Silverbeak Griffin MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Griffin
Abilities	Flying
Released	2018-07-13
Set symbol
Set name	Core Set 2019
Set code	M19
Power	2
Toughness	2
Number	285
Frame	2015
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Viktor Titov

Key Takeaways

Silverbeak Griffin excels in evading defenders with flying, enhancing deck card efficiency and maintaining threats.
Its cost-effective flying ability accelerates game pace, applying pressure without a significant mana commitment.
Although not instant, Silverbeak Griffin’s flying offers strategic advantages, dictating opponent’s defensive plays.

Text of card

Flying (This creature can't be blocked except by creatures with flying or reach.)

A pair of domesticated griffins escaped from captivity a century ago. Now the skies are filled with the songs of their descendants.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: While Silverbeak Griffin itself may not draw cards, its presence in a deck promotes card efficiency. Flying creatures like this Griffin can often bypass ground defenses, meaning you’re more likely to maintain your threats on the battlefield and demand answers from opponents, rather than trading one-for-one.

Resource Acceleration: This card on its own does not directly accelerate resources. However, its relatively low cost for a flying creature can lead to an accelerated pace in applying pressure on your opponent, enabling a faster path to victory without the need for extensive mana investment.

Instant Speed: Silverbeak Griffin is a creature and therefore not an instant, but the flying keyword provides strategic depth similar to instant speed interaction. With flying, you have the advantage of dictating combat on your turns, forcing opponents to leave blockers up or have instant responses ready, much like they would for potential instant-speed threats.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One notable downside is the necessity to discard another card to enable certain abilities. For players holding crucial spells or creatures, making that choice could potentially disrupt key strategic plays.

Specific Mana Cost: Silverbeak Griffin requires a precise combination of mana to cast, which includes white mana. Players running multicolored decks may sometimes find it challenging to meet this requirement, especially early in the game when mana resources are limited.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost set at three mana for a 2/2 flyer, there are alternative creatures that could offer a better cost-to-power ratio. In competitive play, where efficiency is paramount, this might deter some from including it in their deck builds, opting for lower-cost creatures with a similar or greater impact.

Reasons to Include Silverbeak Griffin in Your Collection

Versatility: Silverbeak Griffin’s straightforward casting cost and flying ability make it a flexible addition to white decks needing a resilient airborne threat. Its dual white mana requirement complements mono-white or two-color strategies seeking evasion.

Combo Potential: Its flying trait synergizes well with cards that benefit from creatures with flying or when used in combination with buffs to flying creatures, boosting its potential as a tactical asset in aerial-centric decks.

Meta-Relevance: In a game state where ground blockers are prevalent, Silverbeak Griffin can consistently deliver damage and maintain board presence, making it a relevant choice in matchups against such defenses.

How to beat

Silverbeak Griffin is a creature that takes to the skies with its flying ability, a common trait that often poses a challenge to MTG players. It’s a simple card—there aren’t many layers to unravel—yet its resilience in combat can be a nuisance. Flying allows it to evade creatures on the ground, but it’s not unbeatable. Ground-based strategies will falter, but reach or flying creatures can intercept it, turning the aerial battle to your favor.

To effectively counter Silverbeak Griffin, it’s crucial to utilize spells that can target flying creatures or employ creatures with reach capability. A keen strategy would include maintaining a selection of spells such as Murder or Shock, to remove it before it becomes a significant threat. Similarly, incorporating creatures with reach in your deck can prepare you for such challenges. When considering deck construction, including versatile responses to flying creatures becomes a pivotal element of gameplay strategy. Allowing a Silverbeak Griffin to remain unchecked can quickly lead to a disadvantageous position.

Thus, understanding the potential impact of flying creatures on the battlefield and preparing adequate countermeasures within your deck is imperative. By planning ahead and having the right cards at your disposal, overcoming a Silverbeak Griffin becomes a manageable task, keeping you poised for victory in your MTG matchups.

Cards like Silverbeak Griffin

In the realm of creature cards within Magic: The Gathering, Silverbeak Griffin stands out for its straightforward yet reliable flying ability. With stats echoing other two-drop fliers, such as Healer’s Hawk, Silverbeak Griffin distinguishes itself with a stronger power at a cost of an additional colorless mana. Despite the Healer’s Hawk’s lifelink ability which gives a slight edge in terms of life gain, the griffin’s resilience with two toughness makes it a respectable competitor in the skies.

Looking at another kin, Stormfront Pegasus shares the same mana cost and flying attribute but trades in one power for an additional toughness. The choice between these two cards may hinge on the deck’s specific strategy—be it a focus on early aggressive flying damage with Silverbeak Griffin or a defensive playstyle complemented by Stormfront Pegasus’ enhanced survivability.

Analyze similar creature cards showcases how subtle differences in power, toughness, and abilities can shape the role each card plays within a deck. Despite a competitive field of two-mana flyers, Silverbeak Griffin carves out its niche for players who appreciate a balance of offense and defense from their winged allies on the battlefield.

Cards similar to Silverbeak Griffin by color, type and mana cost

Voice of the Blessed - MTG Card versions

Silverflame Squire // On Alert - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Silverbeak Griffin MTG card by a specific set like Core Set 2019, 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 Silverbeak Griffin and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Silverbeak Griffin has restrictions

Format	Legality
Historicbrawl	Legal
Historic	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Gladiator	Legal
Pioneer	Legal
Commander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Explorer	Legal
Timeless	Legal