Sootfeather FlockHow it works & interactions with other cards

What It Does

Sootfeather Flock is a 3/2 creature with Flying. Its most notable feature is Morph, which allows you to cast it for three generic mana as a face-down 2/2 creature with no name, no creature types, and no mana cost. You can later pay its Morph cost of three generic and one black mana to turn it face up, giving you a surprise airborne attacker or blocker.

How Morph Resolves Step by Step

First, you pay three mana to cast Sootfeather Flock face down. It enters the battlefield as a 2/2 creature. At any time you have priority, you may announce you are turning it face up by paying its Morph cost of {3}{B}. This action does not use the stack and cannot be responded to; the creature simply becomes its 3/2 Flying self immediately. Note that turning a permanent face up does not count as the creature entering the battlefield.

Common Mistakes

A frequent error is believing that turning Sootfeather Flock face up triggers 'enters the battlefield' abilities. Because the permanent is already on the battlefield, it just changes its characteristics. Additionally, if Sootfeather Flock leaves the battlefield while face down, you must reveal it to all players to prove it actually had the Morph ability.

When to Play It

You should play Sootfeather Flock face down when you need to curve out on turn three or when you want to keep your opponent guessing about your board state. It is particularly effective when you have four mana open, as you can block a 2/2 creature and turn Sootfeather Flock face up to survive the combat while destroying the attacker.

Interaction examples

Basic Morph Maneuver

Morph

You cast Sootfeather Flock face down for three mana. On your next turn, after your opponent declares no blockers, you pay {3}{B} to turn it face up. It is now a 3/2 Bird with Flying, dealing 3 damage to the opponent instead of the 2 damage they expected from the face-down creature.

Creature Type Synergies

Roaming Throne

If you have Roaming Throne on the battlefield with 'Bird' chosen, Sootfeather Flock gains the benefit of being the chosen type once it is face up. However, while Sootfeather Flock is face down, it has no creature types, so Roaming Throne will not interact with it until the Morph cost is paid and the Bird type is revealed.

Identifying Different Triggers

Solemn Simulacrum

If you have a face-down Sootfeather Flock and a Solemn Simulacrum, and both are destroyed by a board wipe, the 'dies' ability of Solemn Simulacrum triggers to draw a card. Even though Sootfeather Flock was face down, you must reveal it as it moves to the graveyard to confirm it was a legal Morph card.