Cliffhaven Kitesail MTG Card


Cliffhaven Kitesail uplifts creatures, enabling them to evade ground defenses and strike from the air. Equipping at instant speed offers flexibility and can catch opponents off guard during combat. Its low cost and versatility make it a viable option for various deck types seeking aerial superiority.
Cliffhaven Kitesail - Zendikar Rising
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityCommon
TypeArtifact — Equipment
Abilities Equip
Released2020-09-25
Set symbol
Set nameZendikar Rising
Set codeZNR
Number243
Frame2015
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byCaroline Gariba

Text of card

When Cliffhaven Kitesail enters the battlefield, attach it to target creature you control. Equipped creature has flying. Equip (: Attach to target creature you control. Equip only as a sorcery.)

Made from canvas, wood, and hope.


Cards like Cliffhaven Kitesail

Cliffhaven Kitesail is a versatile equipment card in Magic: The Gathering, offering creatures the gift of flight. Much like the renowned Equipment card, Fleetfeather Sandals, Cliffhaven Kitesail grants flying to the creature it equips. While both cards serve the same purpose, the Kitesail is available at the boon of a lower equip cost which can be pivotal during quick-paced matches.

Another comparable card is Ghostfire Blade, which also equips for a mere two mana, and though it doesn’t grant flying, it provides a power and toughness boost. This trade-off between mobility and strength makes Cliffhaven Kitesail the preferred choice for players aiming to bypass ground defenses effortlessly. Then there’s the trusty Skyblinder Staff, which not only grants flying but also makes the equipped creature harder to block, albeit at a higher equip cost.

Evaluating these Equipment cards, Cliffhaven Kitesail emerges as a cost-efficient option for players who prioritize evasion. Its minimal equip cost allows for greater strategic flexibility, making it a commendable inclusion in decks that capitalize on creatures reaching the skies unhindered.

Fleetfeather Sandals - MTG Card versions
Ghostfire Blade - MTG Card versions
Skyblinder Staff - MTG Card versions
Fleetfeather Sandals - MTG Card versions
Ghostfire Blade - MTG Card versions
Skyblinder Staff - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Cliffhaven Kitesail by color, type and mana cost

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Glasses of Urza - MTG Card versions
Wooden Sphere - MTG Card versions
Sol Ring - MTG Card versions
Iron Star - MTG Card versions
Library of Leng - MTG Card versions
Black Vise - MTG Card versions
Urza's Chalice - MTG Card versions
Ivory Cup - MTG Card versions
Brass Man - MTG Card versions
Mana Vault - MTG Card versions
Soul Net - MTG Card versions
The Rack - MTG Card versions
Helm of Chatzuk - MTG Card versions
Obelisk of Undoing - MTG Card versions
Feldon's Cane - MTG Card versions
Ivory Tower - MTG Card versions
Meekstone - MTG Card versions
Triangle of War - MTG Card versions
Throne of Bone - MTG Card versions
Crystal Rod - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Cliffhaven Kitesail. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
AffinityAffinity ModernAffinityEternal Weekend Europe 2023 Modern Mainevent
Asmo FoodAsmo Food ModernAsmo Food$10K RCQ - Modern - SCG CON Philadelphia - Saturday - 9:00 am
Mono-Black BurnMono-Black Burn ModernAsmo Food$5K RCQ - Modern - SCG CON Philadelphia - Friday - 1:00 pm
InfectInfect ModernInfectModern Preliminary 2024-02-07 (1)
Azorius AffinityAzorius Affinity PauperAzorius AffinityPauper Challenge 2023-10-29

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Equipping a creature with Cliffhaven Kitesail can effectively turn it into a more formidable threat, potentially drawing out removal spells from your opponent or pressuring them into unfavorable blocks. The card is itself a reusable source of advantage, often allowing the equipped creature to bypass ground-based defenses and consistently deal damage.

