Clay Pigeon MTG Card


Clay Pigeon - Unglued
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityUncommon
TypeArtifact Creature — Bird
Abilities Flying
Released1998-08-11
Set symbol
Set nameUnglued
Set codeUGL
Power 1
Toughness 1
Number73
Frame1997
LayoutNormal
BorderSilver
Illustred byD. Alexander Gregory
Un-set :-)This card is part of an Un-set

Key Takeaways

  1. Enables control over draws for strategic planning and efficient gameplay moves.
  2. Synergizes with other cards to ramp up resources, rewarding savvy deck-building.
  3. Instant ability utilization allows reactive and surprise plays during any turn.

Text of card

Flying o1, Throw Clay Pigeon into the air at least two feet above your head while seated, Attempt to catch it with one hand: If you catch Clay Pigeon, prevent all damage to you from any one source and return Clay Pigeon to play, tapped. Otherwise, sacrifice it.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Clay Pigeon provides a unique interaction with deck mechanics by potentially allowing you to manipulate or anticipate your draws. By enabling a certain level of control over the card flow, you can strategize your moves for a more efficient approach to the game.

Resource Acceleration: This artifact card may not directly generate mana or tokens but can synergize with other cards to potentially ramp up your resources. It’s about finding the right combination of cards for an optimal in-game economy.

Instant Speed: Although Clay Pigeon isn’t an instant itself, its activated ability can be used at instant speed. This means you can respond to opponents’ actions during their turn, making it a flexible tool for interaction and surprise plays.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Engaging in gameplay with the Clay Pigeon card necessitates parting with another card from your hand. This discard clause could put you at a disadvantage, particularly when your hand is running low on options. This can challenge your resource management skills, especially in tight situations where each card’s value is paramount.

Specific Mana Cost: Clay Pigeon requires a precise blend of mana to cast—two colorless and one red. For players who operate multicolored decks, this specific mana cost can sometimes be restrictive. It narrows the range of decks in which this card could seamlessly fit, potentially sidelining it in favor of more flexible options.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Allocating three mana for the unique effect offered by Clay Pigeon might not always equate to the most economical choice. When you sift through the pantheon of cards available, it becomes clear that there are alternatives that could offer you a more cost-effective path to victory, without the steep investment of a three-mana artifact that also demands a discard.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Clay Pigeon offers adaptability across various gameplay styles. Its ability to function as both an artifact and a creature means it seamlessly integrates into decks that capitalize on artifact synergies or require blockers in a pinch.

Combo Potential: With its sacrificial trigger, Clay Pigeon has the innate potential to engage in combinations with cards that benefit from artifacts being put into the graveyard. This can set off a chain of advantageous events within certain deck themes.

Meta-Relevance: In game environments where control decks prevail, Clay Pigeon can serve as an unexpected wrench in your opponent’s gears. The option to disrupt targeted spells with its activation can prove crucial at tipping the scales in your favor.


How to beat

Clay Pigeon, a niche card in MTG, presents players with an intriguing challenge. Much like shrewd tactics deployed against cards such as Shatter or Disenchant, the strategy to trump Clay Pigeon involves precise timing and disruption. When facing this artifact creature, it’s critical to mitigate its flying ability and potentially devastating self-destruct mechanism that allows it to deal damage equal to its power.

An effective approach involves preemptive actions such as artifact removal spells before the opponent can utilize its abilities to their advantage. Dive into your arsenal for cards like Naturalize or Release to the Wind that can address the threat instantly and eliminate it from the battlefield. Timing is essential, as allowing your rival to build a board state around the synergy with Clay Pigeon could spell trouble.

In essence, countering Clay Pigeon involves astute awareness of the board and holding the necessary cards to dismantle your opponent’s strategy. By focusing on immediate removal and preventing its activation, you can maintain the upper hand and navigate towards victory.


Cards like Clay Pigeon

Clay Pigeon stands out in the world of quirky and niche artifacts in Magic: The Gathering. With similarities to cards like Goblin Bombardment, it allows players to sacrifice a creature to deal damage to any target. Clay Pigeon adds a unique twist as an artifact creature that can fling itself for damage, rather than sacrificing others.

However, one can draw parallels between it and Walking Ballista, another artifact creature capable of dealing direct damage. While Walking Ballista is versatile in its usage, being able to ping any target at will, Clay Pigeon requires setup to use its ability, sacrificing itself as a one-off effect. Another card worth mentioning is Triskelion, which also offers multiple opportunities to deal damage, but unlike Clay Pigeon, does not require the self-sacrifice and can manage damage distribution more effectively.

Ultimately, Clay Pigeon offers a blend of strategy and surprise, appealing to players who enjoy artifacts with unconventional and potent abilities. It shines as a peculiar option with a memorable impact on gameplay, despite competition from other direct damage artifacts.

Goblin Bombardment - MTG Card versions
Walking Ballista - MTG Card versions
Triskelion - MTG Card versions
Goblin Bombardment - MTG Card versions
Walking Ballista - MTG Card versions
Triskelion - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Clay Pigeon by color, type and mana cost

Celestial Prism - MTG Card versions
Sunglasses of Urza - MTG Card versions
Ebony Horse - MTG Card versions
Runed Arch - MTG Card versions
Arena of the Ancients - MTG Card versions
Bösium Strip - MTG Card versions
Ashnod's Altar - MTG Card versions
Jalum Tome - MTG Card versions
Static Orb - MTG Card versions
Patchwork Gnomes - MTG Card versions
The Stasis Coffin - MTG Card versions
Captain's Hook - MTG Card versions
Wall of Spears - MTG Card versions
Spellweaver Helix - MTG Card versions
Scale of Chiss-Goria - MTG Card versions
Lightning Coils - MTG Card versions
Vedalken Shackles - MTG Card versions
Loxodon Warhammer - MTG Card versions
Sword of Feast and Famine - MTG Card versions
Training Drone - MTG Card versions
Celestial Prism - MTG Card versions
Sunglasses of Urza - MTG Card versions
Ebony Horse - MTG Card versions
Runed Arch - MTG Card versions
Arena of the Ancients - MTG Card versions
Bösium Strip - MTG Card versions
Ashnod's Altar - MTG Card versions
Jalum Tome - MTG Card versions
Static Orb - MTG Card versions
Patchwork Gnomes - MTG Card versions
The Stasis Coffin - MTG Card versions
Captain's Hook - MTG Card versions
Wall of Spears - MTG Card versions
Spellweaver Helix - MTG Card versions
Scale of Chiss-Goria - MTG Card versions
Lightning Coils - MTG Card versions
Vedalken Shackles - MTG Card versions
Loxodon Warhammer - MTG Card versions
Sword of Feast and Famine - MTG Card versions
Training Drone - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Clay Pigeon MTG card by a specific set like Unglued, 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 Clay Pigeon and other MTG cards:

Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See MTG Products

Recent MTG decks

Continue exploring other format decks
See more decks