Phantom Wings MTG Card
1997-06-09 - Number 49
2005-02-04 - Number 46
2005-08-22 - Number E55
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Enchantment — Aura |
| Abilities | Enchant |
Text of card
Enchanted creature gains flying. Sacrifice Phantom Wings: Return enchanted creature to owner's hand.
"But you *said* 'when goats fly!'" Squee whined.
Cards like Phantom Wings
Phantom Wings serves as a useful utility in the realm of enchantment aura cards within Magic: The Gathering. It bears resemblance to cards such as Flight, which also grants the enchanted creature the ability to fly. However, Phantom Wings provides a player with additional flexibility by allowing them to sacrifice the enchantment to return the enchanted creature to its owner’s hand—an option Flight doesn’t offer.
Another card with a related function is Jump. While providing flying status for only a single turn at a lower cost, it lacks the potential for reuse that Phantom Wings offers through its sacrifice ability. Conversely, Leap functions similarly to Jump but comes with the boon of card draw, a feature that enriches a player’s hand but does not offer the enchanted creature’s salvaging capability that Phantom Wings does.
Upon analyzing their unique advantages and strategic applications, Phantom Wings emerges as a card that offers both evasion and protective measures for creatures, which in certain scenarios can be pivotal in maintaining an advantageous board position in Magic: The Gathering.
Cards similar to Phantom Wings by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Phantom Wings provides a straightforward way to bypass blockers or slip past your opponent’s defenses by granting a creature flying. While not directly drawing cards, the utility it provides can help maintain pressure and edge out in a drawn-out match.
Resource Acceleration: Though it doesn’t produce mana or tokens directly, it’s a low-cost enchantment that can be cycled back to your hand. This action returns a resource to you, effectively keeping your hand stocked and ready to react to dynamic board states.
Instant Speed: Phantom Wings can be played at instant speed, allowing you to react swiftly to the evolving battlefield. Whether you’re saving a creature from a harmful spell or suddenly need to block an evasive attacker, its instant speed application adds a layer of strategic depth to your plays.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Phantom Wings calls for you to toss another card from your hand into the graveyard to activate its ability. This can set you back, especially if your hand is already running low on cards. Discarding is a risky maneuver that might not always align with your strategy, especially if card advantage is crucial to your game plan.
Specific Mana Cost: This enchantment requires blue mana to cast. While this is typical for cards offering similar effects, it does mean that decks not running blue might not be able to use Phantom Wings, restricting its versatility across various deck types.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Investing two mana might seem reasonable at first glance, but in a game where efficiency is key, there are alternatives that can provide similar or better effects for either a lower cost or with additional benefits. Players often weigh the cost-to-benefit ratio of cards like Phantom Wings when constructing their decks, and in many cases, they may opt for cards that provide more bang for their buck.
Reasons to Include Phantom Wings in Your Collection
Versatility: Phantom Wings offers a flexible enchantment option that can be included in a variety of decks. Its ability to grant flying to a creature adds a new dimension to any offensive or defensive strategy, allowing you to adapt in real-time to the battleground of the game.
Combo Potential: Not only does it facilitate evasion for your creatures, but it can also be utilized in synergistic plays. By bouncing the enchanted creature back to your hand, you can trigger enter-the-battlefield effects again or save a key piece from removal, revealing surprising combo avenues.
Meta-Relevance: In environments where board control and creature-based strategies dominate, Phantom Wings can serve as an inexpensive and effective tool. Enabling less imposing creatures to bypass ground stalls or evade common removal can be pivotal in clinching victory against the prevalent deck types in the current meta.
How to beat
Phantom Wings is a card that presents a unique challenge in MTG gameplay. This blue enchantment can be a thorn in your side by granting a creature the ability to fly over your defenses – it’s a swift and tactical maneuver commonly used to bypass grounded troops. Typically paired with surprise attacks, Phantom Wings enables opponents to swing for the skies, leaving you grappling for control.
The key to grounding a Phantom Wings user lies in robust removal or counterplay strategies. Focusing on versatile removal spells that can target any type of permanent or employing flying blockers can neutralize the threat. More strategic plays might involve enchantment hate cards or direct responses such as bounce spells to reset the board and take the wind out of Phantom Wings’ sails. Always being one step ahead and ready to adapt will ensure your stronghold remains unbreached.
Remember, while Phantom Wings offers a potent advantage in evasion, it is not invincible. Like all strategies in MTG, it has its counters and vulnerabilities. Stay vigilant, be prepared with a solution, and the Wings will be clipped, restoring the battle to an even playing field.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Phantom Wings MTG card by a specific set like Weatherlight and Betrayers of Kamigawa, 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 Phantom Wings 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 Phantom Wings Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 1997-06-09 and 2005-08-22. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1997-06-09 | Weatherlight | WTH | 49 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Una Fricker | |
| 2 | 2005-02-04 | Betrayers of Kamigawa | BOK | 46 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Greg Staples | |
| 3 | 2005-08-22 | Salvat 2005 | PSAL | E55 | 2003 | Normal | White | Greg Staples |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Phantom Wings has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |