Screaming Seahawk MTG Card


The Screaming Seahawk ensures deck consistency by fetching its own copies. Its ability to cycle itself offers indirect resource acceleration for players. Instant speed decisions with Seahawk’s effect heighten match flexibility.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Bird
Abilities Flying
Power 2
Toughness 2

Text of card

Flying When Screaming Seahawk comes into play, you may search your library for a card named Screaming Seahawk, reveal it, and put it into your hand. If you do, shuffle your library.


Cards like Screaming Seahawk

The Screaming Seahawk has a presence in the realm of creature cards in Magic: The Gathering that echoes the abilities of its feathered kin. Like Screaming Seahawk, Squadron Hawk allows a search through the deck to reveal a card of its kind and add it to the hand, providing a similar deck-thinning advantage. However, the Seahawk demands a more substantial mana investment and doesn’t offer the same cost-efficient swarm potential as Squadron Hawk.

Mist Raven is another bird in the flock with a comparable mana cost to Screaming Seahawk. While it doesn’t provide the self-replicating search feature, Mist Raven brings a disruptive ability to the board, bouncing an opposing creature upon entry. This tempo play can be a crucial swing in the initiative of the game. Conversely, Screaming Seahawk’s straightforward search mechanism lacks this immediate board impact.

Considering strategy and mana curve, Screaming Seahawk nests comfortably within the mid-range of avian-themed cards, striking a balance between card utility and strategic deck thinning. This positions it as a fair option for players looking to populate the skies with winged allies.

Squadron Hawk - MTG Card versions
Mist Raven - MTG Card versions
Squadron Hawk - MTG Card versions
Mist Raven - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Screaming Seahawk by color, type and mana cost

Vesuvan Doppelganger - MTG Card versions
Water Elemental - MTG Card versions
Air Elemental - MTG Card versions
Pirate Ship - MTG Card versions
Sandbar Crocodile - MTG Card versions
Segovian Leviathan - MTG Card versions
Sun Ce, Young Conquerer - MTG Card versions
Wu Admiral - MTG Card versions
Mawcor - MTG Card versions
Timin, Youthful Geist - MTG Card versions
Geology Enthusiast - MTG Card versions
Coastal Hornclaw - MTG Card versions
Meloku the Clouded Mirror - MTG Card versions
Azami, Lady of Scrolls - MTG Card versions
Cloudhoof Kirin - MTG Card versions
Drelnoch - MTG Card versions
Adarkar Windform - MTG Card versions
Infiltrator il-Kor - MTG Card versions
Mulldrifter - MTG Card versions
Chasm Drake - MTG Card versions
Vesuvan Doppelganger - MTG Card versions
Water Elemental - MTG Card versions
Air Elemental - MTG Card versions
Pirate Ship - MTG Card versions
Sandbar Crocodile - MTG Card versions
Segovian Leviathan - MTG Card versions
Sun Ce, Young Conquerer - MTG Card versions
Wu Admiral - MTG Card versions
Mawcor - MTG Card versions
Timin, Youthful Geist - MTG Card versions
Geology Enthusiast - MTG Card versions
Coastal Hornclaw - MTG Card versions
Meloku the Clouded Mirror - MTG Card versions
Azami, Lady of Scrolls - MTG Card versions
Cloudhoof Kirin - MTG Card versions
Drelnoch - MTG Card versions
Adarkar Windform - MTG Card versions
Infiltrator il-Kor - MTG Card versions
Mulldrifter - MTG Card versions
Chasm Drake - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Screaming Seahawk offers a direct pathway to card consistency by allowing you to fetch another copy of itself from the deck. This thins the deck, marginally increasing the likelihood of drawing into more impactful cards as the game progresses.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly providing mana acceleration, the ability to ensure a creature drop for the following turn can be pivotal. This inherent deck cycling can indirectly accelerate your resource development by smoothing out your plays and maintaining board presence.

Instant Speed: Although Screaming Seahawk itself is not an instant, its tutoring effect for another copy simplifies your decision-making at instant speed during opponents’ turns. This means that you can continue to deploy threats without having to commit to a specific play until more information is available, which is a subtle yet powerful form of flexibility in any matchup.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Screaming Seahawk requires you to discard another card to utilize its ability. This can be a hindrance when your hand is already short on cards, forcing you to potentially lose valuable resources.

Specific Mana Cost: This card demands two blue mana in its cost, which can restrict its incorporation into multi-colored decks, especially if the deck’s mana base isn’t optimized for consistent blue mana production.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Casting Screaming Seahawk requires a total investment of five mana, which can be considered steep for the effects it brings to the table. When assessing its utility against other creatures within the same mana range, players might find more impactful options available.


Reasons to Include Screaming Seahawk in Your Collection

Versatility: Screaming Seahawk offers a unique flexibility to players by enabling them to search their libraries for another card with the same name, which makes it easier to ensure a consistent draw, especially in decks that appreciate having multiple creatures of the same kind.

Combo Potential: This bird opens the door for various combo strategies as it can help assemble pieces of a puzzle more reliably. For instance, in decks that benefit from creatures entering the battlefield, this card helps maintain the flow and triggers synergy effects.

Meta-Relevance: With the game’s ever-changing landscape, Screaming Seahawk may adapt to the needs of the current meta, especially in formats where its ability to fetch another copy can outmaneuver opponents who lack creature consistency or search capabilities.


How to beat

Screaming Seahawk may not be the mightiest flyer in MTG, but it still deserves attention on the battlefield. With its ability to search for another copy of itself in the deck, the Seahawk can be a recurring threat if not addressed promptly. To efficiently thwart the Screaming Seahawk’s strategy, it’s essential to disrupt the deck’s composition. Effective counterspells should stop the search ability right in its tracks, leaving your opponent with one less bird to worry about.

Moreover, creature removal spells are highly effective against Screaming Seahawk. An early Shock or Fatal Push can easily eliminate the Seahawk before it ever has a chance to clone itself. Board clearance spells like Wrath of God can clear multiple Seahawks at once if your opponent has managed to amass a flock. Don’t forget, enchantments that inhibit flying creatures will also neutralize the threat posed by these avian creatures without the need for direct removal.

Making good use of these strategies can keep the board clear of Screaming Seahawks and maintain your advantage. By handling these creatures efficiently, you’ll ensure they don’t overwhelm you as the game progresses.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Screaming Seahawk MTG card by a specific set like Onslaught and Conspiracy, 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 Screaming Seahawk and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Screaming Seahawk Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2002-10-07 and 2014-06-06. Illustrated by Heather Hudson.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-10-07OnslaughtONS 1121997NormalBlackHeather Hudson
22014-06-06ConspiracyCNS 1052003NormalBlackHeather Hudson

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Screaming Seahawk has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2004-10-04 The “If you do” means “If you search”.