Windborn Muse MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 13 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Spirit
Abilities Flying
Power 2
Toughness 3

Key Takeaways

  1. Its deterrent effect leads to a passive card advantage, protecting your hand and board state.
  2. Slows opponents, indirectly boosting your mana allocation for a stronger game plan.
  3. While not a mana accelerator, it impedes opponents’ instant speed plays during combat.

Text of card

Flying Creatures can't attack you unless their controller pays for each creature attacking you. (This cost is paid as attackers are declared.)

"Her voice is justice, clear and relentless." —Akroma, angelic avenger


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Windborn Muse doesn’t directly draw cards, but its presence on the board is a form of advantage. The Muse deters opponents from attacking, often keeping your hand and board state intact for longer periods. This can lead to a qualitative card advantage as your resources are preserved while you continue to make land drops and play spells.

Resource Acceleration: While the Windborn Muse does not accelerate your mana, its ability can slow down opponents by making attacks cost-prohibitive. This indirect resource acceleration ensures that you can allocate more of your mana towards your own game plan, rather than defending against incoming threats.

Instant Speed: Though Windborn Muse is a creature that must be cast at sorcery speed, its ability has relevance at instant speed. Since players must pay the additional mana whenever they attack, this can interfere with their ability to play instants or activated abilities during combat, potentially leading to more favorable exchanges for you during the entirety of the turn cycle.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Windborn Muse does not directly require a discard to play, but its defensive ability often beckons for card synergy that can lead to hand depletion. Building around its effect might force you to discard other valuable cards to sustain a protective strategy.

Specific Mana Cost: This card’s casting cost demands two white mana, making it somewhat restrictive. Decks without a solid white mana base or those playing multiple colors might struggle to cast Windborn Muse consistently and on curve.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: At a total of four mana, Windborn Muse can be seen as a hefty investment for its static ability. With numerous cards available that deter attackers for a lower cost or offer additional benefits, this card may feel costly when considering your options during deck construction.


Reasons to Include Windborn Muse in Your Collection

Versatility: Windborn Muse is a card that commands respect in a range of deck builds. Its consistent defensive ability can be an asset in both aggressive and control strategies. This white spirit fits easily into flying-themed decks or any build that seeks a strong defensive creature with the added bonus of deterrence.

Combo Potential: Beyond its standalone value, Windborn Muse synergizes well with strategies aimed at restricting opponent’s options, pairing nicely with other taxing effects to control the pace of the game. Its taxing effect can set up advantageous board states that can be exploited for victory.

Meta-Relevance: Given that creature-heavy strategies are common in many metas, the Muse can serve as an essential piece in the puzzle, slowing down swarming tactics and protecting your life total. This makes it a relevant addition to any player looking to counter popular aggressive strategies.


How to Beat

Windborn Muse presents a unique challenge for players with its ability to dictate the flow of combat with its ‘ghostly prison’ effect. To effectively navigate past this enchanting creature, one must consider strategies that circumvent traditional combat. Direct damage spells, abilities that target creatures or players, or spells that can remove Windborn Muse without needing to attack are your best bet. Consider using efficient removal spells, such as Murder or Path to Exile, to deal with the Muse swiftly.

Alternatively, employing creatures with abilities that trigger without engaging in combat can mitigate the Muse’s control. Creatures with ‘tap’ abilities or those that deal damage without attacking, like Prodigal Pyromancer, allow you to conserve resources while influencing the board. Another strategy is using enchantment removal like Disenchant to bypass the Muse’s costly toll, freeing your creatures to attack as they please.

Finally, remember that Windborn Muse is not invincible. It can be countered upon casting if your deck supports counterspells, or you can use board wipes to reset the playing field. Adaptability is key, and with the right mix of strategy and card selection, the Muse’s influence can be just a fleeting breeze in your game plan.


BurnMana Recommendations

Strategizing in MTG goes beyond just casting spells; it’s about constructing a deck that truly reflects your style and outmaneuvers the competition. With Windborn Muse, you possess a multifaceted card that not only guards against incoming assaults but also harmonizes with a myriad of strategic plays. Aware of its strengths and potential drawbacks, adapting your collection to include the Muse can be a game-changer. We encourage you to delve deeper into the strategic implications of Windborn Muse and similar cards to refine your deck. Not just a mere piece on the board, this card might be your key to triumph. Explore our insights and segue into more informed gameplay with BurnMana.


