Fleetfeather Cockatrice MTG Card


Fleetfeather Cockatrice - Journey into Nyx
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Cockatrice
Abilities Deathtouch,Flying,Monstrosity, Flash
Released2014-05-02
Set symbol
Set nameJourney into Nyx
Set codeJOU
Power 3
Toughness 3
Number149
Frame2003
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred byMatt Stewart

Key Takeaways

  1. Card advantage and instant-speed monstrosity give Fleetfeather Cockatrice tactical versatility on the battlefield.
  2. Its specific mana requirements and high cost can limit its incorporation in diverse deck strategies.
  3. Versatility and meta-relevance make it a valuable contender for decks that prize adaptability and control.
Flash card art

Guide to Flash card ability

Explore the dynamic Flash ability in Magic: The Gathering (MTG), a feature that allows you to cast spells at lightning speed, often leaving your opponents reeling and your strategy several steps ahead. This versatile ability can turn the tide of a game, providing the element of surprise and tactical advantage. It places a premium on timing and foresight, transforming an ordinary deck into a formidable arsenal of instant threats and responses.

Text of card

Flash (You may cast this spell any time you could cast an instant.) Flying, deathtouch : Monstrosity 3. (If this creature isn't monstrous, put three +1/+1 counters on it and it becomes monstrous.)


Card Pros

Card Advantage: The versatility of Fleetfeather Cockatrice in drawing out opponent’s spells gives you an edge. Its deathtouch ability forces opponents to decide whether to risk losing a valuable creature or to use removal spells, potentially saving your more critical creatures from being targeted.

Resource Acceleration: Although Fleetfeather Cockatrice doesn’t directly accelerate resources, its mana cost can be split over two turns due to monstrosity. This means you can play it as a threat early on and then pump it later when you have spare mana, effectively spreading out your resource usage for optimal play.

Instant Speed: Fleetfeather Cockatrice’s monstrosity ability can be activated at instant speed, making it a formidable blocker or attacker by surprise. It can adapt to the board state after your opponents have committed to their plays, providing tactical advantage and keeping them guessing.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Fleetfeather Cockatrice demands a considerable investment in both mana and board presence, making it challenging when you’re pressured to maintain hand advantage.

Specific Mana Cost: This card’s demand for both green and blue mana can be restrictive, anchoring it firmly in the Simic color combination and potentially clashing with more color-flexible strategies.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a sum of five mana to cast, Fleetfeather Cockatrice stands on the expensive side, especially when measured against other flying creatures that could be more cost-efficient or offer additional synergistic benefits.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Fleetfeather Cockatrice stands out due to its flexible nature, fitting well in various decks, particularly those requiring a robust defensive creature with offensive capabilities. Its flying and deathtouch characteristics make it a valuable asset in both attacking and deterring enemy creatures.

Combo Potential: The card can synergize with strategies emphasizing on creature abilities. Activating its monstrous ability can be combined with effects that trigger when creatures become monstrous or when counters are placed, thus enhancing the overall strategy.

Meta-Relevance: In a game landscape where flying creatures reign or deathtouch is crucial for control, Fleetfeather Cockatrice’s adaptability makes it a competent inclusion. Its instant-speed potential for monstrous activation allows for surprise tactical advantages during combat or at the end of an opponent’s turn.


How to beat Fleetfeather Cockatrice

Fleetfeather Cockatrice stands out in MTG as a versatile creature with both flying and deathtouch, making it a formidable opponent in the air and a deadly blocker on the ground. This combination can make it challenging to handle, but there are strategies players can employ to overcome this threat. One effective tactic is using spells that can remove creatures without triggering deathtouch, such as exile effects or spells that reduce toughness to zero, bypassing the need for combat entirely.

Additionally, counter spells are an excellent tool against Fleetfeather Cockatrice, preventing it from entering the battlefield in the first place. Since it requires a significant mana investment to play and activate its monstrosity ability, timing your counters effectively can leave your opponent at a mana disadvantage. For those who face the Cockatrice after it’s become monstrous, board wipes can clear the field regardless of its increased size and abilities. In essence, sidestepping direct combat and focusing on non-combat solutions will help keep this creature in check.

Finally, don’t forget to have flying blockers or reach creatures as a last line of defense. These can help deter the Fleetfeather Cockatrice from attacking, buying you time to find your removal or counter spells. By using these methods, players can neutralize the cockatrice’s advantages and maintain control of the game.


