Junk Winder MTG Card


Can provide sustained board control through its repeatable tap ability, disrupting opponent tactics. Synergizes well with token strategies, accelerating your resource control and board dominance. Operates at instant speed, offering flexibility and vital interaction during critical game moments.
Card setsReleased in 7 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost7
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Serpent
Abilities Affinity
Power 5
Toughness 6

Text of card

Affinity for tokens (This spell costs less to cast for each token you control.) Whenever a token enters the battlefield under your control, tap target nonland permanent an opponent controls. It doesn't untap during its controller's next untap step.


Cards like Junk Winder

Junk Winder is an intriguing creature card that finds its place within the realm of blue disruption tools in Magic: The Gathering. When you scrutinize cards with related functionalities, Delver of Secrets emerges as a familiar blue creature that transforms to apply aerial pressure. While Delver focuses on quick damage, Junk Winder is more strategic, tapping down opponents’ permanents and building a board presence.

Another card worth mentioning here is Frost Lynx. Both creatures share the approach of impeding the opponent’s board, with Frost Lynx entering the battlefield and freezing an opponent’s creature. However, Junk Winder requires a more nuanced setup to exploit its ability continuously, making it both a potential lock piece and a threat over time. Further, while Man-o’-War presents a similar ‘return to hand’ mechanic, its single-use effect lacks the repeatable control provided by Junk Winder.

Junk Winder, with its synergy-based tempo plays and the capacity to control the battlefield repeatedly, stands out in its class. It rewards players for playing multiple spells or deploying tokens, fitting seamlessly into decks that capitalize on those dynamics. Thus, in the domain of creature-based disruption in blue, Junk Winder carves its niche, appealing to tactical gamers who enjoy dictating the pace of the match.

Frost Lynx - MTG Card versions
Man-o'-War - MTG Card versions
Frost Lynx - MTG Card versions
Man-o'-War - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Junk Winder by color, type and mana cost

Island Fish Jasconius - MTG Card versions
Blizzard Elemental - MTG Card versions
Amugaba - MTG Card versions
Jin-Gitaxias, Progress Tyrant - MTG Card versions
Tromokratis - MTG Card versions
Hullbreaker Horror - MTG Card versions
Mistform Skyreaver - MTG Card versions
Slipstream Eel - MTG Card versions
Weaver of Lies - MTG Card versions
Quicksilver Behemoth - MTG Card versions
Vizzerdrix - MTG Card versions
Rimefeather Owl - MTG Card versions
Cyclone Summoner - MTG Card versions
Isleback Spawn - MTG Card versions
Marjhan - MTG Card versions
Goliath Sphinx - MTG Card versions
Scrapdiver Serpent - MTG Card versions
Chancellor of the Spires - MTG Card versions
Kraken of the Straits - MTG Card versions
Phyrexian Ingester - MTG Card versions
Island Fish Jasconius - MTG Card versions
Blizzard Elemental - MTG Card versions
Amugaba - MTG Card versions
Jin-Gitaxias, Progress Tyrant - MTG Card versions
Tromokratis - MTG Card versions
Hullbreaker Horror - MTG Card versions
Mistform Skyreaver - MTG Card versions
Slipstream Eel - MTG Card versions
Weaver of Lies - MTG Card versions
Quicksilver Behemoth - MTG Card versions
Vizzerdrix - MTG Card versions
Rimefeather Owl - MTG Card versions
Cyclone Summoner - MTG Card versions
Isleback Spawn - MTG Card versions
Marjhan - MTG Card versions
Goliath Sphinx - MTG Card versions
Scrapdiver Serpent - MTG Card versions
Chancellor of the Spires - MTG Card versions
Kraken of the Straits - MTG Card versions
Phyrexian Ingester - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Junk Winder. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
DecklistDecklist Free form88#CS

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Junk Winder can significantly tilt the tide of card economy in your favor. Every time you exploit or another player removes a non-token permanent, you can automatically tap an opposing nonland permanent. This recurring interaction can lead to sustained advantage, disrupting your opponent’s strategies while allowing you to maintain board control.

Resource Acceleration: This card synergizes especially well with decks that generate a lot of tokens. Since tokens can be used to pay the cost of Junk Winder’s ability, you can effectively turn a swarm of small creatures into a means to hinder your opponent’s bigger threats, accelerating your control over the game’s pace.

