Windwright Mage MTG Card


Windwright Mage - Shards of Alara
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityCommon
TypeArtifact Creature — Human Wizard
Abilities Lifelink
Released2008-10-03
Set symbol
Set nameShards of Alara
Set codeALA
Power 2
Toughness 2
Number208
Frame2003
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred byChippy

Key Takeaways

  1. Lifelink and synergy with artifacts and enchantments provide strategic card advantage and versatility in gameplay.
  2. Specific mana cost and lack of discard effects may limit its inclusivity in diverse deck types.
  3. In the right meta, Windwright Mage enhances decks focused on life gain and artifact combos.

Text of card

Lifelink (Whenever this creature deals damage, you gain that much life.) Windwright Mage has flying as long as an artifact card is in your graveyard.

She knows the names and secrets of each of Esper's twenty-three winds.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Windwright Mage indirectly contributes to card advantage by offering a reliable way to benefit from artifacts and enchantments. This can translate into more effective card usage, as the synergy with other cards could mean getting more value out of each card played.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly providing mana or acceleration, the Mage’s lifelink ability can be a crucial resource in games that reward you for gaining life, potentially accelerating your game plan in such decks.

Instant Speed: Although Windwright Mage itself doesn’t operate at instant speed, it encourages a deck-building style that includes instant-speed interaction. This complements well with the Mage, allowing you to maximize the use of mana each turn and play reactively to maintain board presence.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One puzzling aspect of Windwright Mage is the absence of any discard mechanics. Players expecting additional effects related to discarding from this card might be disappointed.

Specific Mana Cost: Windwright Mage demands a specific combination of mana colors to cast, requiring blue, white, and black. This can restrict the card’s versatility, as it can only fit comfortably in decks tailored to Esper colors.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana for a 2/2 creature, Windwright Mage’s cost may be considered high for the stats and abilities it offers. Players may find other creatures or spells that provide more value or impact on the game at a similar, if not lower, mana cost.


Reasons to Include Windwright Mage in Your Collection

Versatility: Windwright Mage offers a seamless fit into artifact and Esper decks, catering to a range of playstyles from aggressive to control. Its Lifelink ability keeps you stable as you advance your board state.

Combo Potential: With its affinity for artifacts, this card pairs excellently with decks that capitalize on artifact synergies. You can enhance its power and toughness or utilize it to fuel various engine combos.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta that favors multicolored cards and artifact-based strategies, Windwright Mage holds its ground. It can be a valuable asset in the right environment, providing life gain against aggressive decks and sustaining pressure against slower, control-oriented opponents.


How to beat

Windwright Mage presents a unique challenge on the battlefield. As a creature with both flying and lifelink, this Esper artifact creature can be a thorn in the side of many MTG opponents. To successfully navigate against it, focusing on removal spells that can target creatures irrespective of their flying ability is key. Cards that can deliver unconditional destruction or exile effects, like Path to Exile or Doom Blade, are highly effective, bypassing the lifelink ability and ensuring Windwright Mage won’t be a recurring problem.

Another strategy is to prevent the mage from hitting the field in the first place. Counterspells can be a game-changer here – using them to disrupt your opponent’s strategy and maintain control of the game. With the right preparation and timely response, Windwright Mage becomes a manageable hurdle. Lastly, aiming to overpower it through stronger creatures or overwhelming the opponent with a myriad of lesser creatures can shift the balance in your favor, rendering the Windwright Mage’s contributions insignificant compared to the evolving threats on your side of the battlefield.


Cards like Windwright Mage

Windwright Mage stands out in Magic: The Gathering as a unique multi-colored creature, blending aspects of artifact and life gain strategy. When assessing its place among similar cards, one can draw parallels with Esper Stormblade. Both share the same mana cost and flying ability, but Windwright Mage has the added benefit of life gain when paired with artifacts. This could be a significant advantage in longer matches where sustaining health can make all the difference.

Filigree Angel is another card worthy of comparison, offering a potential burst of life gain in artifact-heavy decks. While the angel has a higher mana cost than Windwright Mage, the impact on life total can be dramatically greater, which might justify the inclusion in certain decks. Lastly, Serra Sphinx presents a simpler alternative, with a sturdy flying presence but without the specific affinities to artifacts or life gain seen in Windwright Mage.

Ultimately, the versatility and synergistic potentials with artifacts firmly establish Windwright Mage as a card of choice for players keen on blending those elements into their MTG decks.

Esper Stormblade - MTG Card versions
Filigree Angel - MTG Card versions
Serra Sphinx - MTG Card versions
Esper Stormblade - Alara Reborn (ARB)
Filigree Angel - Alara Reborn (ARB)
Serra Sphinx - Planar Chaos (PLC)

Cards similar to Windwright Mage by color, type and mana cost

Esper Battlemage - MTG Card versions
Obelisk of Esper - MTG Card versions
Esper Sojourners - MTG Card versions
Esper Battlemage - Shards of Alara (ALA)
Obelisk of Esper - Commander 2013 (C13)
Esper Sojourners - Alara Reborn (ARB)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Windwright Mage MTG card by a specific set like Shards of Alara, 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 Windwright Mage and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Windwright Mage has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

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