Misthollow Griffin MTG Card


Recurring threat potential due to Misthollow Griffin’s unique cast-from-exile ability for sustained board presence. Combines evasion with solid stats, making it a versatile choice in blue-white control or midrange decks. Requires precise mana and setup, possibly limiting its integration into a wide array of deck types.
Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityMythic
TypeCreature — Griffin
Abilities Flying
Power 3
Toughness 3

Text of card

Flying You may cast Misthollow Griffin from exile.

For some creatures, existing is only a whim.


Cards like Misthollow Griffin

Exploring Magic: The Gathering’s sea of unique creatures, Misthollow Griffin stands out with its distinctive ability to be cast from exile. In comparison, Squee, the Immortal shares this unusual capability, permitting players to cast it from exile or from the graveyard. However, Squee differs in its lower mana cost and absence of flying.

Another comparable card, Eternal Scourge, also grants the inherent power to be cast from exile. Though similar to Misthollow Griffin, Eternal Scourge falls short with its lack of flying, leaving it more vulnerable to ground defenses even if it provides a more affordable casting cost.

Torrent Elemental follows suit in this niche category of exile-playable creatures but with a twist. This creature, while not castable, can still affect the battlefield from exile by shuffling it back into your library—demonstrating a divergent take on interacting with the exile zone.

Assessing these parallels, Misthollow Griffin boasts a unique edge within MTG’s aerial creature lineup. Its exclusive exile-casting trait, coupled with the utility of flight, earns it a special spot in strategies that capitalize on exile synergies.

Squee, the Immortal - MTG Card versions
Eternal Scourge - MTG Card versions
Torrent Elemental - MTG Card versions
Squee, the Immortal - MTG Card versions
Eternal Scourge - MTG Card versions
Torrent Elemental - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Misthollow Griffin by color, type and mana cost

Phantasmal Forces - MTG Card versions
Phantom Monster - MTG Card versions
Wall of Vapor - MTG Card versions
Tradewind Rider - MTG Card versions
Archivist - MTG Card versions
Thieving Magpie - MTG Card versions
Inga Rune-Eyes - MTG Card versions
Sakashima of a Thousand Faces - MTG Card versions
Laboratory Drudge - MTG Card versions
Johnny, Combo Player - MTG Card versions
Dream Prowler - MTG Card versions
Clone - MTG Card versions
Cytoplast Manipulator - MTG Card versions
Crookclaw Transmuter - MTG Card versions
Dreamborn Muse - MTG Card versions
Turtleshell Changeling - MTG Card versions
Glen Elendra Archmage - MTG Card versions
Fatestitcher - MTG Card versions
Argent Sphinx - MTG Card versions
Lumengrid Drake - MTG Card versions
Phantasmal Forces - MTG Card versions
Phantom Monster - MTG Card versions
Wall of Vapor - MTG Card versions
Tradewind Rider - MTG Card versions
Archivist - MTG Card versions
Thieving Magpie - MTG Card versions
Inga Rune-Eyes - MTG Card versions
Sakashima of a Thousand Faces - MTG Card versions
Laboratory Drudge - MTG Card versions
Johnny, Combo Player - MTG Card versions
Dream Prowler - MTG Card versions
Clone - MTG Card versions
Cytoplast Manipulator - MTG Card versions
Crookclaw Transmuter - MTG Card versions
Dreamborn Muse - MTG Card versions
Turtleshell Changeling - MTG Card versions
Glen Elendra Archmage - MTG Card versions
Fatestitcher - MTG Card versions
Argent Sphinx - MTG Card versions
Lumengrid Drake - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Misthollow Griffin. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Sultai Food ChainSultai Food Chain LegacyFood ChainLegacy League 2024-05-09
Food ChainFood Chain LegacyFood ChainEternal Weekend Europe 2023 Legacy Mainevent
Rogue DecklistsRogue Decklists LegacyFood ChainBLACK - SAT - 11AM - Legacy for Original Magic Artwork
FoodchainFoodchain LegacyFood ChainLisbon Legacy League 2024 // 3rd Qualifier
Bant InfectBant Infect LegacyBeanstalk Control2023 Asia Legacy Championship

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Misthollow Griffin provides a unique form of card advantage through its ability to be cast from exile. This means that once the card reaches exile, either through gameplay or its own ability, it becomes a persistent threat that your opponent must answer every time it returns.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly providing resource acceleration, Misthollow Griffin does allow for strategic use of resources. It can be cast with mana that might otherwise go unused, especially in blue-based control decks that operate on maintaining open mana for counters and instant-speed interaction.

Instant Speed: Although the Griffin itself is not an instant, its ability to be cast from exile can be exploited at instant speed if exiled with cards like Flickerwisp or activated abilities during an opponent’s turn. This provides a flexible and unexpected angle of attack, putting opponents on their heels as they must now consider an aerial threat at virtually any time.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Misthollow Griffin doesn’t directly command discarding cards, playing it from exile suggests a setup that often involves discarding or other ways to utilize the exile zone, potentially straining your hand resources.

Specific Mana Cost: Misthollow Griffin requires both blue and white mana for casting. This necessity can restrict the card’s inclusion to decks that can reliably produce both types of mana, potentially excluding it from a variety of mono-colored or other decks not aligned with its color identity.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of four mana, two of which are color-specific, Misthollow Griffin’s impact on the game may not measure up to other creatures at a similar cost. Considering the mana investment, players often expect immediate or more influential board presence than what Misthollow Griffin may offer on its own.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Misthollow Griffin offers unique utility as it can be played from exile, making it resilient to common forms of removal. Its evasion and decent stats enable it to fit within various blue-based control or midrange strategies.

Combo Potential: This card shines in combinations with cards that exile cards as a cost or for an effect, such as with Food Chain, allowing for potentially infinite mana generation to power out game-winning plays.

Meta-Relevance: In metas where graveyard and exile interactions are prominent, Misthollow Griffin holds relevance. Its ability to return to the battlefield circumvents conventional graveyard hate, providing a persistent threat that opponents must always consider.


How to beat Misthollow Griffin

Misthollow Griffin stands out in Magic: The Gathering as a unique creature card with its ability to be cast from exile. This elusive bird poses a challenge to players who rely on traditional removal spells. To counter this, shifting one’s strategy to use cards that force a player to sacrifice creatures can neutralize the advantage that Misthollow Griffin provides. Cards like Diabolic Edict or Liliana of the Veil’s sacrifice effect are effective solutions.

Additionally, employing graveyard control cards like Rest in Peace or Tormod’s Crypt ensure that once Misthollow Griffin is in the graveyard, it stays there and does not get the chance to return to the battlefield. Alternatively, a player can utilize pithing needle or similar effects to shut down activated abilities, preventing the Griffin from being cast from exile. These tactics require careful foresight and timing, helping players to cleverly navigate around Misthollow Griffin’s resilience.

In essence, overcoming Misthollow Griffin in the game demands a blend of sacrifice effects, graveyard control, and abilities disruption. Through these adaptations in their deck-building and play strategies, players can successfully mitigate the distinctiveness of Misthollow Griffin and maintain the upper hand.


BurnMana Recommendations

Diving into the intricacies of Misthollow Griffin reveals its advantage as a consistent aerial threat and combo enabler. Whether you’re looking to harness its synergy with exile mechanics or seeking a resilient creature to bolster your blue-based decks, this card offers intriguing strategic depth. But every card has its counterplay, and understanding the right mix of sacrifice, graveyard control, and ability disruption will arm you in the face-off against this unique flyer. For those eager to explore all angles of gameplay and fortify their collection with versatile, meta-relevant cards, Misthollow Griffin is a worthy addition. Level up your MTG tactics by integrating this card’s unique dynamics into your arsenal.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Misthollow Griffin MTG card by a specific set like Avacyn Restored and Mystery Booster Retail Edition Foils, 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 Misthollow Griffin and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Misthollow Griffin Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2012-05-04 and 2020-03-08. Illustrated by Jaime Jones.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12012-05-04Avacyn RestoredAVR 682003NormalBlackJaime Jones
22020-03-08Mystery Booster Retail Edition FoilsFMB1 262003NormalBlackJaime Jones
32020-09-26The ListPLST AVR-682003NormalBlackJaime Jones

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Misthollow Griffin has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2012-05-01 Misthollow Griffin can also be cast from a player’s hand.
2012-05-01 Misthollow Griffin doesn’t have an ability that exiles itself. Some other effect will be needed to get the card into exile.
2012-05-01 Misthollow Griffin’s ability doesn’t change when you can cast creature spells: when you have priority during your main phase when the stack is empty.
2012-05-01 You must still pay Misthollow Griffin’s mana cost when you cast it from exile.