Instant Speed: Junk Winder’s triggered ability can operate at instant speed, allowing you to respond to your opponent’s moves by tapping their creatures or other nonland permanents during their turn. This level of interaction can be crucial in disrupting enemy combos or simply keeping attackers at bay while you gather resources for a decisive play.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Junk Winder can be challenging to utilize effectively if you’re unable to regularly trigger its synergy with amassing tokens, as it relies on actions such as casting spells or having nonland permanents entering the battlefield under your control, which can strain your hand and resources.

Specific Mana Cost: Even with its flexible mana cost allowing one to be of any color, Junk Winder’s necessity for double blue mana can restrict its integration in multi-color decks, potentially clashing with other mana-intensive cards.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Costed at six mana total, Junk Winder comes with a fairly steep investment, especially when considering other options available for card advantage or board control, which may deliver similar or better results for less mana.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Junk Winder can seamlessly integrate into various deck archetypes, particularly those that capitalize on casting numerous spells or generating tokens. Its ability to tap down opponents’ permanents makes it a flexible tool in both offensive and defensive strategies.

Combo Potential: This serpent shines in decks built around synergy. With every token you create or every spell with a low mana value you cast, you have an opportunity to tap an opponent’s nonland permanent, creating openings for powerful combo plays or simply constraining your opponent’s board, limiting their options.

Meta-Relevance: In metagames that favor creature-heavy decks or strategies that rely on key permanents, Junk Winder asserts itself as a contender by consistently disrupting opponents’ boards. This makes it a particularly savvy choice in environments where tempo plays a crucial role in gaining and maintaining control of the game.


How to Beat Junk Winder

Junk Winder is a creature card that poses a unique challenge on the battlefield due to its ability to tap potential blockers and grow stronger with each noncreature spell cast. However, despite its synergistic strength in a deck built around tokens and tapping strategies, Junk Winder is not unbeatable.

One effective strategy to combat Junk Winder is to use removal spells that can bypass its ability. Direct removal spells such as Path to Exile or Fatal Push can efficiently deal with Junk Winder before it has the opportunity to create a lock on your board. Counterspells are also an excellent way to prevent it from landing on the table in the first place. Alternatively, board wipes such as Wrath of God can reset the board, nullifying the advantage granted by Junk Winder’s presence.

Another approach is to limit the number of noncreature spells you cast when Junk Winder is in play, reducing the number of opportunities your opponent has to tap your creatures. You can also shift your strategy to utilize creatures with abilities that function when they become tapped, turning the tables on an opponent who relies on Junk Winder.

In essence, recognizing and disrupting your opponent’s strategy to exploit Junk Winder’s capabilities can be as important as the direct removal of the card itself. By employing these tactics, you can successfully navigate around the challenges it presents and maintain control of the game.


BurnMana Recommendations

As MTG players, it’s essential to adapt and optimize our deck-building to ensure each card serves a strategic purpose. Junk Winder is a tactical card that can shift the game in your favor. While its pros, like being a source of card advantage and working beautifully with token strategies, are significant, remember to balance its cons, considering its specific mana requirement and the potential strain on your resources. If you’re intrigued by the synergistic power and combo potential that Junk Winder offers, especially in tempo-based metagames that emphasize control, then it could very well earn its place in your collection. For comprehensive insights and expert tips on wielding Junk Winder to its fullest potential, join our community and delve deeper into the art of MTG deck manipulation.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Junk Winder // Junk Winder MTG card by a specific set like Modern Horizons 2 Art Series and Modern Horizons 2 Art Series, 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 Junk Winder // Junk Winder and other MTG cards:

TCGPlayerBUY NOW
BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See MTG Products

Printings

The Junk Winder // Junk Winder Magic the Gathering card was released in 6 different sets between 2021-06-18 and 2024-02-09. Illustrated by Campbell White.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12021-06-18Modern Horizons 2 Art SeriesAMH2 13s2015Art seriesBorderlessCampbell White
22021-06-18Modern Horizons 2 Art SeriesAMH2 132015Art seriesBorderlessCampbell White
32021-06-18Modern Horizons 2MH2 482015NormalBlackCampbell White
42021-08-26Jumpstart: Historic HorizonsJ21 2042015NormalBlackCampbell White
52022-07-07Alchemy Horizons: Baldur's GateHBG 9032015NormalBlackCampbell White
62023-04-21March of the Machine CommanderMOC 2252015NormalBlackCampbell White
72024-02-09Murders at Karlov Manor CommanderMKC 1072015NormalBlackCampbell White

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Junk Winder has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
CommanderLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
GladiatorLegal
TimelessLegal