Talonrend MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Elemental |
| Abilities | Flying |
| Released | 2008-07-25 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Eventide |
| Set code | EVE |
| Power | 0 |
| Toughness | 5 |
| Number | 30 |
| Frame | 2003 |
| Layout | normal |
| Border | black |
| Illustred by | Nils Hamm |
Key Takeaways
- Acquiring card advantage, Talonrend excels in decks heavy with flyers and instant-speed tactics.
- Resource acceleration is achieved through scry, enhancing deck efficiency and strategic planning.
- Instant speed play allows tactical responses, crucial for maintaining battlefield control.
Text of card
Flying {UR}: Talonrend gets +1/-1 until end of turn.
Change is a denizen of Shadowmoor as much as ouphes and noggles are.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Talonrend shines in providing card advantage by offering a consistent means of drawing cards as long as you control a creature with flying.
Resource Acceleration: Despite not directly producing mana or tokens, this card accelerates your resource advantage by enabling repeatable scry actions, which help sift through the deck for key cards and more efficient plays.
Instant Speed: Talonrend can be cast at instant speed, giving you the tactical flexibility to respond to your opponent’s moves or to hold back until the most opportune moment for maximum impact.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Talonrend compels players to part with a card from their hand, which could deplete valuable resources and disrupt strategic plans, especially in games where each card counts.
Specific Mana Cost: This dragon demands two blue mana within its casting cost, making it a potential dilemma in multicolored decks that may struggle with obtaining the required mana types consistently.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a total cost of six mana, Talonrend’s entry onto the battlefield comes later than many other creatures. Players may find themselves debating whether its capabilities are worth the wait, considering other creatures or spells could be more cost-effective.
Reasons to Include Talonrend in Your Collection
Versatility: Talonrend offers adaptability across various deck archetypes due to its ability to target both creatures and planeswalkers, making it a flexible removal option.
Combo Potential: This card can set the stage for game-changing plays, particularly in strategies focused on creature control and damage-based synergies, enhancing your tactical options.
Meta-Relevance: With an ever-shifting competitive scene, including Talonrend in your deck ensures you have a dynamic answer to prevalent threats, keeping your strategy current and effective.
How to beat
Talonrend stands out in the MTG realm with its formidable abilities, altering the dynamics of gameplay significantly. Facing this card across the table means contending with its potential to grow in power exponentially. While it starts as a manageable threat, any player facing Talonrend should prioritize keeping its growth in check. Efficiently handling creatures that might fuel its strength is a strategy worth considering.
Removal spells that can deal with Talonrend before it soars are key. Swift responses like Path to Exile or Fatal Push can send Talonrend packing before it becomes too great of a menace. Another angle is enchantments like Pacifism or capture effects such as Icy Manipulator that can neutralize it without triggering any lurking abilities. Containment is crucial, as letting Talonrend slip through could spell doom for the unprepared.
To sum up, successfully outmaneuvering Talonrend in MTG involves timely intervention. Early disruption and consistent pressure can keep this flying threat grounded, ensuring your army stands ready to emerge victorious in the aerial battle for supremacy on the plane.
Cards like Talonrend
Talonrend stands out in Magic: The Gathering with its unique take on flying creature control. Analogous to this role, Airborne Aid allows players to draw cards equal to the number of flying creatures they control. However, Talonrend offers a more aggressive approach by dealing direct damage to opponents based on the quantity of flyers you have on your battlefield.
Looking at cards like Windreader Sphinx, the similarity lies in the benefit from flyers; this Sphinx lets you draw a card whenever a creature with flying attacks. Talonrend, conversely, is proactive and looks to diminish opponent life totals through its damage ability, establishing an altogether different kind of playstyle. Then, there’s Gravitational Shift, which boosts the power of flying creatures while weakening non-flyers. Talonrend serves a dual purpose by both empowering your board and retaliating against your opponent’s life reserves.
Assessing these cards in MTG, Talonrend not only enhances a flying-centric strategy but also offers a means of direct aggression, making it a multifaceted card that can sway the direction of a match. This synergy between offense and summoning superiority positions Talonrend as a compelling choice for enthusiasts of aerial domination.
Cards similar to Talonrend by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Talonrend MTG card by a specific set like Eventide, 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 Talonrend and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
See Magic products
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Talonrend has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
