Carrier Pigeons MTG Card

Alliances (ALL)
1996-06-10 - Number 1b

Alliances (ALL)
1996-06-10 - Number 1a

Card sets	Released in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Bird
Abilities	Flying
Power	1
Toughness	1

Key Takeaways

Carrier Pigeons offer card advantage and battlefield presence by providing multiple flying threats simultaneously.
Playing at instant speed, this card adds a surprise element and adaptive tactical operations in matches.
The need for specific mana and higher casting cost may deter inclusion in some MTG decks.

Text of card

Flying Draw a card at the beginning of the upkeep of the turn after Carrier Pigeons comes into play.

"It's true I ask no fealty of the flocks—but surely we are more than mere beasts." —King Darien of Kjeldor, in a missive to General Varchild

Card Pros

Card Advantage: When you play Carrier Pigeons, it provides you with not just one creature but multiple airborne threats. This functionality increases your options on the battlefield and gives you valuable card advantage.

Resource Acceleration: When these feathered friends hit the field, they pave the way for an accelerated game strategy. The multiple tokens generated can be leveraged in various ways to enhance your plays, including mana ramp if synergies are in place.

Instant Speed: The ability to cast spells like Carrier Pigeons at instant speed adds a layer of versatility to your game. It allows you to surprise opponents with unexpected blockers or just keep options open until you’re sure of the best move, maximizing tactical flexibility.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The need to discard a card can be a significant drawback, especially in decks that rely on maintaining card advantage to outpace the opponent. This mechanic places additional strain on your hand, demanding careful resource management to avoid depleting your options prematurely.

Specific Mana Cost: Having a mana cost that requires specific colored mana could present challenges for multicolored decks. This might restrict the inclusion of Carrier Pigeons in decks that can’t consistently produce the required mana colors, potentially limiting its overall versatility within the broader MTG metagame.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The casting cost may be considered steep for what the card offers in terms of in-game impact. When evaluating its potential role in a deck, players often look for more competitively costed alternatives that can achieve similar or better effects, thus narrowing the situations where choosing to play Carrier Pigeons might be advantageous.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Carrier Pigeons boasts adaptability, seamlessly integrating into a variety of deck archetypes. Its ability to chump block flyers and provide slight card advantage is beneficial in limited formats or casual flying-themed decks.

Combo Potential: While not a combo piece in the typical sense, Carrier Pigeons can work in tandem with cards that capitalize on creatures entering the battlefield or dying. It can be a modest but useful component in synergistic deck builds.

Meta-Relevance: In metas where games are extended and board presence is key, the additional card drawn from Carrier Pigeons could be the incremental advantage needed to outpace an opponent. Its presence is more pronounced in formats where incremental gains are significant.

How to beat

Carrier Pigeons from Magic the Gathering is an intriguing card with its own unique strengths. Its greatest asset is its ability to manipulate the battlefield from the air, offering its holder a strategic advantage through flying capabilities. This is similar to other flying creatures, which harness the skies to evade many ground-based defenders.

However, overcoming Carrier Pigeons necessitates a calculated approach. Utilizing spells that can target aerial threats is key. Consider cards like Plummet or Windstorm which are tailored to bring down flying creatures efficiently. Additionally, playing cards with reach can provide a solid defense. With these cards on your side, controlling the airspace becomes a manageable task.

Focusing on swift removal or setting up a robust aerial defense are proven strategies against creatures of the skies. Remember, preemptive plays and keeping an eye for aerial threats can be the difference between victory and defeat. When facing Carrier Pigeons, it pays to maintain control of the skies and limit your opponent’s winged advantages.

Cards like Carrier Pigeons

Carrier Pigeons holds a delightful place in the anthology of Magic: The Gathering creature cards. Reminiscent of cards like Squadron Hawk, Carrier Pigeons shares the avian theme and a penchant for flying over battlefield obstructions. Squadron Hawk, in particular, allows for a search and retrieve mechanic for other copies of itself, enhancing hand advantage. Carrier Pigeons, though not as directly synergistic, compensates by offering a peek at the top card of your library, potentially paving the way for better draw quality.

When examining other creatures of feather, Aven Riftwatcher also flutters into consideration. This bird comes with evoke, providing an immediate life gain on entering or leaving the battlefield. Carrier Pigeons, without the life gain, still offers that valuable glimpse into upcoming draws. Another parallel is found in Baleful Strix, a bird with a stronger defensive posture thanks to deathtouch and card draw upon arrival. Carrier Pigeons, while missing these potent defenses and draw capabilities, still has its unique library top-card reveal to carefully prepare future turns.

Thus, Carrier Pigeons nests comfortably among other airborne creatures in Magic: The Gathering, offering a distinct blend of strategic foresight and aerial supremacy.

Cards similar to Carrier Pigeons by color, type and mana cost

Coalition Honor Guard - MTG Card versions

Mangara, the Diplomat - MTG Card versions

Veteran of the Depths - MTG Card versions

Lightkeeper of Emeria - MTG Card versions

Cho-Manno, Revolutionary - MTG Card versions

Northern Paladin - Revised Edition (3ED)

Seasoned Marshal - Battle Royale Box Set (BRB)

Coalition Honor Guard - Apocalypse (APC)

Mangara, the Diplomat - Magic Online Promos (PRM)

Kami of Old Stone - Champions of Kamigawa (CHK)

Cho-Manno, Revolutionary - Salvat 2011 (PS11)

Hero of Bladehold - Mirrodin Besieged (MBS)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Carrier Pigeons 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 Carrier Pigeons and other MTG cards: