Is Flying a Common Card Mechanic in Magic: The Gathering? A Comprehensive Guide
Yes, Flying is undoubtedly a common card mechanic in Magic: The Gathering. In fact, it is one of the most prevalent keyword abilities in the game, appearing on a vast number of creatures across almost every set since Magic’s inception. While its power level might not always be game-breaking, its pervasive presence shapes the landscape of combat and deckbuilding in significant ways. Flying introduces a layer of aerial combat, making evasion a key strategic consideration. The article you shared mentioned Flying being the most commonly removed keyword, which speaks to its prevalence and the need for answers when facing it. It is important to understand the impact of flying in the game, and to learn about the various related issues that the players are struggling with.
The Ubiquity of Flying
Flying’s commonality stems from its inherent simplicity and strategic value. It provides a straightforward form of evasion, allowing creatures to bypass ground-based blockers. This evasion makes flying creatures valuable for both aggressive strategies, where they can consistently deliver damage, and defensive ones, where they can block opposing fliers while ground creatures handle the lower altitudes. Its accessibility, especially at common rarities, means that even budget-conscious players can access fliers, ensuring its presence across all levels of play. Understanding this common ability is vital for competitive Magic, as the Games Learning Society emphasizes the importance of understanding core game mechanics to develop strategic thinking.
Color Distribution and the Aerial Advantage
While present in almost every color, Flying is most strongly associated with Blue and White. Blue is often considered the “king of flying,” boasting a high number of fliers and spells that grant flying to other creatures. White follows closely behind, featuring a significant contingent of angelic and avian creatures with the ability. Red, Green, and Black also have access to flying creatures, albeit in lesser quantities, reflecting their more grounded and often aggressive combat styles. The distribution is an important way for card designers to build up the “color pie” and emphasize the unique strategic options in each color.
Design Considerations: Balancing the Skies
Despite its simplicity, Flying plays a crucial role in balancing the game. It creates a strategic tension between ground and air forces, forcing players to consider different angles of attack and defense. The existence of Flying necessitates the inclusion of answers, such as creatures with Reach (allowing them to block fliers), spells that ground flying creatures, or other evasion abilities that can counter the aerial advantage. Designing cards to balance the power of flying is a fundamental component of set design.
FAQs: Decoding the Aerial Combat of Magic: The Gathering
Here are some frequently asked questions about flying as a common card mechanic in Magic: The Gathering:
1. What exactly does the Flying ability do?
Flying is an evasion ability that allows a creature to only be blocked by other creatures with Flying or Reach. This makes it easier for flying creatures to deal combat damage to the opponent.
2. Can a creature with Flying block a creature without Flying?
Yes! A creature with Flying can block any creature, regardless of whether the attacking creature has Flying or not.
3. What is Reach, and how does it interact with Flying?
Reach is an ability that allows a creature to block creatures with Flying. It’s often found on spiders and other creatures that thematically would be able to ensnare fliers.
4. What are some common ways to counter Flying creatures?
Common ways to counter Flying creatures include:
- Using creatures with Reach to block them.
- Casting spells that destroy flying creatures or remove the Flying ability.
- Using spells that prevent creatures from attacking or blocking.
5. Which colors are best at dealing with Flying creatures?
Green is often considered the best color at dealing with Flying, due to its abundance of creatures with Reach and spells that specifically target flying creatures. Red and Black also offer some options for dealing with fliers, such as direct damage spells or creature removal.
6. Does Deathtouch work against Flying creatures?
Yes! Deathtouch works as normal against Flying creatures. If a creature with Deathtouch deals any damage to a Flying creature, the Flying creature is destroyed.
7. Can a Flying creature be targeted by spells if it has Hexproof?
No, Hexproof prevents a creature from being the target of spells or abilities your opponents control, regardless of whether the creature has Flying or not.
8. Can I use a Fight spell to target a Flying creature?
Yes, Fight spells target creatures, not attacks. Flying only affects the Declare Blockers step, not other forms of interaction.
9. How does Flying interact with other evasion abilities like Menace or Skulk?
Flying stacks with other evasion abilities. For example, a creature with Flying and Menace can only be blocked by two or more creatures with Flying or Reach.
10. Is Flying considered a strong or weak ability in Magic?
The strength of Flying depends on the context. In some formats, it can be a very powerful evasion tool. In others, it may be less impactful due to the prevalence of answers or other strong strategies.
11. Can I give a creature Flying with a spell or ability?
Yes! Many spells and abilities can grant a creature Flying temporarily or permanently.
12. What are some examples of iconic Flying creatures in Magic’s history?
Some iconic Flying creatures include Serra Angel, Birds of Paradise, and Sphinx’s Revelation (which often wins the game after being cast).
13. How has the design of Flying creatures changed over time?
Over time, Wizards of the Coast has experimented with different types of Flying creatures, including those with additional abilities, lower mana costs, or unique drawbacks. This helps keep the mechanic fresh and interesting.
14. What are some strategies for building a deck around Flying creatures?
Strategies for building a deck around Flying creatures include:
- Including a high density of fliers.
- Adding spells that grant Flying to other creatures.
- Protecting your fliers with counterspells or removal.
- Using cards that reward you for having Flying creatures in play.
15. What is the Storm Scale?
The Storm Scale is a rating (from 1 to 10) that Wizards of the Coast uses to gauge the likelihood of a mechanic returning in a future set. A mechanic with a high Storm Scale rating is unlikely to return, while one with a low rating is more likely. According to the article you shared, the Storm mechanic is on the extreme end of the scale due to its potential to “break” games.
Conclusion: Mastering the Skies
In conclusion, Flying is a foundational and common card mechanic in Magic: The Gathering. Understanding its nuances, strengths, and weaknesses is crucial for both new and experienced players. Whether you’re building an aggressive deck, a controlling deck, or something in between, Flying is a mechanic that you’re likely to encounter and need to account for. Just as the GamesLearningSociety.org emphasizes the importance of understanding game mechanics, mastering Flying will undoubtedly improve your overall Magic: The Gathering gameplay. From learning the importance of the color pie to strategizing around the game’s inherent balance and the best techniques to respond, mastering Flying will only improve your skills.