Alexi, Zephyr Mage MTG Card


Alexi, Zephyr Mage - Prophecy
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityRare
TypeLegendary Creature — Human Spellshaper
Released2000-06-05
Set symbol
Set nameProphecy
Set codePCY
Power 3
Toughness 3
Number28
Frame1997
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred byMark Zug

Key Takeaways

  1. Alexi provides strategic advantage by bouncing multiple creatures, disrupting your opponent’s board state effectively.
  2. The mage can re-trigger enter-the-battlefield effects, offering strong synergy and resource acceleration in your deck.
  3. Instant speed activation of Alexi’s ability allows for versatile play and can tip the scales during key moments.

Text of card

o Xo U, oc T, Discard two cards from your hand: Return X target creatures to their owners' hands.

The Keldons didn't know her name, but they still cursed her in battle.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Alexi, Zephyr Mage grants the strategic upper hand by returning multiple creatures to an opponent’s hand, thereby replenishing your own resources while disrupting their board state. This ability can effectively negate your opponent’s turns and give you a clear pathway to victory.

Resource Acceleration: By bouncing your own creatures with enter-the-battlefield effects, Alexi can be a catalyst for re-triggering those impactful abilities. This tactic can accelerate your access to crucial resources and enable powerful synergies within your deck.

Instant Speed: The ability to activate Alexi’s ability at instant speed adds a layer of versatility to your gameplay. Hold back mana during your opponent’s turn for a surprise factor, creating opportunities to sway the game’s momentum in your favor at crucial junctures. The flexibility to respond to threats immediately or to capitalize on an opponent’s vulnerability cannot be understated.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Alexi, Zephyr Mage’s ability necessitates discarding two cards which can be a steep price, especially when your hand size is diminished.

Specific Mana Cost: With a blue-centric mana requirement, Alexi can be challenging to cast in multicolored decks that might not consistently produce the necessary blue mana.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Alexi’s activation cost is quite mana-intensive at five mana, which can be prohibitive and often limits flexibility in the same turn.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Alexi, Zephyr Mage serves as a flexible tool in blue-based control decks. Capable of returning multiple creatures to their owner’s hand, this card enables you to adapt to various situations on the battlefield.

Combo Potential: Its ability to bounce multiple creatures creates synergies with enter-the-battlefield effects or cards that punish opponents for having an empty board, setting up powerful plays.

Meta-Relevance: In a game state where creature-heavy decks dominate, Alexi can shift the balance by disrupting the opponents’ board presence, making it a timely inclusion for your arsenal.


How to beat

Alexi, Zephyr Mage presents a unique challenge on the battlefield, given its ability to return multiple creatures to their owner’s hand. Players may encounter difficulties when facing off against this disruptive force in Magic: The Gathering. To effectively counter this mage, one should consider a strategy that hinges on cheap and recastable creatures or spells that can either neutralize Alexi’s abilities or quickly rebuild your board presence after a bounce.

Employing instant-speed removals can also keep Alexi off the battlefield, making it less of a threat. Furthermore, cards that restrict or penalize the opponent for returning creatures to their hand can also decrease Alexi’s value. Another avenue could be leveraging graveyard play, as returning creatures to hand can be a non-issue for decks that thrive on playing from the graveyard. With the right strategy and reaction speed, players can navigate around the obstacles posed by Alexi, Zephyr Mage, maintaining control and tempo in their favor.


Cards like Alexi, Zephyr Mage

Alexi, Zephyr Mage offers a unique twist to the control archetype in Magic: The Gathering. Its abilities echo those of other bounce spells and mages, like Tradewind Rider, who also permits the returning of permanents to their owner’s hand. However, Alexi stands out, as it can target multiple permanents at the cost of discarding cards, escalating the potential impact on the game. On the other hand, Tradewind Rider restricts this action to once per turn and requires the tapping of two other creatures.

Capsize is another spell with a bouncing parallel, although it operates via the buyback mechanic. It allows for repetitive use at the added expense of extra mana, which contrasts with Alexi’s card-discard requirement. The flexibility of Capsize in controlling the board is consistent, but Alexi’s ability to disrupt numerous threats at once allows for a surprising swing in board state.

Assessing bounce options, Alexi, Zephyr Mage provides tactical versatility that can offset the card disadvantage with its multi-target disruption. Whether clearing blockers or interrupting intricate combos, Alexi can serve as a formidable tool in a strategic player’s arsenal, especially in matches where tempo plays a critical role.

Tradewind Rider - MTG Card versions
Capsize - MTG Card versions
Tradewind Rider - Tempest (TMP)
Capsize - Tempest (TMP)

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Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Alexi, Zephyr Mage MTG card by a specific set like Prophecy, 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 Alexi, Zephyr Mage and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Alexi, Zephyr Mage has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

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