Bladegriff Prototype MTG Card


Forces opponents to make tough choices, turning combat damage into a strategic advantage. Can indirectly accelerate your board state by removing opponent’s key resources. Imposes a pseudo-instant speed threat, affecting gameplay even when untapped.
Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityRare
TypeArtifact Creature — Griffin
Abilities Flying
Power 3
Toughness 2

Text of card

Flying Whenever Bladegriff Prototype deals combat damage to a player, destroy target nonland permanent of that player's choice that one of your opponents controls.

The new model has improved aerodynamics but introduced a few glitches in the targeting system.


Cards like Bladegriff Prototype

Bladegriff Prototype presents a unique interplay within the realm of creature control and tactical decision-making in MTG. It stands shoulder to shoulder with cards like Generous Gift and Chaos Warp, which also revolve around giving opponents the choice to affect the board state. But the Prototype offers a distinctive edge with its flying ability and the potential to affect multiple targets upon meeting its damage-triggered condition.

Comparably, Oblation is another card that provides player choice, allowing the owner of a targeted nonland permanent to draw a pair of cards. Nevertheless, Bladegriff Prototype offers a more communal consequence, roping in all opponents in the decision-making process, a trait that Oblation lacks. Additionally, while Oblation can target any nonland permanent, the Prototype is exclusive to creatures, showcasing its narrowed focus.

To encapsulate, Bladegriff Prototype is a card that not only serves its purpose as a flying creature but also marries the concept of control with group engagement, making it a compelling choice for decks that thrive on collective strategy and interactive gameplay in MTG.

Generous Gift - MTG Card versions
Chaos Warp - MTG Card versions
Oblation - MTG Card versions
Generous Gift - MTG Card versions
Chaos Warp - MTG Card versions
Oblation - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Bladegriff Prototype by color, type and mana cost

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Coat of Arms - MTG Card versions
Clockwork Hydra - MTG Card versions
Ring of Renewal - MTG Card versions
Clockwork Avian - MTG Card versions
Gauntlets of Chaos - MTG Card versions
Soldevi Steam Beast - MTG Card versions
Sand Golem - MTG Card versions
Pandora's Box - MTG Card versions
Belbe's Portal - MTG Card versions
Crumbling Sanctuary - MTG Card versions
Mind's Eye - MTG Card versions
Horizon Stone - MTG Card versions
The Deck of Many Things - MTG Card versions
Clockwork Vorrac - MTG Card versions
Timesifter - MTG Card versions
Leveler - MTG Card versions
Myr Matrix - MTG Card versions
Dross Golem - MTG Card versions
Razormane Masticore - MTG Card versions
Thran Golem - MTG Card versions
Coat of Arms - MTG Card versions
Clockwork Hydra - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Bladegriff Prototype offers a unique mechanism that can disrupt your opponent while potentially gaining you card advantage. This is because whenever it deals combat damage to a player, you may sacrifice it. If you do, you may destroy a nonland permanent of that player’s choice that they control. This forces difficult decisions on your opponent and could translate into you gaining the upper hand, as the chosen permanent may be a key piece in their strategy.

Resource Acceleration: While Bladegriff Prototype itself doesn’t directly produce resources, its ability to remove key pieces from your opponent’s board can accelerate your board state by comparison. By negating your opponent’s resources, you indirectly enhance your own standing, effectively accelerating your route to victory. Maintaining board control can be as impactful as ramping up your mana pool when it comes to outpacing your opponent.

Instant Speed: Despite Bladegriff Prototype not being an instant, it can influence battles typically reserved for instant speed interaction. Its presence on the field can deter opponents from playing impactful permanents or attacking, as they risk triggering its damaging ability. This pseudo-instant speed effect gives you a form of control over the pace and plays of the game, adding a layer of strategy to when and how you engage Bladegriff Prototype in combat.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Bladegriff Prototype demands sacrificing a nonland permanent whenever you want to employ its ability. This can be a hefty price to pay, particularly in a deck where every permanent is a precious asset.

Specific Mana Cost: The card’s mana cost requires both white and blue mana. This necessity makes it less flexible, restricting it to decks that can reliably produce both types of mana.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of five mana, including two of specific colors, Bladegriff Prototype may arrive on the battlefield later than other impactful cards at a similar cost bracket. This can potentially put you at a disadvantage when tempo is a deciding factor in the game.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Bladegriff Prototype offers flexibility in various deck builds, particularly those that focus on manipulating control of the board. Its unique ability to give opponents a choice can seamlessly integrate into strategies that aim to disrupt or take advantage of opponents’ decisions.

Combo Potential: This card poses great synergy with cards that punish opponents for owning permanents they didn’t cast themselves, or those that take advantage of artifacts. Bladegriff Prototype can become a linchpin in decks that aim to create intricate and powerful interactions.

Meta-Relevance: In an environment where board states are often cluttered with impactful permanents, Bladegriff Prototype’s conditional removal can be a game-changer, providing a tactical edge against decks that heavily rely on specific nonland permanents to win.


How to beat

Bladegriff Prototype presents an intriguing challenge in the realm of MTG, with its ability to potentially alter the board state by converting noncreature permanents into free removal tools. As a flying artifact creature, it can be a formidable force in the skies. Despite this, its true strength lies in its triggered ability, which demands precision from its controller. The key to overcoming this card is to limit its activations as much as possible.

Controlling players should prioritize removing Bladegriff Prototype from play, preferring to target it with direct removal spells or abilities that can bypass its potential effects. Cards like Path to Exile or Murderous Rider work well to neutralize it before it can assert its influence on the game. Alternatively, reducing the value of the permanents it might target, by either sacrificing them or utilizing them as resources, can significantly diminish Bladegriff Prototype’s impact. It’s also recommended to put pressure on your opponent, forcing them to make difficult decisions under the threat of your attacks. By playing smart and keeping the board clear of high-value targets, you can mitigate the advantages that Bladegriff Prototype offers to your adversary.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Bladegriff Prototype MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Commander Legends, 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 Bladegriff Prototype and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Bladegriff Prototype Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2020-11-20 and 2024-04-19. Illustrated by Johann Bodin.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 860042015NormalBlackJohann Bodin
22020-11-20Commander LegendsCMR 3002015NormalBlackJohann Bodin
32020-11-20Commander LegendsCMR 6902015NormalBlackJohann Bodin
42024-04-19Outlaws of Thunder Junction CommanderOTC 2532015NormalBlackJohann Bodin

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Bladegriff Prototype has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PennyLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2020-11-10 Even though the player who was dealt damage chooses the target for Bladegriff Prototype's ability, you are the controller of the ability.
2020-11-10 If an opponent dealt damage by Bladegriff Prototype leaves the game before the triggered ability goes on the stack (most likely because that player's life total was reduced to 0 or less in combat), you choose another opponent to choose the target permanent.