War ScreecherHow it works & interactions with other cards

Airborne Support

War Screecher possesses Flying, meaning it can only be blocked by creatures with Flying or Reach. Its activated ability costs five generic and one white mana plus tapping the creature, providing a global +1/+1 buff to all other creatures you control until the end of the turn.

Activating the Screech

The ability is an activated ability that can be used at instant speed, including during your opponent's turn or after blockers are declared. When the ability resolves, it checks which creatures you currently control; those creatures gain the bonus. Creatures that enter the battlefield after the ability has resolved will not receive the +1/+1.

Timing and Self-Exclusion

It is important to note that the text specifies 'other' creatures you control. War Screecher does not buff itself. If you have multiple copies of War Screecher, one can buff the other, but neither will increase its own power or toughness through its own ability.

Strategic Implementation

This card shines in 'go-wide' strategies where you have many small creatures. Because the ability requires tapping, you cannot attack with War Screecher and use the ability in the same combat phase unless you have a way to untap it or it has Vigilance.

Interaction examples

Taxing with the Screech

Esper Sentinel

If you control both creatures and activate War Screecher, Esper Sentinel becomes a 2/2. If an opponent then casts their first noncreature spell, they must pay {2} instead of {1} to prevent you from drawing a card, as the tax is based on Esper Sentinel's current power.

Mana and Reach

Ornithopter of Paradise

You can tap Ornithopter of Paradise to help produce the six mana required for War Screecher's ability. Once the ability resolves, Ornithopter of Paradise becomes a 1/3 flyer, allowing it to better survive combat or block opposing small flyers.

Post-Blocker Boost

Declare an attack with several 1/1 tokens while leaving War Screecher untapped. After your opponent declares blockers, activate War Screecher's ability. Your tokens become 2/2s, potentially surviving combat against 1/1 blockers or dealing extra damage to the player if unblocked.