Stormrider Spirit MTG Card
2016-04-08 - Number 91
2021-09-24 - Number 79
2022-01-28 - Number 79
2023-03-21 - Number 91
Text of card
Flash (You may cast this spell any time you could cast an instant.) Flying
Thunder isn't all that follows lightning.
Cards like Stormrider Spirit
Stormrider Spirit emerges as a mystifying creature in Magic: The Gathering’s vast library of spells and summons. Like its spectral peers Mist Raven and Nebelgast Herald, this card similarly offers flying capabilities. What sets Stormrider Spirit apart primarily is its flash ability, allowing a player to cast it at almost any time, notably during the opponent’s turn for strategic defense or surprise counters.
Comparatively, Mist Raven taps into controlling the game board by returning a target creature to its owner’s hand but lacks the same surprise element due to the absence of flash. Nebelgast Herald shares the flash trait and even taps potentially dangerous creatures when other spirits enter the battlefield. Nevertheless, it requires a more focused deck build around spirits.
While there are other creatures in Magic: The Gathering that rival Stormrider Spirit in cost and power stats, the combination of its flying and flash abilities make it a unique tactical choice for players who value flexibility and the element of surprise during gameplay’s crucial moments.
Cards similar to Stormrider Spirit by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Stormrider Spirit comes into play with flash, providing the opportunity to surprise your opponent and potentially trading with an attacking creature, effectively maintaining card balance.
Resource Acceleration: While not directly providing acceleration, the versatility of a five-mana flying creature that can be played at instant speed ensures mana is used efficiently at the end of your opponent’s turn if other plays are not necessary.
Instant Speed: The flash ability of Stormrider Spirit enables you to maximize the use of your mana each turn by keeping options open. This enhances your strategic flexibility, allowing you to respond to threats immediately or deploy your own at the most opportune moment.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: For Stormrider Spirit, having to discard a card can be a tough pill to swallow, particularly in control or combo decks that rely heavily on each piece of their puzzle.
Specific Mana Cost: Stormrider Spirit demands a precise mix of one blue and four other mana, which might not always align with the flexible mana requirements that multicolor or splashy decks desire.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Five mana could be a steep price, especially when evaluating the payoff of a 3/3 body with flash and flying in an environment teeming with creatures providing more bang for your mana buck.
Reasons to Include Stormrider Spirit in Your Collection
Versatility: Stormrider Spirit is a flexible inclusion in blue-oriented decks, perfect for strategies that require creatures with flash. This allows for surprise blocks or the ability to hold up mana for other instant-speed interactions without wasting turns.
Combo Potential: Its synergy with cards supporting spirit or flash archetypes means that it can serve as a piece in various combo setups, potentially unlocking new avenues for deck building. Moreover, being a flying creature, it can also contribute to airborne-focused assault strategies.
Meta-Relevance: Given the right circumstances, particularly in formats where slower, more interactive playstyles thrive, Stormrider Spirit can offer substantial advantages. It can disrupt opponent’s plans while keeping your hand populated due to its card draw ability upon entering the battlefield.
How to beat
Stormrider Spirit is a unique challenge in the MTG arena for its flash ability, allowing it to spring onto the battlefield unexpectedly. Positioned in your deck as a nimble defender, the card offers both surprise and utility. Its ability to fly gives it an advantage over non-flying creatures, fortifying your defense while threatening opponent life totals from the air.
To effectively counter the Stormrider Spirit, prioritize removal spells that can be acted upon at instant speed. Cards like Murderous Cut or Rapid Hybridization enable you to respond immediately to the Spirit’s appearance. Alternatively, employing strategies that limit your opponent’s ability to cast spells during your turn, such as with Teferi, Time Raveler, hinders the Spirit’s flash ability, relegating it to a more manageable threat that can only be played at predictable times.
Remember, due to the unpredictability of flash creatures, it is crucial to conserve mana and prepare your answers to act when the opportunity arises. Successfully navigating these encounters with Stormrider Spirit can shift the momentum of the game in your favor, reinforcing the importance of adaptability and foresight in MTG.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Stormrider Spirit MTG card by a specific set like Shadows over Innistrad and Innistrad: Midnight Hunt, 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 Stormrider Spirit 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 Stormrider Spirit Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2016-04-08 and 2023-03-21. Illustrated by Lake Hurwitz.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2016-04-08 | Shadows over Innistrad | SOI | 91 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Lake Hurwitz | |
| 2 | 2021-09-24 | Innistrad: Midnight Hunt | MID | 79 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Lake Hurwitz | |
| 3 | 2022-01-28 | Innistrad: Double Feature | DBL | 79 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Lake Hurwitz | |
| 4 | 2023-03-21 | Shadows over Innistrad Remastered | SIR | 91 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Lake Hurwitz |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Stormrider Spirit has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Future | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Guide to Flash card ability
Explore the dynamic Flash ability in Magic: The Gathering (MTG), a feature that allows you to cast spells at lightning speed, often leaving your opponents reeling and your strategy several steps ahead. This versatile ability can turn the tide of a game, providing the element of surprise and tactical advantage. It places a premium on timing and foresight, transforming an ordinary deck into a formidable arsenal of instant threats and responses.