Skyswirl Harrier MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Bird |
| Abilities | Flying |
| Released | 2016-09-30 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Kaladesh |
| Set code | KLD |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 4 |
| Number | 28 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | John Severin Brassell |
Text of card
Flying
The great birds dive through the sky, wings skimming the aether streams, to fall upon their unsuspecting prey.
Cards like Skyswirl Harrier
Skyswirl Harrier joins the ranks of flying creatures in Magic: The Gathering with its unique blend of cost to power ratio. When placed alongside kin like Wind Drake, which similarly features a 2/2 flying trait for three mana, Skyswirl Harrier’s slightly higher mana cost brings an additional point of power to the skies. It’s not merely a vanilla creature; its four power makes it a more formidable presence against many of MTG’s common airborne threats.
Comparatively, we have the Aven Fisher, another winged ally in the realm of blue. While Aven Fisher requires one mana more than Skyswirl Harrier and only delivers 2/2 stats, it compensates the player with card advantage by drawing a card upon death. This added utility can make a discernible difference over the course of a game.
Delving further, the comparison wouldn’t be complete without mentioning Abbey Griffin. Despite having vigilance along with flying and the same power as Skyswirl Harrier, it demands one white mana more, potentially making it a less flexible choice in a multi-colored deck. All in all, Skyswirl Harrier stands out for its cost-effective aerial dominance in the blue skies of MTG.
Cards similar to Skyswirl Harrier by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: While Skyswirl Harrier doesn’t directly let you draw cards, it helps maintain board presence which is crucial for card advantage. By having a creature in the air, you force your opponent to have an answer or you will continuously apply pressure and potentially draw out resources from them.
Resource Acceleration: Skyswirl Harrier can’t directly ramp your mana, but it stands as a steadfast blocker with its flying ability, buying you time to reach your critical land drops or set up your mana base without interruption from opposing creatures.
Instant Speed: As a creature, Skyswirl Harrier does not have instant speed. However, its flying ability gives you the flexibility to block when you need to, effectively acting as a surprise element especially when you play Skyswirl Harrier post blocks, keeping your opponents guessing and playing around your open mana and potential instant speed interactions.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One of the downsides to deploying Skyswirl Harrier in gameplay is the necessity for a discard from your hand, which could put you at a noticeable disadvantage when your hand is already dwindling.
Specific Mana Cost: Its casting requirements may clash with multicolor decks that are not heavily invested in white mana, potentially limiting the card’s versatility across various deck builds.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a cost demanding three generic and one white mana, Skyswirl Harrier’s presence in play may come at a steep price, particularly when there are numerous alternatives that provide similar or enhanced abilities for less.
Reasons to Include Skyswirl Harrier in Your Collection
Versatility: Skyswirl Harrier offers solid gameplay flexibility as a flying creature, making it a useful addition for aerial control in multiple deck builds. Its ability to soar above ground-based defenders allows for consistent damage dealing or as an effective blocker against other flying creatures.
Combo Potential: This creature can synergize with effects that benefit from flying types or those which capitalize on creature count. By folding it into decks that harness the power of creatures with flying or simply serving as another ally for card mechanics that trigger upon creatures entering the battlefield, Skyswirl Harrier can integrate into various combo strategies.
Meta-Relevance: With the ever-evolving dynamics of the game, having reliable flying creatures can be crucial. Skyswirl Harrier can be particularly relevant in environments where ground forces dominate, thereby granting players an upper hand by diversifying their offensive and defensive arsenals through the skies.
How to beat
Skyswirl Harrier stands out in Magic: The Gathering as a flyer with a moderate mana cost. Functioning as a utility creature, it can be a thorn in the side of opponents without the right defenses in place. Unlike ground minions, flyers like this harrier demand specific counters or else they continue to chip away at a player’s life total.
Handling Skyswirl Harrier effectively involves incorporating removal spells or creatures with reach or flying into your deck. Cards such as Murder can dispatch it irrespective of its ability to soar over blockers. Meanwhile, deploying your own flying threats can neutralize the advantage Skyswirl Harrier provides. It’s about board control, and while Skyswirl Harrier is decent in its role, it succumbs to the usual aerial countermeasures.
In essence, overcoming Skyswirl Harrier calls for tactical foresight. Deck builders should anticipate aerial challenges and include versatile answers to maintain dominance in the skies. As such, the harrier, though formidable with its flying attribute, can be outmaneuvered with the right strategies, ensuring its impact is minimized throughout the game.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Skyswirl Harrier MTG card by a specific set like Kaladesh, 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 Skyswirl Harrier 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 Skyswirl Harrier has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |