War Falcon MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Bird |
| Abilities | Flying |
| Released | 2012-07-13 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Magic 2013 |
| Set code | M13 |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 1 |
| Number | 38 |
| Frame | 2003 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Volkan Baǵa |
Key Takeaways
- War Falcon excels in knight and soldier synergies, enabling a strong, low-cost offensive flight.
- Deck building with War Falcon requires white mana focus and complementary creature types.
- Despite restrictions, it’s a formidable card, especially when paired with deck-specific synergies.
Text of card
Flying War Falcon can't attack unless you control a Knight or a Soldier.
The falcon is the picture of nobility, maintaining a regal bearing even as it conducts the bloody business of war.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: While War Falcon doesn’t directly provide card advantage in the traditional sense, it synergizes well with Soldier decks where it can consistently enable attacks without needing additional cards to trigger its ability.
Resource Acceleration: As a low-cost creature, War Falcon allows for an aggressive opening play, effectively accelerating your resource utilization by putting pressure on opponents early in the game.
Instant Speed: Although War Falcon isn’t an instant, its low casting cost facilitates holding mana for instant speed spells while fielding a potential aerial threat, adding a tactical layer in managing resources each turn.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Instead of a traditional discard condition, War Falcon may restrict your ability to attack. Without a Knight or Soldier to enable it, this creature is grounded and your combat strategy could suffer, which feels akin to discarding a tactical advantage.
Specific Mana Cost: War Falcon has a low and specific mana cost, demanding white mana which can restrict deck building flexibility. In multi-colored decks, drawing it without access to white mana sources can make it a dead card in your hand.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although War Falcon costs a single white mana, its conditional attack requirement can sometimes make it a less favorable option when compared to other one-mana creatures that can attack without limitations, especially in aggressive strategies where every turn counts.
Reasons to Include War Falcon in Your Collection
Versatility: War Falcon offers a low-cost option for aggressive white weenie or soldier decks. With flying, the card can be a consistent source of evasive pressure in the early game.
Combo Potential: This card excels in decks packed with knights and soldiers. Not only does it synergize with these creature types to unleash its ability, but it also pairs well with equipment and buffs that accentuate its attack potential.
Meta-Relevance: Given its fast pace and ability to dodge many ground blockers, War Falcon can shine in metas where the board is congested with creatures. Perfect for outmaneuvering opponents and sneaking in damage.
How to beat War Falcon
War Falcon serves as a nimble offensive creature in Magic: The Gathering, delivering a swift attack, especially in decks featuring Soldiers and Knights. Its strength lies in its ability to attack only when you control a Knight or a Soldier, bolstering themed decks with its cost-effective flying prowess. Despite its flying feature, War Falcon can be restrained through strategic deck-building and card choices.
Defeating this swift bird of prey requires you to disrupt its synergy components. Cards that remove or tap creatures can hinder War Falcon’s attack ability, as it relies on the presence of other Soldier or Knight cards. Utilizing removal spells or abilities that target the supporting creatures diminishes War Falcon’s offensive impact significantly. Moreover, incorporating flying blockers or reach-equipped creatures in your deck can act as a solid defense, nullifying the Falcon’s evasion advantage.
Ultimately, focusing on cards that can either control the battlefield or outpace the opponent’s strategy by deploying an aggressive line-up or reliable blockers will help maintain dominance against a deck wielding the War Falcon. Board wipes and spot removal remain as powerful tactics to ensure the Falcon’s wings are clipped before it takes flight.
Cards like War Falcon
War Falcon provides an interesting dynamic in creature-based strategies in Magic: The Gathering. It draws a comparison to the likes of Squadron Hawk, which serves a similar aerial assault role. Yet, the War Falcon stands out with its unique restriction – it can only attack if you control a Knight or Soldier. Squadron Hawk doesn’t have this limitation and also aids in deck consistency by potentially fetching other copies of itself from your deck.
Comparably, we have the self-sufficient Healer’s Hawk, a nimble flyer with lifelink, demanding no additional battlefield presence to take to the skies. While War Falcon may seem disadvantaged at first glance, when paired with Knight or Soldier cards, it becomes a reliable and cost-effective attacker, elevated by the potential of being a 2/1 with flying for only one mana.
Another card to consider is Gustcloak Savior, which offers tactical advantages with its protective ability for attacking creatures but at a higher cost and setup. In synergy-focused decks, War Falcon shines by leveraging a low mana cost with the potential for high impact, making it a formidable opening play in MTG deck builds that harness the power of Soldier and Knight synergies.
Cards similar to War Falcon by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase War Falcon MTG card by a specific set like Magic 2013, 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 War Falcon and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- 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 War Falcon has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering War Falcon card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2012-07-01 | If an effect makes War Falcon a Knight or a Soldier, it will be able to attack even if it’s the only creature you control. |
| 2012-07-01 | To attack with War Falcon, you must control a Knight or a Soldier when you declare attackers. Once War Falcon is attacking, it won’t be removed from combat if at any point you no longer control a Knight or Soldier. |
