Meneldor, Swift Savior MTG Card


Meneldor offers card preservation, indirectly boosting your resource game. It acts at instant speed, allowing flexible, unexpected game tactics. The card’s flash ability requires discarding, which may limit hand options.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityUncommon
TypeLegendary Creature — Bird Soldier
Abilities Flying
Power 3
Toughness 3

Text of card

Flying Whenever Meneldor, Swift Savior deals combat damage to a player, exile up to one target creature you own, then return it to the battlefield under your control.

"Then come! We have need of speed greater than any wind, outmatching the wings of the Nazgûl." —Gandalf


Cards like Meneldor, Swift Savior

Meneldor, Swift Savior has carved out its place in MTG as a versatile protector in avian-themed decks. We can draw parallels with cards like Selfless Spirit, which offers creature indestructibility rather than the temporary shielding Meneldor provides. Both cards share a common cause: safeguarding your creatures from harm, albeit via different mechanics and with different rhythms of play.

Contrasting Meneldor, Swift Savior with other feathered guardians like Suntail Hawk reveals Meneldor’s strategic advantage. While Suntail Hawk is a simple, low-cost flyer, it lacks the interactive defensive capability inherent to Meneldor. Furthermore, Apostle of Purifying Light offers some protection with its ability to gain indestructible, yet it’s limited to providing safety solely for itself and requires additional mana investment, making Meneldor’s on-entry effect more immediately impactful.

In the echelons of protective birds in Magic: The Gathering, Meneldor, Swift Savior competes with a unique blend of quick defense and the potential to turn the tides in a pivotal turn. This interplay of protection and speed allows players to deploy a more reactionary and dynamic strategy on the battlefield.

Selfless Spirit - MTG Card versions
Suntail Hawk - MTG Card versions
Apostle of Purifying Light - MTG Card versions
Selfless Spirit - MTG Card versions
Suntail Hawk - MTG Card versions
Apostle of Purifying Light - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Meneldor, Swift Savior by color, type and mana cost

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Fatestitcher - MTG Card versions
Argent Sphinx - MTG Card versions
Lumengrid Drake - MTG Card versions
Phantasmal Forces - MTG Card versions
Phantom Monster - MTG Card versions
Wall of Vapor - MTG Card versions
Tradewind Rider - MTG Card versions
Archivist - MTG Card versions
Thieving Magpie - MTG Card versions
Inga Rune-Eyes - MTG Card versions
Sakashima of a Thousand Faces - MTG Card versions
Laboratory Drudge - MTG Card versions
Johnny, Combo Player - MTG Card versions
Dream Prowler - MTG Card versions
Clone - MTG Card versions
Cytoplast Manipulator - MTG Card versions
Crookclaw Transmuter - MTG Card versions
Dreamborn Muse - MTG Card versions
Turtleshell Changeling - MTG Card versions
Glen Elendra Archmage - MTG Card versions
Fatestitcher - MTG Card versions
Argent Sphinx - MTG Card versions
Lumengrid Drake - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

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

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Boros BurnBoros Burn ModernJeskai Burn#19 Last Chance Qualifier: Modern

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Meneldor, Swift Savior offers the ability to potentially save a creature from being destroyed, thereby preserving your card resources on the battlefield. This not only can maintain your board presence but may also force your opponent to use additional resources to deal with your threats.

Resource Acceleration: Although not directly providing mana acceleration, the preservation of your creatures can indirectly accelerate your resource development. With Meneldor, Swift Savior, you’re essentially protecting the investments you’ve already placed on the board, which can lead to greater mana utilization in subsequent turns.

Instant Speed: The power of acting at instant speed cannot be overstated. Meneldor, Swift Savior can be cast in response to an opponent’s spell or ability, offering a surprise element that can turn the tide of a game. This flexibility allows you to adapt to incoming threats on the fly and potentially disrupt your opponent’s strategies.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Meneldor, Swift Savior requires you to discard another card when using its flash ability. This could deplete your hand, leaving you with fewer options on subsequent turns.

Specific Mana Cost: This card’s casting cost is strictly green and white, necessitating a deck that supports these colors, potentially restricting deck-building flexibility.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that includes three mana, Meneldor, Swift Savior may compete with other more impactful cards in the three-drop slot, which can affect your deck’s overall efficiency.


Reasons to Include Meneldor, Swift Savior in Your Collection

Versatility: Meneldor, Swift Savior is a multifaceted card capable of fitting into various decks, particularly those requiring a quick response or ways to protect key creatures.

Combo Potential: With its ability to give another creature indestructible until end of turn, Meneldor can be pivotal in combos that need safeguarding a crucial combo piece from removal.

Meta-Relevance: Given its swift nature and protective ability, Meneldor, Swift Savior remains highly relevant in dynamic game environments where instant-speed interaction can make or break a game.


How to Beat

Meneldor, Swift Savior is a powerful piece in any MTG player’s arsenal, known for its ability to serve as a flying protector in many game situations. Its swift ability to save another target creature from danger through its flash ability can turn the tide of battle in an instant. This makes encountering Meneldor on the opposing side a tricky prospect, as it can unexpectedly disrupt strategic removals or counter key plays.

To effectively counter Meneldor, Swift Savior, it’s critical to limit the opportunities where it can be advantageous. Baiting out the card early by targeting less crucial creatures can be a tactic, although risky. Utilizing spells that restrict the opponent’s ability to cast spells with flash or relying on board wipes that don’t target individual creatures can circumvent Meneldor’s protective nature. Having instant-speed removal at the ready can also help one deal with the creature once it hits the board, circumventing its surprise element. Keeping a close watch on the open mana and potential plays from the opponent is key when anticipating Meneldor’s appearance in the game.

Understanding and predicting opponent patterns while maintaining control over the board state can be a solid strategy against the swift savior of the skies. It may be demanding, but successfully navigating around Meneldor’s defenses can lead to a well-earned victory.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Meneldor, Swift Savior 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 Meneldor, Swift Savior and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Meneldor, Swift Savior Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2023-06-23 and 2023-06-23. Illustrated by Axel Sauerwald.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12023-06-23The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earthLTR 622015NormalBlackAxel Sauerwald
22023-06-23The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earthLTR 5132015NormalBlackAxel Sauerwald

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Meneldor, Swift Savior has restrictions

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

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2023-06-16 If a token is exiled this way, it will cease to exist and won't return to the battlefield.
2023-06-16 Meneldor's second ability can target any permanent you own, including those another player controls.
2023-06-16 Once the exiled permanent returns, it's considered a new object with no relation to the object that it was. Auras attached to the exiled permanent will be put into their owners' graveyards. Equipment attached to the exiled permanent will become unattached and remain on the battlefield. Any counters on the exiled permanent will cease to exist.