Shoreline ScoutHow it works & interactions with other cards

Navigating the Coastline

Shoreline Scout features a powerful 'enters the battlefield' ability that allows you to exchange a Merfolk or land card in your hand for a Tropical Island. This is done through conjuring, a digital-only mechanic that creates a permanent new card in your hand that functions exactly like a normal card for the rest of the game.

Step-by-Step Resolution

When Shoreline Scout enters the battlefield, its triggered ability goes on the stack. As it resolves, you choose whether to exile a Merfolk or land card from your hand. Only if you successfully exile a card do you conjure the Tropical Island. Later, its static ability checks if another Merfolk or an Island entered the battlefield under your control earlier in the turn; if so, Shoreline Scout receives a +1/+0 buff automatically.

Timing and Synergies

To maximize the Scout's power, you should look to play it after you have already played a land for the turn, or alongside other low-cost Merfolk. Remember that the +1/+0 bonus is active as long as the condition was met at any point during the current turn, even if the permanent that triggered the condition has since left the battlefield.

Common Mistakes

A common error is forgetting that Shoreline Scout does not trigger its own +1/+0 bonus. The ability specifically requires 'another' Merfolk or an Island to enter. Additionally, remember that conjuring a card is not the same as drawing one, so it will not trigger effects that care about drawing cards.

Interaction examples

Mana Fixing with the Scout

Tropical Island

You play Shoreline Scout on turn one. Upon entry, you exile a basic Island from your hand. A Tropical Island is conjured into your hand, allowing you to have access to both Blue and Green mana on your next turn.

Interaction with Draw Effects

Faerie Mastermind

If your opponent has Faerie Mastermind on the battlefield and you conjure a Tropical Island with Shoreline Scout, the opponent does not draw a card. Conjuring puts a card into your hand, but it is not considered 'drawing' a card.

The Power of the Tropics

Tropical IslandOrnithopter of Paradise

On turn two, you play the Tropical Island you conjured previously. Because an Island entered the battlefield under your control this turn, Shoreline Scout immediately gains +1/+0, becoming a 2/1 creature. You can then use your mana to cast Ornithopter of Paradise.