Mtenda Griffin MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Griffin |
| Abilities | Flying |
| Released | 1996-10-08 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Mirage |
| Set code | MIR |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
| Number | 28 |
| Frame | 1997 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Janine Johnston |
Text of card
Flying o W, oc T: Return Mtenda Griffin to owner's hand and return target Griffin card in your graveyard to your hand. Use this ability only during your upkeep.
"Unlike Zhalfir, the griffin needs no council to keep harmony among its parts." —Asmira, Holy Avenger
Cards like Mtenda Griffin
Mtenda Griffin offers a unique twist within the realm of Magic: The Gathering flying creatures. Often compared to cards like Spire Owl, which also features flying and a look at the top four cards when it enters the battlefield. Although Mtenda Griffin doesn’t allow for rearrangement of these cards, it compensates with a returning to hand ability, providing a persistent aerial threat.
Looking at Gustcloak Savior, a card famed for its defensive maneuverings—allowing creatures to be untapped and removed from combat—it never quite matches the recasting potential of Mtenda Griffin that can be replayed repeatedly for consistent board presence. Conversely, the Aven Fateshaper, while having a stronger ability to sift through the top of your deck, doesn’t offer Mtenda Griffin’s flexible evasion.
Thus, Mtenda Griffin situates itself as a compelling option within the portfolio of Magic: The Gathering flyers. Its ability to dodge removal and repeatedly pose a threat from the skies lends it a potentially continuous strategic advantage, necessitating opponents to always consider its presence in the game.
Cards similar to Mtenda Griffin by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Mtenda Griffin provides a consistent source of card advantage by returning to your hand when a certain condition is met, ensuring a persistent threat that can outvalue your opponent over the course of the game.
Resource Acceleration: While it may not directly generate additional mana or reduce costs, the return mechanic of Mtenda Griffin can synergize with other cards that benefit from casting creatures or from creatures entering the battlefield, indirectly contributing to overall resource acceleration.
Instant Speed: Having the ability to play cards or activate abilities at instant speed grants you flexibility in responding to threats or optimizing plays based on the developing game state. Although Mtenda Griffin does not operate at instant speed itself, it can be a part of strategies that benefit from instant-speed interactions.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One downside of the Mtenda Griffin card is that activating its abilities often entails a discard cost. This can become a setback in gameplay, especially when your hand is already running thin, forcing you to make tough decisions about what to keep and what to discard.
Specific Mana Cost: The mana cost for Mtenda Griffin includes a specific mix of colors, which may not align with every deck’s mana base. Players running decks without the necessary colors will find this card challenging to play, thus narrowing its versatility and potential usage across various deck types.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a steeper mana curve to bring into play, some players may find the Mtenda Griffin card less appealing. Compared to other creatures in its mana range, there might be alternatives that offer either more power, additional abilities, or lower-cost synergies, making them preferable choices in a competitive environment.
Reasons to Include Mtenda Griffin in Your Collection
Versatility: Mtenda Griffin offers flexibility in multiple deck builds, as it provides both a respectable flying body for combat and a useful synergy piece for decks that capitalize on the flying mechanic or tap abilities.
Combo Potential: This card can be a key component in combos with cards that benefit from creatures entering the battlefield or being tapped, offering a unique dynamic to your strategic plays.
Meta-Relevance: In an environment where flyers can dominate and evasion is key, Mtenda Griffin becomes a worthwhile addition, potentially bolstering your deck’s performance against a range of adversaries.
How to beat
Mtenda Griffin is an intriguing creature with a flight ability, distinguishing it in the realm of aerial combatants in Magic: The Gathering. To effectively counter this card, one must emphasize tactical removal or negation strategies. Cards like Doom Blade or Go for the Throat can dispatch Mtenda Griffin without much fuss due to their direct and cost-efficient removal capabilities.
Another path to trump the Griffin lies in utilising counterspells such as Essence Scatter when it’s cast, targeting directly its initial summoning. For those preferring a less reactive approach, setting up board control with cards like Propaganda can deter the Griffin’s assaults by imposing taxing costs on the attacker.
Ultimately, overcoming the Mtenda Griffin hinges on preparedness and keeping a versatile array of answers within reach. Whether through immediate removal, preemptive countering, or cunning deterrents, ensuring your deck has an answer to flying threats is a cornerstone of a well-rounded strategy in Magic: The Gathering.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Mtenda Griffin MTG card by a specific set like Mirage, 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 Mtenda Griffin 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
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Mtenda Griffin has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Mtenda Griffin card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2004-10-04 | Must have a Griffin in the graveyard to use this ability because it requires a target. |