Wall of Air MTG Card
1993-08-05 - Number 89
1993-10-04 - Number 90
1993-12-01 - Number 90
1993-12-10 - Number 90
1993-12-10 - Number 90
1994-04-01 - Number 90
1994-04-01 - Number 90
1994-06-21 - Number 90
1995-04-01 - Number 113
1995-04-01 - Number 113
1997-03-24 - Number 135
1999-04-21 - Number 105
2001-04-11 - Number 111★
2001-04-11 - Number 111
2003-07-28 - Number 113
2003-07-28 - Number 113★
2007-07-13 - Number 124★
2007-07-13 - Number 124
2022-11-28 - Number 89
2022-11-28 - Number 386
| Card sets | Released in 20 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Wall |
| Abilities | Defender,Flying |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 5 |
Text of card
Flying
"This 'standing windstorm' can hold us off indefinitely? Ridiculous!" Saying nothing, she put a pinch of salt on the table. With a bang she clapped her hands, and the salt disappeared, blown away.
Cards like Wall of Air
Within the vast array of defensive options in Magic: The Gathering, Wall of Air represents a staple in creating a protective barrier. Like its counterpart Wall of Mist, it serves as a sturdy obstruction, both sharing the crucial characteristic of flying. This ability allows them to effectively block aerial threats that would otherwise bypass ground defenses. Where Wall of Air distinguishes itself is in its enhanced toughness, boasting a solid 5 in defense compared to Wall of Mist’s 4, providing that extra resilience against opponents’ attacks.
Looking at Fog Bank, we notice another defender with flying, yet this creature takes damage mitigation to the next level. It not only prevents all combat damage that would be dealt to and dealt by it but also matches Wall of Air in terms of toughness. This quality makes it a robust choice for those seeking an impenetrable flying blocker, although at a slightly higher resource investment.
In the realm of blue defensive cards, Wall of Air fits snugly among its peers. By examining defensive attributes and tactical advantage, Wall of Air proves to be a reliable, cost-effective defender, especially useful for players looking to fortify their aerial defense without the added complexities inherent in other similar cards.
Cards similar to Wall of Air by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Wall of Air, while not directly increasing your hand size, effectively protects your hand by presenting a difficult barrier for your opponent to overcome. This durable defender allows you to preserve the high-value cards that are crucial for your long-term strategy.
Resource Acceleration: Although Wall of Air doesn’t directly accelerate resources, it helps you save valuable mana in your pool. By providing stable defense early on, you can focus your mana on casting spells that expand your board presence or disrupt your opponent’s plans without needing to allocate resources for additional creature defense.
Instant Speed: While Wall of Air is not an instant itself, its presence on the field allows you the peace of mind to cast other instant-speed spells without the anxiety of leaving yourself unprotected. It ensures that you can confidently pass the turn with mana open, ready for crucial interactions or end-of-turn plays which could swing the game in your favor.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Wall of Air demands resources to be fully effective, occasionally necessitating the loss of a valuable card from your hand to synergize with its abilities.
Specific Mana Cost: This card requires two blue mana specifically, which might not blend well with multi-colored decks that rely on a more diversified mana base.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana, including two that must be blue, there are alternative creatures or spells that could serve a defensive role at a lower cost or offer additional benefits.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Wall of Air is a classic defense card that can slide into various blue-focused decks. Its flying ability allows it to serve as an effective aerial blocker against a wide range of threats.
Combo Potential: Known for its solid defense with a high toughness, Wall of Air is a great card to utilize with spells and abilities that are triggered by defending creatures. This can integrate smoothly into strategies centered on deterring attacks and protecting life totals.
Meta-Relevance: In a game where smaller, aggressive creatures are common, Wall of Air provides a reliable barrier. With the continuous evolution of the metagame, having a steadfast defender that can withstand multiple encounters can be crucial.
How to beat
The Wall of Air card serves as a sturdy airborne defense in any MTG player’s deck. Its flying ability combined with considerable toughness makes it a resilient obstacle against most creatures that dare venture into the skies. To effectively navigate past this defensive bastion, consider employing removal spells targeted specifically at flying creatures, such as Plummet, that can directly send the Wall of Air packing. Additionally, spells that don’t discriminate by flying status, like Doom Blade or Murder, can also clear your path to victory.
Another proactive strategy is to overwhelm the board with a swarm of creatures. Since Wall of Air cannot engage in combat offensively due to its defender trait, an opponent relying too heavily on Wall of Air may find themselves vulnerable to wide strategies. Enchantment-based removals like Pacifism can also neutralize this card without needing to destroy it, bypassing hexproof defenses it might have. Remember, Wall of Air excels in defense, but a well-rounded offense can find the cracks in its armor.
Any MTG match can hinge on knowing your opponent’s weaknesses. Though Wall of Air may seem imposing, it’s far from invincible. Implement the right tactics and watch your strategic plays dismantle the defenses before you.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Wall of Air MTG card by a specific set like Limited Edition Alpha and Limited Edition Beta, 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 Wall of Air 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 Wall of Air Magic the Gathering card was released in 16 different sets between 1993-08-05 and 2022-11-28. Illustrated by 3 different artists.
Show/hide all sets| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1993-08-05 | Limited Edition Alpha | LEA | 89 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Richard Thomas | |
| 2 | 1993-10-04 | Limited Edition Beta | LEB | 90 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Richard Thomas | |
| 3 | 1993-12-01 | Unlimited Edition | 2ED | 90 | 1993 | Normal | White | Richard Thomas | |
| 4 | 1993-12-10 | Intl. Collectors' Edition | CEI | 90 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Richard Thomas | |
| 5 | 1993-12-10 | Collectors' Edition | CED | 90 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Richard Thomas | |
| 6 | 1994-04-01 | Foreign Black Border | FBB | 90 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Richard Thomas | |
| 7 | 1994-04-01 | Revised Edition | 3ED | 90 | 1993 | Normal | White | Richard Thomas | |
| 8 | 1994-06-21 | Summer Magic / Edgar | SUM | 90 | 1993 | Normal | White | Richard Thomas | |
| 9 | 1995-04-01 | Fourth Edition | 4ED | 113 | 1993 | Normal | White | Richard Thomas | |
| 10 | 1995-04-01 | Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border | 4BB | 113 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Richard Thomas | |
| 11 | 1997-03-24 | Fifth Edition | 5ED | 135 | 1997 | Normal | White | Richard Kane Ferguson | |
| 12 | 1999-04-21 | Classic Sixth Edition | 6ED | 105 | 1997 | Normal | White | Richard Thomas | |
| 13 | 2001-04-11 | Seventh Edition | 7ED | 111★ | 1997 | Normal | Black | John Avon | |
| 14 | 2001-04-11 | Seventh Edition | 7ED | 111 | 1997 | Normal | White | John Avon | |
| 15 | 2003-07-28 | Eighth Edition | 8ED | 113 | 2003 | Normal | White | John Avon | |
| 16 | 2003-07-28 | Eighth Edition | 8ED | 113★ | 2003 | Normal | Black | John Avon | |
| 17 | 2007-07-13 | Tenth Edition | 10E | 124★ | 2003 | Normal | Black | John Avon | |
| 18 | 2007-07-13 | Tenth Edition | 10E | 124 | 2003 | Normal | Black | John Avon | |
| 19 | 2022-11-28 | 30th Anniversary Edition | 30A | 89 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Richard Thomas | |
| 20 | 2022-11-28 | 30th Anniversary Edition | 30A | 386 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Richard Thomas |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Wall of Air has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Oldschool | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |