Isperia's Skywatch MTG Card


Detain mechanic allows Isperia’s Skywatch to hinder opponents and control the pace of the game. Azorius mana requirement limits deck types but excels in focused strategies. Its versatility and combo potential make it a compelling choice for MTG collections.
Isperia's Skywatch - Return to Ravnica
Mana cost
Converted mana cost6
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Vedalken Knight
Abilities Detain,Flying
Released2012-10-05
Set symbol
Set nameReturn to Ravnica
Set codeRTR
Power 3
Toughness 3
Number43
Frame2003
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byChris Rahn

Text of card

Flying When Isperia's Skywatch enters the battlefield, detain target creature an opponent controls. (Until your next turn, that creature can't attack or block and its activated abilities can't be activated.)


Cards like Isperia's Skywatch

Isperia’s Skywatch has carved out its niche in the vast sky of creature cards within the MTG realm. It shares the skies with other avian creatures such as Senate Griffin. Both offer the flying ability, essential for controlling the aerial battlefield. However, Isperia’s Skywatch distinguishes itself with its detain mechanic, which can often swing the tempo by neutralizing an opponent’s threatening creature or permanent upon entry.

When analyzing similar roles, we can also point to Azorius Justiciar, which also holds the power to detain. It may not soar as a flying creature, but it detains up to two target creatures, tipping the scales in board control. Conversely, Isperia’s Skywatch’s detain ability is restricted to a single target upon its arrival to the battlefield. We must also consider the Wind Drake, a simpler option, offering a steadfast flying creature without additional effects yet at a lower mana cost, making it a strategic early-game contender.

In gauging these cards against each other, Isperia’s Skywatch’s unique combination of flying and detain capabilities positions it as a strategic choice for players seeking to assert aerial dominance while disrupting opponents’ board presence in MTG matches.

Senate Griffin - MTG Card versions
Azorius Justiciar - MTG Card versions
Wind Drake - MTG Card versions
Senate Griffin - MTG Card versions
Azorius Justiciar - MTG Card versions
Wind Drake - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Isperia's Skywatch by color, type and mana cost

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Havengul Skaab - MTG Card versions
Sea Serpent - MTG Card versions
Sibilant Spirit - MTG Card versions
Drifting Djinn - MTG Card versions
King Crab - MTG Card versions
Sea Monster - MTG Card versions
Sun Quan, Lord of Wu - MTG Card versions
Sliptide Serpent - MTG Card versions
Mahamoti Djinn - MTG Card versions
Deepfathom Skulker - MTG Card versions
Sakashima's Protege - MTG Card versions
Shoreline Ranger - MTG Card versions
Vedalken Dismisser - MTG Card versions
Novijen Sages - MTG Card versions
Storm Elemental - MTG Card versions
Draining Whelk - MTG Card versions
Arcanis the Omnipotent - MTG Card versions
Quicksilver Dragon - MTG Card versions
Frost Titan - MTG Card versions
Deadeye Navigator - MTG Card versions
Havengul Skaab - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Isperia’s Skywatch can significantly impact the battlefield with its detain ability, which effectively removes an opposing creature from combat and its activated abilities. This offers a tactical advantage, preventing your opponent from gaining momentum and ensuring you maintain control of the game tempo.

Resource Acceleration: While Isperia’s Skywatch does not directly provide resource acceleration, its ability to hold back opponent’s threats can indirectly lead to a stronger board presence and resource management. This ensures you use your mana efficiently by neutralizing potential threats without investing in multiple spells or creatures.

Instant Speed: Although this spell operates at sorcery speed, its impact on the turn it’s played can be comparable to that of an instant speed intervention. Isperia’s Skywatch enables you to develop your board while setting back your opponent, a dual utility that can be pivotal in the later stages of the game where each turn counts.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Isperia’s Skywatch doesn’t have a discard requirement, keep in mind when evaluating cards that such a requirement can be problematic when your hand is nearly empty. This limitation affects the strategic timing of playing the card, potentially making it a dead draw under certain circumstances.

Specific Mana Cost: Isperia’s Skywatch requires both blue and white mana for casting. This specific color combination necessitates a deck built around Azorius guild synergies, possibly restricting its inclusion only to certain two-color or multicolor decks, and reducing its versatility across different deck types.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of six mana (four generic, one blue, one white), Isperia’s Skywatch sits at a higher end of the mana curve. For this investment, players might expect an impactful game presence; however, there are other creatures or spells at a similar or lower cost that could provide more immediate or substantial board impact.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Isperia’s Skywatch offers a unique edge in decks that capitalize on flying creatures. Its ability to detain target creatures upon entering the battlefield means it can serve multiple roles, controlling the board while simultaneously pressuring your opponent in the air.

Combo Potential: This card’s detain mechanic shines in strategies that emphasize tapping and untapping creatures. It can be paired with various cards to exploit this ability every turn, disrupting your opponent’s plans while you build towards victory.

Meta-Relevance: Given its ability to control key enemy creatures, Isperia’s Skywatch can be particularly effective when creature-based decks are prominent in the meta. The flying ability also ensures it remains a threat to opponents, making it a strong consideration in current deck builds.


How to beat

Isperia’s Skywatch presents a distinctive challenge for any MTG player due to its flying ability and detain mechanic which can interfere with your game plan by temporarily neutralizing your key creature or artifact. Overcoming this blue card deploys a mix of strategic defenses and timely removals. As a larger creature with a mana cost that reflects its utility, Isperia’s Skywatch often enters the battlefield in the later stages of a game, providing a window of opportunity to establish board control early on.

To effectively counter Isperia’s Skywatch, consider incorporating ample removal spells in your deck. Options like Fatal Push or Path to Exile can dispatch the creature before its detain ability affects the tempo of your play. Having cheaper creatures with reach or those that can also block flying creatures will also help mitigate the aerial threat posed by Isperia’s Skywatch. Additionally, countering it upon casting with spells such as Negate ensures that it never gets a chance to impact the board. Successful navigation around this card hinges on preparedness and maintaining the ability to respond to threats as they develop on the skyways.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Isperia's Skywatch MTG card by a specific set like Return to Ravnica, 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 Isperia's Skywatch and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Isperia's Skywatch has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2013-04-15 Activated abilities include a colon and are written in the form “
-ost:
-ffect].” No one can activate any activated abilities, including mana abilities, of a detained permanent.
2013-04-15 If a creature is already attacking or blocking when it’s detained, it won’t be removed from combat. It will continue to attack or block.
2013-04-15 If a noncreature permanent is detained and later turns into a creature, it won’t be able to attack or block.
2013-04-15 If a permanent’s activated ability is on the stack when that permanent is detained, the ability will be unaffected.
2013-04-15 The static abilities of a detained permanent still apply. The triggered abilities of a detained permanent can still trigger.
2013-04-15 When a player leaves a multiplayer game, any continuous effects with durations that last until that player’s next turn or until a specific point in that turn will last until that turn would have begun. They neither expire immediately nor last indefinitely.