Nightwind Glider MTG Card


Nightwind Glider’s evasion skills enhance longevity, dodging common removals effortlessly. Instant speed blocking of flyers gives strategic edge during combat scenarios. Requires careful deck construction to maintain its protection capability effectively.
Nightwind Glider - Mercadian Masques
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Human Rebel
Abilities Flying,Protection
Released1999-10-04
Set symbol
Set nameMercadian Masques
Set codeMMQ
Power 2
Toughness 1
Number31
Frame1997
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byRandy Gallegos

Text of card

Flying, protection from black

Once you learn to float on the shadows, you'll never fear them again.


Cards like Nightwind Glider

Nightwind Glider is a noteworthy card in Magic: The Gathering that can often find a home in decks focused on protection from certain colors. Comparable to cards like Mother of Runes, which provides color protection but offers it for any creature, Nightwind Glider stands out by inherently carrying this ability. Mother of Runes demands an active tap ability, while Nightwind Glider comes equipped with protection from black as a static trait, making it immune to an entire color without additional cost.

Another card in the same realm is Tivadar’s Crusade. Although this card doesn’t offer protection, it is directly useful against creatures of a particular color — in this case, destroying all Goblins. Nightwind Glider does not destroy creatures but allows itself to evade black creatures entirely. Additionally, there’s Beloved Chaplain, which shares the unblockable-by-black-creatures trait with Nightwind Glider, but this card extends its protection to damage from all creatures, not just black ones.

When evaluating these cards for deck construction, Nightwind Glider holds a unique position. While it doesn’t offer the versatility of Mother of Runes or the board impact of Tivadar’s Crusade, its constant protection from black could make it an unassailable threat in matchups where this is relevant.

Mother of Runes - MTG Card versions
Tivadar's Crusade - MTG Card versions
Beloved Chaplain - MTG Card versions
Mother of Runes - MTG Card versions
Tivadar's Crusade - MTG Card versions
Beloved Chaplain - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Nightwind Glider by color, type and mana cost

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Argivian Blacksmith - MTG Card versions
Jamuraan Lion - MTG Card versions
Snow Hound - MTG Card versions
Elvish Healer - 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
Sanctum Guardian - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Nightwind Glider is remarkable for its ability to evade many common forms of removal, offering a subtle form of card advantage as it remains an elusive threat on the battlefield.

Resource Acceleration: Although not directly providing a mana boost, its low casting cost combined with potential cost reduction for creature spells of the same type allows for efficient mana utilization and a faster deployment of your strategy.

Instant Speed: The capability of Nightwind Glider to block creatures with flying or reach at instant speed gives you significant leverage, allowing you to surprise opponents and potentially eliminate key threats during combat.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Nightwind Glider’s abilities don’t necessitate discarding, but it requires careful deck construction. To activate its protection capability, you must have a significant number of Rebels, which may lead to discarding beneficial non-Rebel cards for strategic alignment.

Specific Mana Cost: Nightwind Glider demands both white and generic mana for casting, which can be less than ideal in multi-colored decks that need mana flexibility. Its dependency on white means it fits best in mono-white or decks with a heavy white influence.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana, including two white, Nightwind Glider may be a steep investment for a 2/1 creature. Players might find other creatures or spells that offer more immediate board presence or utility for the same or lower mana investment.


Reasons to Include Nightwind Glider in Your Collection

Versatility: Nightwind Glider stands out with its protection ability, making it a resilient choice for decks combating permanents with certain colors. Its adaptability in evading enemy spells and creatures is a significant asset.

Combo Potential: Its protection attributes can be combined with various equipment and aura spells to create a formidable defense while opening up opportunities for offense in otherwise challenging board states.

Meta-Relevance: In an environment teeming with multicolored decks, Nightwind Glider could serve as an effective countermeasure. It thrives in metas saturated with targeted removal, giving you an edge by maintaining board presence where other creatures might not.


How to beat

Nightwind Glider presents a unique challenge in MTG due to its protection from black and from green. This means that it can’t be targeted, damaged, or enchanted by anything that’s black or green, which could limit your traditional removal options. However, there are strategies to outmaneuver this evasive creature.

One effective tactic is to use colorless or artifact-based removal cards, such as those found in utility cards like Oblivion Ring or Engineered Explosives. These can bypass the color protection of Nightwind Glider. Additionally, board wipes that do not target, like Day of Judgment or Wrath of God, can clear the Glider away as part of the collateral damage, neatly sidestepping its protections.

Another strategy is to use cards that force your opponent to sacrifice creatures. Since these effects do not target, they circumvent the protection provided to Nightwind Glider, compelling your opponent to say goodbye to their flyer. Cards like Liliana of the Veil’s edict effect or Diabolic Edict are prime examples of such tools in a player’s arsenal.

Consider also redirecting your focus. Instead of attempting to remove it, enhance your board’s resilience or race your opponent with aggressive plays. This way, Nightwind Glider becomes less of a threat as you outpace it with your strategy.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Nightwind Glider MTG card by a specific set like Mercadian Masques, 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 Nightwind Glider and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Nightwind Glider has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal