Zephyr Falcon MTG Card
1994-06-01 - Number 86
1995-04-01 - Number 116
1995-04-01 - Number 116
1995-08-01 - Number 45
1996-07-01 - Number 14
1996-12-31 - Number 15
1997-03-24 - Number 137
Text of card
Flying Attacking does not cause Zephyr Falcon to tap.
Although greatly prized among falconers, the Zephyr Falcon is capricious and not easily tamed.
Cards like Zephyr Falcon
Zephyr Falcon stands out amongst early creature plays especially for blue-focused decks in Magic: The Gathering. It shares similarities with other low-cost flyers like Storm Crow, which comes with the same power, toughness, and flying ability. However, Zephyr Falcon edges out with its vigilance attribute, allowing it to attack without tapping and thus stay ready to block.
Another card worth mentioning is Welkin Tern, which also has flying and costs two mana. While it has a higher power, it can only block creatures with flying, unlike our vigilant falcon which isn’t bound by such restrictions. Then we look at Judge’s Familiar, a one-mana cost bird with flying that offers an added control element by giving you the option to sacrifice it and counter a spell unless its controller pays one.
Delving into these comparisons, it’s clear Zephyr Falcon’s vigilance gives it a defensive upper hand in the early game, making it a reliable ally both in the sky and on the ground. It’s resource-efficient, making it a staple for enthusiasts who favor control within their flying creature line-up in Magic: The Gathering.
Cards similar to Zephyr Falcon by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Zephyr Falcon, while not directly allowing for card draws, offers a potential advantage by presenting an early flying threat. This can lead to advantageous board states, encouraging trades that benefit you and forcing opponents to deal with a persistent aerial attacker.
Resource Acceleration: While the Zephyr Falcon doesn’t provide direct resource acceleration in the form of mana or tokens, its low casting cost can contribute to a quicker deployment of other cards. Its presence on the battlefield allows you to maintain pressure while building up your resources for late-game plays.
Instant Speed: Although the Zephyr Falcon itself isn’t an instant, its ability to attack as a flying creature may force your opponent to leave mana open to deal with it, effectively allowing you to dictate the pace of the game. Moreover, it synergizes well with cards that operate at instant speed, giving you a platform to apply constant pressure while having the flexibility to respond to your opponent’s actions efficiently.
Card Cons
Specific Mana Cost: Zephyr Falcon necessitates a specific color combination of one blue mana and one generic mana. This requirement can restrict its inclusion to decks that efficiently produce or have access to blue mana, potentially leaving out a variety of other deck types where it may not fit as well.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: While a mana cost of two might not seem high at first glance, for a creature card with only 1/1 stats, this can be considered somewhat expensive. This is especially the case when compared to other cards in the same mana range that may offer more substantial board presence or additional abilities. The mana invested in playing Zephyr Falcon could potentially be allocated to more impactful cards that provide greater advantage and versatility on the battlefield.
Discard Requirement: While Zephyr Falcon itself does not have a discard requirement, it is important to note the inclusion of cards with low impact like Zephyr Falcon might cause players to choose it as discard fodder when faced with such a necessity from other effects. This diminishes its value in hand when more critical decisions about resource management are required during gameplay.
Reasons to Include Zephyr Falcon in Your Collection
Versatility: As a low-cost flyer, Zephyr Falcon can easily find a home in decks that capitalize on evasive creatures. Its ability to soar over ground-based defenses allows for early and consistent damage to the opponent.
Combo Potential: This card can synergize with effects that benefit from having creatures with flying or those that trigger upon dealing combat damage to a player. Furthermore, its low casting cost makes it an excellent candidate for strategies that aim to deploy a multitude of flyers quickly.
Meta-Relevance: In a game where flyers can be crucial for outpacing opponents, Zephyr Falcon holds its ground well, especially in formats where early board presence and pressure are key. Its efficiency in several deck builds allows it to adapt to the shifting landscape of the game.
How to beat Zephyr Falcon
Zephyr Falcon presents a unique challenge in Magic: The Gathering, representing an early airborne threat in the form of a 1/1 flying creature for a mana value of two. Its evasion through flying makes it a nifty contender in early stages of a match, as compared to grounded one-drops. To effectively neutralize this bird, utilizing removal spells that target creatures with flying is a sound strategy. Direct removal spells like Shock, with its low mana cost and instant speed, can swiftly deal with the Falcon before it can mount significant pressure.
Another approach is to overshadow the Falcon with superior flying creatures. By deploying creatures with better stats or advantageous abilities, such as Skywhaler’s Shot to destroy a targeted creature with power three or more, you ensure aerial dominance. Board control spells, such as Electrickery, that can wipe out multiple one-toughness creatures simultaneously, are highly efficient against a board teeming with small flyers like Zephyr Falcon.
Ultimately, the key to outmaneuvering this nimble flyer lies in readiness to dispatch it immediately or by establishing an unassailable defense in the skies that diminishes its impact on the game. Consider these strategies when facing off against the swiftness of Zephyr Falcon in your next MTG duel.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Zephyr Falcon MTG card by a specific set like Legends and Fourth Edition, 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 Zephyr Falcon 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
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Printings
The Zephyr Falcon Magic the Gathering card was released in 7 different sets between 1994-06-01 and 1997-03-24. Illustrated by Heather Hudson.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1994-06-01 | Legends | LEG | 86 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Heather Hudson | |
| 2 | 1995-04-01 | Fourth Edition | 4ED | 116 | 1993 | Normal | White | Heather Hudson | |
| 3 | 1995-04-01 | Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border | 4BB | 116 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Heather Hudson | |
| 4 | 1995-08-01 | Renaissance | REN | 45 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Heather Hudson | |
| 5 | 1996-07-01 | Rivals Quick Start Set | RQS | 14 | 1993 | Normal | White | Heather Hudson | |
| 6 | 1996-12-31 | Introductory Two-Player Set | ITP | 15 | 1993 | Normal | White | Heather Hudson | |
| 7 | 1997-03-24 | Fifth Edition | 5ED | 137 | 1997 | Normal | White | Heather Hudson |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Zephyr Falcon has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Oldschool | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
Guide to Vigilance card ability
In the strategic universe of Magic: The Gathering (MTG), the vigilance ability stands out as a powerful tool for players. This potent keyword allows creatures to attack without tapping, keeping them ready and alert to defend against incoming threats. It represents a perfect balance between aggression and defense, offering a dynamic approach to gameplay. Lets dive deeper into how vigilance shapes the battlefield.