Razorfoot Griffin MTG Card
2000-10-02 - Number 29
2001-04-11 - Number 32★
2001-04-11 - Number 32
2003-07-28 - Number 36★
2003-07-28 - Number 36
2009-07-17 - Number 25
2014-07-18 - Number 27
| Card sets | Released in 7 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Griffin |
| Abilities | First strike,Flying |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Text of card
Flying, first strike
"Do griffins fight to defend their homes or purely for sport?" —Sisay
Cards like Razorfoot Griffin
Razorfoot Griffin joins the ranks of MTG’s flying creatures, serving as an aerial threat with its first strike ability. Its similarities align with fellow common flyers like Concordia Pegasus, which also offers a defensive presence in the air but lacks the first-strike capability that makes Razorfoot Griffin a notable combatant against other creatures of similar size.
Comparing to Keeneye Aven, both creatures share the flying trait, but Keeneye Aven brings versatility with its cycling ability, allowing players to draw a card at the expense of the creature. On the other end, the Griffin stands out with its on-board combat prowess. Guardian of the Guildpact is another creature often compared to Razorfoot Griffin as it features protection from monocolored, which often renders it unblockable or untouchable against many decks. Yet, the Griffin’s lower cost may offer faster gameplay advantages.
All things considered, while Razorfoot Griffin may not boast the most extraordinary abilities in the landscape of flyers, its balance between cost, power, and first strike makes it a solid choice for players looking to establish early game aerial dominance.
Cards similar to Razorfoot Griffin by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: While the Razorfoot Griffin itself does not provide direct card draw, it offers a resilient presence on the board thanks to flying and first strike, making it a reliable defender and a persistent threat. This may force opponents to use multiple resources to deal with it, indirectly contributing to card advantage.
Resource Acceleration: Though Razorfoot Griffin isn’t a source of resource acceleration in the traditional mana-generating sense, its moderate casting cost and efficiency can fit smoothly into a curve, allowing you to maintain tempo and pressure without falling behind in resource deployment.
Instant Speed: Razorfoot Griffin might not be an instant, but having a creature with first strike can often serve a similar strategic purpose. By deterring attacks or enabling favorable combat scenarios, the Griffin effectively offers a reactive capability, preserving your life total and board state much like an instant would handle threats on the fly.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Unlike other utility cards, Razorfoot Griffin doesn’t offer card advantage and its presence in your hand doesn’t directly translate to gaining more options, as it doesn’t have a mechanic that allows for card draw or replacement.
Specific Mana Cost: Razorfoot Griffin requires a precise combination of mana types to cast—two Colourless and one White. This cost can be a hurdle in multicolored decks that might struggle with mana consistency, making it less versatile outside mono-White or two-colored decks.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: For a creature with 2/2 stats, the three mana investment might be on the higher side when considering other creatures in the mana curve. Players often assess the value based on comparative abilities, such as evasion or combat effectiveness, and Razorfoot Griffin may fall short when matched against other cards with similar or lower casting costs.
Reasons to Include Razorfoot Griffin in Your Collection
Versatility: Razorfoot Griffin is a flexible inclusion for decks looking for an evasive threat. Its flying ability allows it to glide over ground-based defenses, while first strike gives it an edge in combat, making it a solid choice for both offensive and defensive strategies.
Combo Potential: As a creature with first strike, the Griffin partners well with cards that capitalize on combat abilities or those that benefit from having airborne creatures. This card can be part of synergy-based strategies that leverage its combat strengths.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where flyers can dominate and combat tricks win games, Razorfoot Griffin’s dual attributes can turn the tides in your favor. The card is especially relevant in formats where its moderate mana cost and capabilities align with the pace and style of play.
How to beat
Razorfoot Griffin presents players with a defensive challenge in MTG, thanks to its flying ability and first strike, allowing it to deal combat damage before creatures without that ability. With a reasonable casting cost, it can quickly become an aerial threat that’s difficult to block. Therefore, overcoming this card requires strategic measures.
To effectively counter Razorfoot Griffin, consider using spells that can target flying creatures or remove them without needing to engage in combat. Cards like Plummet or Fatal Push can handle the Griffin efficiently. Another approach is to use cards that can alter the combat phase, such as ones that force the Griffin to tap before it can attack or block, thereby neutralizing its first-strike capability.
Controlling the board is also key. Establishing a presence with creatures that have reach or your own powerful flyers can deter the griffin from attacking and can serve as a strong defensive setup. In essence, prioritizing removal spells or creating a robust board state are both valid tactics to outplay an opponent’s Razorfoot Griffin. Success in MTG often comes down to anticipating such threats and having answers ready in your deck.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Razorfoot Griffin MTG card by a specific set like Invasion and Seventh Edition, 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 Razorfoot Griffin 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 Razorfoot Griffin Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2000-10-02 and 2014-07-18. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2000-10-02 | Invasion | INV | 29 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Ben Thompson | |
| 2 | 2001-04-11 | Seventh Edition | 7ED | 32★ | 1997 | Normal | Black | Pete Venters | |
| 3 | 2001-04-11 | Seventh Edition | 7ED | 32 | 1997 | Normal | White | Pete Venters | |
| 4 | 2003-07-28 | Eighth Edition | 8ED | 36★ | 2003 | Normal | Black | Ben Thompson | |
| 5 | 2003-07-28 | Eighth Edition | 8ED | 36 | 2003 | Normal | White | Ben Thompson | |
| 6 | 2009-07-17 | Magic 2010 | M10 | 25 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Ben Thompson | |
| 7 | 2014-07-18 | Magic 2015 | M15 | 27 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Ben Thompson |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Razorfoot Griffin has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |