Spire Monitor MTG Card


Instant Speed: Spire Monitor’s flash ability adds unexpected blocking and attacking options during the match. Versatile Mana Use: Playing Spire Monitor on an opponent’s turn aids in efficient mana allocation and strategy. Board Impact: Its flying trait ensures Spire Monitor can serve as both an offensive and defensive piece.
Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Phyrexian Drake
Abilities Flying, Flash
Power 3
Toughness 3

Text of card

Flash (You may cast this spell any time you could cast an instant.) Flying

Each monitor is given an eye for each spire it is to guard.


Understanding Spire Monitor

Spire Monitor enters the ever-expansive family of flying creatures in Magic: The Gathering, offering a strategic advantage in evasive play. When reflecting on its role and cost, it’s worth comparing to other cards that share similar traits and costs. This four-mana cost creature bears a resemblance to the likes of Phantom Monster, for example, which also offers a 3/3 flying presence on the battlefield without the flash ability that Spire Monitor provides.

Cards like Spire Monitor

Delving into the realm of nocturnal surveillance, Spire Monitor serves as a vigilant defender in blue decks, notable for its flash attribute. It’s akin to creatures such as Nephalia Seakite, which also stays vigilant with flash and a lower power-to-cost ratio. Spire Monitor, however, brings a slightly higher power stat to the skies, which in many situations can prove to be the tipping point during combat.

Comparing Spire Monitor to Winged Words shows another dimension of blue’s flying affinity, where the latter forgos the creature body but excels in drawing cards with a reduced cost if you control a flyer. The versatility of choosing between a flying creature ready to block at a moment’s notice or a spell that fuels hand advantage illustrates the adaptive strategies within the blue archetypes of Magic: The Gathering.

The subtle differences in mana costs, abilities, and additional benefits among these cards underscore the importance of strategic deck building and timing. With Spire Monitor in your repertoire, surprise and agility are the keys to your aerial defense.

Phantom Monster - MTG Card versions
Nephalia Seakite - MTG Card versions
Winged Words - MTG Card versions
Phantom Monster - MTG Card versions
Nephalia Seakite - MTG Card versions
Winged Words - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Spire Monitor by color, type and mana cost

Vesuvan Doppelganger - MTG Card versions
Water Elemental - MTG Card versions
Air Elemental - MTG Card versions
Pirate Ship - MTG Card versions
Sandbar Crocodile - MTG Card versions
Segovian Leviathan - MTG Card versions
Taniwha - MTG Card versions
Sun Ce, Young Conquerer - MTG Card versions
Wu Admiral - MTG Card versions
Mawcor - MTG Card versions
Timin, Youthful Geist - MTG Card versions
Geology Enthusiast - MTG Card versions
Dreamtail Heron - MTG Card versions
Coastal Hornclaw - MTG Card versions
Meloku the Clouded Mirror - MTG Card versions
Azami, Lady of Scrolls - MTG Card versions
Richard Garfield, Ph.D. - MTG Card versions
Cloudhoof Kirin - MTG Card versions
Drelnoch - MTG Card versions
Adarkar Windform - MTG Card versions
Vesuvan Doppelganger - MTG Card versions
Water Elemental - MTG Card versions
Air Elemental - MTG Card versions
Pirate Ship - MTG Card versions
Sandbar Crocodile - MTG Card versions
Segovian Leviathan - MTG Card versions
Taniwha - MTG Card versions
Sun Ce, Young Conquerer - MTG Card versions
Wu Admiral - MTG Card versions
Mawcor - MTG Card versions
Timin, Youthful Geist - MTG Card versions
Geology Enthusiast - MTG Card versions
Dreamtail Heron - MTG Card versions
Coastal Hornclaw - MTG Card versions
Meloku the Clouded Mirror - MTG Card versions
Azami, Lady of Scrolls - MTG Card versions
Richard Garfield, Ph.D. - MTG Card versions
Cloudhoof Kirin - MTG Card versions
Drelnoch - MTG Card versions
Adarkar Windform - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Spire Monitor may not directly impact your hand size, but its flash ability ensures that it can be played during an opponent’s turn, keeping your card options open and your strategy flexible. Moreover, its flying capability can often turn it into an evasive threat that draws out your opponent’s removal spells, potentially freeing up the board for your other creatures.

Resource Acceleration: While Spire Monitor doesn’t directly accelerate your resources, it offers strategic depth to your mana use. By allowing you to play on the opponent’s turn, you can better manage your resources, allocating mana as needed rather than committing during your own turn. This can lead to more efficient plays and better overall resource management throughout the match.

Instant Speed: The real advantage Spire Monitor offers is its instant speed nature combined with the flash mechanic. This allows you to strategically time its deployment, whether as a surprise blocker or an end-of-turn threat. The flexibility of instant speed plays can keep your opponents guessing and provide you with a significant positional advantage during the heat of battle.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Spire Monitor may fit seamlessly into blue-focused strategies, but players should be aware that it doesn’t offer additional value without the setup. Unlike other creatures with cycling or discard-related benefits, Spire Monitor merely enters the battlefield without leveraging the discard action, potentially leading to hand depletion.

Specific Mana Cost: The casting cost for Spire Monitor requires both generic and blue mana, making it somewhat restrictive. For decks that are not heavily blue or lack the proper mana-fixing, it could pose a consistency problem, leaving it stranded in hand until the right mana is drawn.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost of five, including two blue, Spire Monitor’s statline and ability to flash may not align with the competitive cost-efficiency ratios seen in other cards at this mana tier. While its ability to surprise opponents can be advantageous, the mana investment calls for consideration when deck building, as there are numerous alternatives that could provide a more flexible or impactful board presence for the same or less investment.


Reasons to Include Spire Monitor in Your Collection

Versatility: Spire Monitor can be a flexible addition to any collection. Its ability to flash in provides both a surprise blocker and an evasive threat. This adaptability makes it valuable in decks that aim to keep mana open for instant responses.

Combo Potential: With its flash ability, Spire Monitor pairs well with cards that capitalize on creatures entering the battlefield at unexpected times or those that benefit from flying. It can help orchestrate favorable combat scenarios or enable synergies with untap mechanics.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta that favors aggressive starts, Spire Monitor’s flash attribute allows it to be played at the end of your opponent’s turn, keeping your defenses up while you prepare for your next move. Additionally, in environments where flying creatures are paramount for victory, this card can serve as both an offensive and defensive asset.


How to beat

Spire Monitor, a creature card in Magic the Gathering, poses a strategic challenge with its flash ability, allowing it to be played at virtually any time. This card exemplifies the versatility of blue’s control playstyle, often disrupting opponents by appearing unexpectedly during their turn. Overcoming Spire Monitor requires a thoughtful approach, focusing on preventative measures rather than reactionary ones. Timing is key; for instance, casting removal spells during your turn to bypass the surprise element that flash affords, thus neutralizing the card’s advantage.

Additionally, employing cards that restrict casting times or abilities can be highly effective. Techniques such as using instant speed removal when the opponent’s mana is tapped out, denying them the opportunity to flash in the Spire Monitor, are pivotal. Moreover, incorporating cards that can exile or pacify creature cards pre-emptively helps maintain control of the board, minimizing the impact of surprise creatures. Spire Monitor’s strength lies in its summoning flexibility, but with a strategic plan and proper timing, its potential threat can be mitigated effectively in your Magic the Gathering matches.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Spire Monitor MTG card by a specific set like New Phyrexia and Modern Masters 2017, 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 Spire Monitor and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Spire Monitor Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2011-05-13 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by Daniel Ljunggren.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12011-05-13New PhyrexiaNPH 462003NormalBlackDaniel Ljunggren
22017-03-17Modern Masters 2017MM3 522015NormalBlackDaniel Ljunggren
32019-11-07Mystery BoosterMB1 5032015NormalBlackDaniel Ljunggren
42020-09-26The ListPLST MM3-522015NormalBlackDaniel Ljunggren

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Spire Monitor has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal
Flash card art

Guide to Flash card ability

Explore the dynamic Flash ability in Magic: The Gathering (MTG), a feature that allows you to cast spells at lightning speed, often leaving your opponents reeling and your strategy several steps ahead. This versatile ability can turn the tide of a game, providing the element of surprise and tactical advantage. It places a premium on timing and foresight, transforming an ordinary deck into a formidable arsenal of instant threats and responses.