Heir of Falkenrath // Heir to the Night MTG Card
2016-04-08 - Number 116
2021-08-26 - Number 338
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Vampire |
| Abilities | Transform |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Text of card
Discard a card: Transform Heir of Falkenrath. Activate only once each turn.
Among vampires, there has long been the belief that the urge to feed must be balanced by the poise of nobility.
Cards like Heir of Falkenrath // Heir to the Night
The Heir of Falkenrath // Heir to the Night card presents an intriguing dual identity in the realm of MTG, resonating with cards that excel in versatility and transformation. It finds a peer in the card Delver of Secrets // Insectile Aberration, which also flips into a more potent form. However, unlike Delver, which transforms through the reveal of an instant or sorcery card, Heir of Falkenrath demands a discard to unleash its alter ego, Heir to the Night.
Another comparison is drawn with the card Vampire Hexmage. Although not a transformable card, Vampire Hexmage shares a creature type with Heir of Falkenrath and boasts an ability to immediately affect the board by removing all counters from a target permanent. This is in contrast to Heir of Falkenrath’s strategy of discarding a card to transform and potentially enabling a swift airborne offensive the following turn.
Assessing the adaptability and the aggressive shift in tactics that Heir of Falkenrath // Heir to the Night brings to the table, it holds a unique position among creature cards that allow players to alternate their game plan and catch opponents off guard with a nightmarish aerial assaulter.
Cards similar to Heir of Falkenrath // Heir to the Night by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Flipping into Heir to the Night lets you benefit from a powerful flying creature, which can be crucial for pressuring your opponent and gaining the upper hand. Additionally, the ability to discard a card can be advantageous in graveyard-centric decks, turning a potential downside into strategic fuel for future plays.
Resource Acceleration: Although Heir of Falkenrath does not directly accelerate resources, the ability to transform at instant speed without mana investment can optimize your gameplay, allowing you to allocate resources elsewhere while still developing a significant board presence.
Instant Speed: The transformation from Heir of Falkenrath to Heir to the Night can be activated at instant speed, offering you the flexibility to adapt to the dynamic flow of the game. This enables savvy players to surprise opponents by upgrading their flyer during the opponent’s end step or after they’ve declared no blockers, often leading to unexpected and favorable shifts in the state of play.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One notable drawback of Heir of Falkenrath is its transformation mechanic, which necessitates discarding a card. This can be a strategic impediment, especially when your hand is already depleted or when the discarded card could have been more valuable if played.
Specific Mana Cost: To play Heir of Falkenrath effectively, you need access to black mana, as the card’s casting cost is locked into this one color. This requirement can make the card less flexible and harder to integrate into multi-colored decks that might struggle to generate the necessary mana consistently.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: While the casting cost of the card is affordable at two mana, when you consider the additional cost of discarding a card, the total cost you pay might not always equate to the value you receive in return. In a competitive environment, there are alternatives that may allow for a more efficient use of resources without the need to discard.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Heir of Falkenrath // Heir to the Night slides effortlessly into any deck that capitalizes on vampire synergy or prioritizes quick, agile threats. Its ability to transform adds a layer of adaptability, catering to dynamic gameplay.
Combo Potential: This card’s transformation mechanic harmonizes with numerous strategies that energize around discarding cards. Whether it’s fuelling graveyard-based combos or enabling madness abilities, this card unlocks a myriad of deck-building possibilities.
Meta-Relevance: Given the ever-shifting landscape of the MTG metagame, a card like Heir of Falkenrath // Heir to the Night remains pertinent especially in environments where efficient creatures with evasive capabilities are valued. Its dual nature equips players to respond astutely to various competitive scenarios.
How to beat
Heir of Falkenrath presents a unique double-faced card challenge in Magic: The Gathering. At its core, the card is a versatile creature that can quickly flip into Heir to the Night, boasting flying and increased power. To effectively counter this transforming threat, one strategy involves removing it before it can transform. Timing removal spells like Fatal Push or Path to Exile when the creature is still Heir of Falkenrath can be key.
Another tactic is to disrupt the opponent’s hand with discard spells, preventing them from enabling the card’s transformation by discarding another card. Thoughtseize and Inquisition of Kozilek are notable examples of such interaction. Also, since the transformed side, Heir to the Night, is a flyer, employing creatures with reach or spells that can deal with flying creatures may prove useful in defending against aerial attacks.
Strategic planning and awareness of the transformation triggers make dealing with Heir of Falkenrath manageable. By anticipating and interacting smartly, you can overcome the duality of this creature and maintain the upper hand in your matches.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Heir of Falkenrath // Heir to the Night MTG card by a specific set like Shadows over Innistrad and Jumpstart: Historic Horizons, 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 Heir of Falkenrath // Heir to the Night and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
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- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
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Printings
The Heir of Falkenrath // Heir to the Night Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2016-04-08 and 2021-08-26. Illustrated by Jason Rainville.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2016-04-08 | Shadows over Innistrad | SOI | 116 | 2015 | Transform | Black | Jason Rainville | |
| 2 | 2021-08-26 | Jumpstart: Historic Horizons | J21 | 338 | 2015 | Transform | Black | Jason Rainville |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Heir of Falkenrath // Heir to the Night has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Heir of Falkenrath // Heir to the Night card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2016-07-13 | For more information on double-faced cards, see the Shadows over Innistrad mechanics article (http://magic.wizards.com/en/articles/archive/feature/shadows-over-innistrad-mechanics). |