Talrand, Sky Summoner MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 17 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityRare
TypeLegendary Creature — Merfolk Wizard
Power 2
Toughness 2

Key Takeaways

  1. Talrand excels in converting instants and sorceries into flying Drakelings, enhancing both offense and defense.
  2. Provides board presence boost without extra mana by generating 2/2 flying tokens consistently.
  3. Instant-speed spells synergize with Talrand, generating Drakelings during an opponent’s turn for surprise plays.

Text of card

Whenever you cast an instant or sorcery spell, put a 2/2 blue Drake creature token with flying onto the battlefield.

"The seas are vast, but the skies are even more so. Why be content with one kingdom when I can rule them both?"


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Talrand Sky Summoner enables you to effortlessly grow your hand by transforming every instant or sorcery you cast into a flying Drakeling. These summoned creatures not only bolster your defenses but also serve as a resource to apply pressure or defend against opponents, effectively multiplying the value you get from your spells.

Resource Acceleration: By continuously creating 2/2 Drakeling tokens with flying, you effectively accelerate your board presence without tapping into additional mana resources. These tokens can be used to block threatening creatures or convert spells that would otherwise be one-and-done into lasting advantages on the battlefield.

Instant Speed: Talrand’s ability synergizes perfectly with instant-speed spells, allowing you to remain reactive to your opponent’s moves. Cast spells during their turn to surprise opponents with new Drakelings, creating unexpected blockers or attackers that can shift the momentum of the game in your favor.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Talrand, Sky Summoner doesn’t outright force discard, but its performance is highly reliant on playing a large number of instants or sorceries. This could potentially deplete your hand quickly, leading to a scenario where you’re at a card disadvantage if you run out of ways to refill your hand.

Specific Mana Cost: Talrand requires both blue mana specifically and a total of four mana to cast. The need for blue mana makes it less flexible for multicolored decks that aren’t heavily blue, potentially restricting the decks it can be optimally played in.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: At four mana, the cost to get Talrand on the field is significant, and there can be a delay before you get value from its ability to create Drake tokens. In faster-paced games or formats, this may be too slow, as other lower-cost creatures or spells could provide more immediate impact on the game state.


Reasons to Include Talrand Sky Summoner in Your Collection

Versatility: Talrand, Sky Summoner provides consistent value in decks that hinge on casting a lot of spells. As a 2/2 for four mana that creates 2/2 flying Drakes whenever you cast an instant or sorcery, Talrand can quickly turn the tide of the game by providing both offense and defense.

Combo Potential: Talrand’s ability to produce flying tokens lends itself to numerous combinations, especially with cards that capitalize on the number of creatures you control or those that benefit from spellslinging, such as prowess and storm decks.

Meta-Relevance: Given the persistent presence of spell-heavy decks in various formats, Talrand can be a significant asset in your arsenal, especially in metas where the ability to generate multiple blockers or threats is crucial to outpacing opponents.


How to beat Talrand, Sky Summoner

Talrand, Sky Summoner is a potent Mystic in MTG, becoming a linchpin in decks centered around instants and sorceries. The card shines by generating a 2/2 flying Drake creature token every time an instant or sorcery spell is cast, breathing life into blue Spell-slinger decks. Overcoming Talrand’s drake-producing ability requires a strategy focused on disruption and control.

To disrupt Talrand’s advantage, prioritize removal spells that can eliminate the Summoner before its ability can be utilized, or sweep away the tokens once they’ve been created. Cards like Doom Blade for single targets or Wrath of God for a clean sweep can efficiently clear the battlefield. It’s also effective to include counterspells like Cancel or Essence Scatter to prevent Talrand from ever hitting the board. Additionally, consider leveraging creature abilities that can outpace or neutralize tokens, such as those from larger fliers or creatures with deathtouch. Enchantments with static effects like Cursed Totem can also prevent such abilities from triggering and effectively render Talrand harmless.

In essence, staying ahead in card advantage and board presence, while maintaining the means to respond to Talrand’s ability, is key to handling this MTG mainstay. With a balanced mix of removal, counters, and control elements, you can mitigate the impact of Talrand, Sky Summoner and maintain the upper hand throughout the game.


