Daraja Griffin MTG Card

The ability to filter cards with Daraja Griffin ensures a well-stocked hand throughout the game. Its reasonable mana cost aides in deploying threats earlier, maintaining in-game pace. Vigilance allows it to be a deterrent while attacking, maximizing offensive and defensive plays.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Griffin
Abilities Flying
Power 2
Toughness 2

Text of card

Flying Sacrifice Daraja Griffin: Destroy target black creature.

"And the flamingos said, 'Get out of our nest—we can't be seen with the likes of you!' So, the griffin ate them." —Azeworai, "The Ugly Bird"

Cards like Daraja Griffin

The Daraja Griffin offers a strategic advantage in Magic: The Gathering with its unique interplay of flying and protection from red. It bears functional similarities with the Aven Squire, another winged creature that provides a boost to offense with exalted. However, the Daraja Griffin shines in its ability to nullify red threats, a safeguard that Aven Squire doesn’t possess.

Another card worth comparing is the Abbey Griffin, which also has flying and vigilance. This likeness in abilities implies both creatures can attack without tapping, yet Daraja Griffin stands out with its protective capabilities against one of the game’s most common damage sources. Moreover, Abbey Griffin requires four mana, whereas Daraja Griffin asks for three, potentially offering a quicker presence on the battlefield.

To encapsulate, the Daraja Griffin presents an effective mix of dexterity and defense. When pondering creature choices for a deck that requires aerial control and resilience against red assaults, the Daraja Griffin could very well be a compelling option, outshining others with its balanced cost and specialized protection.

Aven Squire - MTG Card versions
Abbey Griffin - MTG Card versions
Aven Squire - MTG Card versions
Abbey Griffin - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Daraja Griffin brings a strategic edge with its ability to provide card filtering. While it doesn’t directly draw you additional cards, it does allow you to cycle through your deck more efficiently, ensuring that you keep your hand stocked with useful spells or creatures as the match progresses.

Resource Acceleration: This card doesn’t directly generate mana or treasures, but its cost-effective casting can help you maintain a pace with your opponents, letting you deploy more significant threats sooner. The key in Magic the Gathering is balancing your resources, and Daraja Griffin occupies a sweet spot by offering a good effect for a reasonable investment of mana.

Instant Speed: Although Daraja Griffin doesn’t operate at instant speed, its vigilance ability means it can act as a deterrent during your opponent’s turn. By being able to attack without tapping, Daraja Griffin keeps up the pressure while leaving your defenses ready, optimizing your resource allocation between offense and defense.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Playing Daraja Griffin often entails discarding another card, which can impede your hand advantage, particularly if your reservoire of cards is already dwindling.

Specific Mana Cost: Summoning this creature requires white mana, making it less flexible for decks that are not centered around or support white mana strategies.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana value that’s on the steeper side, Daraja Griffin might lag behind in terms of tempo, especially when pitted against other options at similar mana points that may provide more impactful board presence or abilities.

Reasons to Include Daraja Griffin in Your Collection

Versatility: Daraja Griffin is a flexible option for many deck builds, fitting seamlessly into strategies that require flying creatures or those looking to benefit from its protection from black ability.

Combo Potential: This card can synergize with various deck themes, particularly those revolving around creature buffs and evasion tactics, giving you an edge by maintaining an unblockable presence against black creatures.

Meta-Relevance: As black-heavy decks circulate within the game, Daraja Griffin’s innate protection trait becomes increasingly valuable, offering a sturdy defense and consistent attacking opportunities within such a meta environment.

How to beat Daraja Griffin

Daraja Griffin presents a unique challenge in the skies with its flying ability, standing as a formidable foe for any grounded creature. To successfully combat it, understanding its capabilities is key. As a creature that can gain vigilance by merely tapping a white mana, planning a strategic blockade is crucial.

Removal spells are your allies here, particularly those that can bypass its flying advantage. Consider spells like Fatal Push or Cast Down, which can dispose of the Griffin without the need for aerial combat. Enchantments that reduce the creature’s abilities, such as Pacifism, can effectively nullify the Griffin’s threat without permanent removal.

Another method is employing creatures with reach or those that can also fly to level the aerial playing field. When you manage to match or surpass the Griffin’s strength in the air, it loses much of its strategic edge. In essence, maintaining control of the board and keeping removal options at the ready are your best tactics to ensure the Daraja Griffin doesn’t dominate the game.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Daraja Griffin MTG card by a specific set like Visions and Classic Sixth 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 Daraja Griffin and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Daraja Griffin Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1997-02-03 and 1999-04-21. Illustrated by Stuart Griffin.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11997-02-03VisionsVIS 21997NormalBlackStuart Griffin
21999-04-21Classic Sixth Edition6ED 141997NormalWhiteStuart Griffin

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Daraja Griffin has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal