Storm, Shaker of SkiesHow it works & interactions with other cards

Airborne Removal

Storm, Shaker of Skies has a triggered ability that occurs when it enters the battlefield. You can target and destroy one artifact, one enchantment, or one creature with flying. Note that this ability is optional because it says 'up to one,' allowing you to play it even if there are no valid targets or if you don't want to destroy your own permanents.

Resolution Breakdown

When Storm enters the battlefield, the ability is put onto the stack and you must choose your target immediately. If the target is illegal when the ability tries to resolve—for example, if a creature loses flying or gains Hexproof—the ability will fail to resolve and nothing is destroyed. If the target is still legal, it is destroyed before any player receives priority to cast further spells.

Strategic Timing

As a 6-mana creature, Storm is a significant investment. It is best used to stabilize the board against aggressive flying decks or to remove utility artifacts and enchantments that are slowing down your game plan. Because it is a 'When enters' trigger, you can find extra value by using blink or flicker effects to trigger the destruction multiple times.

Common Mistakes

Players often forget that the creature target must have flying. You cannot target a ground-based creature like a standard Elf or Goblin with this ability. However, you can always target any artifact or enchantment regardless of whether they have flying or not.

Interaction examples

Clearing the Air

Seedborn Muse

If your opponent controls Seedborn Muse, you cannot use Storm, Shaker of Skies to destroy it using the flying clause because the Muse does not have flying. However, if the Muse was somehow an artifact creature, you could target it under the artifact category.

High-Flying Defense

Avenger of Zendikar

While Avenger of Zendikar creates a wide board of Plant tokens, it is vulnerable to flyers. Playing Storm, Shaker of Skies allows you to remove your opponent's best flying blocker, ensuring your buffed Plant tokens can attack more safely while Storm provides a massive blocker for any remaining air threats.

Versatile Destruction

If Storm, Shaker of Skies enters the battlefield and the only non-land permanent is your own powerful enchantment, you can choose zero targets for the ability so you are not forced to destroy your own card.