Boreal Griffin MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	5
Rarity	Common
Type	Snow Creature — Griffin
Abilities	Flying
Released	2006-07-21
Set symbol
Set name	Coldsnap
Set code	CSP
Power	3
Toughness	2
Number	2
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Cyril Van Der Haegen

Key Takeaways

Boreal Griffin offers card advantage with challenging flying ability and potential two-for-one trades.
The creature’s synergy with snow mechanics and instant-speed plays heightens its tactical use.
Despite its restrictions in non-snow decks, Boreal Griffin remains a versatile and meta-relevant card.

Text of card

Flying {S}: Boreal Griffin gains first strike until end of turn. ({S} can be paid with one mana from a snow permanent.)

"More than snow falls from the Boreal skies." —Arkin Egilsson, skycaptain

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Boreal Griffin aids in card advantage by often necessitating two or more cards from an opponent to handle it effectively. Its flying ability makes it more challenging for opponents to block, potentially leading to a disadvantageous trade on their part and a benefit for you.

Resource Acceleration: While Boreal Griffin itself may not directly contribute to resource acceleration, its stable mana cost works harmoniously in decks that aim to ramp quickly. By encompassing it in a lineup that accelerates resources, Boreal Griffin can hit the battlefield earlier than expected, giving you a tempo advantage.

Instant Speed: Although the Boreal Griffin is not an instant, it supports strategies that revolve around instant-speed interactions. For example, if you control a Boreal Griffin, you can play predominantly at instant speed while maintaining a threatening presence on the board, forcing your opponent to play cautiously and potentially mismanage their resources.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Playing Boreal Griffin necessitates an additional cost where you must discard a card to unleash its abilities. This mechanic can be a serious drawback in tight gameplay situations where hand size equates to strategic depth and potential.

Specific Mana Cost: Boreal Griffin comes with a mana cost that includes snow mana. This restricts its integration to decks built around or including snow lands and mechanics, potentially limiting its versatility in a varied deck meta.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With its mana cost leaning to the higher side, Boreal Griffin may not be the most mana-efficient creature for the power and toughness it brings to the battlefield. Players often weigh this against other creatures in similar cost brackets when refining their deck’s efficiency.

Reasons to Include Boreal Griffin in Your Collection

Versatility: Boreal Griffin adds value to different deck archetypes with its flying ability, making it a solid defense against ground-based threats while providing an aerial offense that can adapt across diverse game scenarios.

Combo Potential: The card shines by synergizing with mechanics that reward casting spells with the snow mana symbol, enabling impactful combos in snow-centric decks that seek to leverage this unique mechanic.

Meta-Relevance: As the game shifts and certain strategies gain prominence, Boreal Griffin’s presence can be a tactical choice against opponents heavily reliant on non-flying creatures, ensuring its relevance within evolving metagames.

How to beat

The Boreal Griffin stands out in MTG due to its presence in aerial combat and its foretell ability, which lets players cast it at a reduced cost and at a potentially unexpected time. Battling against this feathered flier requires strategic maneuvering. One approach to tipping the scales is employing removal spells that bypass its flying ability. Cards like Doom Blade or Murder can efficiently dispatch it straight from the skies, negating its advantage.

Controlling the board is another effective strategy. Spells that alter combat conditions or deplete the opponent’s resources can force the Boreal Griffin to the ground. Consider using Nettle Drone for its tap ability or ground-based creatures with reach like Sentinel Spider to defend against the Griffin’s attacks. Enhancements that hamper flying creatures also come in handy, with cards like Spidersilk Net boosting your defense against airborne assaults.

Lastly, timing is key. Since foretell allows for a delayed play, keeping mana open and instant-speed responses ready can surprise an opponent relying on the Boreal Griffin’s sudden appearance. With proper preparation and reactive tactics, this majestic creature can be overcome, maintaining control over the game flow.

Cards like Boreal Griffin

Exploring the frost-bitten landscapes of Magic: The Gathering, Boreal Griffin stands out as a notable creature for its flying and vigilance, much like the ever-popular Serra Angel. While Serra Angel boasts superior strength and the same two key abilities, Boreal Griffin offers a different strategic advantage with its lesser mana cost and the ability to be splashed into decks due to its single white mana requirement in its casting cost.

Looking at creatures with a similar chill, Frost Lynx also freezes opponents in their tracks, but instead of flying, it taps a target creature when entering the battlefield. Boreal Griffin, by contrast, maintains aerial superiority and perpetual preparedness for both offense and defense. Another icy contender is the Chillbringer, yet another creature with a temporary disabling entry effect. However, Boreal Griffin’s enduring vigilance often makes it the preferred winged guardian for players valuing consistent combat presence.

In summary, while Boreal Griffin may not soar as high in raw power as some counterparts, its blend of flying, vigilance, and lower mana cost solidifies its place amidst the ranks of a midrange deck’s airborne arsenal in Magic: The Gathering.

Cards similar to Boreal Griffin by color, type and mana cost

Enduring Angel // Angelic Enforcer - MTG Card versions

Celestial Gatekeeper - MTG Card versions

Kiyomaro, First to Stand - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Boreal Griffin MTG card by a specific set like Coldsnap, 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 Boreal Griffin and other MTG cards: