Adarkar WindformHow it works & interactions with other cards

What It Does

Adarkar Windform is a 3/3 creature with Flying, making it an effective attacker and blocker. Its activated ability allows you to pay one generic mana and one snow mana to remove flying from any target creature until the end of the turn. This ability can be used multiple times in a single turn, provided you have the mana to pay for it.

How It Resolves

When you activate the ability, you must target a creature. Once the ability resolves, that creature loses the flying keyword until the turn ends. If the creature gained flying from multiple sources, this ability removes all instances of it. If the target creature gains flying again after this ability has resolved, it will have flying once more, as the effect only applies to the status of the creature at the time of resolution.

Common Mistakes

A frequent error is forgetting that the {S} symbol represents mana generated specifically by a snow source, such as a Snow-Covered Island. You cannot use regular basic lands to pay this cost. Additionally, remember that Adarkar Windform can target itself, though this is rarely beneficial unless you need to avoid specific 'destroy creature with flying' spells.

When to Play It

This card is most effective in a dedicated snow deck where you have reliable access to snow mana. It shines in defensive scenarios where you need to prevent an opponent's large flier from dealing combat damage to you, or offensively to remove a blocker so your other creatures can get through.

Interaction examples

Grounding a Golem

Solemn Simulacrum

Suppose your opponent has a way to give Solemn Simulacrum flying. You can activate Adarkar Windform's ability by paying {1} and {S}. Upon resolution, the Solemn Simulacrum loses flying, allowing your other ground creatures to block it or preventing it from soaring over your defenses.

Doubling Up with Roaming Throne

Roaming Throne

If you have Roaming Throne on the battlefield and chose 'Illusion' as its type, it is important to note that Adarkar Windform's ability is an activated ability, not a triggered ability. Therefore, Roaming Throne's effect will not cause the grounding ability to happen twice. You must still pay the activation cost for each time you wish to remove flying from a target.

Solo Flight Control

During your opponent's combat phase, they declare a 4/4 Angel with flying as an attacker. Before blockers are declared, you tap two lands (one being a Snow-Covered Island) to activate Adarkar Windform. The Angel loses flying, becomes a ground creature, and you can now block it with your 3/3 Adarkar Windform or another non-flying creature you control.