Airlift Chaplain MTG Card

Airlift Chaplain generates card advantage by recurring key creatures from the graveyard, enhancing your strategic options. Instant-speed interactions make it a valuable asset, though it requires graveyard resources to unlock its full potential. Graveyard-based strategies in current meta can be elevated by the inclusion of Airlift Chaplain’s versatile abilities.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Human Cleric
Abilities	Flying,Mill
Released	2022-11-18
Set symbol
Set name	The Brothers' War
Set code	BRO
Power	1
Toughness	1
Number	2
Frame	2015
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Caroline Gariba

Text of card

Flying When Airlift Chaplain enters the battlefield, mill three cards. You may put a Plains card or a creature card with mana value 3 or less from among the cards milled this way into your hand. If you don't, put a +1/+1 counter on Airlift Chaplain. (To mill a card, put the top card of your library into your graveyard.)

Cards like Airlift Chaplain

Airlift Chaplain is an intriguing entry in the realm of creature cards within Magic: The Gathering. This white cleric provides not just life gain but card advantage as well, setting it beside other stalwarts like Wall of Omens. While the latter card allows for a straightforward card draw upon entering the battlefield, Airlift Chaplain also demands a creature card in the graveyard to trigger its ability, making it a selective yet potentially more rewarding option.

Comparatively, we look toward Court Hussar, a creature with a similar vigilance attribute that also offers card advantage when it enters the battlefield. Despite the nuanced requirement of paying white mana to keep it around, Court Hussar doesn’t hinge on the graveyard’s state, making it versatile yet less potent in recurring value. Another creature card, Pilgrim’s Eye, shares the trait of card advantage, albeit in the form of land tutoring, promoting mana consistency over the potential card variety that Airlift Chaplain could deliver.

In summary, while Magic: The Gathering is abundant with creatures that offer card advantages, Airlift Chaplain presents a unique angle for decks that synergize with graveyard mechanics, providing an added layer to strategic gameplay in life gain and card retrieval.

Cards similar to Airlift Chaplain by color, type and mana cost

Pianna, Nomad Captain - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Airlift Chaplain. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#	Name	Format	Archetype	Event
	Four-color Mill	Gladiator		Gladiator Games: We're Back
	White Weenie	Pauper		Monthly Tournament #34

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Airlift Chaplain enables you to pull ahead by generating incremental value each time it exploits a creature. This can provide you with more options and better position you in the game as you sift through your deck for answers or key components of your strategy.

Resource Acceleration: It can potentially accelerate your resources by returning a crucial permanent card with mana value 2 or less from your graveyard to the battlefield. This swift recovery can often surprise opponents and create opportunities to leverage your in-game assets more efficiently.

Instant Speed: Even though Airlift Chaplain itself doesn’t operate at instant speed, its interaction with instant-speed spells in your graveyard can be critical. Returning a timely instant can prep you for strategic plays during your opponent’s turn and provide unexpected interaction that could swing the match in your favor.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Airlift Chaplain requires you to exile a creature card from your graveyard as part of its ability activation. In scenarios where your graveyard is lacking in creature cards, this can be a significant barrier, potentially stalling your gameplay or forcing you to make unfavorable plays just to meet this condition.

Specific Mana Cost: The mana cost for Airlift Chaplain is specifically white-centric. This can pose deck-building constraints, particularly for multi-color decks that may have a tough time consistently producing the required white mana early enough in the game to utilize the card effectively.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that might be considered steep for its stats and abilities, Airlift Chaplain competes with other cards in the mana curve. Players might find that there are other cards at a similar cost that provide more immediate impact or value to the board state.

Reasons to Include Airlift Chaplain in Your Collection

Versatility: Airlift Chaplain offers utility in various deck archetypes due to its creature retrieval ability. It’s particularly useful in white-based control or midrange decks looking for consistent access to key creatures.

Combo Potential: Its Disturb ability adds another dimension, setting the stage for graveyard strategies or enabling combos that capitalize on Enchantment synergies once transformed.

Meta-Relevance: Considering the presence of graveyard-based strategies in the current meta, having a card that can both manipulate and benefit from graveyard contents can give players an edge in matches.

How to beat

Airlift Chaplain, a recent addition to the Magic: The Gathering world, brings an interesting dynamic to gameplay. This card emphasizes strategic graveyard management, allowing players to return a nonland permanent with mana value 3 or less to their hand upon entering the battlefield. The finesse with Airlift Chaplain lies in its ability to recur high-impact permanents, offering a recurring value that can be challenging for opponents to address directly through removal spells.

To effectively neutralize Airlift Chaplain’s advantage, consider employing graveyard disruption tactics. Cards that exile cards from graveyards, such as Leyline of the Void or Rest in Peace, undermine the Chaplain’s utility by removing potential retrieval targets. Additionally, incorporating efficient counterspells like Dovin’s Veto can prevent Airlift Chaplain from resolving in the first place, cutting off the advantage before it can be utilized. Instant speed removal also serves to handle this clergyman effectively; by waiting until the end step before your turn to eliminate it, you minimize opportunities for your opponent to reap benefits from its recur potential.

In sum, maintaining control over the battlefield and the graveyard is key when facing Airlift Chaplain. By integrating these strategic elements into your deck, you can diminish the card’s impact and uphold the upper hand within your matches.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Airlift Chaplain MTG card by a specific set like The Brothers' War, there are several reliable options to consider. One of the primary sources is your local game store, where you can often find booster packs, individual cards, and preconstructed decks from current and some past sets. They often offer the added benefit of a community where you can trade with other players.

For a broader inventory, particularly of older sets, online marketplaces like TCGPlayer, Card Kingdom and Card Market offer extensive selections and allow you to search for cards from specific sets. Larger e-commerce platforms like eBay and Amazon also have listings from various sellers, which can be a good place to look for sealed product and rare finds.

Additionally, Magic’s official site often has a store locator and retailer lists for finding Wizards of the Coast licensed products. Remember to check for authenticity and the condition of the cards when purchasing, especially from individual sellers on larger marketplaces.

Below is a list of some store websites where you can buy the Airlift Chaplain and other MTG cards:

BUY NOW
BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer

Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See MTG Products

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Airlift Chaplain has restrictions

Format	Legality
Standard	Legal
Historicbrawl	Legal
Historic	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Gladiator	Legal
Alchemy	Legal
Pioneer	Legal
Commander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Future	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Explorer	Legal
Brawl	Legal
Timeless	Legal