Resource Acceleration: Although Cliffhaven Kitesail itself does not accelerate resources in the traditional sense of ramping mana, it does enable faster clocking of an opponent. A quicker game pace can be crucial, as it pressures the opponent before they’ve set up their defenses or assembled a win condition. This pressure can disrupt their game plan and cause them to use their resources inefficiently.

Instant Speed: While not an instant, Cliffhaven Kitesail can be equipped at instant speed due to the rules of equip abilities being usable anytime you could cast an instant. This flexibility allows for reactive plays during combat or at the end of your opponent’s turn, keeping your strategies adaptable and your mana use efficient.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: For those considering the addition of Cliffhaven Kitesail to their deck, it’s important to note that this card does not have a discard requirement, making this potential drawback inapplicable.

Specific Mana Cost: Cliffhaven Kitesail comes with a very accessible mana cost, requiring just one generic mana, enabling it to fit into a variety of deck builds without mana color restrictions.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although it may seem like Cliffhaven Kitesail has a low mana cost, when accounting for the need to also equip it for an additional two mana, some players might see it as less cost-effective for the flying utility it provides—especially when other equipment or aura options in the game might offer similar or greater benefits for the same or lesser total mana investment.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Cliffhaven Kitesail is a flexible equipment card that can be integrated into a wide array of decks. Its ability to give any creature flying can be a game-changer, especially in decks that lack elevated threats or need evasion capabilities.

Combo Potential: With its low equip cost, it works smoothly within numerous combo setups, providing an aerial advantage that can be crucial for pulling off strategy-specific plays. It fits well in decks that benefit from equipped creatures or need to quickly shift gears into an offensive stance.

Meta-Relevance: Given that airborne creatures are less likely to be blocked, Cliffhaven Kitesail can be particularly effective in a meta filled with ground-based combatants. Its application enhances creature-based aggro or midrange decks, making it a relevant addition especially for those aiming to outmaneuver opponents dependent on terrestrial dominance.


How to beat

Confronting a player using Cliffhaven Kitesail can be quite the strategic puzzle in Magic: The Gathering. This particular equipment gives any creature a valuable advantage by granting it flying, which can turn even the most ground-bound creatures into aerial threats. To effectively counter this, one must plan carefully. An immediate solution would be deploying cards that can destroy or disable artifacts directly, derailing your opponent’s strategy and leaving their creatures without the boost from the Cliffhaven Kitesail.

Another tactical move is to reinforce your aerial defense. Including creatures with reach or those that can block flying creatures in your deck ensures that you’re prepared for opponents aiming to take control of the skies. Additionally, one could utilize enchantments that restrict or altogether negate the abilities of opposing artifacts. Successfully managing these strategies will not only neutralize the advantages of Cliffhaven Kitesail but also enhance your control over the game, maintaining a balance against those who would seek to dominate from above.

To sum up, by having targeted artifact removal, bolstering your flying defense, or utilizing control enchantments, any opponent’s plans to capitalize on Cliffhaven Kitesail can be swiftly and efficiently grounded.


BurnMana Recommendations

The beauty of MTG lies not only in the clashes of mighty spells and creatures but also in the subtle art of equipping your forces for victory. Cliffhaven Kitesail may appear as a mere accessory in your arsenal, yet its power to transform ground troops into sky-borne threats should not be understated. For those who seek to create dynamic decks, take to the skies with this nimble equipment to bypass terrestrial blockers. Remember, a tactful upgrade to your creatures can be the pivot point of many games. Dive deeper into strategy and expand your collection with us for tactical insights that could only elevate your MTG prowess.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Cliffhaven Kitesail MTG card by a specific set like Zendikar Rising, 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 Cliffhaven Kitesail and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Cliffhaven Kitesail has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Cliffhaven Kitesail card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2020-09-25 Attaching an Equipment with its enters-the-battlefield triggered ability isn’t the same as using its equip ability. You don’t pay mana for the attachment, and if the Equipment enters at a time you couldn’t cast a sorcery, you can still attach it to a creature you control.
2020-09-25 If the target creature becomes an illegal target, the Equipment remains on the battlefield unattached.