Retaliator Griffin MTG Card
2007-01-01 - Number A4
2009-04-30 - Number 123
2002-06-24 - Number 43546
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Griffin |
| Abilities | Flying |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Text of card
Flying Whenever a source an opponent controls deals damage to you, you may put that many +1/+1 counters on Retaliator Griffin.
For every eye, an eye. For every tooth, a tooth. Griffins are nothing if not fair.
Cards like Retaliator Griffin
Retaliator Griffin offers a unique mechanism among creatures within Magic: The Gathering. When compared to other creatures like Sun Titan, it’s not merely about substantial power or the ability to recur permanents, but rather, the Griffin thrives on making opponents pay for targeting your spells or permanents. While Sun Titan brings back value directly from the graveyard, Retaliator Griffin potentially becomes a massive threat in the air if left unchecked.
Another creature to consider in tandem with Retaliator Griffin is Boros Reckoner. This formidable beast is known for its ability to hit back, which is somewhat akin to the Griffin’s reactionary nature. Both creatures share a sense of reciprocity against opponents’ actions, though Retaliator Griffin grows in strength where Boros Reckoner deals damage. Lastly, we can draw parallels with Managorger Hydra. It also accumulates +1/+1 counters, flourishing in an environment filled with spells. While the Hydra benefits from any spell cast, Retaliator Griffin is more specific, focusing on retaliation, thriving amidst targeted spells cast by opponents.
Undeniably, Retaliator Griffin carves its niche as a responsive, ever-growing airborne threat in the MTG landscape, making it a promising pick for players who enjoy a tactical build-up to overpower foes.
Cards similar to Retaliator Griffin by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Retaliator Griffin is a great addition for players focusing on maintaining a strong hand. When you play into its mechanics, it’s not just a creature on the board but a strategy enforcer that can help you turn the tides by drawing attention and potential removal from your opponent, indirectly protecting your other valuable cards.
Resource Acceleration: While the Retaliator Griffin itself doesn’t directly generate mana or accelerate resources, its presence can influence the pace of the game. By putting pressure on opponents, it often forces them to act or deploy resources in a way they wouldn’t prefer, which can indirectly lead to a form of resource acceleration for the player utilizing the Griffin.
Instant Speed: Even though Retaliator Griffin is a creature and not an instant, it pairs well with instant-speed spells in your arsenal. Playing instants on your opponent’s turn can lead to the satisfying trigger of the Griffin’s retaliatory abilities, allowing for surprise swings in board presence and momentum.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Retaliator Griffin demands a card to be discarded when you’re aiming to utilize its Retaliate ability. This can be a critical setback when your hand is already running low on cards, potentially forcing you to make tough decisions about resource management which could impact your game plan.
Specific Mana Cost: This card requires a precise combination of mana types to cast – one red, one white, and two generic. This specific mana cost can restrict its inclusion to only certain types of decks, primarily those that cater to a Boros (red-white) strategy, thus limiting its flexibility across the broader range of possible decks.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of four mana, the card stands at a higher end for its creature category and effect. There are alternative creatures and spells in the same mana range that may provide more immediate board impact or value, making the Griffin a less appealing option when deckbuilding on a tight mana curve.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Retaliator Griffin shines in a diverse array of decks, particularly those that thrive on responsive play. Its flying ability makes it a steady threat in the air while its triggered ability hinders opponents’ strategies, making it a solid choice for players who enjoy tactical depth in their gameplay.
Combo Potential: This card rewards you for the spells your opponent casts, providing a unique opportunity to increase its power. It slots neatly into decks that punish opponents’ actions, allowing you to turn their moves to your advantage. This card’s potential for growth in power with each spell makes it a compelling option for synergistic deck builds.
Meta-Relevance: In a game state where opponents are casting numerous noncreature spells, Retaliator Griffin can quickly become a dominant presence on the board. As it grows stronger with each spell your adversary plays, it can be a key player in metas with heavy spell use.
How to beat
Retaliator Griffin presents an interesting challenge on the battlefield in Magic: The Gathering. This unique creature thrives in environments where it can feed off opposition plays, gaining +1/+1 counters each time an opponent targets you or a permanent you control. Yet, even the mightiest creatures have their vulnerabilities, and Retaliator Griffin is no exception.
To effectively counter this card, consider utilizing removal spells that don’t target such as board wipes. Wrath of God and Damnation are classic examples that can clear the board without triggering the Griffin’s ability. Additionally, exile effects that don’t require targeting, like Settle the Wreckage, can get around its counter-gathering nature. Playing around the card by not targeting the opponent’s resources unnecessarily can also reduce the Griffin’s chances to grow.
Employing a strategy that doesn’t rely heavily on targeting can also help nullify the advantage Retaliator Griffin presents. Focusing on building a strong board presence and applying pressure with your own creatures might force an opponent to use their Griffin defensively, making it less of a threat. In conclusion, with thoughtful play and appropriate card choices, overcoming the challenge posed by Retaliator Griffin is well within reach.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Retaliator Griffin MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Resale Promos, 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 Retaliator Griffin and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
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- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
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Printings
The Retaliator Griffin Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2007-01-01 and 2009-04-30. Illustrated by Jesper Ejsing.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Magic Online Promos | PRM | 43546 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Jesper Ejsing | ||
| 2 | 2007-01-01 | Resale Promos | PRES | A4 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Jesper Ejsing | |
| 3 | 2009-04-30 | Alara Reborn | ARB | 123 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Jesper Ejsing |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Retaliator Griffin has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Retaliator Griffin card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2009-05-01 | If Retaliator Griffin is dealt lethal damage at the same time that you’re dealt damage by a source an opponent controls, Retaliator Griffin will be put into a graveyard before it would receive any counters. Its ability will still trigger, but it will do nothing when it resolves. |
| 2009-05-01 | If a spell causes damage to be dealt, that spell will always identify the source of the damage. In most cases, the source is the spell itself. For example, Breath of Malfegor says “Breath of Malfegor deals 5 damage to each opponent.” |
| 2009-05-01 | If an ability causes damage to be dealt, that ability will always identify the source of the damage. The ability itself is never the source. However, the source of the ability is often the source of the damage. For example, Deathbringer Thoctar’s ability says “Deathbringer Thoctar deals 1 damage to any target.” |
| 2009-05-01 | If the source of the damage is a permanent, Retaliator Griffin checks whether an opponent controls that permanent at the time that damage is dealt. If the permanent has left the battlefield by then, its last known information is used. If the source of the damage is a spell, whether it’s controlled by an opponent is obvious. If the source of the damage is a card in some other zone (such as a cycled Jund Sojourners), Retaliator Griffin checks whether the card’s owner, rather than its controller, is an opponent. |
| 2009-05-01 | The source of combat damage is the creature that dealt it. |