Stratozeppelid MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Beast |
| Abilities | Flying |
| Released | 2006-02-03 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Guildpact |
| Set code | GPT |
| Power | 4 |
| Toughness | 4 |
| Number | 36 |
| Frame | 2003 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Ittoku |
Text of card
Flying Stratozeppelid can block only creatures with flying.
The "Days of Darkness" mark the stratozeppelids' annual migration, when for five days they blot out the sun and trumpet their passing.
Cards like Stratozeppelid
Stratozeppelid offers a unique angle in the skies of MTG, hovering alongside cards like Wind Drake. Both creatures share the ability to soar over the battlefield, granting players an aerial advantage. Stratozeppelid distinguishes itself with its “forecast” ability, allowing players to glimpse the future by revealing it from their hand to create a token creature at a potential cost-savings compared to casting it directly.
Another card worth mentioning is Sky Theater Strix, which also promises an airborne edge but synergizes with spells, increasing its power each time you cast a noncreature spell. While the Stratozeppelid doesn’t grow stronger with spellcasting, its forecast ability offers consistent utility and strategic flexibility each turn it remains in hand.
The versatile nature of Stratozeppelid’s forecast ability places it in an interesting position within the realm of flying creatures in MTG. Its capability to impact the board without being cast gives players creative control over their game, presenting a distinct role compared to its counterparts like Wind Drake and Sky Theater Strix.
Cards similar to Stratozeppelid by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Stratozeppelid can be a valuable addition to any deck that utilizes flying creatures or benefits from synergy with aerial strategies. By offering the ability to cycle itself, Stratozeppelid gives players the option to draw a new card, ensuring that their hand remains replenished and potentially offering new opportunities for plays.
Resource Acceleration: For those decks focusing on resource acceleration, Stratozeppelid may not be the foremost choice since it does not directly produce additional mana or allow for the early play of higher-cost cards. It does, however, offer cycling, which for a meager investment, can help sift through the deck and perhaps reveal cards that do accelerate resources.
Instant Speed: The cycling ability of Stratozeppelid can be activated at instant speed, granting a level of flexibility to respond to an opponent’s actions. Should the board state not require the deployment of Stratozeppelid, a player can opt to cycle it away, ideally drawing into a card more suited to the current situation. This adaptability makes the card a situational asset, one that offers utility even when it is not the right time to summon the creature itself.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Stratozeppelid card necessitates that you toss another card from your hand into the graveyard to harness its full potential. This can prove to be a detrimental move, especially when the cards in hand are crucial for the upcoming plays, stripping you of significant resources at a pivotal moment in the game.
Specific Mana Cost: The deployment of Stratozeppelid onto the battlefield demands a precise combination of mana, including blue, which can be restrictive. This requirement can pose a challenge in multicolored decks that strive to maintain a balanced mana base to effectively cast spells from various color identities.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Investing a considerable amount of mana to summon Stratozeppelid can hamper your game tempo, particularly when the mana curve in your deck is vital to progression. With a steep mana cost, other creatures or spells within the same range might offer you greater strategic depth or immediate board presence at a lower value investment.
Reasons to Include Stratozeppelid in Your Collection
Versatility: Stratozeppelid is not merely a creature; it grants any deck aerial superiority. With its flying ability, it can become an essential component in strategies focusing on air dominance or need blockers for other flying menaces.
Combo Potential: Given its inherent characteristics, Stratozeppelid can be a lynchpin in combos that capitalize on creatures with specific abilities, becoming more than a simple creature, but a tool that expands combo diversity within a deck.
Meta-Relevance: Should the environment be conducive to slower matchups or if flying threats are prevalent, Stratozeppelid’s ability to circumvent ground-based defenses becomes significantly valuable, making it a key piece in dealing with contemporary deck builds.
How to Beat Stratozeppelid
Stratozeppelid is a unique creature in the world of MTG, tempting players with its ability to soar over defenses thanks to its flying trait. However, despite its evasive capabilities, there are several strategies that players can employ to successfully challenge this high-flying threat.
Dealing with Stratozeppelid begins on the ground with ensuring a robust mana base to cast spells that can either remove it directly or negate its advantages. Removal spells, like Murder or Path to Exile, can swiftly dispatch Stratozeppelid, circumventing its air superiority. Counter spells are also your allies here, especially if you can stop Stratozeppelid before it even enters the battlefield. In a pinch, enchantments and artifacts that neutralize flying abilities, such as Gravity Sphere, can clip Stratozeppelid’s wings and bring it within reach of your grounded forces.
It’s also advantageous to consider the timing of your plays. Instant-speed interaction allows you to wait for the optimal moment to strike, perhaps when your opponent is low on resources or after they’ve committed to an aggressive attack. Ultimately, while Stratozeppelid can be a daunting challenge, a combination of preparedness, precise timing, and chosen removal tactics will ensure you maintain control of the skies and the game.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Stratozeppelid MTG card by a specific set like Guildpact, 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 Stratozeppelid and other MTG cards:
BUY NOW BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
- 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
See MTG Products
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Stratozeppelid has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |