Screeching Griffin MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Griffin |
| Abilities | Flying |
| Released | 2005-10-07 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Ravnica: City of Guilds |
| Set code | RAV |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
| Number | 29 |
| Frame | 2003 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Tim Hildebrandt |
Text of card
Flying : Target creature can't block Screeching Griffin this turn.
They were master fishers, but their seas are now the streets and their catch, the goblins that run pell-mell from the screeching in the sky.
Cards like Screeching Griffin
Screeching Griffin is an intriguing creature card from the Magic: The Gathering universe. It’s often compared to other flying creatures like Sunspire Griffin. Both of these Griffins share the vigilant flight capability, but Screeching Griffin stands out with its adaptability on the battlefield, as it offers the option to gain additional altitude and evade blockers for a turn.
Diving into the realm of avian creatures, we find Stormfront Pegasus, another card with flying. It’s notable for its lower casting cost and immediate attack potential. However, it does not have the flexibility of Screeching Griffin, which can surprise opponents and swing in for potentially game-ending damage. Serra Angel, a classic flyer, similarly offers vigilance and a stronger presence but at a higher casting cost, distinguishing itself from Screeching Griffin’s balance of cost and effect.
Evaluating these comparisons, Screeching Griffin finds its edge with a mix of strategic potential and economic play value. Whether you need a reliable blocker or a sudden attacker, this card effectively adds versatility to your deck, making it a solid choice for players seeking agile flying creatures in their Magic: The Gathering arsenal.
Cards similar to Screeching Griffin by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Screeching Griffin offers a flying threat that can chip away at an opponent’s life total while maintaining pressure on the battlefield. Its ability to be consistently effective in both offense and defense positions allows players to retain a tactical edge, making it a reliable component for gaining card advantage.
Resource Acceleration: Although not directly impacting resource acceleration, Screeching Griffin’s cost-efficiency in terms of mana-to-impact can indirectly bolster a deck’s tempo. By fielding a cost-effective flying creature, players may allocate their mana resources towards other spells sooner, which can lead to gaining a significant foothold in the match.
Instant Speed: Screeching Griffin doesn’t have an instant speed ability itself; however, its flying nature makes it a formidable asset in decks that support flash or instant speed interactions. Incorporating this card into such strategies can amplify the surprise factor for an unsuspecting opponent, as well as bolstering aerial defense at critical moments.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Screeching Griffin requires the player to discard another card to enable its full potential. In scenarios where your hand is already depleted, this can further compromise your ability to maintain card advantage and hinder your strategic options.
Specific Mana Cost: Screeching Griffin’s casting cost involves both generic and white mana, which makes it less flexible for decks that are not centered around white or that have a more restrictive mana base. This can affect deckbuilding decisions and reduce the card’s overall applicability.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: When evaluated against other creatures in the game, the Griffin’s mana cost is on the higher end for its stats and abilities. This can be a drawback, especially in more aggressive formats where efficiency and speed are key, and might make it a less attractive choice for competitive play.
Reasons to Include Screeching Griffin in Your Collection
Versatility: Screeching Griffin offers flexibility to deck builders with its flying ability, making it a solid addition to any aerial-focused strategy or a reliable blocker against other creatures with flying.
Combo Potential: With its potential to combine well with cards that synergize with flying creatures or those that benefit from the casting of creature spells, Screeching Griffin can play a key role in executing your deck’s strategy.
Meta-Relevance: Considering the variety of decks in the current meta, a four-mana cost creature with respectable flying capability like Screeching Griffin can often remain relevant, especially in limited formats where evasion is a premium.
How to beat
The Screeching Griffin card offers a unique flying threat on the battlefield. Its ability to gain evasion for a turn allows it to soar over defenders, potentially slipping through for critical damage. To counter this, consider using cards that can either remove flying or control creatures irrespective of their evasion abilities. Cards with Reach or those that can deal damage to flying creatures, such as Plummet or Spidersilk Net, can keep the Griffin at bay.
Another effective strategy involves preemptive measures such as counter spells to prevent the Griffin from entering play entirely. For instance, Essence Scatter or Negate can be invaluable here. Furthermore, it’s beneficial to maintain a board presence with creatures that can block flying creatures or, alternatively, turn the tide with removal spells directly targeting the Griffin, like Murder or Doom Blade.
Ultimately, understanding your deck’s capabilities and having a versatile response to fliers like the Screeching Griffin is crucial. Keeping a calm strategic approach and deploying the right counters ensures that even a creature with evasion can be handled effectively, securing your place at the top of the game.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Screeching Griffin MTG card by a specific set like Ravnica: City of Guilds, 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 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
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Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Screeching Griffin has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |