Wings of Aesthir MTG Card
1995-06-03 - Number 305
2006-07-21 - Number 305
2008-09-22 - Number 199
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Enchantment — Aura |
| Abilities | Enchant |
Text of card
Target creature gains flying and first strike and gets +1/+0.
"For those of courage, even the sky holds no limit." —Arnjlot Olasson, Sky Mage
Cards like Wings of Aesthir
Wings of Aesthir is an intriguing card that offers a blend of enhancements for creatures within Magic: The Gathering. It bears similarities to other auras such as Holy Strength, which also provides a boost to a creature’s power and toughness. However, Wings of Aesthir stands out because it conveys not just an enhancement in strength and defense but also grants first strike and flying abilities. This can turn even the most mundane of creatures into a significant aerial threat.
Another card to consider in comparison is Nimbus Wings. While Nimbus Wings also gifts a creature with flying, it lacks the first strike ability and adds only a slight boost to power, making Wings of Aesthir superior for a more aggressive strategy. Courser’s Accolade is another aura that confers a toughness bonus and flying, yet it still falls short on the offense without the first-strike component offered by Wings of Aesthir.
By examining the functionalities and strategic advantages of comparable cards, it’s clear that Wings of Aesthir has a distinct place in Magic: The Gathering, offering a unique combination of aggressiveness and defensive utility that appeals to players seeking to elevate their creatures’ battlefield capabilities.
Cards similar to Wings of Aesthir by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: When Wings of Aesthir enters the battlefield, its bestowed flying and first strike abilities offer immediate two-for-one potential, enhancing a creature’s prowess while remaining a threat itself.
Resource Acceleration: While not directly affecting resources, the cost-efficient hybrid mana of Wings of Aesthir allows for a flexible playstyle, often enabling a quicker deployment than color-specific cards.
Instant Speed: Though Wings of Aesthir is not cast at instant speed, its first strike capability allows it to preemptively combat threats during the combat phase, similar to the unexpected nature of an instant.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Wings of Aesthir requires you to discard another card to harness its full potential, often placing you at a card disadvantage. This can be particularly detrimental in tight situations where each card in hand counts.
Specific Mana Cost: This card demands a hybrid mana investment, which can be restrictive. Its requirement for both white and blue mana can pose a challenge for decks that don’t run those colors, making it less flexible outside of specific deck builds.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: For its effects, Wings of Aesthir comes with a mana cost that can be seen as steep. There are alternatives in the game that may provide similar or better benefits for a lesser mana commitment, potentially making this card a less optimal choice in terms of mana efficiency.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Wings of Aesthir offers a unique blend of benefits by providing both offense and defense in a single card. With the ability to give a creature flying and first strike, this attachment has the duality to create unexpected threats or bolster your air defense.
Combo Potential: This card is known to pair well with creatures looking to capitalize on evasion or those with abilities that trigger when dealing combat damage to a player. It can turn a simple creature into a formidable foe that’s hard to block and quick to damage opponents.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where flying creatures dominate or the board is stalled with ground troops, Wings of Aesthir can turn the tide by enabling key creatures to soar over obstacles and deliver decisive strikes, making it a strategic addition to decks that aim to outmaneuver the opposition.
How to beat
Wings of Aesthir is an intriguing card for players looking to add some offensive and defensive capabilities to their flying creatures in Magic: The Gathering. This card boosts a creature with not only an increase in power and toughness but also grants first strike and flying if it doesn’t already have it. These features can turn an ordinary creature into a formidable threat in the air.
To effectively counter Wings of Aesthir, consider cards that neutralize flying creatures. Options like Plummet, which can directly destroy a creature with flying, or Windstorm, which can deal damage to each creature with flying, are solid choices. Enchantment removal spells such as Disenchant or Naturalize are also effective, allowing you to directly remove Wings of Aesthir from the battle and nullify its benefits to your opponent’s creatures.
Another strategy is to focus on maintaining board control. Cards that prevent creatures from attacking or blocking, or removal spells that can target any creature, regardless of its abilities, keep the board clear and reduce the impact of Wings of Aesthir. Remember to balance your deck with a mix of creature control and direct enchantment removal to ensure you can handle whatever enhancements your opponent brings to the table.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Wings of Aesthir MTG card by a specific set like Ice Age and Coldsnap Theme Decks, 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 Wings of Aesthir 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 Wings of Aesthir Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 1995-06-03 and 2008-09-22. Illustrated by Edward P. Beard, Jr..
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1995-06-03 | Ice Age | ICE | 305 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Edward P. Beard, Jr. | |
| 2 | 2006-07-21 | Coldsnap Theme Decks | CST | 305 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Edward P. Beard, Jr. | |
| 3 | 2008-09-22 | Masters Edition II | ME2 | 199 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Edward P. Beard, Jr. |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Wings of Aesthir has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |