Charging Griffin MTG Card

Magic 2014 (M14)
2013-07-19 - Number 13

Magic Origins (ORI)
2015-07-17 - Number 9

Card sets	Released in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Griffin
Abilities	Flying
Power	2
Toughness	2

Key Takeaways

Flying provides Charging Griffin an edge by evading ground blockers and reliably hitting opponents.
Its mana requirement and lack of instant speed necessitate strategic deckbuilding to optimize performance.
Despite competition from similar creatures, its utility in specific strategies makes it a valuable asset.

Text of card

Flying Whenever Charging Griffin attacks, it gets +1/+1 until end of turn.

Four claws, two wings, one beak, no fear.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: While Charging Griffin may not draw cards directly, its flying ability often ensures it remains unhindered on the battlefield, indirectly leading to card advantage by consistently dealing combat damage and potentially triggering beneficial effects.

Resource Acceleration: Although Charging Griffin doesn’t provide mana or treasures, its mere presence can represent a resource acceleration by pressuring opponents and reducing their resources as they need to handle this threatening creature.

Instant Speed: Charging Griffin itself is not an instant, but it synergizes well with spells of instant speed. Cast buffs or protection spells at instant speed to surprise opponents during combat, turning Charging Griffin’s attacks into potentially game-winning moves.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Charging Griffin’s straightforward abilities have no discard requirements, having several of these in a deck could increase vulnerability to opponents’ hand disruption strategies.

Specific Mana Cost: Charging Griffin requires two white mana in its casting cost, making it less flexible and potentially straining mana bases in multi-colored decks not heavily investing in white.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: For four mana, Charging Griffin’s stats and abilities may fall short compared to other creatures in the same cost bracket, offering perhaps more impactful board presence or additional abilities.

Reasons to Include Charging Griffin in Your Collection

Versatility: Charging Griffin demonstrates its ability to adapt as a solid pick for any white-based aggressive strategy. Its easy mana cost makes it a smooth inclusion in decks that aim to soar over the battlefields.

Combo Potential: Paired with effects that augment flying creatures or those that trigger upon dealing combat damage, Charging Griffin can become a key player in taking down opponents swiftly. It can activate card draw or life gain enchantments targeting flyers effectively.

Meta-Relevance: With an environment teeming with ground creatures, Charging Griffin can easily bypass crowded battle lines. This can make it a pertinent threat in various formats where evasion is invaluable and can lead to clutch wins against unsuspecting opponents.

How to beat

Charging Griffin is a card that players often encounter in the skies of Magic: The Gathering. As a creature with flying, it can be an evasive threat, gaining power whenever it attacks. Yet, despite its offensive abilities, there are reliable strategies to ground this aerial menace.

To counter Charging Griffin effectively, consider utilizing removal spells that can target creatures in mid-flight. Cards like Murder or Doom Blade are perfect as they eliminate the Griffin regardless of its in-flight power boost. Alternatively, countering the Griffin before it ever takes to the battlefield is also viable. Use cards like Counterspell or Essence Scatter when your opponent casts Charging Griffin, preventing it from joining the fray entirely.

Moreover, having creatures with reach or those that can block flyers like Sentinel Spider can deter the Griffin from attacking or serve as a solid defense if it does. In essence, while Charging Griffin can pose a threat when unchecked, a well-prepared defense or an arsenal of instant-speed interaction can ensure that this creature’s impact remains minimal on your path to victory.

Cards like Charging Griffin

Charging Griffin is a classic creature card that finds its nest among the ranks of MTG flying creatures. As a card that gains a power boost when it attacks, it draws comparison to other cards that offer a similar punch in the skies. Skyknight Legionnaire, for example, not only flies but brings haste to the battlefield, allowing for immediate attack without the waiting period. Charging Griffin, lacking the haste, requires strategic play to maximize its potential.

Looking to other feathery friends, we find Serra Angel, a card that flies and brings vigilance to the table. Vigilance allows it to attack without tapping, providing an additional layer of defense that Charging Griffin doesn’t possess. Yet, the Griffin holds its ground with a lower casting cost, granting quicker access to its airborne assault during gameplay.

Gauging the capabilities of Charging Griffin against its avian counterparts gives MTG players insight into their deck strategies. Whether prioritizing speed, defense, or power enhancement during attack, choosing the right winged warrior can make all the difference in the turn of the battle.

Skyknight Legionnaire - MTG Card versions

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Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Charging Griffin MTG card by a specific set like Magic 2014 and Magic Origins, 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 Charging Griffin and other MTG cards: