Ominous Roost MTG Card
2021-09-24 - Number 65
2022-01-28 - Number 65
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Enchantment |
Text of card
When Ominous Roost enters the battlefield or whenever you cast a spell from your graveyard, create a 1/1 blue Bird creature token with flying and "This creature can block only creatures with flying."
"One raven is a bad omen. Two are a curse. I don't know what this is, but it can't be good." —Verna, priest of Sigarda
Cards like Ominous Roost
Ominous Roost stands out in the land of enchantments in Magic: The Gathering. Its effect of creating a 1/1 blue Bird creature token with flying each time you cast a spell from the graveyard gracefully mirrors the functionality of other Magic cards. A comparison can be drawn to other token-generating cards, such as Talrand, Sky Summoner, which produces 2/2 flying drake tokens albeit exclusively when casting instant or sorcery spells.
Looking at the synergy with graveyard casting, Desperate Farmer similarly activates upon a change in state, transforming when another creature you control dies. While it’s not a precise match in terms of effects, it shares the theme of transformation and token generating. Furthermore, Sedgemoor Witch presents another comparable mechanic as it conjures up 1/1 black and green Pest creature tokens with lifelink whenever you cast or copy an instant or sorcery spell—but it does require the Magecraft ability to trigger.
In essence, Ominous Roost is a distinctive piece within the vast MTG landscape, offering a unique blend of strategic value for decks that focus on leveraging the graveyard, suggesting a similarity in concept but distinct versatility in application among its peers.
Cards similar to Ominous Roost by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Ominous Roost enhances your card efficiency by creating Bird Illusion tokens whenever you cast a spell from your graveyard. This recurring token generation means you keep getting more value out of spells you’ve already played.
Resource Acceleration: While Ominous Roost does not directly accelerate resources, the Bird tokens it creates can contribute to strategies that capitalize on creatures entering the battlefield, indirectly leading to forms of acceleration in the right deck.
Instant Speed: Although Ominous Roost itself is not cast at instant speed, it synergizes well with cards that are. It supports a strategy that involves playing instants from the graveyard, which can significantly impact the game’s tempo and enable surprise plays on the opponent’s turn.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Ominous Roost requires you to have birds in hand or a way to generate bird tokens, which might be challenging in games where you’re tight on resources or token-generating mechanics.
Specific Mana Cost: Ominous Roost comes with a blue mana cost, making it less versatile for multicolored decks that might struggle to consistently produce the required mana type.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With its mana cost sitting at three, including two blue, it may be deemed inefficient, especially when your strategy does not synergize with the production of bird tokens or when faster tempo plays are crucial to your game plan.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Ominous Roost slides into a wide array of deck builds with ease, particularly those aiming to capitalize on recurring creature effects and token generation. Its ability to create flying bird tokens adds layers of defense and offense to your board state.
Combo Potential: This card synergizes well with strategies that unfold around casting spells from the graveyard. Every instance becomes an opportunity to add another evasive creature to your field, providing incremental advantages that can escalate to overwhelming board presence.
Meta-Relevance: With decks that focus on spell-slinging and graveyard mechanics gaining traction, Ominous Roost has seen an uptick in play. Its enduring presence cements it as a solid choice for enthusiasts looking to stay competitive in the ever-evolving battlefield.
How to beat
Ominous Roost is an enchantment that brings a unique gameplay dynamic to the table in Magic: The Gathering. It allows players to create a 1/1 blue Bird Illusion creature token with flying whenever they cast a spell from their graveyard. This card can quickly generate an army of fliers, presenting a challenge for opponents to deal with. The key to overcoming Ominous Roost lies in disrupting the synergy it relies upon.
Targeted removal spells are effective ways to deal with the enchantment itself, preventing any bird tokens from being created. Graveyard hate is another strategic option; by exiling cards from the graveyard, you eliminate the fuel that Ominous Roost depends on for generating tokens. Additionally, board sweepers can clear out the tokens already on the battlefield, albeit this is a temporary solution if the enchantment remains in play. Utilizing flying blockers can also stall the token onslaught, though this is more of a defensive tactic.
Ultimately, staying ahead of Ominous Roost requires a direct approach to either remove the source of the tokens or to neutralize the graveyard strategies that it complements. A swift and decisive play can keep the skies clear and maintain control over the game.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Ominous Roost MTG card by a specific set like Innistrad: Midnight Hunt and Innistrad: Double Feature, 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 Ominous Roost 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
Printings
The Ominous Roost Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2021-09-24 and 2022-01-28. Illustrated by Josu Hernaiz.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2021-09-24 | Innistrad: Midnight Hunt | MID | 65 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Josu Hernaiz | |
| 2 | 2022-01-28 | Innistrad: Double Feature | DBL | 65 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Josu Hernaiz |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Ominous Roost has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Future | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |