Celestial Messenger MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Bird Spirit |
| Abilities | Flying, Flash |
| Released | 2019-07-12 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Core Set 2020 |
| Set code | M20 |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 2 |
| Number | 287 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Daniel Ljunggren |
Text of card
Flash (You may cast this card any time you could cast an instant.) Flying Celestial Messenger gets +1/+1 as long as you control a Yanling planeswalker.
"It soars on the winds of dreams." —Mu Yanling
Cards like Celestial Messenger
The Celestial Messenger is a noteworthy card for fans of flying creatures in Magic: The Gathering. It shares similarities with creatures like Aven Eternal, which also comes with a flying ability and a complementary effect upon entering the battlefield. However, Celestial Messenger stands out due to its synergistic potential in decks that revolve around spells with flash, granting it +1/+1 until end of turn whenever you cast a spell during an opponent’s turn.
Examining Serra Avenger reveals a different approach for white flying creatures. Although the Avenger hits the board with potent stats, it is restricted by not allowing you to cast it during the early game. Celestial Messenger bypasses such limitations, catering to a more flexible game plan. Comparing it further to Healer’s Hawk, another white flyer, is intriguing; while the Hawk costs less and carries lifelink, it lacks the Messenger’s larger presence and strategic flash synergy.
These nuanced differences underscore the unique position of Celestial Messenger in MTG. It fits into a dynamic role, especially in decks that emphasize timing and the surprise factor, providing not just a flying blocker but also the potential for a significant power boost.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Celestial Messenger shines by offering you the potential to recast it from your graveyard, thus providing a repeated avenue for card advantage without expending additional resources from your hand.
Resource Acceleration: As a flying creature, it can swiftly connect with opponents, often enabling more aggressive strategies to accelerate their game plan and apply pressure.
Instant Speed: The flash ability of Celestial Messenger allows for strategic play by enabling you to deploy it at the end of your opponent’s turn, keeping your mana untapped during their phase for other instant-speed interactions.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Casting Celestial Messenger comes with the caveat that you must discard a card. This condition could deplete your hand, especially detrimental when you’re banking on retaining critical spells for later use.
Specific Mana Cost: Celestial Messenger requires a precise mana combination to cast, necessitating both white and blue mana. This restricts its flexibility, locking it into specific deck archetypes where mana fixing is less of an issue.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a noticeable mana investment to bring Celestial Messenger onto the battlefield, certain players may find the cost a bit steep. Considering the breadth of options available, it’s worth evaluating if the cost aligns with the advantages gained from its presence in play.
Reasons to Include Celestial Messenger in Your Collection
Versatility: Celestial Messenger is a flexible addition to decks that are heavy in flyer strategies or those that make use of blue and white’s control elements. Its ability to be played at flash speed makes it an adaptable response during your opponent’s turn.
Combo Potential: With its flying trait, Celestial Messenger works seamlessly in synergizing with cards that amplify the impact of flying creatures. Its presence can also be a springboard for combos that involve tapping and untapping creatures for value.
Meta-Relevance: Flying creatures often find their place in the current meta, circumventing ground-based defenses. Celestial Messenger’s inherent protection from earthbound threats can prove vital against a plethora of popular decks focusing on terrestrial dominance.
How to beat
Celestial Messenger presents a unique challenge on the battlefield, distinguishing itself within the Magic: The Gathering realm with its ability to bolster flyers. Overcoming this celestial creature often hinges on understanding its synergies and crafting a strategic response. Unlike other potent flyers, Celestial Messenger shines in decks designed to maximize the value of creatures with flying, granting an undeniable advantage in aerial combat.
To counteract this threat, prioritizing removal spells that can target creatures regardless of flying status is paramount. Consider incorporating cards like Doom Blade or Go for the Throat, which offer efficient, targeted elimination options. Additionally, employing board wipes such as Wrath of God or the conditional Flycatcher Giraffid, which can unceremoniously ground flyers, can swiftly reverse the gains made by Celestial Messenger.
Remember, adaptation in deck building and gameplay is key. With adept adjustments and judicious use of removals, the threat of Celestial Messenger can be mitigated, maintaining the delicate balance of power on the playing field.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Celestial Messenger MTG card by a specific set like Core Set 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 Celestial Messenger 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
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Celestial Messenger has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Celestial Messenger card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2019-07-12 | Because damage remains marked on a creature until it’s removed as the turn ends, nonlethal damage dealt to Celestial Messenger may become lethal if your Yanling planeswalker leaves the battlefield during that turn. |
Guide to Flash card ability
Explore the dynamic Flash ability in Magic: The Gathering (MTG), a feature that allows you to cast spells at lightning speed, often leaving your opponents reeling and your strategy several steps ahead. This versatile ability can turn the tide of a game, providing the element of surprise and tactical advantage. It places a premium on timing and foresight, transforming an ordinary deck into a formidable arsenal of instant threats and responses.