Zephyr Gull MTG Card
2018-07-14 - Number 23
2020-08-13 - Number 44
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Bird |
| Abilities | Flying |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Text of card
Flying
Cards like Zephyr Gull
Zephyr Gull stands out in the world of Magic: The Gathering as a low-cost flying creature. Its closest relatives on the battlefield could be cards like Healer’s Hawk, a much-admired card among players due to its one-mana cost and lifelink ability. The Zephyr Gull doesn’t provide lifelink, but it does bring the same evasion quality to the board with its flying trait, often allowing for consistent damage to opponents in the early stages of a match.
In a similar context, Faerie Miscreant offers itself as a comparison. It’s another one-cost flyer, but with an added ability that rewards you for having multiple copies on the battlefield. While Zephyr Gull doesn’t boast this kind of synergy, it compensates with a slightly higher power, making it more formidable in combat. Then comes Gust Walker, a card that, for an additional mana, gives you the potential for a more significant power boost when exerted. Despite that, it loses out to Zephyr Gull’s simplicity and efficiency in the initial turns.
Assessing their attributes and gameplay roles, Zephyr Gull holds its ground among comparable low-mana flyers, offering straightforward utility and a clear-cut path to dealing early airborne damage.
Cards similar to Zephyr Gull by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Zephyr Gull gives you the potential to chip away at opponents without risking valuable cards, presenting an efficient tactical edge in the long game.
Resource Acceleration: This nimble flyer can activate prowess or raid mechanics earlier than expected, propelling your strategy and pulling you ahead quicker than usual.
Instant Speed: When paired with cards that can be cast at instant speed, Zephyr Gull ensures you always have a threat on the board while keeping mana open for reactionary plays.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Zephyr Gull requires an additional resource commitment by necessitating a discard action, which could be a setback when in a tight spot with a dwindling hand.
Specific Mana Cost: Offering an ability that relies on a precise form of mana, this bird may not comfortably fit into multicolor strategies that are tight on mana fixing.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Considering the mana investment needed to get Zephyr Gull airborne, there may be alternative flyers or utility creatures that provide a greater impact on the game’s state with a more efficient cost to benefit ratio.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Zephyr Gull is a flexible card that can easily adapt to a variety of blue-focused decks. Its ability to fly gives it an edge in avoiding ground blockers, making it a consistent source of damage each turn.
Combo Potential: As a creature with flying, Zephyr Gull synergizes well with cards that capitalize on flying creatures, such as those that grant buffs or provide additional benefits for each creature with flying you control.
Meta-Relevance: Given its low mana cost and evasion ability, Zephyr Gull remains pertinent in game environments that favor quick, agile creatures. It’s a card that can contribute to early game pressure or serve as a tool in control strategies that require steady, incremental advantages.
How to beat
Zephyr Gull offers players an effective early-game presence in the skies of Magic: The Gathering. Its flying ability makes it a reliable blocker and a consistent source of early damage. Whether it’s disrupting opponent creatures or pecking life totals, its capability to stay above most ground forces can be a pesky feature to deal with.
To counteract this nimble threat, prioritize removal spells that can target flying creatures or those that aren’t conditional on the creature’s strength. Cards like Plummet are perfect, as they’re designed specifically to bring down flyers. Ensnaring board-wide effects can also lock down Zephyr Gull, making cards like Blazing Volley a potential game-changer as it can wipe out several weaker creatures at once, including any unfortunate Gulls caught in the crossfire. Remember, maintaining control of the board and keeping removal in hand are key strategic plays when facing off against these agile birds.
Overall, by employing timely removal or utilizing efficient board wipes, Zephyr Gull’s impact can be significantly reduced or eliminated. Keep an eye to the sky and have a plan in place, and you’ll ensure these creatures don’t disrupt your path to victory.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Zephyr Gull MTG card by a specific set like Arena New Player Experience Cards and Arena Beginner Set, 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 Gull 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 Gull Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2018-07-14 and 2020-08-13. Illustrated by Antonio José Manzanedo.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2018-07-14 | Arena New Player Experience Cards | OANA | 23 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Antonio José Manzanedo | |
| 2 | 2020-08-13 | Arena Beginner Set | ANB | 44 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Antonio José Manzanedo |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Zephyr Gull has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Alchemy | Legal |
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |