Zephyr Spirit MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 6 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Spirit |
| Released | 2005-10-07 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Ravnica: City of Guilds |
| Set code | RAV |
| Power | 0 |
| Toughness | 6 |
| Number | 76 |
| Frame | 2003 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Tomas Giorello |
Text of card
When Zephyr Spirit blocks, return it to its owner's hand.
A spiteful force exists on Ravnica that binds these ghosts to the land of the living but forbids them to touch it.
Cards like Zephyr Spirit
Zephyr Spirit is a unique creature card in Magic: The Gathering’s vast library of flying creatures. When we compare it to other options, such as Mistral Charger, the Spirit stands out due to its ability to return to the owner’s hand upon blocking. Mistral Charger, alternatively, lacks this ability but is more aggressive given its lower casting cost.
Looking towards Invisibility as another comparison point, Zephyr Spirit shares the common characteristic of being difficult for the opponent to block. However, Invisibility grants the unblockable status to any creature it enchants, whereas the Spirit can only avoid combat damage by returning to the player’s hand, which can be strategically advantageous or a setback, depending on the situation.
The Spirit is similar to Cavalry Pegasus in that both can fly, but the Pegasus also allows other creatures to fly with it if they share a creature type—something the Spirit cannot do. Hence, while Zephyr Spirit offers a form of control and evasion, other cards in MTG may better suit a strategy focused on continuous aerial assault or creature synergies.
Cards similar to Zephyr Spirit by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Zephyr Spirit offers a unique repeatability factor that few cards can match. By returning to the owner’s hand after it blocks, it ensures that players can continually re-deploy the creature, deterring enemy attacks and sustaining defensive lines. This cyclical nature indirectly contributes to preserving the card count in a player’s hand over the course of a match.
Resource Acceleration: While not directly providing resource acceleration in the traditional sense of adding mana, Zephyr Spirit’s consistent presence on the battlefield allows players to allocate their resources elsewhere. It’s an asset that can free up mana and strategic resources, which could be used for other spells and effects that could influence the game’s pace.
Instant Speed: Zephyr Spirit may not function at instant speed itself, but its ability to dodge removal and bounce back to your hand encourages strategic play at instant speed. Players can opt to cast it during the second main phase after their opponents have exhausted most of their resources, effectively making it a sporadic threat that can be deployed in the most advantageous window.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Zephyr Spirit comes with a unique drawback; upon becoming blocked, you must return it to your hand. This means you could be discarding cards to replay it, putting you at a potential card disadvantage.
Specific Mana Cost: This creature demands a precise mana alignment to cast, two blue mana alongside four others. This requirement can restrict its integration into multi-color decks that might not always have blue mana readily available.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: The investment of six mana for a 2/3 creature that returns to hand when blocked is suboptimal. There are myriad options available, which might contribute more to your board’s presence or overall strategy for the same or less mana.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Zephyr Spirit’s unique ability to return to your hand when it blocks allows it to be used as a recurring defensive option. This can be particularly useful in decks that capitalize on casting creatures or triggering enter-the-battlefield effects repeatedly.
Combo Potential: Its tendency to bounce back to the hand can be paired with cards that benefit from casting creatures multiple times. Furthermore, it can serve as a reliable way to avoid costly enemy spells or abilities that would otherwise be a setback for more permanent creatures on the battlefield.
Meta-Relevance: In metas where slower, control-focused decks prevail, Zephyr Spirit can provide ongoing board presence without overcommitting, keeping key cards in hand for the right moment. This can frustrate opponents relying on removal to clear the way for their victory.
How to beat Zephyr Spirit
Zephyr Spirit is a unique entity in the realm of MTG, offering a defensive mechanism that’s both unusual and potentially frustrating. With its ability to return to a player’s hand when it blocks, it can repeatedly obstruct opposing creatures if the mana to recast it is available. A key to overcoming this elusive spirit lies in bypassing the need for combat. Therefore, spells or abilities that can remove or bypass creatures without entering combat can be highly effective.
Utilizing direct removal spells like Murder to dispatch Zephyr Spirit before it can block, or employing exile effects found in cards like Path to Exile, ensures that it won’t make a recurring appearance. Another strategy can be countering Zephyr Spirit upon its initial casting or when it attempts to return to the battlefield, thus keeping your opponent’s mana occupied and their defenses down.
In summary, strategies to beat Zephyr Spirit center on avoiding direct combat through removal and exile, countering its casting, and keeping pressure on the opponent’s resources. By implementing these techniques, the annoyingly resilient Zephyr Spirit becomes less of a roadblock and more of a temporary obstacle in your path to victory in MTG.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Zephyr Spirit MTG card by a specific set like Ravnica: City of Guilds, 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 Spirit 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
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Zephyr Spirit has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |