Talion's Messenger MTG Card
2023-09-08 - Number 335
2023-09-08 - Number 73p
2023-09-08 - Number 73s
2023-09-08 - Number 73
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Faerie Noble |
| Abilities | Flying |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Text of card
Flying Whenever you attack with one or more Faeries, draw a card, then discard a card. When you discard a card this way, put a +1/+1 counter on target Faerie you control.
Cards like Talion's Messenger
Talion’s Messenger is an intriguing creature card in Magic: The Gathering that finds its peers among a host of other impactful creature cards. When looking at its closest relatives, one might consider Rise of the Dread Marn. Both cards can provide a surge of creature presence on the battlefield, yet Rise of the Dread Marn depends on the number of nontoken creatures that died this turn, making its effect situational. Talion’s Messenger, in contrast, has a more controlled trigger condition.
Exploring further, cards like Doomed Dissenter also come to mind. Doomed Dissenter offers a similar concept, converting into another creature upon death. However, Talion’s Messenger boasts the potential to bring in multiple creature tokens compared to Doomed Dissenter’s singular replacement. The strategic value in Talion’s Messenger becomes apparent with its capacity for wider board impact.
Assessing both functionality and versatility, Talion’s Messenger holds its ground in the MTG realm. With its specific trigger mechanism and token production, it finds a niche among creature cards that can shape the tide of the game, marking its value in decks that capitalize on creature sacrifices and token generation.
Cards similar to Talion's Messenger by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Talion's Messenger. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | UB | Standard | Traditional Standard Ranked Decklists: February 19, 2024 | |
| Dimir Faeries | Standard | Dimir Faeries | The Pizza Box Open: Standard |
 | Esper Aggro | Gladiator | Gladiator Games: We're Back | |
 | Dimir Control | Pioneer | Dimir Faeries | Peasant Pioneer Showdown - A Josh and Pat's MTG Bazaar Sponsored Event |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Talion’s Messenger is designed to enhance your hand by allowing you to draw an extra card. This translates into more options and better decision-making capabilities at crucial points in the game. Having more cards in hand can spell the difference between victory and defeat for experienced players.
Resource Acceleration: This card might offer Resource Acceleration by providing additional means to develop your board presence quickly. This could come in the form of generating tokens, untapping lands, or any other mechanic that boosts your mana pool and expedites your game plan.
Instant Speed: If Talion’s Messenger can be played at instant speed, this adds a layer of versatility, allowing the player to react swiftly to an opponent’s moves. Timing is everything and playing at instant speed can disrupt the opponent’s strategy or save the day by providing an unexpected blocker or the necessary mana for a counter play.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Talion’s Messenger necessitates discarding a card to trigger its ability. This can deplete your hand, potentially leaving you at a disadvantage if you’re already low on options or trying to maintain card advantage.
Specific Mana Cost: The mana cost of this card is tailored for a black mana-centric deck. If you’re running a multicolored deck with a limited black mana base, consistently casting Talion’s Messenger could prove challenging.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Requiring a higher investment of mana compared to other creatures in its class, Talion’s Messenger may not be as cost-effective. Players might find other creatures or spells that provide a better return on investment, enhancing their board state or card advantage for the same or less mana.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Talion’s Messenger is a flexible card that can easily find its place in a variety of deck builds, particularly those that thrive on graveyard synergy or sacrifice mechanics.
Combo Potential: This card has the ability to combo with other cards that capitalize on death triggers or benefit from recurring creatures from the graveyard, making it a strategic piece in combo decks.
Meta-Relevance: In a game environment where creature strategies are prevalent, Talion’s Messenger can be a key asset. Its recursion ability ensures it remains a persistent threat on the board.
How to Beat Talion’s Messenger
Talion’s Messenger requires strategic handling on the battlefield. Notably, this creature card gains benefits when it dies, provided it has a certain number of quest counters. To tackle this, focus on exile or bounce effects that can neutralize it without triggering death-related abilities. Additionally, avoid engaging in combat that would be fatal to the card unless you can mitigate its afterlife benefits.
Consider cards like Swords to Plowshares or Path to Exile that can remove Talion’s Messenger from the game, bypassing the graveyard and its quest counter effect altogether. Cards with the ability to return creatures to an opponent’s hand, such as Unsummon, also serve as effective tools to counter it without causing it to die and trigger its abilities.
Be mindful of when to apply these strategies, as timing is critical to successfully defeating Talion’s Messenger. Keep control of the game’s pace, and prepare your responses for the moment your opponent tries to utilize its beneficial death triggers. By doing so, you’ll diminish the advantages Talion’s Messenger could have potentially brought to your opponent.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Talion's Messenger MTG card by a specific set like Wilds of Eldraine and Wilds of Eldraine Promos, 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 Talion's Messenger 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 Talion's Messenger Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2023-09-08 and 2023-09-08. Illustrated by Marta Nael.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2023-09-08 | Wilds of Eldraine | WOE | 335 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Marta Nael | |
| 2 | 2023-09-08 | Wilds of Eldraine Promos | PWOE | 73p | 2015 | Normal | Black | Marta Nael | |
| 3 | 2023-09-08 | Wilds of Eldraine Promos | PWOE | 73s | 2015 | Normal | Black | Marta Nael | |
| 4 | 2023-09-08 | Wilds of Eldraine | WOE | 73 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Marta Nael |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Talion's Messenger has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Alchemy | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Future | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Talion's Messenger card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2023-09-01 | You don't choose a target for Talion's Messenger's ability at the time it triggers. Rather, a second "reflexive" ability triggers when you discard a card this way. You choose a target for that ability as it goes on the stack. Each player may respond to this triggered ability as normal. |