WonderHow it works & interactions with other cards

What it Does

While on the battlefield, Wonder is a simple 2/2 creature with flying. However, its primary function is its graveyard ability: as long as Wonder is in your graveyard and you control at least one Island, every creature you control gains flying. This effect is continuous and does not use the stack once the conditions are met.

How it Resolves Step by Step

First, Wonder must be in your graveyard. This can happen through combat, sacrifice, or discarding it directly. Second, the game checks if you control a permanent with the land subtype 'Island' (this includes basic Islands and non-basic lands with the Island type). If both conditions are true, a continuous effect applies to all creatures you control, granting them the flying keyword immediately. If Wonder leaves the graveyard or you lose your last Island, the effect vanishes instantly.

Common Mistakes

A frequent error is forgetting that Wonder only works while in the graveyard; if it is on the battlefield, it only gives itself flying. Additionally, players sometimes forget the Island requirement. You must control at least one Island for the graveyard ability to function. Note that this is a static ability, not a triggered one, so it cannot be responded to or 'stifled' once Wonder is in the bin.

When to Play It

Wonder is best utilized in decks that can reliably put cards into the graveyard, such as those featuring self-mill or discard outlets. It is often more beneficial to discard Wonder to an effect than to cast it for four mana, as the global flying buff is usually more impactful than a single 2/2 flyer.

Interaction examples

Securing the Island

Solemn Simulacrum

If Wonder is already in your graveyard but you do not control an Island, your creatures do not have flying. You can cast Solemn Simulacrum and use its enters-the-battlefield ability to search your library for a basic Island. As soon as that Island enters the battlefield, Wonder's ability activeates, and both Solemn Simulacrum and any other creatures you control immediately gain flying.

Static vs Triggered Abilities

Roaming Throne

You have Wonder in your graveyard and control an Island. You cast Roaming Throne, choosing 'Incarnation' as the creature type. Although Roaming Throne doubles triggered abilities of the chosen type, Wonder's graveyard ability is a static ability, not a triggered one (it doesn't use 'when', 'whenever', or 'at'). Therefore, Roaming Throne does not interact with Wonder's ability, though the Throne itself will still gain flying from Wonder.

Aerial Coordination

Wonder Man, Hollywood Hero

With Wonder in the graveyard and an Island on the battlefield, Wonder Man, Hollywood Hero gains flying from Wonder's effect. Even though Wonder Man already has flying naturally, the redundant keyword doesn't hurt. This ensures that even if Wonder Man's own abilities are somehow lost, he remains airborne as long as Wonder remains in the graveyard and you keep your Island.