Gwaihir, Greatest of the Eagles MTG Card
2023-06-23 - Number 15
2023-06-23 - Number 99
2023-06-23 - Number 417
2023-06-23 - Number 59
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Legendary Creature — Bird Noble |
| Abilities | Flying |
| Power | 5 |
| Toughness | 5 |
Text of card
Flying Whenever Gwaihir attacks, target attacking creature gains flying until end of turn. At the beginning of each end step, if you gained 3 or more life this turn, create a 3/3 white Bird creature token with flying and "Whenever this creature attacks, target attacking creature gains flying until end of turn."
Cards like Gwaihir, Greatest of the Eagles
Gwaihir, Greatest of the Eagles, carves its niche as a formidable flyer in the world of Magic: The Gathering. When examining its closest relatives, we witness cards like Serra Angel, a classic that shares the vigilance trait but lacks Gwaihir’s ability to discount its casting cost. Gwaihir offers a unique blend of offense and strategy, allowing for dynamic play as it takes to the skies.
Emulating the skies, we observe Stormwing Entity. Though it commands a lower base-cost contingent upon prior spellcasting, it falls short of the sheer might and vigilance Gwaihir possesses. Additionally, the aspect of cost reduction through actions performed with other creatures is something Stormwing Entity doesn’t replicate. Lastly, we look at Aven Sunstriker, which boasts double strike at a lower mana cost, presenting a different battle approach. Yet, it doesn’t quite match the commanding board presence and cost-effective potential of Gwaihir.
The synthesis of Gwaihir’s combat readiness and synergistic cost reduction presents a potent package. It stands tall among its avian counterparts, offering a unique gameplay experience for those who command the skies with their deck.
Cards similar to Gwaihir, Greatest of the Eagles by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The unrivaled aerial might of Gwaihir, Greatest of the Eagles, offers eagle-eyed players the chance to scout ahead, often yielding additional creatures or spells to keep your hand well-feathered and ready for action.
Resource Acceleration: As a vigilant guardian of the skies, this card swoops into play, potentially reducing mana costs for other avian allies or empowering your resources through its grandeur, allowing for a smoother and more efficient mana curve.
Instant Speed: With wings as swift as the wind, Gwaihir’s ability to interact on the stack or surprise an opponent during their turn adds a tactical layer to gameplay, ensuring you’re always a flap ahead in the strategic dance of the skies.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Gwaihir, Greatest of the Eagles comes with a condition that may require you to discard another card, making it a potentially costly choice if you’re already playing with a limited hand.
Specific Mana Cost: The card requires specific mana colors – green and white – to cast. This can be restrictive for players not running a deck that can reliably produce both types of mana.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Casting Gwaihir demands a larger mana investment, which could slow your game down, especially when compared to other creatures that might be summoned earlier or offer similar board presence for less mana.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Gwaihir, Greatest of the Eagles offers a flexible role in numerous deck types given its ability to dominate the skies and provide a substantial presence on the battlefield.
Combo Potential: This card can synergize with strategies that capitalize on flying creatures or those that benefit from powerful enter-the-battlefield effects.
Meta-Relevance: In a game state where fliers are king, Gwaihir stands out as a top-tier defender and attacker, adapting well against various competitive decks.
How to beat
Gwaihir, Greatest of the Eagles, emerges as a towering figure among creature cards in Magic: The Gathering. As a robust defender in the sky, Gwaihir presents a challenge for many decks. To outplay this card, one must strategize around its flying capability and potent board presence. A successful approach often involves removal spells that sidestep its flying attribute such as Murder, which can dismantle any creature irrespective of its abilities.
Another tactic is utilizing creature abilities such as reach or other flying creatures to match its aerial dominance. Additionally, board wipes like Wrath of God or Doomskar can clear the field, including Gwaihir, regardless of its size or abilities. It’s essential to have answer cards in your deck that can handle formidable threats, with varied mana costs that allow for flexibility in your response window.
The key to besting Gwaihir lies in careful deck construction, including versatile removals, and precise timing, applying pressure to your opponent before Gwaihir can stabilize their board or leveraging spells that can bypass its defenses. By doing so, you maintain the upper hand in the duel against this majestic eagle.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Gwaihir, Greatest of the Eagles MTG card by a specific set like Tales of Middle-earth Commander and Tales of Middle-earth Art Series, 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 Gwaihir, Greatest of the Eagles and other MTG cards:
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Printings
The Gwaihir, Greatest of the Eagles Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2023-06-23 and 2023-06-23. Illustrated by Jesper Ejsing.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2023-06-23 | Tales of Middle-earth Commander | LTC | 15 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jesper Ejsing | |
| 2 | Tales of Middle-earth Art Series | ALTR | 59 | 2015 | Art series | Borderless | Jesper Ejsing | ||
| 3 | 2023-06-23 | Tales of Middle-earth Commander | LTC | 99 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jesper Ejsing | |
| 4 | 2023-06-23 | Tales of Middle-earth Commander | LTC | 417 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jesper Ejsing |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Gwaihir, Greatest of the Eagles has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Gwaihir, Greatest of the Eagles card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2023-06-16 | Gwaihir, Greatest of the Eagles's ability looks at how much life you've gained in the turn, even if it wasn't on the battlefield when you gained life. It doesn't care if you also lost life, even if you lost more life than you gained. |
| 2023-06-16 | If you haven't gained 3 or more life by the time an end step begins, Gwaihir, Greatest of the Eagles's ability won't trigger at all. |
| 2023-06-16 | You create just one Bird token, no matter how much life you've gained past 3 life. |