Tin-Wing Chimera MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Artifact Creature — Chimera
Abilities	Flying
Released	1997-02-03
Set symbol
Set name	Visions
Set code	VIS
Power	2
Toughness	2
Number	157
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Mike Dringenberg

Key Takeaways

The Chimera’s instant speed and card advantage features grant flexible strategic options during play.
Its specific mana and discard requirements may limit its utility in certain deck types.
Despite these cons, its versatility and combo potential make it a noteworthy inclusion for collectors.

Text of card

Flying Tin-Wing Chimera counts as a Chimera. Sacrifice Tin-Wing Chimera: Put a +2/+2 counter on target Chimera and that Chimera gains flying permanently.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Tin-Wing Chimera can grant an edge by contributing to your card advantage. Its ability to be sacrificed for card draw means that even if it has fulfilled other roles, it can still provide you with fresh options to sustain your momentum in the match.

Resource Acceleration: This unique creature can boost your resources effectively. By allowing a player to ramp up mana, Tin-Wing Chimera can be an invaluable component of any strategy that requires a swift deployment of more costly spells or a faster development of board presence.

Instant Speed: The Chimera’s capability to operate at instant speed provides tremendous flexibility. This allows you to adapt to the unfolding game, making it a strategic asset by either posing a threat during an opponent’s turn or reacting to their moves with appropriate timing, giving you a tactical advantage.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Tin-Wing Chimera demands that players discard another artifact card as part of its activation cost. This can be a substantial drawback in artifact-light decks or situations where retaining hand advantage is critical.

Specific Mana Cost: The mana cost of Tin-Wing Chimera includes a specific need for both red and white mana. This requirement can complicate its inclusion in multi-colored decks that may not consistently generate the necessary mana types.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Tin-Wing Chimera’s mana value might be considered on the high side for its stats and abilities. Players frequently analyze mana efficiency, and there may be alternative creatures that provide a more favorable balance between cost and capability.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Tin-Wing Chimera offers flexibility in deck construction, easily slotting into artifact-centric or multicolor decks. Its adaptability can be a significant asset for players who value cards that perform well under various circumstances.

Combo Potential: With the ability to potentially buff other artifact creatures or work in tandem with cards that manipulate +1/+1 counters, Tin-Wing Chimera can become a key component in creative and effective combinations that could turn the tide of a game.

Meta-Relevance: Given the evolving nature of the MTG metagame, a card like Tin-Wing Chimera could gain importance in metas that favor artifact strategies or where its unique abilities particularly counter popular decks.

How to Beat

Tin-Wing Chimera presents an interesting challenge on the battlefield, adding a unique strategic layer to any MTG game. This artifact creature can be tricky due to its Flying ability, making it only blockable by other creatures with Flying or Reach. However, there are effective ways to handle this flying menace.

Targeted removal spells are your simplest solution; canceling out the Chimera’s advantage right away. Look for cost-effective spells that can deal with creatures without targeting restrictions. Board wipes too can serve as an equalizer, clearing the skies of Chimeras without prejudice. Additionally, you can employ creatures with Reach or your own Flyers to establish a line of defense that keeps the Tin-Wing Chimera at bay.

Another tactic is to bypass the Chimera’s aerial assault altogether. Focus on building a strong ground game or direct damage spells to chip away at your opponent’s life total. With a strategic approach and the right cards, overcoming the Tin-Wing Chimera’s challenging presence can become a straightforward part of your victory plan.

Cards like Tin-Wing Chimera

The Tin-Wing Chimera stands as an intriguing card in MTG’s landscape of artifact creatures. It shares some characteristics with cards such as Foundry Screecher, which also plays with the flying mechanic giving it an aerial edge. However, Tin-Wing Chimera differs as it has the potential to grow through vigilance counters, thereby enhancing its defensive and offensive capabilities simultaneously.

Looking at other analogs, we can refer to the Ironclad Revolutionary, which also interacts with counters. However, unlike Tin-Wing Chimera, it deals directly with +1/+1 counters and has a focus on sacrificing artifacts for a one-time effect, rather than an ongoing benefit like the Chimera’s vigilance counters. Furthermore, Adaptive Automaton is another closely related card that affects other creatures of the chosen type, giving them an adaptive advantage, which is quite unlike the self-improving nature of Tin-Wing Chimera.

Through careful examination, Tin-Wing Chimera presents its own set of strategic advantages within MTG’s intricate combat system, demonstrating how incremental improvements like vigilance counters can influence the rhythm and outcome of the game.

Ironclad Revolutionary - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Tin-Wing Chimera MTG card by a specific set like Visions, 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 Tin-Wing Chimera and other MTG cards: