Diving Griffin MTG Card

Prophecy (PCY)
2000-06-05 - Number 6

Eighth Edition (8ED)
2003-07-28 - Number 17

Eighth Edition (8ED)
2003-07-28 - Number 17★

Card sets	Released in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Griffin
Abilities	Flying, Vigilance
Power	2
Toughness	2

Key Takeaways

Diving Griffin provides card filtering and virtual resource acceleration, enhancing strategic play efficiency.
Its instant speed ability allows for tactical plays, keeping opponents guessing and the board dynamic.
The card’s specific mana requirements and higher cost may limit its versatility across diverse decks.

Guide to Vigilance card ability

In the strategic universe of Magic: The Gathering (MTG), the vigilance ability stands out as a powerful tool for players. This potent keyword allows creatures to attack without tapping, keeping them ready and alert to defend against incoming threats. It represents a perfect balance between aggression and defense, offering a dynamic approach to gameplay. Lets dive deeper into how vigilance shapes the battlefield.

Text of card

Flying Attacking doesn't cause Diving Griffin to tap.

To outrace the griffin —Kipamu expression meaning "to do the impossible"

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Diving Griffin rewards strategic play with potential card filtering, optimizing your hand by selectively drawing the best options for the current board situation.

Resource Acceleration: While not a mana accelerator in the traditional sense, Diving Griffin at times offers virtual resource acceleration by allowing for more efficient turns—aligning the resources in hand with your strategic needs on the battlefield.

Instant Speed: The ability to act at instant speed provides significant tactical advantages, including surprising an opponent during combat or at the end of their turn, thus keeping your options wide open while assessing the evolving game state.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Diving Griffin card might necessitate discarding another card from your hand, which can deplete your hand size and reduce your options for future plays.

Specific Mana Cost: Costing precisely two white and one other mana, Diving Griffin’s mana cost may not fit seamlessly into multicolored or mana-flexible decks, limiting its playability across different deck types.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With its mana cost being on the higher side for its stats and abilities, players could potentially find other creatures that provide similar or better value for the same or lower investment.

Reasons to Include Diving Griffin in Your Collection

Versatility: Diving Griffin’s flying ability allows it to serve as both an aggressive attacker and a reliable blocker in aerial combat. Its presence in a deck adds a robust defensive layer while also providing the potential for consistent damage to opponents each turn.

Combo Potential: As a creature with flying, Diving Griffin synergizes well with cards that capitalize on creatures with specific abilities. It can work in tandem with cards that empower flying creatures or those that benefit from the number of creatures you control that can attack from above.

Meta-Relevance: In match-ups where flying creatures are prevalent and impactful, including Diving Griffin offers a competitive edge. It interacts favorably within metas where its evasion is particularly advantageous and can pressure opponents who are ill-equipped to handle persistent flying threats.

How to beat

Diving Griffin presents a unique challenge with its potent combination of flying and vigilance. Players often seek ways to take control of the skies and Diving Griffin caters to this strategy effectively in MTG. The card stands out for its ability to remain an ever-present defender while still attacking each turn, making it a resilient foe. However, there are strategic maneuvers to overcome this tenacious creature.

To counteract Diving Griffin’s advantages, consider deploying removal spells that bypass its vigilance, such as Murder or Doom Blade. In addition, creatures with reach or cards that can deal damage regardless of flying, like Shock or Lightning Bolt, are also effective. Another tactic involves utilizing enchantments that can lock down the creature, preventing it from attacking or blocking entirely. Cards like Pacifism or Arrest can neutralize Diving Griffin’s effectiveness on the battlefield without having to remove it from play.

Careful planning and a well-constructed deck that includes a mix of targeted removal, board control spells, and creatures with reach or flying of their own will stand a much better chance against Diving Griffin. Building a strategy that prepares for aerial threats is key for any player looking to maintain dominance in their MTG matches.

Cards like Diving Griffin

Diving Griffin joins the ranks of flying creatures in Magic: The Gathering, serving a role similar to that of other three-mana cost flyers like War Falcon. Both creatures provide an aerial threat, but Diving Griffin stands out with its vigilance trait, allowing it to attack without tapping. This contrasts with War Falcon, which doesn’t boast vigilance but has a condition for attacking or blocking.

Another akin card is Remorseless Punishment, offering a tactical advantage through vigilance but at a higher mana value. The Diving Griffin emphasizes consistent damage potential while still being able to block, a feature not found in creatures like Remorseless Punishment. Additionally, the Griffin’s steady power and toughness distribution gives it a balanced presence on the battlefield, akin to cards like Sunspire Griffin that share the vigilance attribute but at a different distribution of power and defense.

While evaluating the merits of similar creatures, Diving Griffin provides a cost-effective option for players needing reliable defense and steadfast offensive capabilities in their airborne arsenal, making it a competent card within its mana range and an asset in strategies built around flying creatures with vigilance.

Remorseless Punishment - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Diving Griffin by color, type and mana cost

Pianna, Nomad Captain - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Diving Griffin MTG card by a specific set like Prophecy and Eighth Edition, 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 Diving Griffin and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Diving Griffin Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2000-06-05 and 2003-07-28. Illustrated by John Howe.

#	Released	Name	Code	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	2000-06-05	Prophecy	PCY	6	1997	Normal	Black	John Howe
2	2003-07-28	Eighth Edition	8ED	17	2003	Normal	White	John Howe
3	2003-07-28	Eighth Edition	8ED	17★	2003	Normal	Black	John Howe