Makindi Aeronaut MTG Card

Makindi Aeronaut - Oath of the Gatewatch

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Kor Scout Ally
Abilities	Flying
Released	2016-01-22
Set symbol
Set name	Oath of the Gatewatch
Set code	OGW
Power	1
Toughness	3
Number	27
Frame	2015
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Matt Stewart

Key Takeaways

Makindi Aeronaut ensures board presence with cost-effective mana management and indirect card advantage.
Ally synergies and evasion make it a versatile pick in flying-centric strategies or ally decks.
Countermeasures include spells targeting fliers and creatures with reach, mitigating its board impact.

Text of card

Flying

"The Eldrazi have surprised us before. It's my job to make sure that never happens again."

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Makindi Aeronaut may not directly offer card draw, but it helps maintain board presence, which indirectly contributes to card advantage. By committing only a single card to the board that can hold its own, it allows a player to be more efficient with their hand.

Resource Acceleration: While Makindi Aeronaut does not accelerate resources in the conventional sense of generating mana or treasure tokens, it’s a cost-effective play. Its low mana cost potentially frees up your mana resources to be used elsewhere, thus offering a form of flexible mana management during the early game stages.

Instant Speed: The ability to play creatures like Makindi Aeronaut may not come with instant speed; however, its Ally subtype allows for synergy with other cards that may have instant-speed interactions or abilities that trigger upon Ally entering the battlefield, providing indirect benefits at instant speed.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The need to discard for bolstering the power of Makindi Aeronaut could be counterproductive when your hand is already running low, exacerbating resource scarcity.

Specific Mana Cost: Requiring one white mana and one colorless mana, Makindi Aeronaut’s cost could clash with multicolor deck strategies that prioritize mana flexibility over specific allegiance, reducing its adaptability.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Though it costs only two mana, the stats of Makindi Aeronaut may underperform when compared to other similarly costed creatures that provide more impactful abilities or better stats, thus questioning its cost-efficiency in a competitive setting.

Reasons to Include Makindi Aeronaut in Your Collection

Versatility: As a flying creature, Makindi Aeronaut can be a solid addition to decks that aim to maintain board presence without committing too much mana to the battlefield. Its evasion makes it a consistent damage dealer in formats where the skies are less populated.

Combo Potential: With its ally subtype, the Aeronaut has synergy within ally-themed decks that are centered around buffing and triggering responses from other ally cards. It can also combo with equipment or aura spells that benefit from creatures with flying.

Meta-Relevance: In a game where small incremental advantages can lead to victory, Makindi Aeronaut can play a role in decks that look to exploit the flying mechanic. As the meta fluctuates, its relevance can increase, especially if ally decks or low-cost flyers become more prevalent.

How to beat

Makindi Aeronaut is a modest flying creature card in Magic: The Gathering that punches slightly above its weight class due to its flying ability. Known for its ability to evade blockers that are confined to the ground, this card can chip away at an opponent’s life total incrementally. Combatting the aerial threat posed by Makindi Aeronaut requires some strategic planning given its ability to stay clear of traditional ground defense.

One of the most reliable approaches to keeping Makindi Aeronaut at bay is utilizing spells that can target flying creatures, or those that don’t specify the need for ground-based combat such as “Plummet” or “Silkwrap”. Another tactic is including creatures with reach in your deck, which provides a defensive line that can interact with flying foes. Cards with flash can also prove useful, allowing you to surprise your opponent by bringing a blocker into play right before combat. Lastly, leveraging any instant-speed removal spells provides a catch-all solution to remove Makindi Aeronaut before it can become a persistent nuisance on the battlefield.

Every MTG player knows the importance of having answers to a variety of threats within their deck, and Makindi Aeronaut is no exception. With the right cards and strategy, this agile creature can be grounded promptly, ensuring your life total remains secure from its consistent airborne assaults.

Cards like Makindi Aeronaut

Makindi Aeronaut serves as a modest glider in the skies of the Magic: The Gathering universe. Flying creatures like this one are quite common, with Sunspire Gatekeepers acting as a comparable card. Both have defensive abilities, but Sunspire Gatekeepers demand a battalion on the ground for real impact, rewarding you with a 2/2 Knight creature token if you control a Gate.

Prowess of the Fair is another kin in terms of cost and function. While it may not set sail through the air, it compensates by fostering a relentless elf strategy. Each time an elf you control dies, you get a 1/1 green Elf Warrior creature token. Which card you choose depends on the strategy you favor—whether you aim for aerial assault with Makindi Aeronaut or the creation of an on-ground elf dominion with Prowess of the Fair.

In essence, Makindi Aeronaut doesn’t boast powerful stats or complex mechanics. Instead, it holds its ground—or air, rather—in the vast array of MTG creatures by simply being an efficient, cost-effective flier that can swiftly bolster your defenses or chip away at an opponent’s life total.

Sunspire Gatekeepers - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Makindi Aeronaut MTG card by a specific set like Oath of the Gatewatch, 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 Makindi Aeronaut and other MTG cards: