Moaning SpiritHow it works & interactions with other cards

Understanding Flying

Moaning Spirit has the Flying keyword, which is an evasion ability. This means it cannot be blocked except by creatures with flying or reach. If your opponent only controls ground-based creatures without reach, Moaning Spirit can safely attack their life total every turn.

Step-by-Step Combat

When you declare Moaning Spirit as an attacker, the game checks for legal blockers. If the defending player has a creature like Solemn Simulacrum, that creature cannot be declared as a blocker because it lacks flying or reach. The damage from Moaning Spirit will then be dealt directly to the player or planeswalker it is attacking during the combat damage step.

Common Mistakes

A common misconception is that Flying prevents all interactions from ground creatures; however, it only affects blocking. A creature on the ground can still target Moaning Spirit with spells or abilities. Additionally, if Moaning Spirit loses flying due to an effect, any creature will be able to block it normally.

When to Play It

You should play Moaning Spirit when you need to establish an early airborne threat or when you have effects that reward you for playing Spirit creatures. Because it costs three mana, it fits well into the middle of your mana curve to maintain board presence.

Interaction examples

Airborne Evasion

Solemn Simulacrum

You attack with Moaning Spirit. Your opponent controls Solemn Simulacrum. Because Solemn Simulacrum does not have flying or reach, it cannot block Moaning Spirit. Moaning Spirit deals 2 damage to the opponent.

Typeline Synergies

Roaming Throne

If you play Roaming Throne and choose 'Spirit' as the creature type, it becomes a Spirit in addition to its other types. While Moaning Spirit doesn't have triggered abilities for Roaming Throne to double, Moaning Spirit itself benefits from any other 'Spirit' tribal buffs you might have on the battlefield alongside the Throne.