Sun-Crested Pterodon MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Dinosaur |
| Abilities | Flying |
| Released | 2018-01-19 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Rivals of Ixalan |
| Set code | RIX |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 5 |
| Number | 27 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Lars Grant-West |
Text of card
Flying Sun-Crested Pterodon has vigilance as long as you control another Dinosaur.
"Pterodons tolerate no intrusion into their skies. Even the clouds must ask permission." —Mahuiz, Sun Empire archer
Cards like Sun-Crested Pterodon
When soaring into the realm of flying creatures within MTG, Sun-Crested Pterodon emerges as a notable inclusion for players keen on fielding dinosaurs with aerial dominance. This card shares some characteristics with other flyers such as Serra Angel, due to its ability to evade ground-based defenses and potential to control the skies. However, the Pterodon stands apart with its vigilant ability, allowing it to attack without tapping, a trait Serra Angel also boasts.
Examining Territorial Hammerskull, another dinosaur in the same mana cost range, we notice it lacks flying but it compensates by tapping a target creature when it attacks. This can disrupt your opponent’s strategy significantly. Conversely, the Sun-Crested Pterodon’s higher toughness provides a more durable option that can repeatedly withstand combat, especially if you control another dinosaur, which activates its boosted power.
Ultimately, whether seeking a vigilant guardian of the skies or a tactful terrestrial dinosaur to lock down your opponent’s forces, these creatures offer varied strategic advantages. Sun-Crested Pterodon shines as a defensive beast with the potential for a strong aerial offense, making it a worthy pick for dino-affine deck builders in MTG.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Sun-Crested Pterodon presents a formidable flying creature that’s also tough to take down. Versatility at its best, it provides aerial control that few cards can match. This dinosaur has the potential to dissuade opponents from attacking, thereby preserving your card resources on the battlefield.
Resource Acceleration: While this card doesn’t directly accelerate your resources, its presence can indirectly influence the pace of the game. The Pterodon encourages you to maintain a robust defense, which in turn can conserve your resources and allow you to build up your mana supply and other assets more effectively. Its vigilance ensures that your defenses are always up, even when taking offensive actions, leading to better management of your resources both offensively and defensively.
Instant Speed: Although the Sun-Crested Pterodon operates at sorcery speed, its real-time advantage in matches comes from its ability to always remain an untapped blocker due to its vigilance. This means you can apply pressure during your turn and still be ready to defend instantaneously against threats during your opponent’s turn, thus optimizing your reaction strategy from the start of the match.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Sun-Crested Pterodon doesn’t have a discard requirement itself, it is important to note that maintaining a hand to support its vigilance can lead to tough decisions regarding which cards to play and which to keep.
Specific Mana Cost: Sun-Crested Pterodon requires two white mana for casting, which could be restrictive for multicolor decks that may prioritize other colors or have a less stable mana base for white mana.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of five mana, including two that are color-specific, Sun-Crested Pterodon might not be the most mana-efficient creature for its stats and abilities, especially considering other creatures in the four-mana slot that could offer more impact on the gamestate.
Reasons to Include Sun-Crested Pterodon in Your Collection
Versatility: Sun-Crested Pterodon serves as a robust aerial blocker with its sizeable toughness, making it valuable in decks that focus on reaching the late game. As a flying creature, it can also be a consistent threat for strategies that capitalize on dealing combat damage from the air.
Combo Potential: The Pterodon excels in dinosaur-centric builds where it can easily gain vigilance, enabling it to act both offensively and defensively. This synergy is particularly effective in combo strategies that leverage the vigilance for mechanics such as enrage, ensuring the dinosaur stays ready to capitalize on various board states.
Meta-Relevance: With the shifting landscape of the MTG meta, Sun-Crested Pterodon can be an unexpected but efficient choice against opponents that rely heavily on ground forces. This ability to dominate the skies can be a crucial factor in turning the tides of a game, especially in limited formats or specific metagames where flying creatures are paramount.
How to beat
Sun-Crested Pterodon presents a unique challenge on the battlefield with its flying ability and potential vigilance when controlled by a player with another dinosaur. Yet every card has its vulnerabilities, and understanding how to navigate around this particular creature is key. Ground-based strategies will falter against this high-flying dinosaur, so it’s advisable to focus on removal spells that can target creatures regardless of their position. Cards like Fatal Push or Path to Exile are strong contenders here, allowing you to bypass the Pterodon’s flying capability.
Alternatively, controlling the board with sweepers such as Damnation or Supreme Verdict can clear the field including the Pterodon, no matter how high it soars. Ensnaring the creature with enchantments that prevent it from attacking or blocking is another effective tactic. Pacifism or Claustrophobia can keep the Pterodon grounded and out of combat. Managing your resources to ensure these answers are available when facing a Sun-Crested Pterodon is a smart way to maintain control over the game’s flow.
Lastly, preventing your opponent from establishing the dinosaur synergy by removing other dinosaurs on the play is also a strategic move. With a mix of targeted removal and board control, you can claim victory over the Sun-Crested Pterodon and dominate the skies.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Sun-Crested Pterodon MTG card by a specific set like Rivals of Ixalan, 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 Sun-Crested Pterodon 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 Sun-Crested Pterodon has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Sun-Crested Pterodon card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2018-01-19 | Gaining vigilance any time after the moment you choose to attack with Sun-Crested Pterodon won’t cause it to become untapped, and losing vigilance after that time won’t cause it to become tapped. |
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.