Wingfold Pteron MTG Card

Mutate ability transforms Wingfold Pteron into a versatile battlefield asset, amplifying creature effects. Wingfold Pteron’s flying adds crucial board presence, enabling strategic tempo gains in matches. Despite power, it demands careful mana management and may sacrifice hand advantage for mutate.
Wingfold Pteron - Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths
Mana cost
Converted mana cost6
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Dinosaur
Released2020-04-24
Set symbol
Set nameIkoria: Lair of Behemoths
Set codeIKO
Power 3
Toughness 6
Number71
Frame2015
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byJohann Bodin

Text of card

Wingfold Pteron enters the battlefield with your choice of a flying counter or a hexproof counter on it. (A creature with hexproof can't be the target of spells or abilities your opponents control.)

"Its weak spot is easily spotted, but only if it's swooping down on you." —Jonald, mission naturalist

Cards like Wingfold Pteron

Wingfold Pteron offers MTG enthusiasts a unique blend of flying prowess and adaptability through its keyword counters. This creature stands out among others in its class by providing variations in its abilities, depending on the counter it receives. In the ecosystem of flying creatures, it’s akin to Gust of Wind, which provides not only a flying body but the added utility of bouncing a nonland permanent to its owner’s hand.

Comparable cards like Cloudkin Seer also offer card draw alongside flying, though without the tailorable abilities of Wingfold Pteron. Another similar card, Faerie Vandal, increases its threat level as your hand fills up, benefiting from each card drawn. However, it doesn’t match the immediate stature change and flexible nature of Wingfold Pteron provided by the keyword counters upon its entry to the battlefield.

Considering these comparisons, Wingfold Pteron holds its own in a deck looking for aerial control with a side of versatility. Its ability to potentially gain hexproof or reach, besides flying, allows it to adapt to a variety of in-game scenarios, making it a commendable option for players who value strategic flexibility on the fly.

Gust of Wind - MTG Card versions
Cloudkin Seer - MTG Card versions
Faerie Vandal - MTG Card versions
Gust of Wind - MTG Card versions
Cloudkin Seer - MTG Card versions
Faerie Vandal - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Wingfold Pteron comes with the mutate mechanic, which can potentially turn a single creature card into multiple effects or a larger threat on the board, thus leveraging card efficiency and potentially leading to greater card advantage. The ability to stack mutate effects from various creatures could snowball into a commanding presence.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly a source of resource acceleration, Wingfold Pteron, being a relatively low-cost card with a decent body, allows players to maintain a board presence which can be pivotal in racing to key strategic points of the game. It helps in setting a pace where future high-impact plays can occur.

Instant Speed: Although Wingfold Pteron itself isn’t an instant, it plays well with cards that operate at instant speed. Since it can be mutated onto a creature at any time as a sorcery, setting up a favorable state before applying an instant speed trick can drastically shift the momentum in a player’s favor, especially during the combat phase.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Playing Wingfold Pteron often necessitates discarding another card to activate its mutate feature, which can hinder your hand advantage and potentially disrupt your game plan if your hand is already depleted.

Specific Mana Cost: This creature requires white mana, which means it might not easily fit into all deck types, especially those that run a multi-color scheme without white. This can limit its versatility in deck building.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that could be considered steep for its base stats, Wingfold Pteron may not always provide the best value for its mana investment when you’re aiming to establish a presence on the board early in the game.

Reasons to Include Wingfold Pteron in Your Collection

Versatility: Wingfold Pteron’s adaptability comes from its mutate ability, allowing it to modify a variety of creatures on the battlefield. This flexibility lets it fit in numerous deck archetypes, from aggro to midrange.

Combo Potential: Pairing it with cards that have enters-the-battlefield effects or those that benefit from mutating can lead to powerful synergies. Its capacity to enhance and evolve your creatures creates dynamic interactions that can shift the tide of a game.

Meta-Relevance: With decks often looking to capitalize on creature-based strategies, Wingfold Pteron provides an edge by being a flying threat that’s difficult to block. Its relevance increases in metas where flying creatures dominate and evasion is key to victory.

How to beat

Wingfold Pteron presents itself as a unique elemental dinosaur within the realm of MTG cards, praised for its flexible mutability. Underlying abilities like flying make it a formidable foe, and when it carries additional keywords, its strength can surge dramatically. Nonetheless, there are strategic ways to counter this soaring threat.

One effective measure is to employ instant speed removal spells that can target creatures in the air, such as “Murderous Rider” or “Heartless Act.” These spells can disrupt your opponent’s strategy before the Pteron gains any extra keywords. Board sweeping spells like “Shatter the Sky” can also be tremendously effective, clearing the path of not only Wingfold Pteron but any other threatening creatures that might be accompanying it.

Moreover, denying your opponent the chance to mutate onto Wingfold Pteron is key. This may be achieved through counterspells or by removing potential host creatures before they get a chance to mutate. In essence, quick removal, strategic counters, and preventive measures ensure that Wingfold Pteron doesn’t unfold its full potential, letting you maintain the upper hand in the duel.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Wingfold Pteron MTG card by a specific set like Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths, 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 Wingfold Pteron and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Wingfold Pteron has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal