Shining Aerosaur MTG Card
2017-09-29 - Number 36
2019-11-07 - Number 227
2020-09-26 - Number XLN-36
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Dinosaur |
| Abilities | Flying |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 4 |
Text of card
Flying
"The invaders cloak themselves in the shadows of dusk. Aerosaurs hide in the brilliance of the noonday sun." —Caparocti Sunborn
Cards like Shining Aerosaur
Shining Aerosaur enters the Magic: The Gathering arena as part of the flying creatures category. It carries similarities with creatures like Sunspire Griffin, which also takes to the skies with its sturdy wings. Both feature the flying ability, allowing them to soar over ground-based defenses. Where Shining Aerosaur stands out is in its potential for flexibility, offering a favorable stats distribution that can influence the board’s dynamics.
Comparatively, cards like Concordia Pegasus, though more cost-efficient with lower mana, lack the imposing presence that Shining Aerosaur commands. Moreover, Shining Aerosaur can sometimes go toe-to-toe with larger threats due to its respectable toughness. It provides a robust defense in the air not easily matched by its more petite kin. Then there’s Serra Angel, which not only flies but also vigilantly wards off opponents without succumbing to the tap from attacking. While Serra Angel sits higher on the mana curve, its impactful presence on the board makes up for the increased resource investment.
Evaluating Shining Aerosaur within the broad spectrum of aerial creatures in Magic: The Gathering shows its capability to give players a solid advantage in the skies while maintaining a balanced cost-to-effect ratio.
Cards similar to Shining Aerosaur by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Shining Aerosaur can soar into your strategy lending the potential for gaining indirect card advantage. Its presence can deter opponents from attacking, effectively preserving your hand and board state while setting up for future plays.
Resource Acceleration: While not directly impacting your mana pool, Shining Aerosaur’s ability to dominate the battlefield can indirectly lead to resource acceleration. Controlling the skies allows for better attacks and defense, efficiently utilizing your lands and mana as each turn progresses.
Instant Speed: Although Shining Aerosaur itself is not an instant, having cards that interact at instant speed in your arsenal can protect this key creature from threats, ensuring its luminance persists on the board. Swift interventions to safeguard Shining Aerosaur amplify its value within your deck’s ecosystem.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Shining Aerosaur doesn’t necessitate a discard upon casting, but it’s worth noting for players that any card requiring a discard can be a setback when hand size is crucial.
Specific Mana Cost: This creature demands a particular mana alignment, needing both white and other colors, potentially complicating its inclusion in multi-colored builds or where mana fixing is less consistent.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: For players keeping an eye on the curve, Shining Aerosaur’s cost may appear steep for its stats and abilities. In a game where pace can be pivotal, options for lower cost creatures that provide similar aerial utility may be favored.
Reasons to Include Shining Aerosaur in Your Collection
Versatility: Shining Aerosaur brings flexibility to the table with its ability to be an aerial threat across multiple deck archetypes. Its flying trait allows it to soar over ground-based defenders, making it a valuable asset in both offensive and defensive strategies.
Combo Potential: As a creature with flying, it pairs well with cards that capitalize on flying creatures or those that require sacrificing creatures for greater effects. This opens up possibilities for synergistic plays that can turn the tide of a game.
Meta-Relevance: With its respectable body and evasion ability, Shining Aerosaur can be a noteworthy inclusion in the current meta, particularly if flying creatures or dinosaur-focused decks are prevalent. The adaptability of this card to various game situations enhances its meta relevance, potentially offering a decisive edge in matches.
How to beat
Shining Aerosaur is a distinct creature card in MTG that often takes to the skies with its flying ability, making it a tactical advantage for players seeking aerial dominance. Its presence can sometimes shift the balance in a game, making it essential to have strategies in place to handle this creature effectively.
One of the key tactics to outmaneuver Shining Aerosaur involves deployment of cards with the ‘Reach’ attribute, which enables ground-based creatures to block flying ones. Furthermore, spell cards that deal damage regardless of flying status, such as ‘Shock’ or ‘Lightning Strike’, are also highly effective in removing Shining Aerosaur from the battlefield. Another approach could be employing spells that force the opponent to sacrifice a creature, thus bypassing the need to target the Aerosaur directly.
Countering a Shining Aerosaur requires not only the right cards but also the strategic foresight to anticipate its arrival and mitigate its impact early on. Ensuring your deck is equipped with answers to flying threats can turn the tide of any game where creatures like the Shining Aerosaur make an appearance. Planning, preparedness, and precise execution are the keys to gaining an upper hand in matchups against this luminous threat.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Shining Aerosaur MTG card by a specific set like Ixalan 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 Shining Aerosaur 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 Shining Aerosaur Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2017-09-29 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by Dan Scott.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2017-09-29 | Ixalan | XLN | 36 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Dan Scott | |
| 2 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 227 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Dan Scott | |
| 3 | The List | PLST | XLN-36 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Dan Scott |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Shining Aerosaur has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |