Vaporkin MTG Card

Vaporkin’s efficient mana cost and flying ability provide early game board presence and pressure. It requires specific deck considerations, but excels in blue-themed strategies and fast metas. While potent, Vaporkin can be countered by tailored removal spells or creatures with reach.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Elemental
Abilities Flying
Power 2
Toughness 1

Text of card

Flying Vaporkin can block only creatures with flying.

"Mists are carefree. They drift where they will, unencumbered by rocks and river beds." —Thrasios, triton hero

Cards like Vaporkin

Vaporkin is a unique creature in the MTG universe, notable for its ability to take to the skies from the early turns of the game. Its closest relatives in terms of gameplay are other low-cost flyers, such as Cloudfin Raptor. Both share the advantage of evasiveness, but Vaporkin stands out with its consistent two-point damage potential every turn. Cloudfin Raptor, while potentially stronger over time, requires a build-up of other creatures with +1/+1 counters to surpass Vaporkin’s immediate offensive capabilities.

We can also draw parallels with Welkin Tern, another two-mana cost flyer. It, too, can dodge ground-bound defenders. However, Vaporkin edges it out slightly, presenting a steady threat with no restrictions on when it can block. Lastly, we consider the Stormfront Pegasus. At the same mana cost and power, with the added ability to block creatures as needed, it’s a close match to Vaporkin. However, the Pegasus doesn’t share the blue elemental’s island-only limitation.

Every card shines in its own situation, but Vaporkin is a reliable choice for MTG players who value an unyielding aerial offense from the get-go. It’s a formidable force in limited formats or any deck leveraging the power of the skies.

Cloudfin Raptor - MTG Card versions
Welkin Tern - MTG Card versions
Stormfront Pegasus - MTG Card versions
Cloudfin Raptor - MTG Card versions
Welkin Tern - MTG Card versions
Stormfront Pegasus - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: While the Vaporkin doesn’t directly allow you to draw additional cards, its low mana cost can contribute to maintaining a smooth card play rhythm, allowing for a wider range of options with each turn, potentially leading to advantageous card plays.

Resource Acceleration: Vaporkin itself doesn’t directly provide mana or resource acceleration in the traditional sense. However, its efficiency for its cost can allow for quicker deployment of more substantial threats or multiple spells in a single turn as the game progresses.

Instant Speed: Although Vaporkin is a creature card and not cast at instant speed, its flying ability grants it a quasi-instant impact on the board by often being able to attack freely in the air, putting immediate pressure on an opponent unprepared for aerial threats.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Vaporkin itself does not require a discard, players must be mindful of their hand when playing cards with synergistic effects that might need a discard, as it can lead to a loss of valuable resources critical for later in the game.

Specific Mana Cost: Vaporkin requires a blue mana cost, thus it fits primarily in blue-centric or blue-inclusive decks. This requirement can be limiting when building decks, as it may not synergize well with strategies outside of those colors.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although Vaporkin requires only two mana, it is important to note that for a 2/1 flyer, its cost may be deemed high compared to other creatures with similar or enhanced abilities for the same or lesser mana investment. Deckbuilders often assess the mana-to-effectiveness ratio closely, with some deciding that there are more impactful cards to be played at this cost.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Vaporkin’s low mana cost and flying ability render it a flexible choice for blue-themed decks, adept at evading common ground defenses while applying early game pressure.

Combo Potential: This elemental creature synergizes well with cards that benefit from flying creatures, such as empowering auras or spells that capitalize on the number of creatures with flight you control.

Meta-Relevance: With its lightweight presence on the board, Vaporkin holds its own in fast-paced, aggressive metas where quick, evasive damage may shift the tide of battle in your favor.

How to beat

Vaporkin is a creature card that can pack quite the punch in the right deck within Magic: The Gathering. Known for its flying ability, this creature can bypass ground-bound defenses, making it a nimble threat. However, despite its strengths, there are effective strategies to nullify its advantages on the battlefield.

One straightforward approach to counteract Vaporkin’s effectiveness is through the use of removal spells that target flying creatures. Cards like Plummet are specifically designed to bring down flying creatures at a low cost, illustrating a direct countermeasure that can be incorporated into your deck. Additionally, employing creatures with reach or ones that have abilities to block flying creatures can serve as a constant deterrent to the aerial offense that Vaporkin attempts to bring to the table.

Furthermore, cards that can alter combat outcomes, such as those with flash that can surprise an opponent during the attack phase, are invaluable. Including versatile cards that serve multiple purposes, yet can still address the unique challenge posed by a flying creature like Vaporkin, helps to maintain deck efficiency while being prepared for such threats. By considering these tactics, one can foster a game environment where Vaporkin’s impact is significantly reduced, ensuring your MTG play remains resilient against this particular card.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Vaporkin MTG card by a specific set like Theros and Conspiracy: Take the Crown, 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 Vaporkin and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Vaporkin Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2013-09-27 and 2016-08-26. Illustrated by Seb McKinnon.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12013-09-27TherosTHS 722003NormalBlackSeb McKinnon
22016-08-26Conspiracy: Take the CrownCN2 1242015NormalBlackSeb McKinnon

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Vaporkin has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal
PennyLegal