Gwaihir the Windlord MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost6
RarityUncommon
TypeLegendary Creature — Bird Noble
Abilities Flying, Vigilance
Power 4
Toughness 4

Key Takeaways

  1. Offers card advantage and can even replace itself in a player’s hand, ensuring a sustained game influence.
  2. Instant speed plays allow for adaptability and can catch opponents off guard with surprise tactics.
  3. Resource acceleration is a key benefit, enabling quicker deployment of spells and threats in a match.

Text of card

This spell costs less to cast as long as you've drawn two or more cards this turn. Flying, vigilance Other Birds you control have vigilance.

There came Gwaihir the Windlord, greatest of all the Eagles of the North, mightiest of the descendants of old Thorondor.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Gwaihir the Windlord excels in granting card advantage by offering players a way to potentially draw multiple cards. This card can often replace itself in your hand and then some, ensuring that your grip on the game remains strong.

Resource Acceleration: This formidable card provides an exceptional boost in terms of resource acceleration. By enabling you to extract more utility from your lands or ramp spells, you’ll be able to deploy threats or key spells much earlier than usual, throwing opponents off-balance.

Instant Speed: The capability to act at instant speed makes Gwaihir the Windlord a versatile and threatening presence on the battlefield. This swiftness allows for strategic depth, enabling you to adapt to unfolding game states and surprise opponents with well-timed plays.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Gwaihir the Windlord can be a powerful addition to any deck, it does come with the drawback of potentially requiring you to discard cards from your hand to maximize its abilities. This can be counterproductive if you’re in a situation where maintaining a large hand is crucial to your strategy.

Specific Mana Cost: Gwaihir the Windlord demands a very specific mana cost to cast, which includes green and white mana. Players not running a deck that supports these colors might find it difficult to meet the casting requirements, limiting its versatility across various deck builds.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost that is not on the lower side of the spectrum, Gwaihir the Windlord might come out too late in the game compared to other creatures in your deck. For decks aiming to be fast and efficient, the high mana cost can be a significant downside, potentially slowing down the deck’s overall performance against quicker opponents.


Reasons to Include Gwaihir the Windlord in Your Collection

Versatility: Gwaihir the Windlord seamlessly slots into a variety of decks, particularly those looking for a powerful flyer. Its formidable presence can be a game-changer in both offensive and defensive strategies, adapting to the needs of the match.

Combo Potential: This card’s ability to manipulate combat, either by untapping another creature with flying or by providing an aerial blocker, opens up numerous opportunities for synergies and intricate combos, enhancing aerial-centric or creature-based strategies.

Meta-Relevance: With an ever-shifting competitive scene, a card like Gwaihir the Windlord becomes a crucial asset when flyer-heavy decks or those reliant on creature dynamics dominate the gameplay, ensuring your collection remains up to date and competitive.


How to Beat Gwaihir the Windlord

Gwaihir the Windlord is a mighty presence in any MTG matchup. Soaring above the battlefield, this formidable flyer can dominate games if left unchecked. To overcome this card, strategic foresight is key. One effective tactic is to deploy flying blockers, essential for chipping away at Gwaihir’s health or deterring an attack. Moreover, spells that can remove or pacify creatures, especially those that don’t target or that can work against hexproof creatures, become invaluable in your arsenal.Direct removal spells like Path to Exile or board wipes such as Wrath of God can handle the Windlord without targeting it directly, bypassing any protective mechanisms. Alternatively, leveraging countermagic when Gwaihir gets cast can prevent this skyscraper from ever taking flight. In your meta plays, focus on resource effectiveness; prepare defenses and keep mana open for removal or counter-plays.Gwaihir’s power on the battlefield is not to be underestimated, but with the right approach, its wings can be clipped, shifting the tide of battle in your favor._MTG players who anticipate and adapt swiftly will find themselves well-equipped to dismantle the aerial threat posed by Gwaihir the Windlord.


Cards like Gwaihir the Windlord

Gwaihir the Windlord carves a distinct niche within the pantheon of creature cards in Magic: The Gathering. In the realm of formidable fliers, Gwaihir can be compared to cards such as Stormwing Entity. Both command the skies with impressive flying abilities; however, Gwaihir provides added resilience through its vigilant trait, allowing it to dodge the common pitfalls of tapped creatures vulnerable to sorcery-speed removals.

Another card echoing Gwaihir’s aerial superiority is Thundermaw Hellkite. While Thundermaw Hellkite boasts haste to attack swiftly, Gwaihir provides consistent board presence by remaining untapped. Birds of Paradise offers a different kind of value, giving mana acceleration and a flying body for blocks, yet it doesn’t provide the substantial presence in combat like Gwaihir.

Ultimately, Gwaihir the Windlord’s combination of flight and vigilance gives it a considerable edge in combat scenarios, standing out as a formidable option for MTG players who value a steadfast presence in their flying lineup.

Stormwing Entity - MTG Card versions
Thundermaw Hellkite - MTG Card versions
Birds of Paradise - MTG Card versions
Stormwing Entity - MTG Card versions
Thundermaw Hellkite - MTG Card versions
Birds of Paradise - MTG Card versions

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Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Gwaihir the Windlord MTG card by a specific set like The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth and The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth, 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 the Windlord and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Gwaihir the Windlord Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2023-06-23 and 2023-06-23. Illustrated by Axel Sauerwald.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12023-06-23The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earthLTR 6612015NormalBlackAxel Sauerwald
22023-06-23The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earthLTR 2102015NormalBlackAxel Sauerwald

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Gwaihir the Windlord has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
CommanderLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
GladiatorLegal
AlchemyLegal
TimelessLegal
Vigilance card art

Guide to Vigilance card ability

In the strategic universe of Magic: The Gathering (MTG), the vigilance ability stands out as a powerful tool for players. This potent keyword allows creatures to attack without tapping, keeping them ready and alert to defend against incoming threats. It represents a perfect balance between aggression and defense, offering a dynamic approach to gameplay. Lets dive deeper into how vigilance shapes the battlefield.