Astral Wingspan is one of those cards players keep asking about. Here is, in plain words, what its official text says, the rulings published by Wizards of the Coast, and the combos players actually run.
Official card text
Convoke (Your creatures can help cast this spell. Each creature you tap while casting this spell pays foror one mana of that creature's color.) Enchant creature When this Aura enters, draw a card. Enchanted creature gets +2/+2 and has flying.
Complete guide
Astral Wingspan is a versatile Aura that provides both card advantage and a significant aerial threat. By utilizing the convoke mechanic, you can deploy this enchantment earlier than expected by enlisting the help of your creatures on the battlefield.
Taking Flight with Convoke
The defining feature of Astral Wingspan is convoke. While casting the spell, you can tap untapped creatures you control to pay for its mana cost. Each creature tapped pays for {1} or one mana of that creature's color. This allows you to cast a five-mana enchantment while keeping your lands untapped for reactive spells or to accelerate your game plan. Notably, you can tap creatures even if they have 'summoning sickness,' as convoke does not use the tap symbol in a creature's ability.
Step-by-Step Resolution
First, you announce the spell and choose a target creature. During the payment step, you determine the total cost and tap any number of creatures to reduce the amount of mana required. Once the spell resolves and enters the battlefield, its triggered ability goes on the stack. You draw a card regardless of the creature's status at that moment. The enchanted creature then immediately gains +2/+2 and the flying keyword.
Common Missteps
A common mistake involves creatures with mana abilities. If you tap a creature for mana (like a mana elf), it is already tapped and cannot be used for convoke. Additionally, tapping a creature for convoke does not trigger abilities that specifically trigger when a creature 'attacks.' Finally, remember that if the target creature leaves the battlefield in response to you casting Astral Wingspan, the Aura will be put into your graveyard and you will not draw a card.
Strategic Timing
Astral Wingspan is best played when you need to push damage through a stalled board or replenish your hand. Since it provides both a stat boost and flying, it can turn a small utility creature into a legitimate clock. It is particularly effective in decks that go wide with many small creatures, ensuring you can cast it for a very low mana investment.
Interaction examples
Bident of ThassaIf you have Bident of Thassa on the battlefield, casting Astral Wingspan on a grounded creature grants it flying. This allows the creature to bypass blockers more easily, dealing combat damage to a player and triggering Bident of Thassa for an additional card draw on top of the one provided when the Aura entered.
Kindred DiscoverySuppose you have Kindred Discovery naming 'Birds.' If you cast Astral Wingspan on a Bird creature, you draw a card from the Aura's enter-the-battlefield trigger. While the Aura itself isn't a creature, giving your Bird +2/+2 and flying ensures it can safely trigger Kindred Discovery's 'attacks' clause in subsequent turns, maintaining a steady flow of cards.
Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.
How it works : Astral Wingspan
Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall
- #1· Wizards of the Coast
You can tap any untapped creature you control to convoke a spell, even one you haven't controlled continuously since the beginning of your most recent turn.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #2· Wizards of the Coast
Tapping an untapped creature that's attacking or blocking to convoke a spell won't cause that creature to stop attacking or blocking.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #3· Wizards of the Coast
When calculating a spell's total cost, include any alternative costs, additional costs, or anything else that increases or reduces the cost to cast the spell. Convoke applies after the total cost is calculated. Convoke doesn't change a spell's mana cost or mana value.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #4· Wizards of the Coast
If a creature you control has a mana ability with
in the cost, activating that ability while casting a spell with convoke will result in the creature being tapped before you pay the spell's costs. You won't be able to tap it again for convoke. Similarly, if you sacrifice a creature to activate a mana ability while casting a spell with convoke, that creature won't be on the battlefield when you pay the spell's costs, so you won't be able to tap it for convoke.No other card is named in this ruling.
- #5· Wizards of the Coast
Because convoke isn't an alternative cost, it can be used in conjunction with alternative costs.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #6· Wizards of the Coast
Tapping a multicolored creature using convoke will pay for
or one mana of your choice of any of that creature's colors.No other card is named in this ruling.
Legal formats
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Meta decks with Astral Wingspan
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