Steppe Glider MTG Card
Text of card
Flying, vigilance : Target creature with a +1/+1 counter on it gains flying and vigilance until end of turn.
It glides over the landscape. It also happens to be one.
Cards like Steppe Glider
Within the vast realm of Magic: The Gathering, Steppe Glider brings to the battlefield a unique combination of abilities. It shares a kinship with creatures such as Aven Sunstriker and Cliffside Lookout, in terms of its ability to influence +1/+1 counters or boost other creatures. Aven Sunstriker also carries flying and offers double strike when bolstered, yet it lacks the buffing versatility that Steppe Glider provides. Conversely, while Cliffside Lookout can pump a player’s entire team, it does not have the flying grace or the counter manipulation that makes Steppe Glider stand out.
Gliding further, we see Sandsteppe Outcast, which presents an interesting comparison. It creates additional creatures, much like Steppe Glider, which can enhance board presence. However, Sandsteppe Outcast doesn’t offer the same late-game flexibility and aerial advantage. Lastly, Elite Scaleguard is notable for also impacting +1/+1 counters and controlling the combat flow. Yet, Steppe Glider’s ability to grant key abilities like flying on demand to itself or others sets it apart in tactical adaptability.
To wrap up, Steppe Glider emerges as a favorable choice for commanders striving for an aerial edge and the finesse of counter distribution, securing its place in decks that value strategic creature enhancements and versatility in Magic: The Gathering.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Steppe Glider enables you to bolster your board presence effectively. By granting +1/+1 counters and flying to your creatures, it can turn your existing army into a more formidable threat, indirectly contributing to maintaining card advantage by enhancing the creatures you already have in play.
Resource Acceleration: This creature itself may not directly provide resource acceleration in the form of mana ramping, but its ability to give vigilance ensures your creatures can attack without tapping. This leaves them available to block or leverage abilities that require tapping, thus allowing for more efficient use of your board resources each turn.
Instant Speed: Though Steppe Glider’s abilities cannot be activated at instant speed, the flexibility it grants in mid-combat can create instant-speed like reactions from opponents. By deciding during the attack or block phase to add a counter or to grant flying, you force opponents to re-evaluate their strategy on the fly, potentially gaining you a tactical edge.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Steppe Glider necessitates a form of resource exchange that might not align with all strategies. Managing your hand can be crucial, and the card’s requirement could force players to part with valuable assets prematurely.
Specific Mana Cost: Steppe Glider comes with a specific mana cost that includes white. For multicolored decks or those that heavily rely on a different color, weaving this creature into the mix could present a deck-building challenge.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of five mana, including two white, Steppe Glider’s impact on the game needs to be weighed against other utility creatures in the same slot. Players may find that in competitive environments, there are options that provide a more immediate or significant advantage for a similar investment.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Steppe Glider offers flexibility in deck construction, fitting well into decks that tap into +1/+1 counters and flying mechanics. Its ability to grant flying to other creatures ensures that it can adapt to a variety of board states and combat scenarios.
Combo Potential: As a card with abilities that interact with counters, Steppe Glider can easily become part of synergistic plays. Pairing it with proliferate mechanics or any strategy that accumulates and manipulates +1/+1 counters can unlock powerful combinations on the battlefield.
Meta-Relevance: In environments where flying creatures dominate or evasion is key, Steppe Glider gains value. Its capacity to both enhance other creatures and serve as an aerial threat itself makes it relevant in metas where board presence and creature versatility are crucial.
How to Beat
Steppe Glider is a unique card in the MTG landscape, offering versatility through its ability to give flying and vigilance to other creatures. Navigating around this card requires strategic planning, as its presence can quickly shift the aerial dynamics of the game. Rather than confronting it directly in the skies, consider strategies that undermine its utility. Targeted removal spells such as Fatal Push or Path to Exile can easily dispatch Steppe Glider before it has the chance to elevate your opponent’s battlefield position.
Alternatively, board wipes like Wrath of God provide a clean reset, removing Steppe Glider along with all other creatures, nullifying its advantage. If removal isn’t an option, focus on building a board presence that can outpace the benefits Steppe Glider provides, such as accumulating enough ground forces or constructing an impenetrable defense. Remember to always be mindful of the mana availability as your opponent may be waiting to enhance their creatures at the most opportune moment.
When dealing with Steppe Glider, prioritize direct and efficient answers. Keeping a keen eye on your opponent’s plays will help ensure that Steppe Glider doesn’t tip the scales too far in their favor, securing your victory in the skies and on the ground.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Steppe Glider MTG card by a specific set like Oath of the Gatewatch and Battlebond, 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 Steppe Glider 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 Steppe Glider Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2016-01-22 and 2019-11-15. Illustrated by John Severin Brassell.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2016-01-22 | Oath of the Gatewatch | OGW | 36 | 2015 | Normal | Black | John Severin Brassell | |
| 2 | 2018-06-08 | Battlebond | BBD | 109 | 2015 | Normal | Black | John Severin Brassell | |
| 3 | 2019-11-15 | Game Night 2019 | GN2 | 12 | 2015 | Normal | Black | John Severin Brassell |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Steppe Glider has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
Guide to Vigilance card ability
In the strategic universe of Magic: The Gathering (MTG), the vigilance ability stands out as a powerful tool for players. This potent keyword allows creatures to attack without tapping, keeping them ready and alert to defend against incoming threats. It represents a perfect balance between aggression and defense, offering a dynamic approach to gameplay. Lets dive deeper into how vigilance shapes the battlefield.