Winged Shepherd MTG Card


Winged Shepherd’s cycling grants flexibility in card draw, potentially giving you a card advantage. Vigilance enables attacking without sacrificing defense, indirectly accelerating your resources. Instant-speed cycling of Winged Shepherd offers versatile responses to opponents’ actions.
Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost6
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Angel
Abilities Cycling,Flying, Vigilance
Power 3
Toughness 3

Text of card

Flying, vigilance Cycling (, Discard this card: Draw a card.)

"When the Hour of Promise arrives, the God-Pharaoh will tear down the Hekma, for its protection will be needed no longer." —*The Accounting of Hours*


Cards like Winged Shepherd

Winged Shepherd is a unique creature card that serves dual purposes in the strategic environment of Magic: The Gathering. It shares similarities with cards like Abbey Griffin, which also provides a combination of flying and vigilance. However, Abbey Griffin does not offer the cycling ability that makes Winged Shepherd a versatile option in the late game, where its cycling can be used to draw into more relevant cards.

Looking at other comparisons, Aven Squire brings to the table the additional exalted mechanic, offering an attacking creature a boost. While it lacks the sheer size and versatility of Winged Shepherd, the exalted mechanic can be a game-changer in decks aiming for strong single attacking strategies. Conversely, Winged Shepherd’s higher power and toughness provide a more robust presence on the battlefield when played.

Ultimately, the value of Winged Shepherd in Magic: The Gathering resides in its adaptability. The ability to cycle allows players greater control over their hand, offering opportunities to respond to the evolving game, whereas other comparable cards may offer more situational benefits. This adaptability is a hallmark of the Winged Shepherd card’s strategic utility on the MTG battlefield.

Abbey Griffin - MTG Card versions
Aven Squire - MTG Card versions
Abbey Griffin - MTG Card versions
Aven Squire - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Winged Shepherd by color, type and mana cost

Personal Incarnation - MTG Card versions
Pearl Dragon - MTG Card versions
Alabaster Dragon - MTG Card versions
Cho-Arrim Bruiser - MTG Card versions
Radiant Solar - MTG Card versions
Guardian Archon - MTG Card versions
Archon of Coronation - MTG Card versions
Shieldmage Elder - MTG Card versions
Gempalm Avenger - MTG Card versions
Noble Templar - MTG Card versions
Silverstorm Samurai - MTG Card versions
Oathsworn Giant - MTG Card versions
Kjeldoran Gargoyle - MTG Card versions
Duskrider Peregrine - MTG Card versions
Crovax, Ascendant Hero - MTG Card versions
Lairwatch Giant - MTG Card versions
Spirit of the Hearth - MTG Card versions
Sun Titan - MTG Card versions
Auriok Survivors - MTG Card versions
Aegis Angel - MTG Card versions
Personal Incarnation - MTG Card versions
Pearl Dragon - MTG Card versions
Alabaster Dragon - MTG Card versions
Cho-Arrim Bruiser - MTG Card versions
Radiant Solar - MTG Card versions
Guardian Archon - MTG Card versions
Archon of Coronation - MTG Card versions
Shieldmage Elder - MTG Card versions
Gempalm Avenger - MTG Card versions
Noble Templar - MTG Card versions
Silverstorm Samurai - MTG Card versions
Oathsworn Giant - MTG Card versions
Kjeldoran Gargoyle - MTG Card versions
Duskrider Peregrine - MTG Card versions
Crovax, Ascendant Hero - MTG Card versions
Lairwatch Giant - MTG Card versions
Spirit of the Hearth - MTG Card versions
Sun Titan - MTG Card versions
Auriok Survivors - MTG Card versions
Aegis Angel - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

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

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
DecklistDecklist Free form79#CS

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Winged Shepherd ensures you’re not falling behind in the card race. Its cycling ability gives you the flexibility to trade it off for a new card in your deck, keeping your hand fresh with options and potentially leading to much-needed card advantage.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly influencing mana, the vigilance attribute allows you to maintain offensive presence without leaving your defense open. This indirect resource acceleration can be critical in enabling a strategy without overextending resources.

Instant Speed: The cycling ability of Winged Shepherd is usable at instant speed, offering discrete versatility. You have the option to cycle at the end of your opponent’s turn if a better play hasn’t presented itself, or in response to an opponent’s actions, possibly drawing into a more immediate answer.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Winged Shepherd’s ability to cycle at the expense of discarding a card might not always align with your strategy, especially if maintaining card advantage is crucial in the game.

Specific Mana Cost: This card requires white mana, making it less flexible for multicolored decks that might struggle to generate the necessary mana at the right time.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana value of six, the investment to get Winged Shepherd on the battlefield is significant, and for decks focusing on efficiency, there might be alternative creatures or spells that offer more impact for less mana.


Reasons to Include Winged Shepherd in Your Collection

Versatility: Winged Shepherd is a flexible addition to MTG decks, offering both an aerial threat and cycling ability, which makes it a useful card in both aggro and control strategies.

Combo Potential: Its ability to cycle adds fuel to graveyard-based strategies or decks that benefit from card cycling synergies, granting potential for creative combo plays.

Meta-Relevance: With flying creatures often proving crucial in the current MTG scene, Winged Shepherd can serve as a key player, handling both offensive and defensive roles adeptly.


How to beat

Facing off against Winged Shepherd can be a strategic moment in a Magic: The Gathering match. This aerial adversary flaunts Vigilance and the cycle ability, which shouldn’t be underestimated. To effectively counter this card, consider utilizing removal spells targeting creatures with flying. Ground-based defenses won’t cut it against this skyborne threat, so be prepared with instant-speed interaction like Silkscreen, which specifically targets creatures with flying.

In addition, playing around the cycle mechanism is crucial. Anticipate the potential for a surprise whenever your opponent has an untapped land and a single mana available. Watch out for the card advantage they may gain from cycling and be sure to have a solid game plan against what they might draw into. Lastly, maintain board control so when Winged Shepherd hits the field, it’s more of a nuisance than a game-ending threat. With a combination of skyward defenses and strategic foresight, overcoming a Winged Shepherd becomes a manageable task in your path to victory.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Winged Shepherd MTG card by a specific set like Amonkhet 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 Winged Shepherd and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Winged Shepherd Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2017-04-28 and 2021-08-26. Illustrated by Chris Rahn.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12017-04-28AmonkhetAKH 392015NormalBlackChris Rahn
22019-11-07Mystery BoosterMB1 2772015NormalBlackChris Rahn
32020-09-26The ListPLST AKH-392015NormalBlackChris Rahn
42021-08-26Jumpstart: Historic HorizonsJ21 1582015NormalBlackChris Rahn

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Winged Shepherd has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal
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.