# 2001 Magic: The Gathering Planeshift #21

> The Arctic Merfolk card from Magic: The Gathering's 2001 Planeshift expansion offers collectors a definitive piece of the game's early blue creature strategy.

Canonical URL: https://supercatch.com/product/magic-the-gathering-planeshift-arctic-merfolk-21

## Identity

- **Year**: 2001
- **Manufacturer brand**: Magic: The Gathering
- **Set / series**: Planeshift
- **Card number**: #21
- **Product type**: TCG_CARD

## Description

Released in 2001 as part of the Planeshift expansion, the Arctic Merfolk (card number 21) stands as a foundational blue creature in Magic: The Gathering history. This common card features a mana cost of {1}{U}, making it accessible for early-game plays, while its 1/1 power and toughness reflect its role as a flexible utility piece rather than a powerhouse. For collectors of classic Magic sets, understanding the mechanics of this era is essential to appreciating the game's evolving design philosophy.

The defining feature of the Arctic Merfolk is its Kicker ability, which allows players to return a controlled creature to its owner's hand when casting the spell. If this additional cost is paid, the Merfolk enters the battlefield with a +1/+1 counter, demonstrating the innovative mechanics introduced in the Planeshift era. Ron Spears provided the artwork for this release, capturing the icy aesthetic associated with the card's identity. As a staple of the Planeshift set, it remains a key card for enthusiasts studying the development of Merfolk tribal strategies and Kicker mechanics within the broader Magic: The Gathering universe.

## FAQ

### What is the Kicker ability on Arctic Merfolk?

Kicker allows you to pay an additional cost when casting the spell. If you do so, you may return a creature you control to its owner's hand, and the Arctic Merfolk enters the battlefield with a +1/+1 counter on it.

### Who designed the Arctic Merfolk card?

Arctic Merfolk was illustrated by Ron Spears for the 2001 Planeshift expansion of Magic: The Gathering. The card is categorized as a Common rarity and bears the set code PLS.

### What year was the Planeshift set released?

The Planeshift expansion was released in 2001.

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## Companion files

- [llms.txt](https://supercatch.com/llms.txt) — site-level concise index.
- [llms-full.txt](https://supercatch.com/llms-full.txt) — site-level expanded corpus.
- [ai.txt](https://supercatch.com/ai.txt) — AI training and licensing terms.

Last verified: 2025-11-29.