Predator, Flagship MTG Card
2000-02-14 - Number 135
2014-06-16 - Number 279
2014-11-07 - Number 263
2017-06-09 - Number 225
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Legendary Artifact |
Text of card
: Target creature gains flying until end of turn. o5, oc T: Destroy target creature with flying.
"The scourge of Skyshroud is airborne once more." —Oracle *en*-Vec
Cards like Predator, Flagship
Predator, Flagship shares the battlefield with a suite of powerful artifacts in Magic: The Gathering. Comparable in might and utility, we find Skysovereign, Consul Flagship, which offers a unique interaction by dealing damage upon entering the battlefield or attacking. While Predator, Flagship requires mana to destroy creatures, Skysovereign automatically flexes its power without additional cost, besides its initial crew requirement.
Another card that echoes the domination of the skies is the Weatherlight. Although not as directly lethal as Predator, Flagship, it presents an ability to dig through the deck for crucial pieces, fitting into strategies that benefit from card selection rather than raw destructive power. Yet, Predator, Flagship doesn’t require the same setup to start neutralizing threats, standing out with its straightforward elimination process.
In essence, comparing these artifacts reveals the diversity of MTG’s aerial arsenals, each with tailored strengths for different game plans. Predator, Flagship’s direct approach to dealing with creatures makes it a formidable tool for controlling the board state, offering a consistent answer in a player’s arsenal, especially when aerial supremacy is essential to secure victory.
Cards similar to Predator, Flagship by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Once on the battlefield, Predator, Flagship offers continuous card advantage by transforming any creature into a flying threat. This allows for repeated aerial assaults or enhanced defense, effectively broadening your tactical options turn after turn.
Resource Acceleration: This card can be a catalyst for resource acceleration in decks that utilize artifact synergies. By integrating seamlessly with cards that untap artifacts or benefit from artifact activations, it propels your resource management, potentially leading to powerful plays ahead of your opponent’s curve.
Instant Speed: Predator, Flagship’s ability to grant flying or destroy any flying creature operates at instant speed. This gives you the strategic upper hand, letting you adapt to battlefield changes on the fly and catch your opponents off guard, be it during your turn or in response to their moves.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: To fully harness the card’s potential, you may find yourself needing to discard valuable cards from your hand, which could compromise your late-game strategy or diminish your available options.
Specific Mana Cost: The specific mana cost of requires a dedicated slot in a mana base, making it less flexible and possibly a burden in a multi-color deck where mana resources are already stretched thin.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that leans on the heavier side, it can be slower in a fast-paced game where the tempo is critical, and it takes up a significant part of your mana pool that turn, which could otherwise be used for more immediate threats or board presence.
Reasons to Include Predator, Flagship in Your Collection
Versatility: Predator, Flagship offers a unique ability to give any creature flying – a power not commonly found on artifacts. This feature can turn any ground-based deck into a more formidable foe in the skies, adding an unexpected dimension to your strategy.
Combo Potential: Coupled with cards that benefit from flying creatures or punish non-flying ones, Predator, Flagship can be a game-changer in the right setup. Its destruction ability clears the way for your aerial assaults, or conversely, removes threats you can’t otherwise handle.
Meta-Relevance: With flying creatures frequently dominating the board, Predator, Flagship becomes an especially useful tool in shifting the balance of power. It allows you to manipulate the battlefield, making it a relevant choice for anyone looking to rise above competitors in the current metagame.
How to beat
Predator, Flagship is a legendary artifact in Magic: The Gathering that can turn the tides of the game. As an engine to give creatures flying and as a means to destroy any creature with flying, it poses a unique threat on the battlefield. However, there are strategies to dismantle its power. Artifact removal spells are the most-direct way to eliminate the threat of Predator, Flagship. Green players can reach for Naturalize or Krosan Grip, while red mages might employ Smash to Smithereens or Shattering Spree to tackle the problem head-on.
Another approach is to reduce the efficiency of the artifact by limiting its activation. Taxing effects or cards like Damping Sphere can make it costly for your opponent to utilize their artifact’s abilities. You can also bypass the Flagship’s power by focusing on potent ground creatures or strategies that don’t rely on flyers. Conversely, playing around its ability with hexproof or shroud-enabling cards like Lightning Greaves or Asceticism can prevent your creatures from becoming targets in the first place, keeping your aerial threats safe and keeping you in control of the skies.
In essence, while Predator, Flagship may initially seem like a dominating force, with calculated plays and targeted sideboard options, its impact can be significantly mitigated, allowing you to steer the match to your favor.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Predator, Flagship MTG card by a specific set like Nemesis and Vintage Masters, 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 Predator, Flagship 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 Predator, Flagship Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2000-02-14 and 2017-06-09. Illustrated by Mark Tedin.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2000-02-14 | Nemesis | NEM | 135 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Mark Tedin | |
| 2 | 2014-06-16 | Vintage Masters | VMA | 279 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Mark Tedin | |
| 3 | 2014-11-07 | Commander 2014 | C14 | 263 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Mark Tedin | |
| 4 | 2017-06-09 | Commander Anthology | CMA | 225 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Mark Tedin |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Predator, Flagship has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |