Ornithopter MTG Card
Card sets | Released in 30 setsSee all |
Mana cost | |
Rarity | Common |
Type | Artifact Creature — Thopter |
Abilities | Flying |
Power | 0 |
Toughness | 2 |
Text of card
Flying
Many scholars believe that these creatures were the result of Urza's first attempt at mechanical life, perhaps created in his early days as an apprentice to Tocasia.
Cards like Ornithopter
The Ornithopter is a curiosity in the MTG universe: a zero-cost creature with flying. A card of comparable intrigue is Memnite, also a zero mana artifact creature. The key difference lies in power; the Ornithopter is a 0/2 flyer, while the Memnite is a 1/1 without flying. Memnite’s strength is certainly advantageous, but Ornithopter’s value isn’t to be dismissed thanks to its evasion capability.
Then we have the Phyrexian Walker, which shares Ornithopter’s zero mana cost and toughness of 2, but lacks its flying attribute. In a deck revolving around artifacts or affinity mechanisms, both serve a similar purpose of spiking artifact counts rapidly for very little cost, but Ornithopter’s evasion might be a game-changer for some.
Returning to the skies, Signal Pest is a one-mana artifact creature that potentially pumps your squad, while also remaining unblockable due to its evasion mechanic. It costs more than an Ornithopter, but might afford significant upside, depending on your deck strategy.
In summary, Ornithopter’s place amongst zero to low-mana artifact creatures with various levels of capabilities is unique due to its evasion attribute. Depending on your strategic plan, it can indeed be an indispensable part of a successful MTG deck.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Ornithopter can be played for zero cost, providing instantaneous advantage without consuming resources. It’s perfect for enhancing your deck size and increasing the variety of potential strategies.
Resource Acceleration: Using Ornithopter summoning doesn’t require mana, promoting faster gameplay. It works exceptionally well with artifact-based decks and strategies, fueling your board presence without using valuable mana ab initio.
Instant Speed: The immediate casting of Ornithopter allows you to gain airborne blockers or attackers instantly in your turn. Also credited to its low cost, it gives you the flexibility to hold mana in reserve for other spells, providing tactical agility in your gameplay.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Ornithopter, unfortunately, doesn’t have a discard ability. In some game scenarios, this aspect limits how flexible you are in adjusting your gameplan. This can significantly affect your game, especially if you’re short on resources or options on your hand.
Specific Mana Cost: The absence of any mana cost can be tricky too. It surely can be played in any deck since it doesn’t need a specific color on the mana cost. However, this might not be as beneficial when you have cards in your deck that interact beneficially with specific mana costs. For example, devotion or color-specific cards.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Though it costs zero to cast, such artefact creatures with zero power and toughness have other hidden costs. For the card to be genuinely effective, you often need to pair it with other cards or abilities that amplify its potential. Examples of this are cards that power up artefacts or cards that benefit from creatures entering the battlefield. Without these combos, your ornithopter could end up being a high-cost card when considering your deck’s overall efficiency.
Reasons to Include Ornithopter in Your Collection
Versatility: With its zero mana casting cost, Ornithopter can find a place in various MTG decks, especially those requiring early or multiple creatures on the field. Its flying ability gives a strategic edge against many ground targets, making it a desirable card in both aggro and control decks.
Combo Potential: This artifact creature holds immense potential to trigger astounding synergies. From enabling card draws with Artificer’s Assistant to powering up Mox Opal, the combo potential with Ornithopter brings surprising dynamics to your gameplay.
Meta-Relevance: Depending on the meta-game, the swift deployment of Ornithopter can disrupt enemy strategies or stack up your defenses. Its ability to rapidly stack up on the battlefield might just provide the upper hand in your next MTG matchup.
How to Beat
Ornithopter, a renowned artifact creature in Magic: The Gathering, is known for its zero cost and flying ability. This unique edge, coupled with potential enhancement from enchantments or equipments, makes it a strategic card in many decks. Nevertheless, there are ways to neutralize this seemingly formidable card.
One such method involves using spells that specifically target artifacts. Shatter and Naturalize are two simple yet effective examples, capable of dispatching Ornithopter regardless of its power or toughness. Timing such spell plays is crucial, as you can prevent any imminent threat that an enhanced Ornithopter may pose.
Alternatively, mass removal cards like Wrath of God and Damnation can wipe out all creatures, including Ornithopter, irrespective of their power, toughness or abilities in one swift stroke. They are an ideal solution for when Ornithopter is part of a larger menacing troop.
Lastly, combat-based strategies might also work, provided your creatures are equipped to deal damage in the air. Cards with Reach or other Flying creatures can potentially deal with Ornithopter on the battlefield, putting a halt to any offensive plans your opponent may have had.
Overall, by combining spells, tactics, and insightful play, you can effectively mitigate the potential threat posed by an Ornithopter, leaving your opponent’s strategy grounded.
BurnMana Recommendations
Mastering the art of Magic the Gathering requires a blend of cunning plays and strategic deck building. Consider embracing elements of versatility and combo potential in your deck construction. Ornithopter, a unique zero-cost artifact creature, presents a multifaceted asset for any player looking to optimize their tactics. Adopt this aerial dynamo into your collection and discover new horizons in your MTG quests. Curious to further your strategic edge? Engage with our deep dive insights and recommendations to command the skies and clinch victories with Ornithopter by your side.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Ornithopter MTG card by a specific set like Antiquities and Foreign Black Border, 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 Ornithopter 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 Ornithopter Magic the Gathering card was released in 25 different sets between 1994-03-04 and 2023-01-13. Illustrated by 7 different artists.
Show/hide all sets# | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 1994-03-04 | Antiquities | ATQ | 60 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Amy Weber | |
2 | 1994-04-01 | Foreign Black Border | FBB | 270 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Amy Weber | |
3 | 1994-04-01 | Revised Edition | 3ED | 270 | 1993 | Normal | White | Amy Weber | |
4 | 1994-06-21 | Summer Magic / Edgar | SUM | 270 | 1993 | Normal | White | Amy Weber | |
5 | 1995-04-01 | Fourth Edition | 4ED | 341 | 1993 | Normal | White | Amy Weber | |
6 | 1995-04-01 | Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border | 4BB | 341 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Amy Weber | |
7 | 1997-03-24 | Fifth Edition | 5ED | 393 | 1997 | Normal | White | Amy Weber | |
8 | 1999-04-21 | Classic Sixth Edition | 6ED | 304 | 1997 | Normal | White | Amy Weber | |
9 | 2003-10-02 | Mirrodin | MRD | 224 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Dana Knutson | |
10 | 2004-09-01 | World Championship Decks 2004 | WC04 | ap224 | 2003 | Normal | Gold | Dana Knutson | |
11 | 2005-07-29 | Ninth Edition | 9ED | 305 | 2003 | Normal | White | Dana Knutson | |
12 | 2005-07-29 | Ninth Edition | 9ED | 305★ | 2003 | Normal | Black | Dana Knutson | |
13 | 2007-07-13 | Tenth Edition | 10E | 336 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Dana Knutson | |
14 | 2007-07-13 | Tenth Edition | 10E | 336★ | 2003 | Normal | Black | Dana Knutson | |
15 | 2009-07-17 | Magic 2010 | M10 | 216 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Franz Vohwinkel | |
16 | 2010-07-16 | Magic 2011 | M11 | 211 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Franz Vohwinkel | |
17 | 2014-07-18 | Magic 2015 | M15 | 223 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Franz Vohwinkel | |
18 | 2016-09-30 | Kaladesh Inventions | MPS | 42 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Howard Lyon | |
19 | 2017-01-20 | Aether Revolt | AER | 167 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Mathias Kollros | |
20 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 1615 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Franz Vohwinkel | |
21 | 2019-11-21 | Historic Anthology 1 | HA1 | 18 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Franz Vohwinkel | |
22 | Secret Lair Drop | SLD | 604 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Cosmin Podar | ||
23 | The List | PLST | M15-223 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Franz Vohwinkel | ||
24 | 2020-11-12 | Kaladesh Remastered | KLR | 255 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Mathias Kollros | |
25 | 2022-09-09 | Dominaria United | DMU | 22 | 2015 | Token | Black | Fariba Khamseh | |
26 | 2022-11-18 | The Brothers' War Retro Artifacts | BRR | 100z | 1997 | Normal | Black | Franz Vohwinkel | |
27 | 2022-11-18 | The Brothers' War Retro Artifacts | BRR | 100 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Franz Vohwinkel | |
28 | 2022-11-18 | The Brothers' War Retro Artifacts | BRR | 37 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Franz Vohwinkel | |
29 | 2023-01-13 | Dominaria Remastered | DMR | 386 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Franz Vohwinkel | |
30 | 2023-01-13 | Dominaria Remastered | DMR | 233 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Franz Vohwinkel |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Ornithopter has restrictions
Format | Legality |
---|---|
Oldschool | Legal |
Historic | Legal |
Legacy | Legal |
Paupercommander | Legal |
Oathbreaker | Legal |
Gladiator | Legal |
Pioneer | Legal |
Commander | Legal |
Modern | Legal |
Pauper | Legal |
Premodern | Legal |
Vintage | Legal |
Duel | Legal |
Explorer | Legal |
Predh | Legal |
Brawl | Legal |
Timeless | Legal |