Cards like Fleetfeather Cockatrice

Fleetfeather Cockatrice makes a unique statement in its niche within Magic: The Gathering. This creature card can be likened to other flying and deathtouch units such as Baleful Strix, which also carries the benefit of card draw upon entering the battlefield. While the Strix serves as an efficient blocker and card advantage tool, Fleetfeather Cockatrice offers flexibility with its monstrosity ability, turning it into a larger threat later in the game.

Comparatively, Winged Coatl presents a similar fusion of flying and deathtouch at a lower cost. However, the Coatl lacks the potential for growth that the Cockatrice boasts. On the other end, we have Icefeather Aven, which offers not just flying and deathtouch but also the morph mechanic, enabling surprise tactics and utility. Although it doesn’t grow bigger as the Fleetfeather Cockatrice does, the Aven provides immediate board impact with its bounce ability.

Despite the different attributes these creatures carry, Fleetfeather Cockatrice finds its standing with its late-game scalability and defensive prowess, affirming its role as a formidable creature card in player decks looking for versatile threats and defense strategies.

Baleful Strix - MTG Card versions
Winged Coatl - MTG Card versions
Icefeather Aven - MTG Card versions
Baleful Strix - Planechase 2012 (PC2)
Winged Coatl - Alara Reborn (ARB)
Icefeather Aven - Khans of Tarkir (KTK)

Cards similar to Fleetfeather Cockatrice by color, type and mana cost

Moritte of the Frost - MTG Card versions
Imoti, Celebrant of Bounty - MTG Card versions
Prophet of Kruphix - MTG Card versions
Momir Vig, Simic Visionary - MTG Card versions
Murkfiend Liege - MTG Card versions
Overbeing of Myth - MTG Card versions
Sages of the Anima - MTG Card versions
Species Gorger - MTG Card versions
Tatyova, Benthic Druid - MTG Card versions
Galloping Lizrog - MTG Card versions
Bioessence Hydra - MTG Card versions
Keruga, the Macrosage - MTG Card versions
A-Tanazir Quandrix - MTG Card versions
Tanazir Quandrix - MTG Card versions
Wavesifter - MTG Card versions
Roalesk, Apex Hybrid - MTG Card versions
Gale, Primeval Conduit - MTG Card versions
Alora, Cheerful Scout - MTG Card versions
Ambassador Blorpityblorpboop - MTG Card versions
Tawnos, the Toymaker - MTG Card versions
Moritte of the Frost - Kaldheim (KHM)
Imoti, Celebrant of Bounty - Multiverse Legends (MUL)
Prophet of Kruphix - Magic 2015 Clash Pack (CP1)
Momir Vig, Simic Visionary - From the Vault: Lore (V16)
Murkfiend Liege - Double Masters 2022 (2X2)
Overbeing of Myth - Eventide Promos (PEVE)
Sages of the Anima - Alara Reborn (ARB)
Species Gorger - Dragon's Maze (DGM)
Tatyova, Benthic Druid - The Lost Caverns of Ixalan Commander (LCC)
Galloping Lizrog - Ravnica Allegiance (RNA)
Bioessence Hydra - War of the Spark Promos (PWAR)
Keruga, the Macrosage - Multiverse Legends (MUL)
A-Tanazir Quandrix - Strixhaven: School of Mages (STX)
Tanazir Quandrix - Strixhaven: School of Mages Promos (PSTX)
Wavesifter - Murders at Karlov Manor Commander (MKC)
Roalesk, Apex Hybrid - New Capenna Commander (NCC)
Gale, Primeval Conduit - Alchemy Horizons: Baldur's Gate (HBG)
Alora, Cheerful Scout - Alchemy Horizons: Baldur's Gate (HBG)
Ambassador Blorpityblorpboop - Unfinity (UNF)
Tawnos, the Toymaker - The Brothers' War (BRO)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Fleetfeather Cockatrice MTG card by a specific set like Journey into Nyx, 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 Fleetfeather Cockatrice and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Fleetfeather Cockatrice has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Fleetfeather Cockatrice card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

DateText
2014-04-26 An ability that triggers when a creature becomes monstrous won't trigger if that creature isn't on the battlefield when its monstrosity ability resolves.
2014-04-26 Monstrous isn't an ability that a creature has. It's just something true about that creature. If the creature stops being a creature or loses its abilities, it will continue to be monstrous.
2014-04-26 Once a creature becomes monstrous, it can't become monstrous again. If the creature is already monstrous when the monstrosity ability resolves, nothing happens.

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