Shriekdiver MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Zombie Bird Warrior
Abilities	Flying
Released	2019-05-03
Set symbol
Set name	War of the Spark
Set code	WAR
Power	2
Toughness	1
Number	103
Frame	2015
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Piotr Dura

Key Takeaways

Shriekdiver ensures a persistent creature presence, supplementing a solid offensive by resurrecting from the graveyard.
Its capability for instant speed haste empowers players with surprise assaults and reactive play opportunities.
Despite its specific mana needs, Shriekdiver’s flying ability makes it a valuable addition to aggressive decks.

Text of card

Flying : Shriekdiver gains haste until end of turn.

"It's faster than we are. Draw its attention while the Ledev take aim!" —Shauntal, Boros legionnaire

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The ability of Shriekdiver to return from the graveyard to your hand promotes gradual card advantage. This ensures you have creatures to deploy even as the game progresses, maintaining pressure on your opponent.

Resource Acceleration: While Shriekdiver doesn’t directly accelerate resources, its low casting cost combined with the haste-enabling ability allows for a swift offensive strategy, effectively using mana more efficiently in the early to mid-game stages.

Instant Speed: Shriekdiver’s activated ability can give it haste at instant speed, providing flexibility for surprise attacks or reacting to open defenses, which capitalizes on opportune moments within a match.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: With Shriekdiver, players may feel the absence of any need to discard as a restriction but can also view its straightforward casting as an advantageous simplification.

Specific Mana Cost: Shriekdiver demands a specific mana composition – one black and two of any type. This requirement could hinder its integration in multicolored decks not heavily skewed towards black mana, possibly affecting deck flexibility.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While it enters the battlefield with haste for one additional mana, its three total mana cost is somewhat steep compared to other creatures in its class. Players must evaluate the utility of its speed against more cost-efficient creatures that may offer a greater presence on the board at a similar mana cost.

Reasons to Include Shriekdiver in Your Collection

Versatility: Shriekdiver’s inherent ability to gain haste for a modest mana investment makes it adaptable to a multitude of deck strategies, especially those that value immediate board impact and tempo.

Combo Potential: As a creature with flying, Shriekdiver pairs well with synergies that exploit creatures with evasion, and it fits into decks utilizing sacrifice-for-benefit or graveyard-recursion tactics.

Meta-Relevance: In a game climate favoring air superiority and quick, evasive threats, Shriekdiver serves as a cost-effective way to consistently pressure opponents, making it a relevant choice for keeping pace in the current meta.

How to beat

Shriekdiver is a versatile creature in Magic: The Gathering, offering both flying and haste to quickly pressure your opponent. While being a 2/1 flyer for three mana might seem economical, especially with the ability to gain haste for an additional mana, it’s not without its weaknesses. To effectively counter this card, consider using instant-speed removal while it’s summoned without haste. This can disrupt your opponent’s tempo by taking care of Shriekdiver before they can even go to combat.

Moreover, spotlighting blockers with flying or reach like Sentinel Spider can dissuade attacks from Shriekdiver. Don’t overlook the power of cheap removal spells either, such as Shock, that can neutralize Shriekdiver at a very low cost. Players should also remember that if the mana is being spent to give Shriekdiver haste, it is mana not being used to develop the board further, which can be capitalized on.

Overall, while Shriekdiver can be a thorn in the side with its swiftness and flight, your strategy should involve efficient countermeasures that align with your deck’s overall game plan, ensuring you maintain upper hand throughout the match.

Cards like Shriekdiver

Shriekdiver occupies a niche in Magic: The Gathering as a flexible flying creature that can potentially strike early and fast. Comparable to other three-mana flying creatures like Skyscanner, Shriekdiver offers a different angle of attack. While Skyscanner brings card advantage upon entering the battlefield, it lacks the haste that Shriekdiver can gain. This means Shriekdiver can surprise opponents and serve as a swift aggressor, particularly relevant in aggressive black decks when board presence and tempo are vital.

Another creature to consider is Voldaren Duelist, which also provides haste but for a higher mana cost. What makes Shriekdiver stand out among these is its permanent flying ability and lower mana curve, enabling higher flexibility and more consistent early game pressure. Further comparison can be drawn to Vampire Nighthawk, which does not have haste but packs a punch with lifelink and deathtouch, making it a defensive asset in addition to an offensive threat.

In summation, Shriekdiver’s unique blending of mobility, affordability, and offensive haste capability allows it to soar within its card class, holding its own among other three-mana creatures in Magic: The Gathering, especially for players ready to capitalize on its rapid deployment potential.

Cards similar to Shriekdiver by color, type and mana cost

Mischievous Poltergeist - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Shriekdiver MTG card by a specific set like War of the Spark, 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 Shriekdiver and other MTG cards:

Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See MTG Products

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Shriekdiver 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