Ringwarden Owl MTG Card
2015-07-17 - Number 68
2019-11-07 - Number 470
2020-09-26 - Number ORI-68
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Bird |
| Abilities | Flying,Prowess |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Text of card
Flying (This creature can't be blocked except by creatures with flying or reach.) Prowess (Whenever you cast a noncreature spell, this creature gets +1/+1 until end of turn.)
The owls learn of mana from the mages who know it best.
Cards like Ringwarden Owl
In Magic: The Gathering, the Ringwarden Owl is a blue creature card that brings a blend of evasion and spell synergy to the table. Flying is a prevalent ability among blue creatures, found on comparable cards such as Welkin Tern and Snapping Drake. The Welkin Tern is similar in mana cost, but it’s less durable with just one toughness compared to the Owl’s three. Both creatures have flying but the Tern cannot block creatures on the ground. Snapping Drake, a longstanding part of MTG’s history, shares both flying and similar stats to Ringwarden Owl. What sets the Owl apart is its prowess ability, empowering it whenever a noncreature spell is cast – a boon for decks focusing on instants and sorceries.
Looking at another kin, Stormwing Dragon from recent sets, also offers flying and an additional keyword, first strike. However, it comes with a higher mana cost and lacks the prowess feature, which might be a deciding factor for deck builders emphasizing spellcasting. The Owl’s prowess makes it especially valuable in a setting where casting multiple spells in a single turn is common, potentially turning it into a formidable airborne threat.
In essence, while there are numerous flyers in the blue part of the color pie, Ringwarden Owl’s unique prowess ability gives it an edge in the right deck, aligning it with a strategy built around casting a high volume of spells to maximize value and impact on the game.
Cards similar to Ringwarden Owl by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Ringwarden Owl can be a beneficial addition by providing much-needed aerial offense. When paired with spells or abilities that manipulate +1/+1 counters or granted abilities, such as flying or hexproof, it solidifies your board presence and enhances card utility, which could indirectly lead to card advantage.
Resource Acceleration: While Ringwarden Owl doesn’t directly accelerate resources, its synergy with prowess mechanics can give you an edge. Casting noncreature spells to trigger prowess not only bolsters your Owl’s power but also encourages the use of cantrips and other cost-effective spells, which could indirectly aid in cycling through your deck for better resource management.
Instant Speed: This card itself may not be at instant speed, but it benefits greatly from them. Casting instants on your opponent’s turn can pump Ringwarden Owl unexpectedly, turning it into a formidable threat and a surprise blocker, benefiting from the flexibility and unpredictability that instant speed spells provide.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One of the drawbacks of Ringwarden Owl is that it does not have any discard-related abilities which might synergize with strategies that capitalize on cycling or discarding, making it less favorable in decks built around those mechanics.
Specific Mana Cost: The mana cost for Ringwarden Owl is quite specific, demanding two islands among the five required mana. This can limit deck flexibility, especially in formats that prize mana base diversity or for players who are looking to include it in a multicolored deck.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: At five mana, the Ringwarden Owl’s cost is significant, and when considering its 3/3 flying body, this cost could be deemed steep compared to other creatures in this mana range that might offer additional abilities or more substantial stats.
Reasons to Include Ringwarden Owl in Your Collection
Versatility: Ringwarden Owl works well within blue flyers decks and any strategy emphasizing evasion tactics. Its flying ability ensures it can consistently deal damage or block other flyers, making it a flexible addition to various deck types.
Combo Potential: With prowess, this owl can benefit significantly from spell-slinging decks. Each instant and sorcery spell you cast not only progresses your game plan but also turns this bird into a larger threat in the sky.
Meta-Relevance: Given that flyers can bypass many common ground-based defenses, Ringwarden Owl remains relevant in metas where the air is less contested. In addition, the prevalence of instant and sorcery spells in many decks can help maximize the potential of its prowess ability.
How to beat
Ringwarden Owl in Magic: The Gathering presents a unique challenge to overcome on the battlefield. This flying creature equipped with prowess lends itself to a strategy where spells can swiftly enhance its power, making it a formidable opponent in the skies. Your best approach to counteract the escalating threat posed by Ringwarden Owl is to neutralize it before the prowess ability can be significantly leveraged.
To accomplish this, you may want to consider using instant-speed removal spells that can target creatures regardless of their power, such as Doom Blade or Path to Exile, ensuring you can respond promptly to any spell cast that might boost the Owl’s power. Additionally, it’s wise to manage your opponent’s spell casting, perhaps by employing counterspells or cards that restrict the number of spells that can be played each turn, thereby limiting the effectiveness of the Owl’s prowess.
Finally, maintaining board control with creatures that have reach or using enchantments that prevent creatures from attacking can also provide solid defensive measures against the aerial threat of Ringwarden Owl. Response speed and board control are key to successfully mitigating the risks this creature poses in a game of Magic: The Gathering.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Ringwarden Owl MTG card by a specific set like Magic Origins and Mystery Booster, 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 Ringwarden Owl 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
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Printings
The Ringwarden Owl Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2015-07-17 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by Titus Lunter.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2015-07-17 | Magic Origins | ORI | 68 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Titus Lunter | |
| 2 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 470 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Titus Lunter | |
| 3 | The List | PLST | ORI-68 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Titus Lunter |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Ringwarden Owl has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Ringwarden Owl card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2015-06-22 | Any spell you cast that doesn’t have the type creature will cause prowess to trigger. If a spell has multiple types, and one of those types is creature (such as an artifact creature), casting it won’t cause prowess to trigger. Playing a land also won’t cause prowess to trigger. |
| 2015-06-22 | Once it triggers, prowess isn’t connected to the spell that caused it to trigger. If that spell is countered, prowess will still resolve. |
| 2015-06-22 | Prowess goes on the stack on top of the spell that caused it to trigger. It will resolve before that spell. |