Vitalizing Wind MTG Card


Vitalizing Wind - Prophecy
Mana cost
Converted mana cost9
RarityRare
TypeInstant
Released2000-06-05
Set symbol
Set nameProphecy
Set codePCY
Number133
Frame1997
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred byJeff Easley

Key Takeaways

  1. Vitalizing Wind amplifies creatures’ power at instant speed, creating unexpected combat wins or responses.
  2. The nine mana cost restricts it primarily to mono-green or green-centric decks, affecting versatility.
  3. It works well in combo setups and in decks that thrive on high creature power for lethal strikes.

Text of card

Creatures you control get +7/+7 until end of turn.

"The fifth wind of ascension is Exalter, fulfilling Keld's destiny." —*Keld Triumphant*


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Although Vitalizing Wind doesn’t directly provide card draw, the potential it has to turn the tide of the game can be substantial if used in conjunction with creatures with powerful enter-the-battlefield effects or those with the ability to utilize extra power efficiently.

Resource Acceleration: Vitalizing Wind can be seen as a tool for resource acceleration in decks focusing on creature-based strategies. By giving your creatures +7/+7, it effectively accelerates the clock, potentially ending the game in that turn itself or soon after.

Instant Speed: The instant speed nature of Vitalizing Wind is its signature asset. It allows players to wait until the precise moment, often during the combat phase or in response to an opponent’s actions, maximizing the surprise element and impact of the sudden power boost.


Card Cons

Specific Mana Cost: Vitalizing Wind requires nine mana to cast, all of which must be green. This hefty cost means it’s mostly restricted to mono-green decks or those that heavily favor green mana sources, potentially limiting its overall versatility within the vast array of MTG decks.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Even for green decks that excel at producing large amounts of mana, Vitalizing Wind’s cost is substantial. In a game where efficiency is key, spending nine mana on this single effect can be a gamble. There are alternative options that can achieve similar or better outcomes at a lower mana cost.

Discard Requirement: While Vitalizing Wind does not require you to discard a card, its high mana cost can still put you at a disadvantage. Casting it likely consumes most, if not all, of your mana for the turn, leaving you unable to play other cards or hold up resources for potential responses during your opponent’s turn.


Reasons to Include Vitalizing Wind in Your Collection

Versatility: Vitalizing Wind offers a significant power boost that can be a game-changer in multiple deck archetypes. Its ability to increase creature power unexpectedly can turn the tide of battle in your favor.

Combo Potential: This card’s ability to instantly bolster your creatures’ power has great synergy with strategies revolving around dealing damage or triggering effects based on power. Additionally, it can be a surprise element to enable a ‘one-turn kill’ combo.

Meta-Relevance: In a game state where combat plays a core role, and creature-based strategies are prevalent, Vitalizing Wind can provide a competitive edge. Its place in a deck is warranted particularly when facing matchups that rely on stabilizing the board with formidable creatures.


How to beat

Vitalizing Wind is a high-impact card that can suddenly tip the scale in a game of MTG. Operating as a game finisher, it significantly amplifies creatures’ power, often leading to an overwhelming attack that catches opponents off guard. With its high mana cost, it’s not commonly played, but when it hits the battlefield, the effect is nothing short of dramatic, providing a temporary but colossal boost.

Circumventing the card’s powerful effect requires a few well-chosen strategies. Counterspells are your first line of defense, stopping Vitalizing Wind before it can even affect the board. Moreover, removal spells that can be cast at instant speed allow you to respond to the spell by eliminating key creatures before they become too large of a threat. Board wipes too are an effective answer, clearing the battlefield before your opponent declares an attack, nullifying the buff delivered by Vitalizing Wind.

Ultimately, awareness and preparation are your greatest allies. Maintaining the ability to react with the right spell at the right moment can negate the otherwise devastating impact of Vitalizing Wind. Cards with cycling or flexibility in casting cost are invaluable against it, providing options to adapt to whatever situation arises on the battlefield.


Cards like Vitalizing Wind

Vitalizing Wind presents a unique twist in the arena of power boosting spells within Magic: The Gathering. It stands out with its massive potential boost, offering +7/+7 to creatures you control until end of turn. This is significantly higher than the likes of Overrun, which grants a more modest +3/+3 and trample. While Overrun affects the battlefield immediately by including trample, Vitalizing Wind prioritizes raw power without any additional effects.

Craterhoof Behemoth is another powerhouse in this category. While it too gives a creature boost, its effect scales with the number of creatures you control, potentially offering a much larger increase in power and toughness but requiring a wider board presence. Conversely, Vitalizing Wind does not depend on the number of creatures you have, providing a flat, substantial increase that can be more predictable and easier to harness in smaller setups.

When comparing these options, Vitalizing Wind is a heavy hitter for its cost, offering a significant late-game surge that can turn the tides of battle. It’s an impactful spell for those looking to escalate their creatures’ power in a single stroke, solidifying its place in Magic: The Gathering as a formidable force in creature-based strategies.

Overrun - MTG Card versions
Craterhoof Behemoth - MTG Card versions
Overrun - Tempest (TMP)
Craterhoof Behemoth - Avacyn Restored (AVR)

Cards similar to Vitalizing Wind by color, type and mana cost

Decree of Savagery - MTG Card versions
Decree of Savagery - Forgotten Realms Commander (AFC)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Vitalizing Wind MTG card by a specific set like Prophecy, 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 Vitalizing Wind and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Vitalizing Wind has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Vitalizing Wind card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

DateText
2004-10-04 Only affects creatures you control when the spell resolves.

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