Swooping Pteranodon MTG Card
2023-11-17 - Number 19
2023-11-17 - Number 44
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Dinosaur |
| Abilities | Flying,Haste |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Text of card
Flying, haste Whenever Swooping Pteranodon or another Dinosaur with flying enters the battlefield under your control, gain control of target creature an opponent controls until end of turn. Untap that creature. It gains flying and haste until end of turn. At the beginning of the next end step, target land deals 3 damage to that creature.
Cards like Swooping Pteranodon
Swooping Pteranodon finds its place among flying creatures within Magic: The Gathering with its own set of unique benefits. It shares the skies with creatures like Pterodon Knight, which also takes to the air under certain conditions. However, Swooping Pteranodon stands out with its straightforward flying ability, unencumbered by conditions once a player gains the required city’s blessing.
Another card worth mentioning is Territorial Hammerskull, a creature that, while lacking flight, brings a utility to the table by tapping an opponent’s creature. In terms of cost and impact, both cards provide strategic advantages at three mana. They diverge in their board influence, with Swooping Pteranodon emphasizing an aerial offense while Territorial Hammerskull disrupts the opponent’s defense.
In the realm of aerial agility and cost efficiency, Swooping Pteranodon competes favorably. Its inherent flying trait provides a reliable attack vector, making it a formidable choice among other creatures within its mana range. Choosing between these cards comes down to desired board control and combat tactics in play.
Cards similar to Swooping Pteranodon by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Swooping Pteranodon provides a strategic benefit by replacing itself in your hand when it enters the battlefield if you control a creature with power 4 or greater, ensuring that you don’t lose out on card quantity which is crucial in maintaining momentum against your opponent.
Resource Acceleration: When Swooping Pteranodon swoops into play, it can set the stage for bigger plays in subsequent turns. Its mere presence can help you pivot into larger threats quickly, effectively accelerating the resources at your disposal as you strategize towards a dominant board state.
Instant Speed: While this dinosaur doesn’t have the ability to dive into play at instant speed itself, its interaction with other spells of instant speed is notable. It can instantly reap the benefits of sudden stat boosts or become an immediate flying blocker when played on your turn right after an instant that increases the power of one of your creatures.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Within the landscape of MTG, Swooping Pteranodon’s effectiveness is measured by not only its own merits but also by its cost. One facet to consider is its discard requirement. This mechanic mandates that you relinquish another card from your hand to facilitate certain effects, which can attenuate your strategic options, notably when your available resources are already dwindling.
Specific Mana Cost: Like many cards in MTG, Swooping Pteranodon comes with a specific mana cost that aligns with a particular color identity. For some players, especially those running multicolored decks or decks outside of this color’s spectrum, integrating Swooping Pteranodon can represent a challenge, restraining deck building versatility and potentially burdening mana bases.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Cost efficiency is a prime consideration for players when selecting cards for their decks. A comparatively high mana cost is an aspect one must reconcile with when considering Swooping Pteranodon. For its mana value, there are alternative creatures that may provide a more formidable board presence or beneficial abilities. This, in turn, places Swooping Pteranodon in a precarious position where it must be weighed against other potential inclusions that might yield greater impact for the same, or lesser, investment of mana resources.
Reasons to Include Swooping Pteranodon in Your Collection
Versatility: Swooping Pteranodon can be a strategic addition to various decks with its flying ability, enabling it to be a consistent threat in the air. Its functionality in Limited game formats where evasion is key also makes it a flexible pick during drafts.
Combo Potential: The potential to power up Swooping Pteranodon with buffs or equipment due to its decent starting stats makes it a valuable creature. Pairing it with cards that boost flying creatures can quickly turn it into a formidable presence on the battlefield.
Meta-Relevance: In an environment dominated by ground forces, having an evasive creature like Swooping Pteranodon can give you the upper hand. It fits well into decks that exploit the skies or require creatures with evasion to circumvent congested battlefields.
How to beat
Swooping Pteranodon may seem daunting at first due to its potential to become a formidable flying threat quickly in a game. Unlike ground-bound creatures, flyers like Swooping Pteranodon can be challenging to block, dramatically shaping the battlefield dynamics. One strategy for overcoming this agile dinosaur is prioritizing the removal of your opponent’s creatures with power 2 or greater, which prevents Swooping Pteranodon from gaining the ability to block.
Another effective tactic is the use of instant-speed removal spells or abilities that can handle the creature before it becomes a significant threat. Counterspells can also be critical to ensure Swooping Pteranodon never takes flight. Consider incorporating versatile answers into your deck that can address a variety of threats, not just flying creatures, to maintain a more rounded approach during a match.
Ultimately, dealing with a card like Swooping Pteranodon requires foresight and timely responses. Efficiently managing your resources while keeping threats like this in check will be key in not only overcoming the card itself but also in gaining an advantage over your opponent in the broader scope of the game.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Swooping Pteranodon MTG card by a specific set like Jurassic World Collection and Jurassic World Collection, 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 Swooping Pteranodon and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
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- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
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Printings
The Swooping Pteranodon Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2023-11-17 and 2023-11-17. Illustrated by Slawomir Maniak.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2023-11-17 | Jurassic World Collection | REX | 19 | 2015 | Normal | Borderless | Slawomir Maniak | |
| 2 | 2023-11-17 | Jurassic World Collection | REX | 44 | 2015 | Normal | Borderless | Slawomir Maniak |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Swooping Pteranodon has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Swooping Pteranodon card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2023-11-10 | Swooping Pteranodon's triggered ability targets only the creature an opponent controls. You choose the target land (where the poor creature is going to drop) as the delayed triggered ability triggers at the beginning of the next end step. |