Auspicious AquariumHow it works & interactions with other cards

A Massive Deep-Sea Buff

Auspicious Aquarium acts as a powerful 'lord' effect for twenty-five distinct creature types, ranging from common Merfolk and Fish to more obscure types like Homarid and Trilobite. Each creature you control that belongs to at least one of these categories receives a static +2/+2 bonus. This effect is always active as long as the Aquarium is on the battlefield and does not use the stack.

The Path to Victory

To win the game with the Aquarium's triggered ability, you must meet two conditions at the beginning of your upkeep. First, you must control twelve different creatures from the listed aquatic categories. Second, you must not control a Brushwagg. Note that 'different' refers to the creature types themselves, not the names of the cards; for example, you would need a Fish, a Crab, and an Octopus, rather than just three different Crabs.

Understanding the Brushwagg Restriction

The victory condition includes an 'intervening if' clause. This means the game checks both conditions (having twelve types and no Brushwaggs) the moment your upkeep starts. If you control a Brushwagg, the ability will not trigger at all. If you lose one of your required creature types or gain a Brushwagg before the ability resolves, you will not win the game.

When to Deploy the Aquarium

Since this artifact costs five mana, it is best played in the mid-to-late game once you have established a board presence. Because it grants a +2/+2 bonus, it can immediately turn small utility creatures into formidable attackers. It is most effective in decks utilizing 'Changeling' creatures, as they count as all types on the list simultaneously.

Interaction examples

Calculating the Bonus

If you control a 1/1 Fish and a 2/2 Crab, the Aquarium grants both +2/+2. Your Fish becomes a 3/3 and your Crab becomes a 4/4. If a creature has multiple types from the list, like a 'Fish Octopus', it still only receives a single +2/+2 bonus.

Maintaining Momentum

Solemn Simulacrum

You play Auspicious Aquarium while you have a Solemn Simulacrum on the field. Because Golem is not on the list of approved aquatic types, the Simulacrum does not receive the +2/+2 bonus. It remains a 2/2 creature, and it does not count toward the twelve different types required for the win condition.

Buying Time for the Collection

The One Ring

To win with the Aquarium, you need to survive until your upkeep with twelve specific creatures. Casting The One Ring provides protection from everything for a turn, helping you keep your diverse board intact from opponent attacks. During your next upkeep, both the Aquarium's win check and The One Ring's life loss trigger; you can choose the order they go on the stack, but the Aquarium will check if you have the twelve aquatic types to end the game immediately.