BurnMana Recommendations

Delving deeper into the world of MTG, Talrand, Sky Summoner emerges as a pivotal card for any spell-centric arsenal, offering both aerial supremacy and card advantage. For those looking to enhance their strategies and gameplay experiences, Talrand is more than just a card—it’s a game-changer. Dive into your deck’s potential by embracing the art of spellslinging with Talrand. Adapt your tactics, fortify your board, and stay a spell ahead of the competition. Are you ready to wield the power of instants and sorceries like never before? Explore further with us and discover how to optimize your deck’s synergy and soar to victory.


Cards like Talrand, Sky Summoner

Talrand, Sky Summoner serves as a keystone in decks that favor spells over creatures, leveraging each instant and sorcery to create 2/2 flying Drake tokens. When examining cards like Metallurgic Summonings, we observe a similar theme of transmuting noncreature spells into tangible threats on the board, albeit the latter creates constructs of varying sizes instead of a consistent stream of flyers.

Docent of Perfection is another kin in this realm of spell-fueled creature production, promising a final form that not only generates 1/1 flying Wizard tokens but also boosts other Wizards. Nevertheless, Talrand remains distinctive with its lower mana cost and focus on aerial assault, foregoing the flexibility of Docent’s creature buffing.

Looking at Rise from the Tides, which converts the number of instants and sorceries gracing your graveyard into an army of 2/2 Zombies, there’s an echo of Talrand’s strategy. Yet, the difference lies in their temporality—Talrand provides a continual source of tokens, while Rise from the Tides banks on a single, often game-ending spectacle.

Assessing their roles, Talrand, Sky Summoner carves its niche by offering consistent airborne pressure, affirming its significance among cards that transform spells into creatures in Magic: The Gathering.

Metallurgic Summonings - MTG Card versions
Rise from the Tides - MTG Card versions
Metallurgic Summonings - Kaladesh Promos (PKLD)
Rise from the Tides - Shadows over Innistrad (SOI)

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Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Talrand, Sky Summoner MTG card by a specific set like Magic 2013 and Commander 2015, 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 Talrand, Sky Summoner and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Talrand, Sky Summoner Magic the Gathering card was released in 14 different sets between 2012-07-13 and 2023-08-04. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12012-07-13Magic 2013M13 722003normalblackSvetlin Velinov
22015-11-13Commander 2015C15 1092015normalblackSvetlin Velinov
32017-03-31Duel Decks: Mind vs. MightDDS 112015normalblackSvetlin Velinov
42018-07-14MTG Arena PromosPANA 1022015normalblackSvetlin Velinov
52018-12-07Ultimate MastersUMA 762015normalblackSvetlin Velinov
62019-08-23Commander 2019C19 972015normalblackSvetlin Velinov
72019-11-07Mystery BoosterMB1 5132015normalblackSvetlin Velinov
82020-04-17Commander 2020C20 1252015normalblackSvetlin Velinov
92020-07-17JumpstartJMP 1812015normalblackSvetlin Velinov
102020-09-26The ListPLST DDS-112015normalblackSvetlin Velinov
112021-03-19Time Spiral RemasteredTSR 3181997normalblackSvetlin Velinov
122021-04-23Commander 2021C21 1312015normalblackSvetlin Velinov
132022-07-08Double Masters 20222X2 4342015normalblackSvetlin Velinov
142022-07-08Double Masters 20222X2 642015normalblackSvetlin Velinov
152023-08-04Commander MastersCMM 1242015normalblackSvetlin Velinov
162023-08-04Commander MastersCMM 6732015normalborderlessTyler Walpole
172023-08-04Commander MastersCMM 4992015normalblackSvetlin Velinov

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Talrand, Sky Summoner has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
CommanderLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
GladiatorLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

DateText
2021-03-19 An ability that triggers when a player casts a spell resolves before the spell that caused it to trigger, but after targets have been chosen for that spell. It resolves even if that spell is countered.

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