Aesthir Glider MTG Card
1996-06-10 - Number 116a
1996-06-10 - Number 116b
2011-01-10 - Number 176
2018-04-27 - Number 209
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Artifact Creature — Bird Construct |
| Abilities | Flying |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Key Takeaways
- Aesthir Glider provides evasion and artifact synergy, ideal for decks requiring unblockable aerial threats.
- While not an instant-speed card, it complements such cards by maintaining battlefield presence.
- Lacks direct ramp or card draw, potentially less efficient versus other three-cost options.
Text of card
Flying Cannot be assigned to block.
"Sacrilege! A noble ally in life, made nothing more than a glorified kite in death!" —Arna Kennerüd, Skycaptain
Card Pros
Card Advantage: While Aesthir Glider doesn’t directly enable you to draw cards, its immunity to being blocked by creatures with power 2 or less often ensures that it stays on the battlefield, effectively saving the card from becoming a casualty in combat. Over time, this can lead to consistent damage, maintaining the pressure on your opponent without diminishing your own resources.
Resource Acceleration: As a three-mana artifact creature, Aesthir Glider can be an asset in decks that benefit from artifact synergies. It can potentially accelerate your game plan in artifact-centric strategies or enable improvised mechanics, turning it into a resource that can power out bigger threats or more pivotal spells in the later stages of the game.
Instant Speed: Although Aesthir Glider itself is not an instant, it pairs well with cards that can be played at instant speed. Its evasion and consistent battlefield presence complement strategies that involve keeping mana open for instant-speed interaction, allowing you to apply constant pressure while still being able to react to your opponent’s moves.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Despite not having a discard requirement, Aesthir Glider’s absence of abilities such as card draw or ramp can be a significant downside in comparison to other artifacts or creatures that do offer additional resources or benefits upon entering the battlefield or attacking.
Specific Mana Cost: Aesthir Glider requires three generic mana which offers flexibility, but can still be a mild setback in strategies that seek to utilize colored mana efficiently. Integrating it into a multi-colored deck can result in competing interests for mana resources in the crucial early game turns.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: For three mana, the return on investment for Aesthir Glider isn’t optimal when considering other three-cost artifacts or creatures that can impact the board immediately or have a built-in mechanism for card advantage. The Glider’s stats and inability to block provide less value compared to other options available within the same mana range.
Reasons to Include Aesthir Glider in Your Collection
Versatility: Aesthir Glider’s ability to be unblockable by virtue of having flying makes it a solid choice for a wide range of decks looking for evasion. Especially useful in limited formats where flying creatures can dictate the pace of the game.
Combo Potential: This artifact creature shines in decks that synergize with artifacts. It pairs well with cards that care about artifacts entering the battlefield or being in play, facilitating powerful interactions and enabling intricate combos.
Meta-Relevance: In metas where games are drawn out, the repeated damage from an Aesthir Glider can apply consistent pressure. Moreover, its resistance to being targeted as it’s an artifact and creature, can be relevant against decks that focus on removal.
How to beat
Aesthir Glider has proven to be a durable creature in Magic: The Gathering with its immunity to sorcery speed removal thanks to being unable to block. This artifact creature excels in evasion, a feature that requires strategic planning to overcome. To effectively counter Aesthir Glider, consider instant speed interaction. Utilizing spells that can be cast on your opponent’s turn not only removes their Glider but can also catch your opponent off-guard, disrupting their play sequence.
Another method involves the utilization of reach or flying creatures. Positioning a solid lineup of blockers can negate the aerial advantage Aesthir Glider brings to the battlefield. Alternatively, enchantments or abilities that neutralize the abilities of opponent’s creatures can also strip away the Glider’s effectiveness, rendering it a mere ornament on the playfield. Lastly, employing mass removal spells can easily clear the Glider alongside other threats, efficiently tilting the scales back to an even playing field.
While Aesthir Glider presents a unique challenge, the key to victory lies in adaptive playstyles and the clever use of spells and abilities that operate at a speed and angle that can outmaneuver this high-flying artifact.
Cards like Aesthir Glider
Aesthir Glider is an artifact creature card that carves a niche for itself within the roster of Magic: The Gathering flyers. When sizing it up against others like Spire Owl or Thopter Spy Network, one quickly notices unique traits. This artifact creature stands out with its inability to be blocked, which mirrors the qualities of another known entity, Ornithopter. However, Aesthir Glider does not have Ornithopter’s zero casting cost advantage, making it slightly less favorable for those looking to rapidly deploy flying units.
Considering Sky Skiff, both are artifact-centered creatures with flying, yet Sky Skiff demands a crew to become operational, which can be a crucial tactical setback. Aesthir Glider, on the other hand, offers consistency by always being available for attack or defense, providing a steadier gameplay experience. Moreover, comparing it to more recent cards like Skyscanner reveals that Aesthir Glider lacks card draw abilities but compensates with better resilience against sorcery speed removal due to its indestructible mechanic during your turn.
All things considered, Aesthir Glider may not be the first pick for those who prioritize speed or utility, but it certainly has its place in strategies that benefit from a reliable, evasive artifact creature on the battlefield. Its specific set of mechanics affords it a specific role, especially in decks that synergize with artifact creatures.
Cards similar to Aesthir Glider by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Aesthir Glider MTG card by a specific set like Alliances and Alliances, 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 Aesthir Glider and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
See Magic products
Printings
The Aesthir Glider Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 1996-06-10 and 2018-04-27. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Release | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1996-06-10 | Alliances | ALL | 116a | 1993 | normal | black | Ruth Thompson | |
| 2 | 1996-06-10 | Alliances | ALL | 116b | 1993 | normal | black | Ruth Thompson | |
| 3 | 2011-01-10 | Masters Edition IV | ME4 | 176 | 1997 | normal | black | Ruth Thompson | |
| 4 | 2018-04-27 | Dominaria | DOM | 209 | 2015 | normal | black | James Paick |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Aesthir Glider has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
