Thornwind Faeries MTG Card
1999-02-15 - Number 44
2013-11-01 - Number 61
2017-06-09 - Number 42
2019-11-07 - Number 519
2020-09-26 - Number CMA-42
| Card sets | Released in 5 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Faerie |
| Abilities | Flying |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Text of card
Flying oc T: Thornwind Faeries deals 1 damage to target creature or player.
Guarding the ship is the Thornwinds' first concern. Getting along with the locals ranks fourth or fifth at best.
Cards like Thornwind Faeries
In the realm of utility creatures, Thornwind Faeries holds its own as a flexible component in blue-based control decks. Its most direct comparison may be to cards like Cloud of Faeries, which also flies and can impact the game upon resolution. However, Cloud of Faeries offers the added benefit of untapping lands, potentially accelerating your mana availability.
Faerie Harbinger is another relative, allowing players to search for a faerie card as it enters the battlefield, although it doesn’t provide the same immediate board interaction that Thornwind Faeries can with its ability to ping creatures or players. Pestermite is a step away, focusing on disrupting the opponent by tapping or untapping permanents and bringing a touch of aggression with its higher power.
Assessing Thornwind Faeries against its counterparts, it presents as a modest contributor that stands out due to its capacity for repeated, albeit limited, direct damage or utility disruption. Providing a continuous threat that must be addressed, Thornwind Faeries might not be the mightiest amongst its kin but is certainly a card that requires strategic respect on the board.
Cards similar to Thornwind Faeries by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Thornwind Faeries offer players the ability to control the board by picking off small creatures turn after turn. This ability can disrupt your opponent’s strategy and maintain your card superiority.
Resource Acceleration: Although not directly influencing mana resources, the Faeries’ low casting cost can be an advantage. It’s easy to summon them early in the game or play them alongside other spells in a single turn, keeping your tempo up.
Instant Speed: The utility of Thornwind Faeries shines at instant speed. Their activated ability allows you to tactically respond to threats or make crucial plays during your opponent’s turn, keeping them always guessing.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Thornwind Faeries require a particular sacrifice to unleash their potential. This can deplete your hand quickly, a setback when your options need to stay open.
Specific Mana Cost: Casting these faeries demands both blue and generic mana, meaning they are reserved for decks that can reliably produce blue mana sources, potentially restricting their versatility across various MTG archetypes.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: While Thornwind Faeries offer a tap ability to deal with enemy flyers, their casting cost is somewhat steep for their statline. There are other MTG cards that can provide similar utility without the higher mana investment, possibly leading players to opt for those cards in deck-building decisions.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Thornwind Faeries offers flexibility in gameplay by providing both flying attributes and the ability to tap down threatening permanents. It easily fits into decks that focus on controlling the board or chip damage strategies.
Combo Potential: When combined with cards that untap creatures or with effects that capitalize on activations, Thornwind Faeries becomes a constant source of interference for opponents, disrupting their plans while advancing your board state.
Meta-Relevance: In an environment with heavy reliance on artifacts or other key permanents, the capability of Thornwind Faeries to tap targets lends crucial interaction. It’s particularly useful if you anticipate matchups where continuous control could be the difference between victory and defeat.
How to beat
Thornwind Faeries presents an interesting dynamic to the battlefield with its ability to tap and deal damage to any target. Dubbed a utility creature, it can be both a nuisance and a strategic asset in your Magic: The Gathering games. When facing this pesky creature, it’s essential to employ removal spells that can target and eliminate it swiftly. Red spells like Lightning Bolt or Shock offer a quick and efficient solution, instantly removing Thornwind Faeries from play due to their low toughness.
Another route is to leverage creatures with flying or reach that can block and contest the Faeries in combat. Green’s suite of spiders or white’s airborne defenders could provide a protective canopy over your head, ensuring the Faeries’ arrows fall short. Board wipes also present a foolproof method, with Wrath of God and Damnation effectively clearing the skies. It’s vital to manage your resources efficiently, anticipating and countering your opponent’s airborne arsenal with precision.
Ultimately, while Thornwind Faeries can pose a threat with its direct damage capability, a player well-versed in MTG understands the necessity of maintaining an arsenal of responses. From direct removal to strategic blocking, staying one step ahead will keep such thorns from your side.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Thornwind Faeries MTG card by a specific set like Urza's Legacy and Commander 2013, 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 Thornwind Faeries 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
See MTG Products
Printings
The Thornwind Faeries Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 1999-02-15 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by Rebecca Guay.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1999-02-15 | Urza's Legacy | ULG | 44 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Rebecca Guay | |
| 2 | 2013-11-01 | Commander 2013 | C13 | 61 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Rebecca Guay | |
| 3 | 2017-06-09 | Commander Anthology | CMA | 42 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Rebecca Guay | |
| 4 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 519 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Rebecca Guay | |
| 5 | The List | PLST | CMA-42 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Rebecca Guay |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Thornwind Faeries has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |