Ornitharch MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Archon |
| Abilities | Flying,Tribute |
| Released | 2014-02-07 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Born of the Gods |
| Set code | BNG |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 3 |
| Number | 23 |
| Frame | 2003 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Clint Cearley |
Key Takeaways
- Tribute mechanic of Ornitharch can create card advantage or resource acceleration based on opponents’ choices.
- High mana cost and specific color requirements can limit its playability in multi-color decks.
- Ornitharch’s versatility and combo potential make it a worthy addition to decks utilizing flying creatures or tokens.
Text of card
Flying Tribute 2 (As this creature enters the battlefield, an opponent of your choice may place two +1/+1 counters on it.) When Ornitharch enters the battlefield, if tribute wasn't paid, put two 1/1 white Bird creature tokens with flying onto the battlefield.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: When Ornitharch enters the battlefield, the Tribute mechanic offers a strategic edge. If the Tribute isn’t paid, it creates two 1/1 white Bird creature tokens with flying, potentially enhancing your board presence and card value on the battlefield.
Resource Acceleration: Ornitharch’s flying tokens can be an asset for strategies leveraging creature count to ramp up resources. Cards that tap creatures for mana or benefit from the number of creatures you control could turn these tokens into a form of acceleration.
Instant Speed: Although Ornitharch itself is not an instant, its interaction with flash enablers allows you to deploy it during an opponent’s turn. This can lead to advantageous blocks or surprise attacks, disrupting your opponent’s strategy.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Ornitharch does not directly demand a discard, but its five mana cost can deplete your hand, putting you at a potential disadvantage in maintaining card advantage.
Specific Mana Cost: Commanding a solid three white mana within its casting cost can be challenging for multi-color decks, potentially restricting its playability exclusively to mono-white or heavily white-focused decks.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: At five mana, one might argue the board impact of Ornitharch isn’t always commensurate with its cost, especially when comparing it to other five mana creatures or spells that can turn the game around instantly or offer additional utility.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Ornitharch offers flexible utility for decks that can capitalize on either flying creatures or need a significant presence on the battlefield. With its ability to provide multiple creatures or one sizable flyer, it easily adapts to your board state’s demands.
Combo Potential: This card has synergy with strategies that benefit from creature tokens, such as those that use anthem effects to boost the power of your creatures, or with mechanics that count the number of creatures you control.
Meta-Relevance: In environments where flying creatures rule the skies or where token strategies are prevalent, Ornitharch’s dual utility can be a game-changer, potentially offering a way to outmaneuver opponents in creature combat or in achieving critical mass for a winning state.
How to beat Ornitharch
Ornitharch is a versatile creature card that can either bolster your aerial defense or provide an aggressive edge in Magic: The Gathering. When determining how to counteract this card’s impact, it’s crucial to recognize its Tribute mechanic. If the tribute is not paid, Ornitharch becomes a more significant threat by creating two 1/1 white Bird creature tokens with flying. Hence, a smart strategy focuses on denying these advantages.
Removal spells are your best assets against Ornitharch. Cards like Doom Blade or Hero’s Downfall can dispatch it before the tokens become an issue, assuming it’s not your turn. Counterspells such as Negate or Essence Scatter are equally effective by preventing Ornitharch from ever hitting the battlefield. For a more nuanced approach, using bounce spells like Unsummon can force your opponent to re-cast Ornitharch, giving you more time to find a long-term solution or prepare for its Tribute decision.
A strategic player will assess the board state to decide whether allowing Ornitharch to enter as a 3/3 flyer or dealing with two 1/1 birds is more manageable. Either way, keeping your removal options flexible and timing your interventions can effectively neutralize the threat posed by Ornitharch in your games.
Cards like Ornitharch
The Ornitharch card from the world of Magic: The Gathering holds an intriguing position amongst creatures with flying abilities. It bears resemblance to Wingmate Roc, considering both summon creatures with flying when they hit the battlefield. What makes Ornitharch stand out is the tribute mechanic, which presents an opponent with a choice – either Ornitharch enters as a larger creature, or you get two 1/1 white Bird creature tokens with flying.
Another card worthy of comparison is Geist-Honored Monk. Like Ornitharch, it also creates creature tokens upon entry, but based on the number of creatures you control. It doesn’t offer the same flexibility or immediate impact in terms of the board presence. Conversely, there’s Cloudgoat Ranger, offering the same token-production feature as Ornitharch, but with the tokens arriving unconditionally and including the option to tap all Kithkin creatures you control to give Cloudgoat Ranger a temporary power boost.
When evaluating cards that enhance board presence with extra creatures, Ornitharch provides a strategic advantage with the tribute mechanic, pitting the decision-making in your opponent’s court and enabling diverse play outcomes. Its unique dynamics ensure a solid standing among creature-summoning cards in Magic: The Gathering decks that favor aerial supremacy.
Cards similar to Ornitharch by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Ornitharch MTG card by a specific set like Born of the Gods, 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 Ornitharch 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 Ornitharch has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Ornitharch card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2014-02-01 | If the opponent pays tribute, the creature will enter the battlefield with the specified number of +1/+1 counters on it. It won’t enter the battlefield and then have the +1/+1 counters placed on it. |
| 2014-02-01 | If the triggered ability has a target, that target will not be known while the creature spell with tribute is on the stack. |
| 2014-02-01 | Players can’t respond to the tribute decision before the creature enters the battlefield. That is, if the opponent doesn’t pay tribute, the triggered ability will trigger before any player has a chance to remove the creature. |
| 2014-02-01 | The choice of whether to pay tribute is made as the creature with tribute is entering the battlefield. At that point, it’s too late to respond to the creature spell. For example, in a multiplayer game, opponents won’t know whether tribute will be paid or which opponent will be chosen to pay tribute or not when deciding whether to counter the creature spell. |
| 2014-02-01 | The triggered ability will resolve even if the creature with tribute isn’t on the battlefield at that time. |
| 2017-04-18 | For effects that check which player put counters on the entering creature, the player chosen to pay tribute puts those counters on it, not the creature’s controller. |