Astroquarium is one of those cards players keep asking about. Here is, in plain words, what its official text says, the rulings published by Wizards of the Coast, and the combos players actually run.
Official card text
When this artifact enters, you may put an art sticker on it.,
: Until end of turn, target creature becomes a blue Shark with base power and toughness 4/4. If the cracks in this artifact's art are completely covered, that creature becomes a blue Octopus with base power and toughness 8/8 instead. Activate only as a sorcery.
Complete guide
Dive into the whimsical world of Unfinity with Astroquarium, an artifact that transforms your creatures into aquatic behemoths. By utilizing art stickers and physical placement, you can turn a small utility creature into a massive predator. Whether you are aiming for a steady Shark or a giant Octopus, this card brings a unique physical dimension to your Magic matches.
Stickers and Transformations
When Astroquarium enters the battlefield, you have the option to place an art sticker on it. This is crucial because the artifact's activated ability checks the physical state of the card's art. If the cracks depicted in the illustration are completely covered by stickers, the transformation effect is significantly empowered. Note that while you get an art sticker on entry, you can use any type of sticker—name, ability, or power/toughness stickers—to cover those cracks during the game.
Step-by-Step Resolution
First, ensure it is your main phase and the stack is empty, as this is a sorcery-speed ability. Pay one mana and tap Astroquarium to target a creature. Upon resolution, the game checks the art on Astroquarium: if cracks are visible, the creature becomes a blue 4/4 Shark; if all cracks are covered, it becomes a blue 8/8 Octopus. This change lasts until the end of the turn and overwrites all previous colors and creature types, though the creature retains its card types (like Artifact) and supertypes (like Legendary).
Timing and Modifications
A common mistake is thinking the creature updates if stickers are added or removed after the ability has already resolved. The check only happens once during resolution; if a Shark is created and you cover the cracks later that turn, it stays a Shark. Additionally, keep in mind that base power and toughness changes don't remove counters or existing modifiers. A 4/4 Shark with two +1/+1 counters on it will be a 6/6 creature.
Strategic Implementation
Use Astroquarium to turn your early-game mana rocks or utility creatures into late-game threats. Because it changes base power and toughness, it is most effective on creatures with low stats. Always aim to cover the cracks early to maximize your mana efficiency, turning a single mana investment into 8 power on the board.
Interaction examples
Arcane SignetIf you control Arcane Signet and it has been animated (perhaps by another effect) or you simply need a blocker, you can use Astroquarium to target it. If the cracks are covered, Arcane Signet becomes a blue 8/8 Octopus. It remains an Artifact and retains its ability to tap for mana, but it loses all other creature types it might have had.
Swiftfoot BootsImagine you have a small creature equipped with Swiftfoot Boots. You activate Astroquarium targeting that creature. The creature becomes a 4/4 Shark (or 8/8 Octopus). Because Swiftfoot Boots provides Hexproof and Haste, your new aquatic friend is protected from targeted removal and can attack immediately, even if the creature itself was played this turn.
Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.
How it works : Astroquarium
Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall
- #1· Wizards of the Coast
You can use any kind of sticker to cover the cracks in Astroquarium’s art, not just art stickers. Name, ability, and power and toughness stickers will function no matter where they are physically positioned.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #2· Wizards of the Coast
After the activated ability resolves, the creature will not retain any of its previous colors or creature types—it will be only a blue Shark or a blue Octopus. Its other card types (such as artifact) and supertypes (such as legendary), if any, will remain unchanged.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #3· Wizards of the Coast
Effects that modify the creature’s power or toughness (such as the effect of Giant Growth) will apply no matter when they started to take effect. The same is true for counters that change its power or toughness (such as +1/+1 counters).
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #4· Wizards of the Coast
Once the activated ability resolves, it doesn’t matter what happens to Astroquarium or its . . . um . . . cracks. If the creature becomes a 4/4 Shark and then the cracks become completely covered later in the turn, the creature won’t spontaneously become an 8/8 Octopus.
No other card is named in this ruling.
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