Kinjalli's Sunwing MTG Card


Kinjalli’s Sunwing limits opponents by making creatures enter the battlefield tapped, altering game pace. At three mana, its cost-effective body with flying offers efficient board presence and strategic plays. Despite mana cost and color specificity, it’s a versatile addition to decks focusing on tempo.
Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Dinosaur
Abilities Flying
Power 2
Toughness 3

Text of card

Flying Creatures your opponents control enter the battlefield tapped.

"There are moments when I feel I could fly like the sunwing. Far away I would soar, but always a golden gale pushes me back." —Huatli


Cards like Kinjalli's Sunwing

Kinjalli’s Sunwing from Magic: The Gathering makes a niche for itself as a strategic creature card, akin to other impactful cards like Thalia, Heretic Cathar. Both cards serve the purpose of disrupting opponent strategies by controlling the battlefield. Kinjalli’s Sunwing ensures that creatures your opponents cast enter the battlefield tapped, hampering their offensive capabilities. Thalia, too, impedes progress with her ability to have creatures and nonbasic lands opponents control enter the battlefield tapped. However, Kinjalli’s Sunwing takes to the skies with flying, giving it an edge in aerial combat.

Another card worthy of comparison is Authority of the Consuls, which also has a similar effect in slowing down opponents by tapping their creatures as they enter the battlefield. While Kinjalli’s Sunwing is a creature itself, Authority of the Consuls is an enchantment that also grants life points whenever an opponent’s creature enters the battlefield. The differences in card types offer players distinct tactical advantages based on the deck’s overall synergies.

Lastly, let’s reflect on Baird, Steward of Argive—another card that hinders opponent tactics by requiring a payment of mana to attack. While Baird may not affect the speed of opponent creatures directly, his tax-like ability can restrict the opponent’s ability to commit fully to attacks. Though each card has its own role to play, Kinjalli’s Sunwing provides a unique combination of offensive and defensive utility for MTG players looking to keep opponents on their back foot.

Thalia, Heretic Cathar - MTG Card versions
Authority of the Consuls - MTG Card versions
Baird, Steward of Argive - MTG Card versions
Thalia, Heretic Cathar - MTG Card versions
Authority of the Consuls - MTG Card versions
Baird, Steward of Argive - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Kinjalli's Sunwing by color, type and mana cost

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Faithful Squire // Kaiso, Memory of Loyalty - MTG Card versions
Kitsune Palliator - MTG Card versions
Freewind Equenaut - MTG Card versions
Argivian Blacksmith - MTG Card versions
Jamuraan Lion - MTG Card versions
Snow Hound - MTG Card versions
Elvish Healer - MTG Card versions
Soraya the Falconer - MTG Card versions
Femeref Knight - MTG Card versions
Border Guard - MTG Card versions
Stern Marshal - MTG Card versions
Soltari Crusader - MTG Card versions
Town Sentry - MTG Card versions
Benalish Knight - MTG Card versions
Regal Unicorn - MTG Card versions
Wild Griffin - MTG Card versions
Pianna, Nomad Captain - MTG Card versions
Dogged Hunter - MTG Card versions
Sanctum Prelate - MTG Card versions
Diving Griffin - MTG Card versions
Faithful Squire // Kaiso, Memory of Loyalty - MTG Card versions
Kitsune Palliator - MTG Card versions
Freewind Equenaut - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Kinjalli's Sunwing. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Mono-White AggroMono-White Aggro GladiatorGladiator Team Unified League

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Kinjalli’s Sunwing may not directly provide card drawing capabilities, but it offers a strategic advantage by slowing down opponents’ creatures. The ability to keep opposing creatures from untapping the turn they come into play means you’re effectively limiting their immediate options, which can translate to a card advantage as you maintain board control and dictate the pace of the match.

Resource Acceleration: While Kinjalli’s Sunwing does not accelerate resources in the conventional sense by producing mana or tokens, its cost of three mana for a 2/3 body with flying offers an efficient rate. This makes it a resource-effective play, allowing you to develop your board presence while still holding back mana for other impactful plays.

Instant Speed: Kinjalli’s Sunwing’s ability acts at “instant speed” in a way by affecting the battlefield as soon as creatures enter on your opponent’s side. Effectively, this creature’s passive ability is always “on,” much like an enchantment that doesn’t need to be activated, giving you the benefit of instant speed disruption without needing to spend mana on your turn.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Kinjalli’s Sunwing does not have a discard requirement itself, the need to manage hand resources to maintain its presence can be demanding. Protecting this card often requires holding back other spells, which can strain your hand size, especially in strategies where every card counts.

Specific Mana Cost: Requiring both white mana and one other, Kinjalli’s Sunwing demands a commitment to white-centric color schemes. This specificity can restrict deck flexibility, limiting the card to certain archetypes that can consistently produce the necessary mana colors.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana, including one white mana, it sits at a higher cost range for its stats and effect when compared to other creatures. Decks looking for a more aggressive mana curve may find it slightly too costly, leading players to opt for lower-cost creatures that can impact the board sooner or offer additional abilities.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Kinjalli’s Sunwing is a card that’s easy to integrate into a variety of White decks, particularly those focusing on tempo plays and creature-based strategies. Its ability to slow down the opposition by making their creatures enter the battlefield tapped can be crucial in maintaining board superiority.

Combo Potential: Beyond its standalone value, its ability pairs wonderfully with cards designed to capitalize on opponents’ tapped creatures. It enhances strategies that might punish or restrict opponent actions, such as exert and detain mechanics or tapping for beneficial effects.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta swarming with aggressive creature strategies, Kinjalli’s Sunwing can offer a significant advantage. Slowing down the pace of the game can be exceptionally beneficial, allowing you to establish and execute your game plan more effectively while hindering fast, aggressive opponents.


How to beat

Kinjalli’s Sunwing is a remarkable creature that impacts the battlefield by forcing opponent’s creatures to enter the battlefield tapped, hindering aggressive strategies. To outmaneuver this white flyer, you could lean on removal spells like Fatal Push or Cast Down, efficiently dealing with it at a low mana cost. Cards with flash can also help bypass the Sunwing’s tapping ability by playing your creatures on your opponent’s turn, avoiding the entrance issue.

Swapping to control elements like counterspells, namely Negate or Essence Scatter, effectively keeps such threats off the board entirely. Additionally, consider adapting your gameplay rhythm by deploying heavier threats later in the game when Kinjalli’s Sunwing’s disruptive ability becomes less relevant. Prioritizing board clearances with cards like Wrath of God can reset the playing field, eliminating Kinjalli’s Sunwing and any potential aerial dominance it could establish.

Ultimately, the key lies in recognizing the tempo shift that Kinjalli’s Sunwing brings and adjusting your playstyle accordingly. By choosing the right interaction at the opportune time, Kinjalli’s Sunwing can become more of a minor hindrance than a game-ending catastrophe.


BurnMana Recommendations

Delving into the complexities of MTG, each card holds the power to turn the tides in your favor. Kinjalli’s Sunwing is no exception with its battlefield influence and tempo-controlling prowess. If you’re intrigued by the strategic depth this card provides, we invite you to explore further. Integrating Kinjalli’s Sunwing into your deck could be the edge you need against fast-paced opponents. Visit us to understand how this card can enhance your strategy, fit into existing deck archetypes, and ultimately outpace the competition. Let us help refine your collection and guide you to victory.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Kinjalli's Sunwing MTG card by a specific set like Ixalan and Ixalan Promos, 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 Kinjalli's Sunwing and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Kinjalli's Sunwing Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2017-09-29 and 2023-11-17. Illustrated by Simon Dominic.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12017-09-29IxalanXLN 192015NormalBlackSimon Dominic
22017-09-29Ixalan PromosPXLN 19p2015NormalBlackSimon Dominic
32017-09-29Ixalan PromosPXLN 19s2015NormalBlackSimon Dominic
42023-11-17The Lost Caverns of Ixalan CommanderLCC 1302015NormalBlackSimon Dominic

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Kinjalli's Sunwing has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Kinjalli's Sunwing card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2017-09-29 If a creature an opponent controls enters the battlefield at the same time that Kinjalli's Sunwing enters the battlefield under your control, Kinjalli's Sunwing's effect doesn't apply to your opponent's creature.