Griffin MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 6 setsSee all
TypeToken Creature — Griffin
Abilities Flying
Power 2
Toughness 2
TokenTokens act as indicators during gameplay and are not included into building a deck.

Key Takeaways

  1. Griffin cards enhance card advantage, offering game-defining deck visibility and resource acceleration.
  2. Instant speed summoning can disrupt opponents and tilt aerial duels favorably.
  3. However, high mana costs and white mana dependency can limit Griffin card utility.

Text of card

Flying


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Griffin cards often provide players with the ability to outmaneuver their opponents by offering card-drawing mechanics or selection abilities. This means you may get to see more of your deck over the course of a game, increasing your chances of finding the answers or threats you need when you need them.

Resource Acceleration: Several Griffin creatures assist in ramping up your mana sources. When your deck is able to deploy resources faster than the opponent, it translates to casting impactful spells earlier, which can lead to a significant lead in the race for victory.

Instant Speed: Griffins that can be summoned at instant speed throw your opponents off balance. The ability to flash in a flying threat at the end of an opponent’s turn not only keeps your mana open for other spells but also can swing the aerial combat in your favor without giving the opponent time to prepare.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Certain griffin cards might ask you to toss another precious card from your hand, putting you at a disadvantage, especially in the heat of the late game when every card counts.

Specific Mana Cost: Griffins often soar with a mana cost that requires white mana, potentially clipping their wings in multicolored decks that may struggle to consistently meet this demand.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Many players might find the mana investment a bit steep for what some griffin cards offer. There’s a balance to strike, and with alternatives available, it’s essential to weigh whether the cost aligns with your deck’s strategy.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Griffin cards are known for their flight abilities, allowing them to soar over ground-based defenses. This makes Griffins a strong asset across various deck types, providing a robust aerial threat that can adapt to different playing styles.

Combo Potential: Many Griffins come with synergistic abilities that can amplify your strategy, such as bolstering your life total or buffing other creatures. Their inherent capability to complement other cards can create powerful interactions on the battlefield.

Meta-Relevance: Griffins can be particularly significant if the current meta favors flying creatures or if you’re facing opponents with limited air defense. Their presence in the sky makes them an enduring choice against various popular deck archetypes.


How to beat

Griffin cards in Magic: The Gathering embody a unique blend of aerial power and often carry abilities that can present a formidable barrier for opponents. These high-flying creatures typically boast sturdy stats, which, when combined with their flying trait, make them a constant threat in the skies. Overcoming a Griffin card requires a strategic approach, considering these creatures’ resilience and the advantage they offer from above.

To outmaneuver a Griffin, one might consider using spells that can target and eliminate creatures regardless of their flying ability. Cards that inflict damage or force a player to sacrifice a creature can be particularly effective. Control decks, which excel at dictating the flow of the game, often have a suite of removal spells like Wrath of God or Doom Blade that can clear the board of flying threats such as Griffins. In addition, engaging in combat with your own flying or reach-capable creatures can neutralize a Griffin’s aerial dominance, leveling the playing field.

As with any MTG strategy, the key to success lies in building a versatile deck and adapting your play style to counter airborne menaces. By anticipating the potential threat of a Griffin card and incorporating efficient removal or deterrence, players can pave a path to victory even against the might of these celestial beings.


Cards like Griffin

Griffin creatures in Magic: The Gathering stand out for their typical combination of flying and vigilance, making them reliable aerial threats that can also stand guard. The Griffin MTG card resonates with those traits, often positioned as a stable mid-game option. Armored Griffin, for instance, shares the flying ability but brings to the table a solid defense with an impressive toughness boost.

Another card that might flutter in the same skies is Abbey Griffin. Like its kin, it possesses flying but it also confers lifelink, potentially providing a steady health advantage with every strike. It may not be as defensively geared as the regular Griffin, but the life-gain adds a dimension of resilience. Then we have the Griffin Protector, which doesn’t boast vigilance, but its ability to grow stronger with every creature that enters the battlefield under your control can quickly turn the tides of aerial combat.

While each Griffin has its niche, the traditional Griffin card remains a balanced, cost-effective choice for players looking to dominate the skies and maintain a defensive posture on the ground. With varied abilities across the Griffin family, MTG enthusiasts are bestowed with a plethora of tactical inclusions to tailor their decks.

Armored Griffin - MTG Card versions
Abbey Griffin - MTG Card versions
Griffin Protector - MTG Card versions
Armored Griffin - Portal Second Age (P02)
Abbey Griffin - Innistrad (ISD)
Griffin Protector - Magic 2013 (M13)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Griffin MTG card by a specific set like Duel Decks: Ajani vs. Nicol Bolas and Duel Decks: Heroes vs. Monsters, 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 Griffin and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Griffin Magic the Gathering card was released in 6 different sets between 2011-09-02 and 2023-01-13. Illustrated by 3 different artists.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12011-09-02Duel Decks: Ajani vs. Nicol BolasDDH 12003tokenblackJim Nelson
22013-09-06Duel Decks: Heroes vs. MonstersDDL 12003tokenblackJohann Bodin
32020-07-03Core Set 2021M21 32015tokenblackJohann Bodin
42021-03-19Time Spiral RemasteredTSR 12015tokenblackJim Nelson
52022-09-09Dominaria United CommanderDMC 12015tokenblackJohn Tedrick
62023-01-13Dominaria RemasteredDMR 22015tokenblackJohann Bodin

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