Screeching Bat // Stalking Vampire MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Bat |
| Abilities | Flying,Transform |
| Released | 2011-09-30 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Innistrad |
| Set code | ISD |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
| Number | 114 |
| Frame | 2003 |
| Layout | Transform |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Slawomir Maniak |
Text of card
Flying At the beginning of your upkeep, you may pay . If you do, transform Screeching Bat.
The bat has such clarity of hearing that simple sounds become symphonies.
Cards like Screeching Bat // Stalking Vampire
The versatility of Screeching Bat // Stalking Vampire in Magic: The Gathering is mirrored in cards like Delver of Secrets // Insectile Aberration. Both cards undergo a transformation that can turn the tide of a game. Screeching Bat offers the ability to flip into Stalking Vampire, morphing from an airborne threat to a more potent predator on the ground. Delver of Secrets, in contrast, begins as a humble 1/1 creature that can become an aggressive 3/2 flyer, increasing its damage potential significantly. The advantage of Screeching Bat // Stalking Vampire lies in its autonomous transformation ability, offering players control over when their creature evolves.
Other similar transformative cards such as Loyal Cathar // Unhallowed Cathar merit attention as well. Loyal Cathar transforms when it dies, providing an additional creature to keep pressure on your opponent. Although Loyal Cathar doesn’t offer the same control over its transformation, it presents a resilience that can be invaluable. On balance, Screeching Bat // Stalking Vampire stands out with its commanding presence both before and after its transformation, providing a dynamic choice for deck builders looking for flexible creature cards.
Cards similar to Screeching Bat // Stalking Vampire by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Screeching Bat // Stalking Vampire offers the unique ability to transform into a more potent creature, essentially granting you two creature cards in one. The advantage gained from this transformation can dramatically change the board state in your favor.
Resource Acceleration: While not directly providing mana or resources, the ability to flip Screeching Bat into Stalking Vampire at only the cost of mana and no card loss is an economical use of your resources. This efficient conversion sustains your momentum without depleting your hand.
Instant Speed: The transformation from Screeching Bat to Stalking Vampire can be activated at the end of your opponent’s turn, making it as flexible as an instant-speed effect. This allows you to adapt to the flow of the game and manage your strategy without committing to a board state too early.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Screeching Bat // Stalking Vampire demands a hefty sacrifice to transform. To initiate the metamorphosis from the winged nocturnal creature into the vampiric predator, discarding a creature card during each upkeep is a requisite. If your deck runs low on creatures, this continuous demand can deplete your hand and leave you vulnerable.
Specific Mana Cost: The ability to flip Screeching Bat into Stalking Vampire necessitates a specific blend of mana – two black and three of any other. For multicolor decks, this can pose a challenge, especially during early gameplay where mana resources are crucial and often scarce.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: When sizing up the mana investment against the field of agile and efficient creatures within the MTG universe, the combined form’s mana cost is steep. Rivals may deploy lower-cost creatures or disrupt your strategy before the fearsome Stalking Vampire can sink its teeth into the game.
Reasons to Include Screeching Bat // Stalking Vampire in Your Collection
Versatility: The dual-faced nature of Screeching Bat // Stalking Vampire offers dynamic gameplay, adapting to changing board states. As an early flying threat or a late-game power player, this card has a role in various deck strategies.
Combo Potential: This card synergizes with deck mechanics that capitalize on transformation triggers or require strong individual creatures. Its ability to transform offers unique interactions with other cards that benefit from such versatility.
Meta-Relevance: Given how the meta often shifts, having a flexible creature can be crucial. Whether facing aggressive decks where an early flyer is beneficial, or more prolonged games where a larger creature can dominate, Screeching Bat // Stalking Vampire remains a relevant choice in diverse gameplay scenarios.
How to beat Screeching Bat // Stalking Vampire
Screeching Bat // Stalking Vampire is a unique card in Magic: The Gathering that demonstrates versatility through its double-faced feature. In its initial form, Screeching Bat, it’s a manageable threat with flying that can pressure opponents from above. To counter this card effectively, players can utilize spells that target flying creatures or implement board sweepers to clear multiple threats at once.
When nighttime falls and the Bat transforms into Stalking Vampire, it becomes a more formidable adversary with higher power and toughness. Anticipating this switch is crucial. Maintaining open mana for instant-speed removal such as Murder or Hero’s Downfall allows players to respond before the transformed Vampire can attack. Graveyard control spells that exile creatures can also be extremely effective, preventing the bat from ever rising again in its vampiric form.
Employing patience and precise timing is the key to overpowering this card. By disrupting the transformation or promptly dealing with the creature once transformed, MTG aficionados can nullify the looming threat and maintain control over the game.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Screeching Bat // Stalking Vampire MTG card by a specific set like Innistrad, 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 Screeching Bat // Stalking Vampire 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
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Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Screeching Bat // Stalking Vampire has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Screeching Bat // Stalking Vampire card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2016-07-13 | For more information on double-faced cards, see the Shadows over Innistrad mechanics article (http://magic.wizards.com/en/articles/archive/feature/shadows-over-innistrad-mechanics). |