Moon Heron MTG Card


Moon Heron - Innistrad
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Spirit Bird
Abilities Flying
Released2011-09-30
Set symbol
Set nameInnistrad
Set codeISD
Power 3
Toughness 2
Number69
Frame2003
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred byCharles Urbach

Key Takeaways

  1. Moon Heron’s flying trait provides a tactical advantage by evading ground-bound blockers effectively.
  2. The need to discard a card on entry and specific mana costs limit Moon Heron’s versatility in decks.
  3. Despite downsides, its compatibility with Spirit tribal decks makes it a worthy collection addition.

Text of card

Flying

The heron is the symbol of the archangel Avacyn. The fact that such spirits still fly gives the church hope that its founder may one day return.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Moon Heron can contribute to card advantage by its flying ability, often allowing it to evade blockers and remain a persistent threat. This pressurizes your opponent and can potentially draw out their resources, maintaining your upper hand in card value.

Resource Acceleration: While the Moon Heron itself doesn’t directly offer resource acceleration, its four mana cost is situated in a spot where it doesn’t slow your momentum. It slots well into decks that are looking to develop their board presence around this stage of the game without falling behind in terms of mana efficiency.

Instant Speed: The Moon Heron may not have an instant speed ability; however, its presence on the battlefield acts as a deterrent, keeping opponents wary of committing to attacks. The fact it can immediately impact the board upon its own turn can alter the pace of the game, forcing decisions at a speed that may benefit a reactive playstyle.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Moon Heron demands a card to be discarded upon entry, potentially depleting your hand when you might need to keep your options open.

Specific Mana Cost: This creature requires a combination of blue and generic mana to cast, which can be restrictive for decks running multiple colors or those looking for colorless flexibility.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that occupies a significant portion of your mana resources, Moon Heron can be less appealing compared to other flyers that offer similar combat stats or abilities at a lower mana investment.


Reasons to Include Moon Heron in Your Collection

Versatility: Moon Heron’s flight ability allows it to slot into various deck types that require airborne creatures to evade ground forces and apply pressure from above.

Combo Potential: As a Spirit with flying, Moon Heron works well with other Spirit tribal synergies or can be used to enhance strategies focusing on creatures with evasion.

Meta-Relevance: Given its status as a reliable flying creature, Moon Heron can hold its own in a meta that favors evasive tactics, serving as both an offensive and a defensive asset.


How to Beat

Moon Heron stands out as a flying threat on the battlefield of Magic: The Gathering. Its evasion ability makes it a pesky creature to deal with, especially for decks lacking airborne defense. To effectively navigate around this celestial fowl, strategic use of removal spells that can target creatures in flight is key. Think along the lines of Skywhaler’s Shot or Galvanic Blast — both are prime examples of pinpoint removal that can ground Moon Heron without a second thought.

Moreover, it’s beneficial to focus on building a stronger board presence. Deploying creatures with reach or implementing enchantments that bar flying creatures from attacking can provide a sturdy line of defense. Cards like Arachnus Web or Windstorm prove to be effective barriers against winged nuisances. Also, don’t underestimate the power of simply racing your opponent. Boosting your life total with lifelink creatures or spells can buy you enough time to outpace the damage dealt by Moon Heron, securing your victory from its talons.

Ultimately, the key to triumph against a card like Moon Heron is a combination of preparation and adaptability. By equipping your deck with the right tools to handle creatures that soar above the fray, you’ll ensure that what goes up must surely come down.


Cards like Moon Heron

Moon Heron stands out as an aerial threat in the world of Magic: The Gathering, nestled in an echelon of fellow winged creatures. Mirroring the abilities of its flyer companions, it shares the skies with the likes of Welkin Tern and Skyknight Legionnaire. Welkin Tern offers a similar flying trait but with a restriction that keeps it from blocking creatures without flying. Moon Heron, with its steady 3/2 presence, lacks such a limitation, providing a more versatile defender in the air.

Diving deeper into comparison, we encounter the likes of Warden of Evos Isle. Though both exhibit the flying ability, Warden provides an economic advantage by making other flyers you cast cost one less mana. This could be a pivotal factor in matches where speed and mana efficiency are critical. However, Moon Heron holds its ground with its superior power, posing a more considerable threat on its own.

Conclusively, Moon Heron provides a dependable option for players seeking aerial agility and power. While it may not have the fringe benefits of cost reduction or limitations on blocking capabilities like its counterparts, its robust stance in combat and reliability make it a competent choice for flying-focused decks in Magic: The Gathering.

Welkin Tern - MTG Card versions
Skyknight Legionnaire - MTG Card versions
Warden of Evos Isle - MTG Card versions
Welkin Tern - Zendikar (ZEN)
Skyknight Legionnaire - Arena League 2005 (PAL05)
Warden of Evos Isle - Magic 2014 (M14)

Cards similar to Moon Heron by color, type and mana cost

Phantasmal Forces - MTG Card versions
Phantom Monster - MTG Card versions
Wall of Vapor - MTG Card versions
Tradewind Rider - MTG Card versions
Archivist - MTG Card versions
Thieving Magpie - MTG Card versions
Inga Rune-Eyes - MTG Card versions
Sakashima of a Thousand Faces - MTG Card versions
Laboratory Drudge - MTG Card versions
Johnny, Combo Player - MTG Card versions
Dream Prowler - MTG Card versions
Clone - MTG Card versions
Cytoplast Manipulator - MTG Card versions
Crookclaw Transmuter - MTG Card versions
Dreamborn Muse - MTG Card versions
Turtleshell Changeling - MTG Card versions
Glen Elendra Archmage - MTG Card versions
Fatestitcher - MTG Card versions
Argent Sphinx - MTG Card versions
Lumengrid Drake - MTG Card versions
Phantasmal Forces - Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border (4BB)
Phantom Monster - Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border (4BB)
Wall of Vapor - Chronicles (CHR)
Tradewind Rider - World Championship Decks 1998 (WC98)
Archivist - Urza's Legacy (ULG)
Thieving Magpie - Seventh Edition (7ED)
Inga Rune-Eyes - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Sakashima of a Thousand Faces - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Laboratory Drudge - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Johnny, Combo Player - Unhinged (UNH)
Dream Prowler - Tempest Remastered (TPR)
Clone - Ninth Edition (9ED)
Cytoplast Manipulator - Dissension (DIS)
Crookclaw Transmuter - Time Spiral (TSP)
Dreamborn Muse - Tenth Edition (10E)
Turtleshell Changeling - Lorwyn (LRW)
Glen Elendra Archmage - Eventide (EVE)
Fatestitcher - Shards of Alara (ALA)
Argent Sphinx - Scars of Mirrodin (SOM)
Lumengrid Drake - Scars of Mirrodin (SOM)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Moon Heron MTG card by a specific set like Innistrad, 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 Moon Heron and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Moon Heron has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PennyLegal

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