Updraft MTG Card


Updraft provides strategic advantage through instant speed flying, offering tactical plays and board control. Flexible yet demanding, Updraft’s mana cost and discard requirement can shape deck construction and usage. Its utility in aerial combat and deck synergy makes Updraft a worthy addition to specific blue-focused decks.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityUncommon
TypeInstant

Text of card

Target creature gains flying until end of turn. Draw a card at the beginning of the next turn's upkeep.

"The power of flight has but one equal in battle: surprise. Understanding how to use both is the key to victory." —Arnjlot Olasson, Sky Mage


Cards like Updraft

Updraft is an intriguing entry in Magic: The Gathering’s wide assortment of flying enablers. Its unique niche lies in giving creatures flying until the end of turn, a twofold benefit that’s both defensive and offensive. When you compare Updraft to Launch, the immediate difference is the permanence; Launch grants flying permanently but at the cost of card advantage, requiring you to enchant a creature. Updraft’s temporary boost, however, can be repeated and strategized with each turn.

Levitation provides a more stable effect, granting all your creatures flying for as long as it’s on the field. While it costs more mana up front, it eliminates the need for turn-by-turn investments and can be game-changing in a stalemate. Conversely, Jump is simpler, offering a single-target, one-time flying ability—more restrictive in scope compared to Updraft’s broader utility.

In evaluating these options, Updraft stands out for its tactical flexibility in Magic: The Gathering. It enables surprise blocks or unforeseen attacks, often turning the tides of a match by temporarily elevating creatures into airborne threats or defenders—a solid consideration for decks capitalizing on tactical versatility and timing.

Launch - MTG Card versions
Levitation - MTG Card versions
Jump - MTG Card versions
Launch - MTG Card versions
Levitation - MTG Card versions
Jump - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Updraft by color, type and mana cost

Counterspell - MTG Card versions
Hurkyl's Recall - MTG Card versions
Hypnotic Sprite // Mesmeric Glare - MTG Card versions
Lat-Nam's Legacy - MTG Card versions
Flash - MTG Card versions
Boomerang - MTG Card versions
Rebound - MTG Card versions
Memory Lapse - MTG Card versions
Hoodwink - MTG Card versions
Tidal Bore - MTG Card versions
Accumulated Knowledge - MTG Card versions
Teferi's Response - MTG Card versions
Aether Burst - MTG Card versions
Impulse - MTG Card versions
Cyclonic Rift - MTG Card versions
Thassa's Intervention - MTG Card versions
Metamorphose - MTG Card versions
Flash Counter - MTG Card versions
Echoing Truth - MTG Card versions
Early Frost - MTG Card versions
Counterspell - MTG Card versions
Hurkyl's Recall - MTG Card versions
Hypnotic Sprite // Mesmeric Glare - MTG Card versions
Lat-Nam's Legacy - MTG Card versions
Flash - MTG Card versions
Boomerang - MTG Card versions
Rebound - MTG Card versions
Memory Lapse - MTG Card versions
Hoodwink - MTG Card versions
Tidal Bore - MTG Card versions
Accumulated Knowledge - MTG Card versions
Teferi's Response - MTG Card versions
Aether Burst - MTG Card versions
Impulse - MTG Card versions
Cyclonic Rift - MTG Card versions
Thassa's Intervention - MTG Card versions
Metamorphose - MTG Card versions
Flash Counter - MTG Card versions
Echoing Truth - MTG Card versions
Early Frost - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Updraft can serve as a pivotal tool in gaining card advantage, cycling through your deck to access key components sooner. In a match where every card counts, this advantage can be the difference between victory and defeat.

Resource Acceleration: Updraft is moderately costed and can help you move more swiftly through your mana curve. When used effectively, it accelerates your resource development, allowing you to deploy threats or answers ahead of schedule.

Instant Speed: The instant speed of Updraft cannot be overstated; it allows for flexible responses to an opponent’s actions. Reacting to board changes on the fly maximizes your tactical options, offering the chance to outmaneuver your rival.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Updraft card obliges players to discard a card, a trade-off that can be particularly taxing when hand size is already compromised.

Specific Mana Cost: Updraft’s casting cost mandates blue mana, potentially restricting its integration across a variety of deck archetypes that don’t heavily feature islands.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Commanding two blue mana and two of any type makes Updraft’s acceleration demands higher than some alternative cards, potentially slowing down the player’s overall tempo.


Reasons to Include Updraft in Your Collection

Versatility: Updraft’s ability to grant flying not only serves as a powerful evasion mechanism but can also turn even the smallest ground unit into an unexpected aerial threat.

Combo Potential: This card excels in decks that capitalize on creatures entering or leaving the battlefield, as granting flying can be part of a strategy to synergize with abilities that trigger from those actions.

Meta-Relevance: In a game where board control is paramount, Updraft’s utility in bypassing ground-based defenses and enhancing creature flexibility can be critical against decks that lack sufficient flying or reach creatures.


How to beat

Updraft is a card that offers flying utility and evasion in the realm of Magic: The Gathering. Its primary function is twofold – it can give creatures flying until the end of the turn, and it can be cycled away for another card when it’s not needed. To counter Updraft effectively, consider utilizing removal spells that can target creatures regardless of their flight status. Cards like Doom Blade or Murder can bypass the temporary flying ability and remove the threat directly. Additionally, keep counterspells in hand for when Updraft could turn the tide in your opponent’s favor. Lastly, prioritize creatures with reach or cards that can negate activated abilities to limit Updraft’s impact during gameplay, solidifying your defense against this aerial tactic. By preparing for and adapting to the vertical dimension Updraft brings to the battlefield, you can mitigate its advantages and maintain control in your matches.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Updraft MTG card by a specific set like Ice Age and Fifth Edition, 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 Updraft and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Updraft Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1995-06-03 and 1997-03-24. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11995-06-03Ice AgeICE 1051993NormalBlackAllen Williams
21997-03-24Fifth Edition5ED 1331997NormalWhiteJohn Matson

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Updraft has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal