides is Legal in Standard format.

Standard is a rotating format that only allows cards from the most recent sets.

Is Harbinger of the Tides legal in Modern? Legality

Harbinger of the Tides is Legal in Modern format.

Modern includes all cards printed in a standard-legal set from 8th Edition forward.

Is Harbinger of the Tides legal in Commander (EDH)? Legality

Harbinger of the Tides is Legal in Commander (EDH) format.

Commander is a casual multiplayer format where you build a 100-card singleton deck around a legendary creature.

Is Harbinger of the Tides legal in Pioneer? Legality

Harbinger of the Tides is Legal in Pioneer format.

Pioneer is a non-rotating format that includes all standard-legal sets from Return to Ravnica forward.

Is Harbinger of the Tides legal in Legacy? Legality

Harbinger of the Tides is Legal in Legacy format.

Legacy allows almost all cards ever printed, with a substantial ban list for balance.

Is Harbinger of the Tides legal in Vintage? Legality

Harbinger of the Tides is Legal in Vintage format.

Vintage is the most permissive format, allowing almost all cards with only a minimal ban list. Some powerful cards are "Restricted" (limited to 1 copy).

Is Harbinger of the Tides legal in Pauper? Legality

Format legality information for Harbinger of the Tides in Pauper is not available.

Pauper only allows cards that have been printed at common rarity in a paper or online set.

What is format legality in MTG? Legality

Format legality indicates which official MTG formats allow a card to be played:

  • Legal: Card is allowed in the format
  • Banned: Card is prohibited from play
  • Restricted: Limited to 1 copy (Vintage only)
  • Not Legal: Card was never part of that format's card pool

Different formats have different banned lists based on power level and game balance.

What set is Harbinger of the Tides from? Details

This printing of Harbinger of the Tides is from C17 (C17), with collector number 85.

Harbinger of the Tides may also appear in other MTG sets with different art or special treatments.

What is Harbinger of the Tides's rarity? Details

Harbinger of the Tides is a rare card in C17.

Card rarity affects both availability and price. From rarest to most common: Mythic Rare → Rare → Uncommon → Common.

Who illustrated Harbinger of the Tides? Details

Harbinger of the Tides was illustrated by Svetlin Velinov.

Magic: The Gathering features artwork from hundreds of talented artists, and many cards have been reprinted with new art over the years.

What is Harbinger of the Tides's power and toughness? Details

Harbinger of the Tides is a 2/2 creature.

Power (2) determines how much combat damage the creature deals. Toughness (2) determines how much damage it can take before being destroyed.

💬 Card Discussion

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