Heavenly Qilin MTG Card

Treasure Chest (PZ2)
2016-11-16 - Number 70827

Heavenly Qilin - Global Series Jiang Yanggu & Mu Yanling (GS1)

Global Series Jiang Yanggu & Mu Yanling (GS1)
2018-06-22 - Number 6

Card sets	Released in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Kirin
Abilities	Flying
Power	2
Toughness	2

Key Takeaways

Grants continuous card advantage and can escalate deck performance with each combat.
Tactical advantage through mana-free creature deployment, enhancing board presence efficiently.
Its ability mimics instant speed, offering surprise combatants or defenders unpredictably.

Text of card

Flying (This creature can't be blocked except by creatures with flying or reach.) Whenever Heavenly Qilin attacks, another target creature you control gains flying until end of turn.

It strides through the universe as though stepping on the stars, crossing freely between the celestial and earthly worlds.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Heavenly Qilin brings unique benefits to the game table by setting the stage for a continuous card advantage. Once this card is played, it can effectively upgrade your hand with each attack, mobilizing new creatures from the top of your deck directly to the battlefield.

Resource Acceleration: The resource acceleration potential of Heavenly Qilin lies in its ability to cheat mana costs. Deploying creatures without paying their mana cost not only boosts your board presence but also leaves your mana reservoir unspent, ready to respond to opponents’ moves or further develop your strategy.

Instant Speed: While Heavenly Qilin itself is not an instant, its triggered ability garners a form of tactical swiftness by immediately putting creatures into play during combat. This effectively circumvents the usual timing restrictions, giving you the power to surprise opponents with new attackers or blockers in a way akin to instant speed maneuvers.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Heavenly Qilin comes with an activation cost that includes discarding a card. This stipulation can be a significant setback, particularly in tight situations where card advantage is crucial. Holding onto key cards while fulfilling the discard requirement can be a tough balance to strike, and can sometimes halt your momentum.

Specific Mana Cost: Deck builders also need to account for Heavenly Qilin’s specific mana cost. It demands a certain combination of mana types, which could potentially constrain the card to decks that can reliably produce those mana colors. This can make it less versatile when planning a diverse strategy that spans multiple colors.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: When it comes to mana efficiency, Heavenly Qilin might not always be the most economical choice. The mana cost associated with this card is substantial and when compared to other options available in the same casting bracket, players may find that there are alternatives offering a similar or greater impact without the sizable mana investment.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Heavenly Qilin is a flexible card, capable of adapting to various playstyles. Its ability to give a creature flying can be critical for evasive strategies and helps establish air superiority no matter the deck theme.

Combo Potential: The celestial mount can seamlessly integrate into decks looking to capitalize on creature spells and abilities. Summoning creatures that can benefit from gaining flying or triggering enter-the-battlefield abilities could lead to game-changing combos.

Meta-Relevance: In a metagame where blockers on the ground are dominant, Heavenly Qilin can give key creatures the advantage of flight. This can be particularly useful to bypass crowded battlefields and press the advantage when combat in the skies is less contested.

How to beat

Heavenly Qilin is a unique creature card that strides into the vibrant realm of Magic: The Gathering with an air of serenity, yet a potent tactical ability. This card, often found in spirit and flying-focused decks, grants your creatures a significant boost every time it attacks, offering a subtle yet effective means to tip the scales in your favor. How, then, can one navigate against this celestial steed’s influence?

Dealing with Heavenly Qilin starts with understanding its mechanism— it bolsters a single creature through its triggered ability. Removing the Qilin before it attacks is a straightforward strategy, employing removal spells that can target creatures regardless of their evasion abilities. In the realm of blue spells, counters like Counterspell or Essence Scatter can prevent it from entering the battlefield altogether. Turning to red, direct damage spells like Lightning Bolt offer a swift end to the Qilin’s journey. Additionally, don’t underestimate board control with sweepers; cards like Wrath of God ensure an even playing field, dismissing all creatures, celestial or otherwise, from the game. Timing and sharp responses are key in mitigating the Qilin’s heavenly ascent and ensuring your victory.

Cards like Heavenly Qilin

Heavenly Qilin is a distinct creature within Magic: The Gathering, sharing traits with other cards that bolster the power of your creatures as they enter the battlefield. One such card is Serra Angel, a card that shares the flying ability but caters to a differently paced manner of gameplay with vigilance and a higher cost. The Heavenly Qilin, though less powerful in terms of individual stats, allows other creatures to get an advantage on the battlefield with its power to grant a +1/+1 counter upon attacking.

Another comparison can be drawn with Stormfront Pegasus. While the key strengths of Stormfront Pegasus lie in its accessibility and early game presence due to its lower casting cost and decent power for a two-mana flyer, it lacks the ability to support other creatures in the way Heavenly Qilin can. It’s this communal aspect of empowering subsequent creatures that makes Heavenly Qilin a unique option for players looking to capitalize on synergy over raw power.

In the landscape of cards that offer both flying and supportive abilities, Heavenly Qilin offers a blend of aerial threat and accumulative gain in advantage. It may not have the standalone impact of larger flyers or the immediate boost of some aura spells, but its ability to continuously bolster your forces can accumulate into a significant threat over time.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Heavenly Qilin MTG card by a specific set like Treasure Chest and Global Series Jiang Yanggu & Mu Yanling, 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 Heavenly Qilin and other MTG cards: