Razorfoot Griffin MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 7 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Griffin
Abilities First strike,Flying
Power 2
Toughness 2

Key Takeaways

  1. Flying and first strike make Razorfoot Griffin a persistent board threat, often demanding multiple resources to handle.
  2. Its moderate casting cost harmonizes with deck tempo, complementing a well-planned mana curve effectively.
  3. Though not an instant, the Griffin’s reactive combat role can protect your board state akin to instant-speed interaction.

Text of card

Flying, first strike

"Do griffins fight to defend their homes or purely for sport?" —Sisay


Card Pros

Card Advantage: While the Razorfoot Griffin itself does not provide direct card draw, it offers a resilient presence on the board thanks to flying and first strike, making it a reliable defender and a persistent threat. This may force opponents to use multiple resources to deal with it, indirectly contributing to card advantage.

Resource Acceleration: Though Razorfoot Griffin isn’t a source of resource acceleration in the traditional mana-generating sense, its moderate casting cost and efficiency can fit smoothly into a curve, allowing you to maintain tempo and pressure without falling behind in resource deployment.

Instant Speed: Razorfoot Griffin might not be an instant, but having a creature with first strike can often serve a similar strategic purpose. By deterring attacks or enabling favorable combat scenarios, the Griffin effectively offers a reactive capability, preserving your life total and board state much like an instant would handle threats on the fly.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Unlike other utility cards, Razorfoot Griffin doesn’t offer card advantage and its presence in your hand doesn’t directly translate to gaining more options, as it doesn’t have a mechanic that allows for card draw or replacement.

Specific Mana Cost: Razorfoot Griffin requires a precise combination of mana types to cast—two Colourless and one White. This cost can be a hurdle in multicolored decks that might struggle with mana consistency, making it less versatile outside mono-White or two-colored decks.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: For a creature with 2/2 stats, the three mana investment might be on the higher side when considering other creatures in the mana curve. Players often assess the value based on comparative abilities, such as evasion or combat effectiveness, and Razorfoot Griffin may fall short when matched against other cards with similar or lower casting costs.


Reasons to Include Razorfoot Griffin in Your Collection

Versatility: Razorfoot Griffin is a flexible inclusion for decks looking for an evasive threat. Its flying ability allows it to glide over ground-based defenses, while first strike gives it an edge in combat, making it a solid choice for both offensive and defensive strategies.

Combo Potential: As a creature with first strike, the Griffin partners well with cards that capitalize on combat abilities or those that benefit from having airborne creatures. This card can be part of synergy-based strategies that leverage its combat strengths.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where flyers can dominate and combat tricks win games, Razorfoot Griffin’s dual attributes can turn the tides in your favor. The card is especially relevant in formats where its moderate mana cost and capabilities align with the pace and style of play.


How to beat

Razorfoot Griffin presents players with a defensive challenge in MTG, thanks to its flying ability and first strike, allowing it to deal combat damage before creatures without that ability. With a reasonable casting cost, it can quickly become an aerial threat that’s difficult to block. Therefore, overcoming this card requires strategic measures.

To effectively counter Razorfoot Griffin, consider using spells that can target flying creatures or remove them without needing to engage in combat. Cards like Plummet or Fatal Push can handle the Griffin efficiently. Another approach is to use cards that can alter the combat phase, such as ones that force the Griffin to tap before it can attack or block, thereby neutralizing its first-strike capability.

Controlling the board is also key. Establishing a presence with creatures that have reach or your own powerful flyers can deter the griffin from attacking and can serve as a strong defensive setup. In essence, prioritizing removal spells or creating a robust board state are both valid tactics to outplay an opponent’s Razorfoot Griffin. Success in MTG often comes down to anticipating such threats and having answers ready in your deck.


Cards like Razorfoot Griffin

Razorfoot Griffin joins the ranks of MTG’s flying creatures, serving as an aerial threat with its first strike ability. Its similarities align with fellow common flyers like Concordia Pegasus, which also offers a defensive presence in the air but lacks the first-strike capability that makes Razorfoot Griffin a notable combatant against other creatures of similar size.

Comparing to Keeneye Aven, both creatures share the flying trait, but Keeneye Aven brings versatility with its cycling ability, allowing players to draw a card at the expense of the creature. On the other end, the Griffin stands out with its on-board combat prowess. Guardian of the Guildpact is another creature often compared to Razorfoot Griffin as it features protection from monocolored, which often renders it unblockable or untouchable against many decks. Yet, the Griffin’s lower cost may offer faster gameplay advantages.

All things considered, while Razorfoot Griffin may not boast the most extraordinary abilities in the landscape of flyers, its balance between cost, power, and first strike makes it a solid choice for players looking to establish early game aerial dominance.

Concordia Pegasus - MTG Card versions
Keeneye Aven - MTG Card versions
Guardian of the Guildpact - MTG Card versions
Concordia Pegasus - Return to Ravnica (RTR)
Keeneye Aven - Legions (LGN)
Guardian of the Guildpact - Dissension (DIS)

Cards similar to Razorfoot Griffin by color, type and mana cost

Northern Paladin - MTG Card versions
Moorish Cavalry - MTG Card versions
Witch Hunter - MTG Card versions
Carrier Pigeons - MTG Card versions
Tormented Angel - MTG Card versions
Seasoned Marshal - MTG Card versions
Coalition Honor Guard - MTG Card versions
Mangara, the Diplomat - MTG Card versions
Akroma's Devoted - MTG Card versions
Leonin Abunas - MTG Card versions
Aven Cloudchaser - MTG Card versions
Blinking Spirit - MTG Card versions
Seht's Tiger - MTG Card versions
Valor - MTG Card versions
Guardian Seraph - MTG Card versions
Lightkeeper of Emeria - MTG Card versions
Cho-Manno, Revolutionary - MTG Card versions
Hero of Bladehold - MTG Card versions
Mausoleum Guard - MTG Card versions
Galepowder Mage - MTG Card versions
Northern Paladin - Revised Edition (3ED)
Moorish Cavalry - Arabian Nights (ARN)
Witch Hunter - Chronicles (CHR)
Carrier Pigeons - Alliances (ALL)
Tormented Angel - Urza's Destiny (UDS)
Seasoned Marshal - Battle Royale Box Set (BRB)
Coalition Honor Guard - Apocalypse (APC)
Mangara, the Diplomat - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Akroma's Devoted - Legions (LGN)
Leonin Abunas - Mirrodin (MRD)
Aven Cloudchaser - Ninth Edition (9ED)
Blinking Spirit - Ninth Edition (9ED)
Seht's Tiger - Salvat 2005 (PSAL)
Valor - Time Spiral Timeshifted (TSB)
Guardian Seraph - Magic 2010 (M10)
Lightkeeper of Emeria - Worldwake (WWK)
Cho-Manno, Revolutionary - Salvat 2011 (PS11)
Hero of Bladehold - Mirrodin Besieged (MBS)
Mausoleum Guard - Innistrad (ISD)
Galepowder Mage - Duel Decks: Venser vs. Koth (DDI)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Razorfoot Griffin MTG card by a specific set like Invasion and Seventh Edition, 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 Razorfoot Griffin and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Razorfoot Griffin Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2000-10-02 and 2014-07-18. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12000-10-02InvasionINV 291997normalblackBen Thompson
22001-04-11Seventh Edition7ED 32★1997normalblackPete Venters
32001-04-11Seventh Edition7ED 321997normalwhitePete Venters
42003-07-28Eighth Edition8ED 36★2003normalblackBen Thompson
52003-07-28Eighth Edition8ED 362003normalwhiteBen Thompson
62009-07-17Magic 2010M10 252003normalblackBen Thompson
72014-07-18Magic 2015M15 272015normalblackBen Thompson

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Razorfoot Griffin has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PioneerLegal
PennyLegal

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