Shriek Raptor MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	5
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Phyrexian Bird
Abilities	Flying,Infect
Released	2011-05-13
Set symbol
Set name	New Phyrexia
Set code	NPH
Power	2
Toughness	3
Number	24
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Efrem Palacios

Key Takeaways

Infect capability makes Shriek Raptor a game changer, pressuring opponents with an alternative win condition.
Demands white mana dedication and comes with a sizeable mana cost, affecting deck construction and pacing.
Pairs well with instant speed spells and effect synergies, enhancing its impact and threat level.

Text of card

Flying Infect (This creature deals damage to creatures in the form of -1/-1 counters and to players in the form of poison counters.)

"That's no glint hawk. The skies have changed for the worse." —Ria Ivor, White Sun partisan

Card Pros

Card Advantage: With its ability to potentially eliminate opponent’s creatures, Shriek Raptor can pave the way for gaining card advantage by reducing the opponent’s board presence while maintaining your own.

Resource Acceleration: By delivering consistent damage through flying, this card can speed up the clock against your opponent, pressuring them to find an answer or lose vital resources in trying to block or contain it.

Instant Speed: Although not an instant itself, the Shriek Raptor’s Infect ability works well in decks that can use instant speed removal or buffs, clearing the way for unblocked attacks or enhancing the raptor after blockers are declared for a surprise spike in poison counters.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While not directly applicable to Shriek Raptor itself, deploying cards with infect might push you to use enablement strategies that cost additional resources. Losing cards can hamper your late-game potential, especially if Shriek Raptor is crucial to your deck’s synergy.

Specific Mana Cost: Sporting a colorless and double white mana cost, Shriek Raptor demands a dedicated mana base. Decks not heavily invested in white mana may find it challenging to cast this card on curve or struggle with color fixing.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of five mana, Shriek Raptor may arrive too late against fast-paced or aggressive decks. Given its 2/3 stats, other creatures in its mana range could potentially offer more immediate board impact or utility.

Reasons to Include Shriek Raptor in Your Collection

Versatility: Shriek Raptor’s Infect ability makes it a valuable component in a variety of strategies. As a creature with evasion through flying, this card can consistently inflict damage and proliferate poison counters in both aggressive and control-focused decks.

Combo Potential: In decks built around the Infect mechanic or in those utilizing proliferate effects, Shriek Raptor serves as a substantial threat. It works well in tandem with cards that increase its power or provide additional proliferate triggers to swiftly increase an opponent’s poison counters.

Meta-Relevance: Due to its evasive nature and ability to pressure life totals differently, Shriek Raptor can be a strong contender in metagames where traditional creature combat is prevalent. In a meta with fewer flying blockers, it shines as a consistent source of Infect damage that can close out games quickly.

How to beat

Shriek Raptor poses a unique challenge on the battlefield with its Infect ability, turning damage into potent -1/-1 counters instead of regular life point reduction. Understanding how to navigate its presence is crucial for any player. The key to overcoming Shriek Raptor lies in managing combat phases effectively. Cards that neutralize creatures before they deal damage, such as ‘Frost Breath’ or ‘Pacifism’, can prevent Shriek Raptor from inflicting any poison counters on you.

Beyond direct creature disablement, maintaining board presence with creatures that have high toughness can stall Shriek Raptor’s attacks, as it only has 1 power. Additionally, using spells like ‘Doom Blade’ or ‘Go for the Throat’ swiftly remove Shriek Raptor from the game without it ever connecting with a player or planeswalker.

In essence, being proactive with control elements or setting up a robust line of defense ensures that Shriek Raptor’s impact is minimized, preserving your life total and maintaining your position on the battlefield. Adapting your strategy to counteract the Infect mechanic will be instrumental in securing victory against opponents wielding this pernicious creature.

Cards like Shriek Raptor

Shriek Raptor is an intriguing creature card in MTG with the potential to influence the battlefield. This card resonates with others like Plated Pegasus in terms of its flying feature that enables it to evade many ground-based defenses. However, what sets Shriek Raptor apart is its infect ability, dealing damage to creatures in the form of -1/-1 counters and to players in the form of poison counters.

Striking a comparison, Blade Splicer is another creature worth mentioning, sharing a similar mana cost. Unlike Shriek Raptor, Blade Splicer provides a golem token when it enters the battlefield, enhancing your creature presence. It lacks the infect ability but offers a conventional means to strengthen your board. Then there’s Viridian Corrupter, a card which, like Shriek Raptor, adds to the infect strategy with added utility owing to its artifact destruction upon entering the battlefield, delivering an additional layer of tactical advantage.

While assessing the various abilities and strategic depth these creatures offer, Shriek Raptor finds its niche within MTG decks focusing on poison counters and its unique power to alter the state of play with its infect ability.

Cards similar to Shriek Raptor by color, type and mana cost

Enduring Angel // Angelic Enforcer - MTG Card versions

Celestial Gatekeeper - MTG Card versions

Kiyomaro, First to Stand - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Shriek Raptor MTG card by a specific set like New Phyrexia, 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 Shriek Raptor and other MTG cards: