Nightbird's Clutches MTG Card

Innistrad (ISD)
2011-09-30 - Number 154

Nightbird's Clutches - Ultimate Masters (UMA)

Ultimate Masters (UMA)
2018-12-07 - Number 141

Card sets	Released in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Common
Type	Sorcery
Abilities	Flashback

Key Takeaways

Nightbird’s Clutches can provide crucial tactical advantages during combat, affecting gameplay dynamics.
Strategic use of this card can lead to substantial board state acceleration and swing momentum.
Understanding both pros and cons of Nightbird’s Clutches ensures a well-informed deck-building strategy.

Text of card

Up to two target creatures can't block this turn. Flashback (You may cast this card from your graveyard for its flashback cost. Then exile it.)

Shiny polished silver can ward off many creatures, but it attracts others.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Nightbird’s Clutches can disrupt multiple blockers, potentially clearing the way for a profitable attack to maintain pressure on the opponent and keep them defensive.

Resource Acceleration: Although not directly providing mana or card draw, the card effectively accelerates your board state by allowing for more successful attacks, putting the opponent on a faster clock, and leveraging the presence of your creatures.

Instant Speed: As a sorcery, Nightbird’s Clutches strategically sets up your turn, giving you the chance to plan your assault without the uncertainty that can come with instant speed plays.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Nightbird’s Clutches may leave you at a card disadvantage as it does not provide an immediate card replacement or card advantage once played.

Specific Mana Cost: This card requires a combination of red mana, potentially restricting its playability to decks that run red or have a mana base flexible enough to accommodate red spells.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: For its effect, Nightbird’s Clutches has a mana cost that some may consider steep, particularly when benchmarked against other spells that might provide more impactful board control or disruption for the same, or even lower, mana investment.

Reasons to Include Nightbird’s Clutches in Your Collection

Versatility: Nightbird’s Clutches is a card that comfortably slides into red aggressive decks or those looking to capitalize on unblocked attackers. By preventing two creatures from blocking, it opens up numerous strategies, be it for damage amplification or ensuring key creatures aren’t blocked for tactical advantages.

Combo Potential: This instant can be a game-changer when paired with cards that gain benefits whenever your creatures deal combat damage to a player. It also works well with cards featuring the Flashback mechanic, providing additional utility and surprise factor from the graveyard when your opponent least expects it.

Meta-Relevance: It thrives in a meta with lots of creature-based defense. By denying block opportunities, Nightbird’s Clutches shifts the balance, granting your swings to be more impactful, whether in disrupting opponent’s board stability or closing out the game with crucial points of damage.

How to beat Nightbird’s Clutches

Nightbird’s Clutches is an intriguing red instant card in MTG that can temporarily disable two target creatures. This card doesn’t allow those creatures to block for a turn, enabling players to swing in for potentially unblocked damage. While this seems like a powerful offensive tool, there are ways to mitigate its impact.

One method is to maintain a deck with a hefty number of creatures, which reduces the effectiveness of Nightbird’s Clutches since only two creatures can be targeted. Another strategy involves the use of instant-speed removal or creature abilities that can be activated in response to Nightbird’s Clutches. This can eliminate the threat or provide additional blockers. Cards with flash can also be played after Nightbird’s Clutches has resolved, supplying surprise blockers.

Finally, it’s crucial to understand the match-up and hold back relevant creatures when anticipating this card. Nightbird’s Clutches thrives against opponents who are unprepared for its effect. By being mindful of the number of creatures you commit to the board and keeping a watchful eye on your opponent’s mana and cards in hand, you can effectively reduce the disruption caused by Nightbird’s Clutches and secure your defense against this sneaky instant.

Cards like Nightbird's Clutches

Nightbird’s Clutches is an intriguing card that shares aspects with other red spells aimed at incapacitating opponent’s creatures. It hampers the ability of up to two target creatures to block, which can pave the way for a winning strike. When we look at a card like Act of Treason, there’s a different approach; it temporarily commandeers a creature, which could then be used to attack its original owner. This shift in control can be pivotal in some key moments, differing from Nightbird’s Clutches which doesn’t change creature allegiance.

Another comparable card is Falter, which prevents all creatures without flying from blocking. While Falter affects more potential blockers, Nightbird’s Clutches offers a recurring effect through its flashback ability, presenting opportunities for strategic plays in multiple phases. Flashback allows it to be cast again from the graveyard, a unique feature that some similar cards lack.

Analyzing these cards underscores the strategic variety available within red’s gameplay. While all can disrupt enemy defenses, Nightbird’s Clutches stands out for its potential repeated use, making it a versatile tool in an aggressive deck’s arsenal.

Cards similar to Nightbird's Clutches by color, type and mana cost

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Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Nightbird's Clutches MTG card by a specific set like Innistrad and Ultimate Masters, 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 Nightbird's Clutches and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Nightbird's Clutches Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2011-09-30 and 2018-12-07. Illustrated by Jason A. Engle.