Griffin Guide MTG Card
2006-10-06 - Number 21
2011-04-01 - Number 33
2011-09-02 - Number 25
2013-09-06 - Number 28
2021-03-19 - Number 19
2023-01-13 - Number 8
| Card sets | Released in 6 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Enchantment — Aura |
| Abilities | Enchant |
Text of card
Enchant creature Enchanted creature gets +2/+2 and has flying. When enchanted creature is put into a graveyard, put a 2/2 white Griffin creature token with flying into play.
Cards like Griffin Guide
Griffin Guide is an intriguing enchantment in MTG that elevates creatures to new heights. What sets it apart is the ability it endows: not only does the enchanted creature get a boost with +2/+2 and gains flying, but upon its death, a 2/2 white Griffin creature token with flying also comes into play. In comparison to other aura cards like Spectra Ward, which also grants a considerable power increase and protection from all colors, Griffin Guide shines for offering an additional creature upon the enchanted creature’s demise.
Looking at cards such as Hyena Umbra, which also provides a power boost and the totem armor ability, Griffin Guide’s uniqueness becomes apparent—the additional flying creature it generates adds potential for extended board presence. Then we turn to Flight of Fancy, which grants flying and draws two cards upon entering the battlefield. While Flight of Fancy is immense for card advantage, it lacks the endurance and lasting board impact provided by Griffin Guide’s token creation feature.
In weighing these options, it’s clear that Griffin Guide holds a special place among enchantments in MTG, balancing immediate strength with long-term strategic advantage. Its combined value of aerial offense and resilience through token creation can be a game-changer, making it a card worth considering in decks that benefit from persistent board presence.
Cards similar to Griffin Guide by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Griffin Guide provides a significant boon to your aerial offense, giving a creature a substantial power and toughness boost. When the enchanted creature meets its demise, Griffin Guide goes the extra mile by granting you a 2/2 Griffin creature token with flying, ensuring that your board presence and card advantage are maintained even after a loss.
Resource Acceleration: While Griffin Guide itself does not provide a direct form of mana or resource acceleration, the presence of the Griffin token can influence the board state by offering an additional attacker or blocker. This can indirectly accelerate your game plan by preserving your life total or by applying pressure on your opponent, forcing them to deal with multiple threats.
Instant Speed: Griffin Guide enhances your strategy with its enchantment speed capability. In MTG, timing your plays wisely can shift the balance of a game. Though not at instant speed, properly timing the casting of Griffin Guide can significantly disrupt your opponent’s calculations by unexpectedly bolstering a creature’s power, potentially creating favorable combat scenarios or surprise lethal attacks.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Griffin Guide necessitates the relinquishing of another card in hand which can prove to be a substantial setback, particularly in the late game where maintaining card advantage is crucial.
Specific Mana Cost: With a casting prerequisite of two white mana, Griffin Guide can be restrictive as it demands a heavy commitment to white mana sources, potentially limiting deck-building flexibility and making it challenging to include in multicolored strategies.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Boasting a casting cost of three mana, this enchantment could be considered burdensome when juxtaposed with other aura alternatives that grant not only flying but additional bonuses at a lower mana commitment, hence potentially reducing its appeal in decks focusing on mana curve efficiency.
Reasons to Include Griffin Guide in Your Collection
Versatility: Griffin Guide offers a dual benefit of enhancing a creature’s abilities and providing an additional threat upon the enchanted creature’s demise. It’s a valuable asset in decks aiming to maintain board presence.
Combo Potential: When paired with creatures that have enter-the-battlefield effects or sacrificing synergies, this enchantment can become a repetitive engine for Griffin creation, turning every creature into a potential two-for-one.
Meta-Relevance: With the shifting nature of deck archetypes, having a card that can serve multiple roles is crucial. Griffin Guide’s ability to adapt to aggressive, combo, and creature-based strategies makes it a relevant choice in various meta environments.
How to beat
Griffin Guide is an enchantment aura that boosts its host with enhanced abilities in the realm of MTG. Attached to a creature, it grants a significant power and toughness increase, and upon the enchanted creature’s demise, it creates a Griffin creature token. This card potentially generates a two-for-one advantage, making it critical to have a strategy for overcoming it.
To effectively counter Griffin Guide, one must manage both the enchanted creature and the resulting token. Instant removal spells that can disrupt the enchantment before the creature’s death are a tactician’s best tool—eliminating the threat before it can multiply. Cards like Disenchant that can directly target and eliminate auras also serve as a perfect answer by nullifying Griffin Guide’s effect outright. Furthermore, board wipes can sweep both creatures and tokens simultaneously, thus leaving your opponent without the added benefits Griffin Guide provides.
Overcoming the challenges posed by Griffin Guide requires both forethought and the right mix of cards. By incorporating versatile removal or employing board control tactics, players can prevent the Guide from soaring to its full potential, keeping the aerial threat firmly grounded.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Griffin Guide MTG card by a specific set like Time Spiral and Duel Decks: Knights vs. Dragons, 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 Griffin Guide and other MTG cards:
BUY NOW BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
- eBay
- 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 MTG Products
Printings
The Griffin Guide Magic the Gathering card was released in 6 different sets between 2006-10-06 and 2023-01-13. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2006-10-06 | Time Spiral | TSP | 21 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Jim Nelson | |
| 2 | 2011-04-01 | Duel Decks: Knights vs. Dragons | DDG | 33 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Jim Nelson | |
| 3 | 2011-09-02 | Duel Decks: Ajani vs. Nicol Bolas | DDH | 25 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Jim Nelson | |
| 4 | 2013-09-06 | Duel Decks: Heroes vs. Monsters | DDL | 28 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Johann Bodin | |
| 5 | 2021-03-19 | Time Spiral Remastered | TSR | 19 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jim Nelson | |
| 6 | 2023-01-13 | Dominaria Remastered | DMR | 8 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jim Nelson |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Griffin Guide 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 Griffin Guide card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2022-12-08 | If Griffin Guide and the enchanted creature go to the graveyard at the same time, Griffin Guide’s last ability will trigger. |