Bird Illusion MTG Card
2018-10-05 - Number 3
2020-04-17 - Number 7
2022-10-14 - Number 4
2023-08-04 - Number 11
2024-01-12 - Number 5
2024-04-19 - Number 4
| Card sets | Released in 6 setsSee all |
| Type | Token Creature — Bird Illusion |
| Abilities | Flying |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Text of card
Flying
Cards like Bird Illusion
The allure of Illusion creatures within MTG is characterized by the Bird Illusion card, a tactical choice for players craving aerial supremacy and strategic deception. Comparable to other Illusion creatures such as Krovikan Mist and Phantasmal Bear, Bird Illusion delivers an impactful presence on the battlefield through its cost-effective summoning conditions and potential for power augmentation based on specific deck constructs.
Akin to Krovikan Mist, the Bird Illusion’s strength may scale with the number of Illusions in play, offering an accumulative benefit that encourages an Illusion-themed deck strategy. In contrast, however, Phantasmal Bear provides an immediate force with its low-cost and solid stats, although it comes with the drawback of fragility, succumbing to any targeted spell or ability. Bird Illusion shares this susceptibility, tempting opponents to disrupt your strategic mirage with a simple spell.
Evaluating these allies of deceit, Bird Illusion not only serves as a versatile contestant among its Illusory counterparts but also weaves a layer of complexity into the game. It stands out as a testament to the evasive and synergistic nature of Illusions in MTG, particularly when soaring alongside a flock of similarly intangible creatures.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Crafting an edge in hand size can be a turning point in any duel. The Bird Illusion card aligns perfectly with this strategy by replenishing your resources and bolstering your hand, ensuring you have a variety of options at your disposal every turn.
Resource Acceleration: The nimble nature of a Bird Illusion card often includes mechanics that ramp up your mana availability. By providing extra mana or accelerating your land development, these avian deceptions can help you deploy heavier threats much earlier than your opponent anticipates.
Instant Speed: Flexibility is key in the fast-paced world of MTG, and the Bird Illusion shines here. Having the ability to cast a spell at instant speed provides strategic depth, allowing for surprise blockers or quick responses to an opponent’s actions. This advantage can often mean the difference between a win or a loss, so deploying cards at just the right moment keeps your adversary guessing.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Utilizing a Bird Illusion card often comes with the caveat of discarding another card from your hand, which might deplete your options, especially when you’re playing a tight game where every resource counts.
Specific Mana Cost: Many Bird Illusion cards require a specific combination of mana, such as blue or white mana, to cast, which can be challenging if your mana base isn’t perfectly aligned with these requirements throughout the match.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Casting a Bird Illusion card can be mana-intensive relative to other creatures in the ecosystem. For instance, a Bird Illusion with a notable impact on the game could be positioned at a higher mana cost, potentially delaying your momentum or forcing you to choose between playing the card or developing your board in other ways.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Bird Illusion cards typically offer diverse abilities, such as evasion or disruption, which makes them adaptable for different strategies in both casual play and competitive scenes. Their flying trait often allows for direct damage to opponents, bypassing crowded battlefields.
Combo Potential: These cards can synergize well with effects that capitalize on the number of creatures with flying or spells that trigger upon casting illusions, amplifying the impact of every play and paving the way for powerful game-winning combinations.
Meta-Relevance: Given their usually low mana cost paired with significant in-game effects, Bird Illusion cards can be relevant in metas dominated by tempo decks, allowing you to maintain pace against opponents while deploying threats that need to be addressed immediately.
How to beat
When facing off against a Bird Illusion card in Magic: The Gathering, the key is strategy and understanding how this card interacts on the battlefield. Bird Illusions typically come with flying, enabling them to evade most ground attackers and blockers. To counteract this, consider using cards with reach or those that can deal damage to flying creatures directly. Cards with the ‘Flash’ ability can also be crucial as they allow you to surprise your opponent and take down the Bird Illusions before they become a threat.
Another effective tactic is to use spells that can wipe the board, such as ‘Wrath of God’ or ‘Doomskar’, which eliminate all creatures regardless of their abilities. This resets the playing field and removes the pesky Bird Illusions in one fell swoop. Be mindful, however, that your opponent might have countermeasures in place, so patience and timing are crucial. Bait out your opponent’s counter spells with less critical plays before you unleash your board-clearing magic.
At its core, overcoming a Bird Illusion demands a mix of direct removal, clever timing, and sometimes a bit of sacrifice. Adapt your deck to include answers to flying threats and you’ll find yourself capable of soaring above these elusive Illusions.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Bird Illusion MTG card by a specific set like Guilds of Ravnica and Commander 2020, 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 Bird Illusion 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
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Printings
The Bird Illusion Magic the Gathering card was released in 6 different sets between 2018-10-05 and 2024-04-19. Illustrated by James Paick.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2018-10-05 | Guilds of Ravnica | GRN | 3 | 2015 | Token | Black | James Paick | |
| 2 | 2020-04-17 | Commander 2020 | C20 | 7 | 2015 | Token | Black | James Paick | |
| 3 | 2022-10-14 | Game Night: Free-for-All | GN3 | 4 | 2015 | Token | Black | James Paick | |
| 4 | 2023-08-04 | Commander Masters | CMM | 11 | 2015 | Token | Black | James Paick | |
| 5 | 2024-01-12 | Ravnica Remastered | RVR | 5 | 2015 | Token | Black | James Paick | |
| 6 | 2024-04-19 | Outlaws of Thunder Junction Commander | OTC | 4 | 2015 | Token | Black | James Paick |