Snapsail Glider MTG Card


Snapsail Glider excels in artifact-rich environments, offering a cost-efficient flying threat. Metalcraft activation may require resource sacrifices, affecting hand advantage and mana allocation. Effective in flexible deckbuilding, its aerial capability is dependent on fulfilling the metalcraft condition.
Snapsail Glider - Scars of Mirrodin
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityCommon
TypeArtifact Creature — Construct
Abilities Metalcraft
Released2010-10-01
Set symbol
Set nameScars of Mirrodin
Set codeSOM
Power 2
Toughness 2
Number203
Frame2003
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byEfrem Palacios

Text of card

Metalcraft — Snapsail Glider has flying as long as you control three or more artifacts.

Built from a reconfigured thresher, it charges with light reflected off the golden plain, ready to take to the air in case of danger.


Cards like Snapsail Glider

The Snapsail Glider stands out in Magic: The Gathering as an adaptable artifact creature, distinct in its metalcraft ability that allows it to gain flying as long as you control three or more artifacts. This puts it in direct comparison with creatures like Glint Hawk Idol, which can temporarily become a creature with flying until the end of turn, depending on certain conditions. While Glint Hawk Idol requires an active ability to take to the skies, Snapsail Glider achieves this passively, provided the artifact count is met.

Another card that shares similarity is Spire Golem. This card reduces its casting cost for each Island you control, and it always has flying. Though comparable in being a flyer, Spire Golem’s dependency on Islands contrasts with Snapsail Glider’s broader artifact synergy. Then we have Vault Skirge, which also has flying, complemented by lifelink, offering an immediate impact on life totals, unlike Snapsail Glider’s conditional flying ability.

In assessing their strategic uses, Snapsail Glider fits well into artifact-rich decks, providing a potential aerial threat without additional mana investment to activate its abilities. It holds a niche spot in MTG, especially in artifact-based strategies seeking to optimize passive benefits from their artifacts.

Glint Hawk Idol - MTG Card versions
Spire Golem - MTG Card versions
Vault Skirge - MTG Card versions
Glint Hawk Idol - MTG Card versions
Spire Golem - MTG Card versions
Vault Skirge - MTG Card versions

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Card Pros

Card Advantage: Equipped with an affinity for artifacts, Snapsail Glider can become a key component in decks centered around artifact synergy. When the conditions are right, this card transforms into an evasive creature at no additional cost, maintaining your hand while bolstering your battlefield presence.

Resource Acceleration: Snapsail Glider allows for efficient utilization of your existing artifacts. With its inherent potential to become a flyer without tapping additional mana for its effect, it enables you to deploy your resources elsewhere, accelerating your game plan.

Instant Speed: Though not an instant itself, Snapsail Glider complements instant-speed interactions. Its ability to become a 2/3 flying artifact creature can be activated at any time provided you control three or more artifacts. This adaptability means it can effortlessly fit into the rhythm of a strategy that values the element of surprise and tactical flexibility.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Snapsail Glider requires you to potentially toss a valuable card from your hand to activate its metalcraft ability. This can set you back, especially in tight situations where every card counts.

Specific Mana Cost: To cast Snapsail Glider, you need to allocate mana that might otherwise be used for versatile spells or creatures. In a game where mana efficiency is key, this can impact your board presence.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although it’s a common rarity card, Snapsail Glider’s cost demands a significant investment for its base stats. Considering other creatures in the same cost bracket, you might find alternatives that provide immediate impact without relying on an additional condition for upgrade.


Reasons to Include Snapsail Glider in Your Collection

Versatility: Snapsail Glider can seamlessly adapt to various deck builds, providing a reliable contingent flyer for aggro and mid-range strategies. Its ease of integration makes it a smart pick for players who enjoy flexible deckbuilding approaches.

Combo Potential: With the Metalcraft ability, this card can achieve permanent flight once you control three or more artifacts. It’s an excellent choice for synergizing with decks that maximize artifact count, which can activate its full potential frequently.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta cluttered with ground-based threats, Snapsail Glider offers an aerial advantage that can consistently bypass ground defenses. Its relatively low cost also aligns well with artifact-centric and aggressive strategies that are current in many metagames.


How to beat Snapsail Glider

Snapsail Glider presents an intriguing challenge on the battlefield due to its ability to become a formidable flying threat if the metalcraft condition is met. To outmaneuver this card, it’s essential to disrupt the opponent’s artifact synergy. One effective method is employing artifact removal spells to reduce the number of artifacts on the battlefield, thereby preventing the activation of Snapsail Glider’s metalcraft capability. For example, using cards like Shatter or Naturalize can swiftly eliminate key artifacts, which not only weakens the Glider but may also disrupt other artifact-based strategies your opponent may employ.

Moreover, controlling the board with creatures that have reach or with flying blockers can negate the aerial advantage that Snailsail Glider gains when metalcraft is active. This strategy forces it back into a grounded state where it can be combated on equal footing. Engaging with Snapsail Glider calls for smart play, targeted removal, and maintaining a watchful eye on the array of artifacts at your opponent’s disposal.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Snapsail Glider MTG card by a specific set like Scars of Mirrodin, 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 Snapsail Glider and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Snapsail Glider has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Snapsail Glider card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2011-01-01 For the purposes of combat, whether Snapsail Glider has flying is relevant only as the declare blockers step begins. If an attacking Snapsail Glider without flying becomes blocked, gaining control of enough artifacts to cause it to have flying won’t change that. Similarly, if a Snapsail Glider with flying blocks another creature with flying, losing control of enough artifacts to cause the Glider to lose flying won’t change that.