Cyclone Sire MTG Card


Cyclone Sire provides board advantage by turning lands into threats after its departure. Animating extra lands to creatures maximizes resource utility and maintains pressure. Surprise interactions are possible since its ability can trigger during any turn.
Cyclone Sire - Oath of the Gatewatch
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Elemental
Abilities Flying
Released2016-01-22
Set symbol
Set nameOath of the Gatewatch
Set codeOGW
Power 3
Toughness 4
Number54
Frame2015
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byIgor Kieryluk

Text of card

Flying When Cyclone Sire dies, you may put three +1/+1 counters on target land you control. If you do, that land becomes a 0/0 Elemental creature with haste that's still a land.

The rampaging Roil creates life out of the most volatile elements.


Cards like Cyclone Sire

Cyclone Sire is an intriguing card within the Magic: The Gathering ecosystem that offers players a unique advantage upon meeting its conditions. Its ability to bring a land card back as a 3/3 creature upon death is somewhat reminiscent of cards like Embodiment of Insight, which also animates lands into creatures, albeit under different circumstances. Cyclone Sire activates its ability as part of the last gasp rather than as an ongoing effect, unlike the Embodiment.

Roil Elemental shares its elemental type with Cyclone Sire and also has a powerful land-related ability. It focuses on stealing opponents’ creatures momentarily with landfall triggers, which presents a different strategic avenue. While Roil Elemental can shift the board’s power balance during the game, Cyclone Sire’s impact, turns a land into a creature, providing a lasting effect after it leaves the battlefield.

Evaluating them side by side, Cyclone Sire holds its own in situations where creature resilience is valued and you’re able to recover from board wipes or removals, adding a layer of complexity to the game. It showcases the diversity found in Magic: The Gathering and offers players a distinct tactical edge in the right deck.

Embodiment of Insight - MTG Card versions
Roil Elemental - MTG Card versions
Embodiment of Insight - MTG Card versions
Roil Elemental - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: When Cyclone Sire meets its demise, its ability to turn a land into a 3/3 Elemental creature means not only replacing itself on the battlefield but also potentially providing another threat. This transition from a creature to a land-driven token can maintain pressure on your opponent without dipping into your hand resources.

Resource Acceleration: Cyclone Sire’s ability to animate a land doesn’t just add a creature to the board; it can transform any nonessential land, like an extra Island, into a potent threat. This can be particularly valuable when you’re in need of board presence, effectively allowing you to make the most out of every resource at your disposal.

Instant Speed: Although Cyclone Sire itself doesn’t operate at instant speed, its ability triggers upon its death, which can happen at any time, including during your opponent’s turn. This can lead to advantageous surprise blocks or unexpected pressure, effectively making the Sire’s influence felt even when it’s no longer on the board.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Cyclone Sire offers a powerful effect, one of its drawbacks is the necessity to discard another card if you want to leverage its ability to its full extent. This can be a strategic pitfall, especially in situations where your hand is already diminished, and every card counts.

Specific Mana Cost: Cyclone Sire demands a commitment to blue mana. Its specific cost of two blue and three other mana makes it less flexible, particularly in multicolored decks that might struggle with color consistency to cast it on time.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of five mana, Cyclone Sire can be a hefty investment, especially considering that there are alternatives in the game with similar or more impactful effects for less mana. This can cause it to be overlooked in favor of cards that offer a greater return on investment, thus affecting its viability in fast-paced matches.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Cyclone Sire functions well within decks that leverage the power of the wind or water, as well as those that have a focus on flying creatures. Its ability to convert into a land that provides a considerable boost in mana upon death makes it a flexible addition to any collection.

Combo Potential: With the right setup, Cyclone Sire’s ability to turn lands into 4/4 Elementals upon death can be used strategically to enhance board presence. Pair it with cards that sacrifice for benefits or land recursion strategies to maximize its potential.

Meta-Relevance: Given its substantial presence as a 3/4 flyer for five mana, Cyclone Sire can be particularly effective in a meta that’s light on flyers, or where the ability to quickly and consistently ramp up mana can outpace opponents, giving you the upper hand.


How to beat Cyclone Sire

Overcoming Cyclone Sire, a potent force in the air within MTG, requires a well-planned strategy. This creature benefits from the when it dies mechanic, turning lands into 3/3 creatures and potentially altering the battlefield. To counter this, instant speed removal before the land transformation can negate the advantage. Counter spells also serve as a protection against its casting, bypassing the threat entirely.

Additionally, graveyard manipulation can be key. By exiling the Cyclone Sire from the graveyard or utilizing graveyard hate cards such as Rest in Peace, its ability can be rendered ineffective. Board wipes are also effective, clearing both Cyclone Sire and any lands that have become creatures. Strategic play and mindful use of removal can ensure Cyclone Sire’s impact is nothing but a passing storm.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Cyclone Sire MTG card by a specific set like Oath of the Gatewatch, 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 Cyclone Sire and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Cyclone Sire has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2016-01-22 If you target a land that’s already a creature with Cyclone Sire’s triggered ability, that land creature’s base power and toughness will become 0/0, overwriting its previous base power and toughness. Other effects that modify its power and/or toughness (including the new and any previously-existing +1/+1 counters) will continue to apply.