Cloud Pirates MTG Card

Portal (POR)
1997-05-01 - Number 46d

Portal (POR)
1997-05-01 - Number 46

Card sets	Released in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	1
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Human Pirate
Abilities	Flying
Power	1
Toughness	1

Key Takeaways

Cloud Pirates ensures card advantage, accelerates resources, and offers instant-speed play for dynamic strategies.
Drawbacks include a specific mana cost, card discarding requirements, and a potentially high mana investment.
Versatile and meta-relevant, Cloud Pirates thrives in evasion-centric decks and pirate synergies.

Text of card

Flying Cloud Pirates can block only creatures with flying.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Engenders a steady flow of additional pathways to victory by permitting the retrieval of specific cards from your library, hence establishing a robust presence on the battlefield.

Resource Acceleration: Acts as a catalyst for a swift escalation in the resources at your disposal, granting a surge of action economy that can often tip the scales in your favor.

Instant Speed: Its reactive nature complements strategic flexibility, allowing you to optimize the timing of your plays and respond deftly to the evolving state of the game.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: To unleash the full power of Cloud Pirates, you must sacrifice card advantage by discarding, which can set you back when your hand is already depleted.

Specific Mana Cost: Cloud Pirates necessitates a precise blend of mana, which can be cumbersome for multicolor decks that may struggle to produce the right colors at critical moments.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With an investment of multiple mana points, Cloud Pirates’ cost-effectiveness is debatable, especially when there are cards with similar abilities but lower demands on your mana pool.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Cloud Pirates is a card that can easily slide into decks focused on evasion and aerial superiority. Its ability to fly makes it an excellent choice for bypassing ground-based defenses, supporting strategies that capitalize on direct damage.

Combo Potential: As a low-cost creature with flying, Cloud Pirates functions well with synergistic cards that empower flying creatures or those that benefit from the sheer number of creatures under your control. Its potential to create early pressure or to be a part of intricate combo chains shouldn’t be underestimated.

Meta-Relevance: With the constant evolution of the metagame, Cloud Pirates retains relevancy through its resilience against popular ground-centric tactics. Its presence in your collection ensures you have a tactical edge in matchups where evasive creatures can tip the balance in your favor.

How to beat

Cloud Pirates presents a peculiar challenge in the MTG realm. This unique card often emphasizes aerial power, strategically bolstering your flying forces. To navigate around its formidable presence, a sound strategy should involve removing flight capabilities directly from the battlefield. Cards that ground or neutralize flying creatures quickly declaw Cloud Pirates. Another efficient method entails employing creature removal spells. These can bypass the card’s impact altogether by dispatching the problematic pirates before they can muster full strength.

Consider spells like Plummet or Silklash Spider, which specifically target creatures with flying, as practical tools in your arsenal. They’re cost-effective, and their pinpoint precision makes them efficient choices. Board wipes also come in handy, as they clear out multiple threats indiscriminately, including any buffed by Cloud Pirates. Lastly, staying ahead in card advantage and controlling the board tempo can prevent an opponent’s Cloud Pirates from ever gaining momentum, ensuring that the skies remain clear of piracy.

Adopting these tactics will significantly enhance your matchups against Cloud Pirates, making the formidable card less daunting to face. With the right cards and a clear game plan, your opponents will have a tough time establishing their aerial dominance.

Cards like Cloud Pirates

Cloud Pirates offers a unique tactical advantage within the realm of flying creatures in MTG. It bears semblance to cards like Faerie Squadron. Both are flying creatures, enabling them to swoop over ground-based blockers. Where Cloud Pirates stands out, however, is in its mana cost and the potential it holds in a deck that capitalizes on evasive one-drops.

The card also draws parallels to other creatures like Flying Men. Although both are adept at early air control, Cloud Pirates could be better suited for piracy-themed decks that benefit from synergies with other pirates. Conversely, Flying Men is a choice creature for those who prioritize simplicity and the direct approach provided by its type. Another comparison arises with the card Kitesail Scout which shares the low-cost evasion factor but exists outside the pirate synergy, giving Cloud Pirates the edge in a tribal deck strategy.

Evaluating these cards collectively shows that while each has its merit based on the context of the deck, Cloud Pirates sails above in piratical builds, harmonizing with tribal bonuses. This strategic alignment meshes well within MTG gameplay, making Cloud Pirates a card to consider when plotting your deck’s aerial dominance.

Cards similar to Cloud Pirates by color, type and mana cost

Merfolk of the Pearl Trident - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Cloud Pirates MTG card by a specific set like Portal and Portal, 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 Cloud Pirates and other MTG cards: