Willow Satyr MTG Card
1994-06-01 - Number 212
2009-09-07 - Number 139
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Satyr |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Text of card
oc T: Gain control of target legend. If Willow Satyr becomes untapped, you lose control of this legend; you may choose not to untap Willow Satyr as normal. You also lose control of legend if Willow Satyr leaves play, if you lose control of Willow Satyr, or if the game ends.
Cards like Willow Satyr
Willow Satyr stands as a unique creature within Magic: The Gathering. It shares some similarities with Vedalken Shackles, allowing players to gain control of an opponent’s creature. Willow Satyr’s strength lies in its ability to snare any creature without tapping, similar to Control Magic—a classic aura that also takes the reins of an enemy creature permanently as long as the enchantment remains on the battlefield.
Looking toward more recent cards, we encounter Act of Treason, which seizes control of a creature just for a turn but is less expensive and at instant speed, offering a temporary yet timely advantage. Then there’s Dominus of Fealty, a creature with a gift of commandeering a creature or an artifact each turn, giving the player recurring strategic benefits, though it’s limited to the upkeep phase.
All told, Willow Satyr may not be the most cost-efficient creature in its category, but it offers a persistent threat on the board that can turn the tide of a match, especially with its lack of targeting restrictions. This solidifies its reputation as a potent option for players who wish to utilize the power of their opponents’ creatures against them.
Cards similar to Willow Satyr by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Willow Satyr offers unique board control by allowing you to commandeer an opponent’s creature, which effectively increases your own field presence while diminishing theirs.
Resource Acceleration: Gaining control of an opposing mana-producing creature, such as a mana dork or a land with creature abilities, directly translates to a form of resource acceleration for your strategy.
Instant Speed: While Willow Satyr itself isn’t an instant, its ability to take control of untapped creatures the opponent controls can be activated at instant speed, giving you flexibility to disrupt your opponent’s plans during their turn or end step.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Willow Satyr’s powerful ability to gain control of an opposing creature can be obstructed by its entry condition, which necessitates possession of the card in your hand to bring its utility into play. This can be especially limiting in the later stages of the game when card resources become scarce.
Specific Mana Cost: Requiring a specific mana configuration to cast, Willow Satyr is rooted firmly in green. Its mana cost, comprising two green and two of any color, places it exclusively in decks that can consistently produce green mana, potentially limiting its adaptability across various deck types.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost of four, including two green, Willow Satyr ventures into the territory of mana-intensive creatures. While its ability to control another creature is formidable, the initial investment might overshadow its potentially game-changing effects, prompting players to consider other options with a more immediate impact on the game state.
Reasons to Include Willow Satyr in Your Collection
Versatility: Willow Satyr stands out with its unique ability to take control of any legendary creature. This capacity makes it a multipurpose tool in matches where opponents rely heavily on powerful legendaries, giving you an upper hand regardless of your deck’s archetype.
Combo Potential: This satyr works wonders in combination with other cards that capitalize on commandeering opponent’s creatures or those that involve untapping mechanics, thereby creating opportunities for infinite combos or massive swing turns.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where commander-style play is prevalent, Willow Satyr’s power to hijack prime creatures can dramatically shift the tide of the game. Its presence in your collection means you’re prepared to face decks centered around influential legendary creatures.
How to beat
Willow Satyr is a niche card that can swing the game by commandeering your opponent’s legendary creatures. To effectively neutralize this satyr’s advantage in Magic: The Gathering, one must prioritize removal spells or abilities that can specifically target creatures, regardless of whether they are enchanted. Instant-speed removal such as Path to Exile or Assassin’s Trophy offers a timely solution to Willow Satyr’s takeover.
It’s also wise to limit the card’s impact by managing your own legendary creatures. Be cautious about playing valuable legendaries if you know Willow Satyr is in the opponent’s deck. Strategies employing sacrifice outlets enable you to remove your own creatures from the board in response to Willow Satyr’s control-changing ability, thereby preserving your game plan and resources.
Counterspells also pose a formidable defense, preventing Willow Satyr from entering the battlefield in the first place. In the context of Magic: The Gathering, a well-timed Dovin’s Veto or Negate can save you from this containment predicament and maintain the integrity of your battlefield presence.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Willow Satyr MTG card by a specific set like Legends and Masters Edition III, 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 Willow Satyr 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
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Printings
The Willow Satyr Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1994-06-01 and 2009-09-07. Illustrated by Jeff A. Menges.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1994-06-01 | Legends | LEG | 212 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Jeff A. Menges | |
| 2 | 2009-09-07 | Masters Edition III | ME3 | 139 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Jeff A. Menges |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Willow Satyr has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Oldschool | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Willow Satyr card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2009-10-01 | If Willow Satyr leaves the battlefield, you no longer control it, so the duration of its control-change effect ends. |
| 2009-10-01 | If Willow Satyr stops being tapped before its ability resolves — even if it becomes tapped again right away — you won’t gain control of the targeted creature at all. The same is true if you lose control of Willow Satyr before the ability resolves. |
| 2009-10-01 | Once the ability resolves, it doesn’t care whether the targeted permanent remains a legal target for the ability, only that it’s on the battlefield. The effect will continue to apply to it even if it gains shroud, stops being a creature, stops being legendary, or would no longer be a legal target for any other reason. |