Belfry Spirit MTG Card
Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
Mana cost | |
Converted mana cost | 5 |
Rarity | Uncommon |
Type | Creature — Spirit |
Abilities | Flying,Haunt |
Power | 1 |
Toughness | 1 |
Text of card
Flying Haunt (When this card is put into a graveyard from play, remove it from the game haunting target creature.) When Belfry Spirit comes into play or the creature it haunts is put into a graveyard, put two 1/1 black Bat creature tokens with flying into play.
Cards like Belfry Spirit
Belfry Spirit adds a unique touch to creature cards with its haunting ability to summon bat tokens upon entering the battlefield. Among its spectral peers, Lingering Souls stands out by also creating spirit tokens, yet it allows for even more flexibility with its flashback ability, effectively doubling the opportunity to summon creatures. Although Belfry Spirit doesn’t possess this capacity, it compensates with its consistent token generation each time it’s played.
Doomed Traveler similarly leaves behind a token after its demise, yet unlike the Belfry Spirit, its single token is guaranteed only once. Conversely, Haunted Guardian may lack the ability to create tokens, but it boasts being a more formidable defensive option with higher toughness, providing a different kind of value depending on your game strategy. Midnight Haunting, much like Belfry Spirit, has the instant speed advantage, giving you the tactical flexibility to surprise opponents with spirit tokens any time you could cast an instant.
Evaluating these options, Belfry Spirit holds a distinctive place with its capability to impact the board immediately and continue to provide value in decks built around flyer synergies or token strategies in MTG.
Cards similar to Belfry Spirit by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Belfry Spirit offers a significant card advantage by producing multiple creature tokens, essentially giving you more board presence with a single cast. These extra tokens can be advantageous for strategies that rely on outnumbering the opponent or that benefit from sacrificing creatures for greater effects.
Resource Acceleration: While the Spirit itself may not directly provide mana, the tokens it creates can synergize with other cards that convert creatures into additional resources. This interaction can lead to an accelerated pace of play, allowing for more powerful spells to be cast sooner than usual.
Instant Speed: The ability to play Belfry Spirit at instant speed gives you the flexibility to respond to your opponent’s actions. This can deter attackers, disrupt the opponent’s strategy, or simply provide a surprise element that might turn the tide of the game during combat or at the end of your opponent’s turn.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Belfry Spirit doesn’t force you to discard directly, its Haunt mechanic essentially asks you to plan for its second life after the creature perishes. This can sometimes feel like a delayed discard, as you’re committing a card’s future utility when you might be uncertain of the board state later on.
Specific Mana Cost: Belfry Spirit demands a hybrid mana cost, including both white and black. This specificity can restrict its inclusion to decks that reliably produce both colors of mana, potentially excluding it from mono-colored or certain two-colored decks that don’t include white and black.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost of five, including three generic and one of both white and black, Belfry Spirit can be quite pricey. Its ability to create 1/1 flying creature tokens is valuable in spirit and token strategies, but other cards could offer more immediate impact or efficiency for a similar or lower mana investment.
Reasons to Include Belfry Spirit in Your Collection
Versatility: Belfry Spirit serves a multipurpose role within decks that cherish creature tokens as means for both defense and offense. Its capability to generate multiple flying tokens upon entering the battlefield makes it a valuable addition in strategies that focus on board presence.
Combo Potential: The spirit tokens come with flying, which can synergize well with cards that benefit from creatures with flying or from the number of creatures you control. This can lead to powerful combinations and enhance various token-based strategies, whether you’re looking to bolster your defenses or amplify your attacks.
Meta-Relevance: Given the recurring presence of creature-focused decks in the metagame, Belfry Spirit can serve as a useful tool in establishing aerial control. Its ability to populate the sky can be crucial in matchups where flying creatures are key to victory.
How to Beat Belfry Spirit
Belfry Spirit offers an interesting challenge in Magic the Gathering duels, primarily serving as a force multiplier. When it enters the battlefield, it brings along two 1/1 white and black Bat creature tokens with flying through its haunt ability. These tokens can quickly swarm your opponent if not addressed. Conversely, the haunt mechanism necessitates strategic play, as the Spirit will trigger its ability again upon the death of the creature it haunts.
To effectively tackle the pervasive threat of Belfry Spirit, consider incorporating board wipes like Wrath of God to clear out token creatures. Spot removals are less efficient since the Spirit’s ability triggers upon its demise. Counterspells such as Counterspell or Negate also effectively prevent Belfry Spirit from entering the battlefield in the first place, shutting down the opportunity for token generation.
Remember, capitalize on the window before the haunt ability resolves. Quick removal of the creature it haunts can restrict its impact, preventing a second wave of bat tokens. Addressing Belfry Spirit requires both timely responses and a deck equipped to handle creature swarms.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Belfry Spirit MTG card by a specific set like Guildpact and RNA Guild Kit, 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 Belfry Spirit and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- 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 MTG Products
Printings
The Belfry Spirit Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2006-02-03 and 2019-02-15. Illustrated by Daren Bader.
# | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2006-02-03 | Guildpact | GPT | 2 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Daren Bader | |
2 | 2019-02-15 | RNA Guild Kit | GK2 | 29 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Daren Bader | |
3 | The List | PLST | GK2-29 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Daren Bader |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Belfry Spirit has restrictions
Format | Legality |
---|---|
Commander | Legal |
Legacy | Legal |
Paupercommander | Restricted |
Modern | Legal |
Oathbreaker | Legal |
Vintage | Legal |
Duel | Legal |
Predh | Legal |
Penny | Legal |