Second Wind MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Enchantment — Aura
Abilities	Enchant
Released	2007-05-04
Set symbol
Set name	Future Sight
Set code	FUT
Number	57
Frame	future
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Matt Stewart

Key Takeaways

Second Wind’s instant-speed ability enhances flexibility and disruption potential during gameplay.
Limited mainly to blue decks, Second Wind requires strategic mana investment and planning.
The card’s versatility extends beyond standard gameplay, holding potential for intricate combos.

Text of card

Enchant creature : Tap enchanted creature. : Untap enchanted creature.

Vindr stormchasers believe that the same ancient forces that move the winds can also move mortal minds and hearts.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Second Wind allows for repeated untapping of a tapped creature, which can be a pivotal ability that generates card advantage by making the most out of your creatures every turn.

Resource Acceleration: By constantly untapping a creature with abilities that produce mana or other resources, Second Wind aids in resource acceleration, contributing to a faster development of your board state.

Instant Speed: The virtue of acting at instant speed grants you the flexibility to disrupt your opponent’s strategies during their turn and optimize your own tactics on the fly without losing tempo.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Second Wind obliges players to discard a card to untap the targeted creature. This cost can deplete your hand, potentially leaving you without crucial options in pivotal game moments.

Specific Mana Cost: With Second Wind requiring one blue and two generic mana, it restricts playability mainly to blue decks or those with a reliable mana base, potentially limiting the card’s versatility across various deck archetypes.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: At a total of three mana for a single untap action, Second Wind might be less effective than other cheaper alternatives. Given that the untapped creature might not always influence the board significantly, this cost can be steep, especially in fast-paced games.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Second Wind offers the unique ability to untap a tapped creature at a moment’s notice. This flexibility means it can be incorporated across various deck archetypes, allowing for defensive maneuvers or enabling additional attacks during a single turn.

Combo Potential: As a piece of numerous combos, Second Wind can pair with creatures that have tap abilities for potentially unlimited uses. Moreover, it unlocks synergies with cards that respond to tapping and untapping, adding layers of strategy to your gameplay.

Meta-Relevance: In a metagame dense with aggressive decks, Second Wind serves as a countermeasure, offering the ability to repeatedly block opponents’ threats. Its capacity to adapt and function under different game conditions makes it a card to consider for your collection during fluctuating meta shifts.

How to beat

Overcoming Second Wind requires understanding its place as a unique enchantment in the world of card manipulation. Operating differently from typical card-drawing magic, Second Wind doesn’t so much benefit from a wealth of cards but instead relies on the strategic tapping of creatures. Where draw spells accumulate resources, Second Wind serves as a repeatable way to control the battlefield tempo.

Taking down this enchantment can be approached by deploying spot removals or enchantment destruction spells, turning the tide of control back in your favor. Naturalize, for example, serves as a valuable and cost-effective tool to instantly dismantle the enchantment. Additionally, capably managing your creature threats to minimize the value received from Second Wind’s ability can severely dampen its impact, preserving your creatures from becoming perpetual targets. Counterspells are also a prudent choice, cutting off the opportunity for Second Wind to hit the board altogether.

Ultimately, the card’s strength is in its persistent lockdown capabilities. Neutralizing these with well-timed removal or prevention tactics keeps the flow of the game in balance and maintains momentum on your side of the battlefield.

Cards like Second Wind

Exploring the synergies of untap spells in Magic: The Gathering reveals Second Wind as a niche but valuable piece in any player’s arsenal. It finds kinship with cards like Twiddle, which also has the ability to tap or untap a single target. However, what makes Second Wind standout is its flexibility, granting the option to untap at the end of each turn with an enchantment staying power on the battlefield.

On closer inspection, we encounter cards like Freed from the Real, enabling more control by providing the untap ability as an activated effect for a single blue mana. While not an enchantment, it offers a more surgical precision in utility. Conversely, cards like Pemmin’s Aura share a strong similarity with Second Wind as they both serve as enchantments engaging with the untap mechanic, but Pemmin’s Aura offers additional protective abilities that can shield creatures from targeted spells.

Within Second Wind’s domain of untapping permanents, it asserts a unique position by blending recurring utility with enchantment resilience. It’s an unassuming yet potent tool, particularly in decks where consistent untapping can unlock infinite combos or generate overwhelming value over the course of a game.

Cards similar to Second Wind by color, type and mana cost

Threads of Disloyalty - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Second Wind MTG card by a specific set like Future Sight, 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 Second Wind and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Second Wind has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Modern	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal
Penny	Legal

Rules and information

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