Groundling Pouncer MTG Card

Delivers card advantage through combat damage, keeping your hand filled with more strategic options. Enables resource acceleration via land untapping, allowing for casting multiple spells quickly. Instant speed transformation for quick adaptation and unexpected plays against opponents.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Creature — Faerie
Released	2008-07-25
Set symbol
Set name	Eventide
Set code	EVE
Power	2
Toughness	1
Number	154
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Richard Whitters

Text of card

{GW}: Groundling Pouncer gets +1/+3 and gains flying until end of turn. Play this ability only once each turn and only if an opponent controls a creature with flying.

Endry was determined to teach his groundlings a few winged-faerie tricks.

Cards like Groundling Pouncer

Groundling Pouncer finds its niche in the family of MTG creature cards that can instantly change the dynamics on the battlefield. Its most direct comparison might be with cards like Skyknight Legionnaire, which similarly offers a hasty airborne threat. However, Groundling Pouncer excels with its dual modalities, providing flexibility that the Legionnaire doesn’t have – a key tactical advantage in a fast-paced game.

Another card worth considering in tandem with Groundling Pouncer is Pestermite. Both cards share the flying and flash attributes, allowing a player to surprise opponents during combat. Pestermite, while less potent in its base stats, brings the utility of tapping or untapping a permanent, which can be incredibly pivotal in certain board states. Nonetheless, the raw power and adaptability of Groundling Pouncer make it a strong contender in creature deck strategies.

Conclusively, when evaluating swift and adaptable threats among creatures in MTG, Groundling Pouncer’s ability to switch between evasion and power on-the-fly positions it as a card with the potential to command the skies or pounce for lethal damage, situating it as a notable option in its category.

Skyknight Legionnaire - MTG Card versions

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Card Pros

Card Advantage: Groundling Pouncer excels at card advantage by enabling you to potentially draw cards each time it deals combat damage to a player. This aspect of the card keeps your hand full and your options open.

Resource Acceleration: With its ability to untap lands when it transforms, Groundling Pouncer can give you a sudden burst of resource acceleration. This allows for more flexibility and the possibility to cast more spells in a single turn.

Instant Speed: What sets Groundling Pouncer apart is its ability to transform at instant speed. This feature provides strategic depth, allowing you to adapt to the game’s state with precise timing, catching opponents off guard and maximizing your plays.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Groundling Pouncer requires players to discard a card as part of its activation. This can deplete your hand, leaving you with fewer options as the game progresses.

Specific Mana Cost: This card’s mana cost is color-specific, which means it may not seamlessly fit into multicolored decks that struggle with mana fixing or those not tailored to accommodate its green mana requirement.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Taking into account Groundling Pouncer’s abilities in comparison to its mana cost, it can be considered high. There are other creatures available that might provide better value or more impactful abilities for the same, or a lower, mana investment.

Reasons to Include Groundling Pouncer in Your Collection

Versatility: Groundling Pouncer offers a flexible playstyle as it can seamlessly fit into various deck archetypes. It shines in environments where its dual nature as a creature and potential combat trick is most valuable.

Combo Potential: This card can synergize well with abilities that trigger when a creature enters the battlefield or dies, thus potentially unlocking new combo avenues and enhancing existing ones within your deck.

Meta-Relevance: As the game ebbs and flows, Groundling Pouncer can be particularly impactful against decks that struggle to deal with quick and evasive creatures, making it a timely addition to your collection in the right meta.

How to beat

Groundling Pouncer is a unique creature card that can cause quite a stir within Magic: The Gathering matches. This card stands out with its ability to switch between a potent ground attacker and a flying deterrent. However, as with any card in MTG, there are strategies to overcome it. Targeted removal spells can cleanly deal with Groundling Pouncer regardless of its form, ensuring it won’t be around to pounce for long. Cards like Murder or Doom Blade are efficient at this task.

Additionally, combat tricks that boost your creatures’ strength momentarily can turn the tide against Groundling Pouncer in battle. You might also consider enchantments that restrict the abilities of your opponent’s creatures, like Pacifism, which can nullify the Pouncer’s switching ability and leave it vulnerable. Lastly, board wipes are always a decisive answer, clearing the field regardless of the Pouncer’s form or abilities. Cards such as Wrath of God or Damnation can reset the playing field. Employing any of these strategies can ensure that the Groundling Pouncer is little more than a minor nuisance.

Playing smartly against a Groundling Pouncer and maintaining control of the board state is essential in keeping this shifty creature in check in your MTG games.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Groundling Pouncer 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 Groundling Pouncer and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Groundling Pouncer has restrictions

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

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2008-08-01	It matters that an opponent controls a creature with flying only as you activate this ability. Once you’ve activated it, Groundling Pouncer will still get +1/+3 and gain flying, even if all of your opponents’ creatures with flying leave the battlefield in response to the ability or after the ability resolves.