Wingbeat Warrior MTG Card

Provides card advantage and synergizes well with decks that capitalize on flying creatures’ strengths. Offers resource acceleration and instant speed, enabling surprise plays and effective mana usage. Presents deck-building challenges due to specific mana requirements and the need to discard cards.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Bird Soldier Warrior
Abilities	Flying,Morph
Released	2003-02-03
Set symbol
Set name	Legions
Set code	LGN
Power	2
Toughness	1
Number	29
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Kev Walker

Text of card

Flying Morph (You may play this face down as a 2/2 creature for . Turn it face up any time for its morph cost.) When Wingbeat Warrior is turned face up, target creature gains first strike until end of turn.

Cards like Wingbeat Warrior

Wingbeat Warrior is an intriguing card in Magic: The Gathering, positioned within the realm of flying creature cards. It shares similarities with cards such as Gustcloak Savior, both catering to strategies that involve manipulating combat phases and protecting valuable creatures. Gustcloak Savior allows for repositioning of your creatures to avoid unfavorable combat scenarios, similar to Wingbeat Warrior’s ability to save creatures by returning them to a player’s hand.

Another comparable card is Stormfront Pegasus, a creature with a straightforward approach, offering flying without additional effects but at a consistent value of a 2/1 for two mana. Wingbeat Warrior, stands out with its flexibility, providing both an aggressive flying body and a reactive ability that can be a game-changer in tight situations. Serra Avenger is also worthy of mention, as it brings significant stats to the battlefield for later stages of the game, whereas Wingbeat Warrior can exert its presence earlier on.

Analyzing Wingbeat Warrior amongst its peer group reveals a distinct blend of aggression and tactical defense, which can be pivotal in games. Its unique ability to pivot roles from an attacker to a safeguard for key creatures adds strategic depth to any deck focusing on flying creatures.

Cards similar to Wingbeat Warrior by color, type and mana cost

Pianna, Nomad Captain - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Wingbeat Warrior offers a strategic edge by potentially presenting card draw synergy within deck constructs that focus on flying creatures. This can pave the way for pulling ahead in resources and bolster your position on the battlefield.

Resource Acceleration: When integrated into decks that capitalize on creature tokens, Wingbeat Warrior can act as a catalyst, accelerating your resource pool and enabling larger, more impactful plays earlier in the game.

Instant Speed: The ability to flash in Wingbeat Warrior provides a tactical advantage. It allows players to adapt fluidly to the evolving game state, deploying it at the most opportune moment—whether that’s surprising an opponent during combat or simply optimizing mana usage at the end of their turn.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Wingbeat Warrior requires a card to be discarded to activate its potential. This can be counterintuitive when you’re trying to maintain a robust hand, especially in the late game when every card counts.

Specific Mana Cost: The mana cost for casting Wingbeat Warrior includes white mana, which could restrict deck-building options. Players not running a white-based or multicolor deck might find this card less appealing.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost that is on the higher side for its capabilities, some players might opt for alternatives. There are creatures with similar stats or abilities that could be cast for less, offering a quicker response to threats on the battlefield.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Wingbeat Warrior offers an adaptable presence on the battlefield, fitting seamlessly into decks that capitalize on flying creatures or those that require vigilance to maintain a strong defense while progressing their offense.

Combo Potential: Its ability to buff other creatures with flying opens up synergistic plays, especially in decks designed around aerial superiority or exploiting the benefits of widespread stat enhancement.

Meta-Relevance: Given an environment where flying creatures can dominate, Wingbeat Warrior stands out as a valuable addition to any collection. Its capacity to tip the scales in board presence makes it a component worth considering in many current strategies.

How to beat

Wingbeat Warrior is a versatile card in MTG, known for offering aerial prowess and buffing fellow creatures when it swings into combat. Standing out in strategies that favor flying creatures, this warrior can be a troublesome opponent if left unchecked. However, there are several tactics players can utilize to minimize the impact of Wingbeat Warrior on the game.

One effective strategy is to prevent it from attacking or blocking. This can be achieved through spells that tap creatures or those that keep them tapped, curbing the opportunity for Wingbeat Warrior to influence the battlefield. Another approach is to remove it before it becomes a bigger threat, relying on instant-speed removals or board wipes that don’t discriminate based on creatures’ flying ability. Additionally, incorporating cards that create reach or flying blockers can create a stout defense against not only Wingbeat Warrior but against an entire flying squadron.

Negating Wingbeat Warrior’s effects requires tactical foresight and careful management of resources. By employing removals, blockers, or tapping strategies, players can substantially diminish the card’s influence, retaining control of the battlefield and paving the way to victory.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Wingbeat Warrior MTG card by a specific set like Legions, 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 Wingbeat Warrior and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Wingbeat Warrior has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Premodern	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Wingbeat Warrior card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date	Text
2004-10-04	The trigger occurs when you use the Morph ability to turn the card face up, or when an effect turns it face up. It will not trigger on being revealed or on leaving the battlefield.