Welkin Tern MTG Card
2009-10-02 - Number 76
2012-07-13 - Number 79
2014-07-18 - Number 84
2016-11-16 - Number 70815
2018-06-22 - Number 5
2019-11-07 - Number 544
2020-09-26 - Number GS1-5
| Card sets | Released in 7 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Bird |
| Abilities | Flying |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Text of card
Flying Welkin Tern can block only creatures with flying.
"The sky hedrons are covered with tern nests. It's as though the birds have given up on the land altogether." —Ilori, merfolk falconer
Cards like Welkin Tern
Welkin Tern stands out in the diverse meta of flying creatures within Magic: The Gathering. This card bears a resemblance to other two-mana cost flyers such as Storm Crow and Spire Owl. However, Welkin Tern is distinctly different because of its inability to block creatures without flying. Storm Crow and Spire Owl don’t have this limitation, providing more defensive versatility. Yet, Welkin Tern offers a stronger offensive presence with its 2/1 statistics against the 1/2 of both Storm Crow and Spire Owl.
The comparison extends to Skywinder Drake, another flyer with similar restrictions. Like Welkin Tern, the Drake cannot block those without flying. However, it has a slightly higher power, at 3/1. The trade-off comes in its mana cost, requiring one additional blue mana, which can be a critical difference in the game’s early turns. In Magic: The Gathering, the ability to deploy threats early can often sway the course of the match, making Welkin Tern a favorable choice for aggressive blue-based decks that aim to apply pressure right from the start.
Given these insights, Welkin Tern has a clear niche, offering significant power for its cost despite its defensive limitations. This positions it as a significant player among low-cost aerial creatures in the game.
Cards similar to Welkin Tern by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: While Welkin Tern does not directly provide card draw capability, its flying trait makes it a strong aerial threat, often staying unblocked and enabling card advantage by connecting with an opponent consistently each turn.
Resource Acceleration: Although not a direct source of resource acceleration, this card’s low casting cost allows for a swift deployment, saving mana for other strategic plays or leaving resources untapped for reactionary spells.
Instant Speed: Welkin Tern isn’t an instant, yet its presence has the potential to deter opponents from engaging in certain actions due to its ability to always be at the ready to attack or block flying creatures, indirectly influencing the pace and moves of the game.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Welkin Tern may not demand a discard, but players should consider the opportunity cost of playing a card that has limited defensive capabilities due to its flying-only blocking restriction.
Specific Mana Cost: This card requires one colorless and one blue mana, potentially constraining it to blue-focused or two-color decks and making it less flexible for many strategies.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of two mana for a 2/1 flyer, Welkin Tern can be seen as less mana-efficient compared to other creatures in the same cost range offering additional abilities or greater power and toughness.
Reasons to Include Welkin Tern in Your Collection
Versatility: Welkin Tern offers a flexible option for decks that need evasive creatures. Its flying ability allows it to dodge many of the common ground blockers, making it a consistent source of damage in the early to mid-game phases.
Combo Potential: This card can be an integral part of a flying-themed deck or one that leverages creatures with evasion. Its low casting cost also means it can easily be played alongside other synergistic cards to create powerful and efficient plays early in the game.
Meta-Relevance: Given its capacity to bypass ground forces and deal consistent damage, it can be particularly effective if the current competitive scene is dominated by slower, ground-based creature decks, making it a strategic choice to outpace certain metagame trends.
How to Beat Welkin Tern
Welkin Tern presents an interesting challenge in MTG with its flying ability and the restriction that it can only block creatures with flying. This blue creature is agile in air combat, but it is that very specificity that provides a clue to overcoming it. Players can exploit its inability to block ground attackers by focusing their strategy on aggressive land-bound creatures or those with reach to ensure that the Welkin Tern has to engage in unfavorable battles or stay out of combat entirely.
To counter Welkin Tern effectively, consider incorporating cards that create a deterrent for flying creatures. Spells like Windstorm or Plummet can remove Welkin Tern from play with ease. Alternatively, augmenting your deck with creatures that have the reach ability allows for a sturdy air defense while also serving as a formidable ground force. Utilizing enchantments that grant your creatures flying or reach can also turn the tide of an aerial assault, swinging the advantage to your side of the field.
By approaching Welkin Tern with a strategic blend of land-based strength and aerial countermeasures, its limitations can be used to your benefit, ultimately neutralizing this sky-bound threat and securing your command of the board.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Welkin Tern MTG card by a specific set like Zendikar and Magic 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 Welkin Tern 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 Welkin Tern Magic the Gathering card was released in 7 different sets between 2009-10-02 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2009-10-02 | Zendikar | ZEN | 76 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Austin Hsu | |
| 2 | 2012-07-13 | Magic 2013 | M13 | 79 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Austin Hsu | |
| 3 | 2014-07-18 | Magic 2015 | M15 | 84 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Austin Hsu | |
| 4 | 2016-11-16 | Treasure Chest | PZ2 | 70815 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Yutaka Li | |
| 5 | 2018-06-22 | Global Series Jiang Yanggu & Mu Yanling | GS1 | 5 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Yutaka Li | |
| 6 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 544 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Yutaka Li | |
| 7 | The List | PLST | GS1-5 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Yutaka Li |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Welkin Tern has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |