Cairn Wanderer MTG Card


Capability to adopt multiple abilities makes Cairn Wanderer a formidable and adaptable presence on the battlefield. Demands strategic deck building to ensure a graveyard furnished with potent abilities to exploit. Can be a linchpin in the correct meta, necessitating opponents to plan for effective graveyard management.
Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Shapeshifter
Abilities Changeling
Power 4
Toughness 4

Text of card

Changeling (This card is every creature type at all times.) As long as a creature card with flying is in a graveyard, Cairn Wanderer has flying. The same is true for fear, first strike, double strike, deathtouch, haste, landwalk, lifelink, protection, reach, trample, shroud, and vigilance.


Cards like Cairn Wanderer

Cairn Wanderer stands out in the landscape of creature cards in Magic: The Gathering, particularly for its unique ability to adopt characteristics from creatures in your graveyard. Cards that share a kinship with Cairn Wanderer can be seen in its fellow shapeshifters like Lazav, Dimir Mastermind, which also takes on the abilities of creatures in graveyards; however, Lazav does so in a slightly different manner by becoming a copy of a single creature card that hits the graveyard.

Mimic Vat is an artifact that can have synergy with Cairn Wanderer by exiling creatures as they die and creating tokens with their abilities, further broadening the array of powers Cairn Wanderer might gain. Nevertheless, Mimic Vat’s reliance on a triggered ability offers a different level of interaction. Mirror Entity also deserves mention as a creature with the capacity to temporarily gain other creature types, but it does so globally and requires a mana investment to change its own and other creatures’ characteristics.

When analyzing the adaptable nature and strategy of incorporating graveyard mechanics into creature abilities, Cairn Wanderer shows a unique place among MTG shapeshifters. The card’s flexible nature allows it to integrate smoothly into decks that are rich with varied abilities, making it a strong component in any strategic build leveraging graveyard synergies.

Lazav, Dimir Mastermind - MTG Card versions
Mimic Vat - MTG Card versions
Mirror Entity - MTG Card versions
Lazav, Dimir Mastermind - MTG Card versions
Mimic Vat - MTG Card versions
Mirror Entity - MTG Card versions

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Skyshroud Vampire - MTG Card versions
Entropic Specter - MTG Card versions
Predatory Nightstalker - MTG Card versions
Fallen Angel - MTG Card versions
Stone Catapult - MTG Card versions
Sengir Vampire - MTG Card versions
Hollow Dogs - MTG Card versions
Grotesque Hybrid - MTG Card versions
Earwig Squad - MTG Card versions
Indulgent Tormentor - MTG Card versions
Sootfeather Flock - MTG Card versions
Zombie Cutthroat - MTG Card versions
Gluttonous Zombie - MTG Card versions
Vermiculos - MTG Card versions
Woebearer - MTG Card versions
Wei Elite Companions - MTG Card versions
Halo Hunter - MTG Card versions
Malakir Bloodwitch - MTG Card versions
Caustic Crawler - MTG Card versions
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Card Pros

Card Advantage: Cairn Wanderer boasts the unique ability to leverage the graveyard, a secondary resource, effectively translating into card advantage. By taking on the abilities of creatures in your graveyard, you transform potential loss into an opportunity, effectively using the graveyard as an extension of your hand.

Resource Acceleration: This shapeshifter doesn’t directly accelerate resources in the traditional sense. However, by inheriting abilities such as “landwalk,” “protection from,” or “trample,” it can potentially bypass obstacles or create favorable combat results without requiring additional card investments, indirectly speeding up your path to victory.

Instant Speed: While Cairn Wanderer itself doesn’t act at instant speed, its inherent flexibility complements instant speed strategies. Abilities copied from other cards in the graveyard can become instantly relevant, unexpected and adaptable during the course of the game, signaling to your opponent that any graveyard changes could immediately alter the state of the board.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One of the challenges with leveraging Cairn Wanderer’s potential is the requirement of having creatures with the desired abilities in the graveyard. This often necessitates a strategy involving discarding or sacrificing creatures, an approach that can be detrimental if not managed carefully and can leave you vulnerable if you’re not able to maintain card advantage.

Specific Mana Cost: Cairn Wanderer demands a very specific mana cost to cast. Its combination of black and generic mana can sometimes be demanding in multicolored decks, potentially causing delays or inconsistencies in gameplay. It’s imperative to have a stable mana base to accommodate the casting costs reliably.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana value of five, the cost to get Cairn Wanderer on the battlefield is relatively steep. While it has the potential to gain numerous abilities, its initial investment requires careful consideration, especially when compared to other creatures that bring immediate value upon entering the battlefield. In the fast-paced modern metagame, this high mana cost can sometimes make Cairn Wanderer a less than optimal choice, depending on the deck and the state of the game.


Reasons to Include Cairn Wanderer in Your Collection

Versatility: Cairn Wanderer is a unique creature card with an ability that allows it to benefit from any keyword abilities that are present in your graveyard. This makes it highly adaptable, as it can become a flying, first strike, vigilance, or lifelink creature, among other possibilities.

Combo Potential: In decks that deliberately put creatures with various abilities into the graveyard, Cairn Wanderer can become an all-in-one threat. It pairs well with self-mill strategies or graveyard manipulation, offering a dynamic synergy with cards that care about the graveyard.

Meta-Relevance: Given the right build, Cairn Wanderer can be a surprising powerhouse in metas that are heavy with creature-based interactions. Its ability to gain various protections or even trample can make it a formidable component in matches, adapting to varied threats and strategies with ease.


How to beat

Cairn Wanderer is a versatile creature in Magic: The Gathering, known for its chameleon-like ability to gain keywords based on the cards in your graveyard. To effectively counter this shapeshifter, timely graveyard management is your best strategy. Utilizing cards with exile effects can strip the graveyard of creatures that empower the Wanderer. Cards like Rest in Peace or Tormod’s Crypt can render Cairn Wanderer’s ability useless by removing the keywords it depends on. Aside from graveyard hate, spells such as Path to Exile or Murderous Rider offer direct solutions to dispatch the Wanderer irrespective of its acquired abilities. Keeping the Wanderer’s strengths in check allows players to maintain control of the battlefield and diminish the potential threats posed by this unique creature.

Control decks often hold the advantage here, as they are equipped with a variety of ways to manipulate both the graveyard and the board state. Thus, incorporating these strategies into your deck design is crucial when preparing for a matchup against a deck featuring Cairn Wanderer. Remember, disrupting the graveyard not only weakens Cairn Wanderer’s effectiveness but it can also hinder your opponent’s overall game plan, leading to a more favorable position for you in the game.


BurnMana Recommendations

Unearth the secrets of MTG with cards like Cairn Wanderer that harness the power of the graveyard. Transformation is the game, and this creature embodies adaptability. Whether it’s building a rock-solid mana base or fine-tuning strategies with graveyard synergies, your deck can become a force to be reckoned with. Dive deep into the nuances of metagame dynamics and harness the full potential of Cairn Wanderer’s versatility. For those seeking to optimize their collection and gameplay, we’re here to guide you through every twist and turn. Discover more strategies and become adept at facing any challenge. Step up your game, and let’s explore the depths of MTG together.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Cairn Wanderer MTG card by a specific set like Lorwyn and Mystery Booster, 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 Cairn Wanderer and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Cairn Wanderer Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2007-10-12 and 2020-04-17. Illustrated by Nils Hamm.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12007-10-12LorwynLRW 1052003NormalBlackNils Hamm
22019-11-07Mystery BoosterMB1 5902003NormalBlackNils Hamm
32020-04-17Commander 2020C20 1302015NormalBlackNils Hamm
42020-09-26The ListPLST LRW-1052003NormalBlackNils Hamm

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Cairn Wanderer has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2007-10-01 Cairn Wanderer’s ability looks at all cards in all graveyards. It gains any landwalk abilities and any protection abilities.
Vigilance card art

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.