Cards like Windborn Muse

Windborn Muse is a unique creature card in Magic: The Gathering that brings a distinct strategic advantage to the battlefield. Comparable to the iconic Ghostly Prison, it requires opponents to pay an additional two mana to attack you with each creature, essentially serving as a Ghostly Prison on wings. Unlike the enchantment, however, Windborn Muse can also defend in the air with a solid 2/3 body.

Another similar card is Sphere of Safety, which escalates the cost to attack depending on the number of enchantments you control. While potentially more restrictive, it lacks the immediacy of the Muse’s impact or its ability to contribute to your offensive tactics. Windborn Muse also shares its preventive essence with Propaganda, a blue card notorious for deterring attacks in the same vein, but again, as a non-creature enchantment, it can’t participate as a combatant.

Analysing the capabilities and versatility of Windborn Muse as a creature and a defensive measure, it emerges as a substantial choice for players who prefer active and multipurpose defenses in their Magic: The Gathering decks.

Ghostly Prison - MTG Card versions
Sphere of Safety - MTG Card versions
Propaganda - MTG Card versions
Ghostly Prison - Champions of Kamigawa (CHK)
Sphere of Safety - Return to Ravnica (RTR)
Propaganda - Tempest (TMP)

Cards similar to Windborn Muse by color, type and mana cost

Northern Paladin - MTG Card versions
Moorish Cavalry - MTG Card versions
Witch Hunter - MTG Card versions
Carrier Pigeons - MTG Card versions
Tormented Angel - MTG Card versions
Seasoned Marshal - MTG Card versions
Coalition Honor Guard - MTG Card versions
Teroh's Vanguard - MTG Card versions
Mangara, the Diplomat - MTG Card versions
Akroma's Devoted - MTG Card versions
Leonin Abunas - MTG Card versions
Kami of Old Stone - MTG Card versions
Aven Cloudchaser - MTG Card versions
Blinking Spirit - MTG Card versions
Seht's Tiger - MTG Card versions
Valor - MTG Card versions
Veteran of the Depths - MTG Card versions
Guardian Seraph - MTG Card versions
Lightkeeper of Emeria - MTG Card versions
Cho-Manno, Revolutionary - MTG Card versions
Northern Paladin - Revised Edition (3ED)
Moorish Cavalry - Arabian Nights (ARN)
Witch Hunter - Chronicles (CHR)
Carrier Pigeons - Alliances (ALL)
Tormented Angel - Urza's Destiny (UDS)
Seasoned Marshal - Battle Royale Box Set (BRB)
Coalition Honor Guard - Eternal Masters (EMA)
Teroh's Vanguard - Torment (TOR)
Mangara, the Diplomat - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Akroma's Devoted - Legions (LGN)
Leonin Abunas - Mirrodin (MRD)
Kami of Old Stone - Champions of Kamigawa (CHK)
Aven Cloudchaser - Ninth Edition (9ED)
Blinking Spirit - Ninth Edition (9ED)
Seht's Tiger - Salvat 2005 (PSAL)
Valor - Time Spiral Timeshifted (TSB)
Veteran of the Depths - Lorwyn (LRW)
Guardian Seraph - Magic 2010 (M10)
Lightkeeper of Emeria - Worldwake (WWK)
Cho-Manno, Revolutionary - Salvat 2011 (PS11)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Windborn Muse MTG card by a specific set like Legions and Tenth Edition, 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 Windborn Muse and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Windborn Muse Magic the Gathering card was released in 10 different sets between 2003-02-03 and 2024-02-09. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12003-02-03LegionsLGN 281997normalblackAdam Rex
22007-07-13Tenth Edition10E 602003normalblackAdam Rex
32007-07-13Tenth Edition10E 60★2003normalblackAdam Rex
42011-06-17Commander 2011CMD 382003normalblackAdam Rex
52016-11-11Commander 2016C16 802015normalblackAdam Rex
62020-09-26The ListPLST CMD-382003normalblackAdam Rex
72021-04-23Commander 2021C21 1112015normalblackAdam Rex
82021-11-19Crimson Vow CommanderVOC 1012015normalblackAdam Rex
92023-01-13Dominaria RemasteredDMR 4152015normalborderlessRon Spears
102023-01-13Dominaria RemasteredDMR 362015normalblackAdam Rex
112023-01-13Dominaria RemasteredDMR 2781997normalblackAdam Rex
122023-02-03Phyrexia: All Will Be One CommanderONC 912015normalblackAdam Rex
132024-02-09Murders at Karlov Manor CommanderMKC 922015normalblackAdam Rex

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Windborn Muse has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

DateText
2022-12-08 Creatures may still attack planeswalkers you control without their controller paying a cost.

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