Ithilien Kingfisher MTG Card
2023-06-23 - Number 509
2023-06-23 - Number 58
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Bird |
| Abilities | Flying |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Text of card
Flying When Ithilien Kingfisher dies, draw a card.
After their reunion, the Hobbits spent many days in Ithilien. The stream that flowed from the falls of Henneth Annûn could be heard in the night as it rushed down through its rocky gate.
Cards like Ithilien Kingfisher
The Ithilien Kingfisher is an intriguing creature card in Magic: The Gathering. Its nearest relatives in terms of functionality include the likes of Flying Men and Cloud Pirates. Both are one-mana flying creatures as well, but they do lack the Kingfisher’s ability to draw a card upon dying, which provides an edge in terms of card advantage.
Another card worth mentioning is the beloved Llanowar Elves. While not a direct flight-based comparison, its one-mana cost for a quick board presence is similar. However, instead of card draw, it offers mana acceleration, a different form of value. Considering the Kingfisher, its death-triggered card draw presents a slight resilience against removal spells that’s not seen in these mana dorks.
Deciding on the use of Ithilien Kingfisher versus its similar cards depends on the strategic direction of your deck. If immediate board impact and mana ramp are key, Llanowar Elves could be the better pick. However, for a more evasive option that later contributes to card flow, the Kingfisher stands out amongst its peers in the one-mana creature slot.
Cards similar to Ithilien Kingfisher by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Ithilien Kingfisher card offers players the opportunity to glimpse the top card of their library at any time, giving them valuable information to plan their plays and maximize their card advantage with strategic draws.
Resource Acceleration: This card, with its ability to potentially put a land card onto the battlefield tapped, propels your resource acceleration, ensuring you have the mana necessary to cast influential spells sooner rather than later in your match.
Instant Speed: Ithilien Kingfisher can be cast at instant speed, which means you have the flexibility to respond to your opponent’s actions or maximize your own strategy by making plays at the most opportune moments without wasting a turn.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: In order to activate certain abilities of the Ithilien Kingfisher, players may be required to discard other cards. This action can deplete a player’s hand, potentially leaving them at a disadvantage for subsequent turns especially if their hand size is already diminished.
Specific Mana Cost: The Ithilien Kingfisher’s casting requirements demand a certain combination of mana. This can restrict the card’s integration into multicolored decks, as it necessitates the availability of the specific mana types to play effectively, limiting the deck building options for players.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: The mana cost of the Ithilien Kingfisher might be considered high compared to other creatures with similar abilities or stat lines. This can be a setback for players aiming for an efficient mana curve, as allocating the resources to cast this particular card might not be optimal in fast-paced or tightly contested games.
Reasons to Include Ithilien Kingfisher in Your Collection
Versatility: Ithilien Kingfisher offers an array of benefits as it can slot into various decks due to its low mana cost and flying ability, providing a reliable blocker or an elusive attacker early in the game.
Combo Potential: This card has inherent synergy with strategies that capitalize on flying creatures or those that require sacrificing a creature for a greater effect, making it a valuable component in combo decks.
Meta-Relevance: Given the continuously shifting landscape of the MTG meta-game, Ithilien Kingfisher can prove to be a practical choice in taking down opponents’ powerful ground creatures or evading widespread removal spells.
How to beat
Understanding your opponent’s deck is key in Magic: The Gathering, especially when facing cards like Ithilien Kingfisher. This creature, known for its nimbleness and ability to evade blockers, can be a nuisance if left unchecked on the battlefield. To counter it effectively, let’s explore several strategies that revolve around neutralizing its advantages.
Firstly, pinpoint removal spells are a straightforward solution; spells like Fatal Push or Path to Exile can dispatch the Kingfisher before it poses too much of a threat. Secondly, considering Ithilien Kingfisher thrives in decks that maximize on evasive creatures, cards that limit flying capabilities are also potent. Ensnaring artifacts or spells, such as Moat or Windstorm, can ground the Kingfisher, rendering it vulnerable to attack. Lastly, sweepers are your safety net. By resetting the board with a card like Wrath of God, you can clear the Kingfisher along with other threats, gaining card advantage and potential control of the game.
A game with MTG comes down to anticipating your opponent and being one step ahead. Successful players keep these kinds of silver bullets in their deck, ready to deploy when the Kingfisher or its avian peers aim for the skies.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Ithilien Kingfisher 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 Ithilien Kingfisher and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
See MTG Products
Printings
The Ithilien Kingfisher Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2023-06-23 and 2023-06-23. Illustrated by Alexander Ostrowski.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2023-06-23 | The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth | LTR | 509 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Alexander Ostrowski | |
| 2 | 2023-06-23 | The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth | LTR | 58 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Alexander Ostrowski |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Ithilien Kingfisher has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Alchemy | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |