A Dragon-sized flyer, plus a way to set your
opponent back on tempo? Sign me up! Just
remember-- it's six to hardcast and seven to
unmorph. If you get stuck on six mana, you may
find yourself wishing you had just played it as
a 5/6 flyer. That's certainly a legitimate use
of this card, so don't get too caught up in the
idea of getting a fatty and a bounce effect.
It's tempting to read this card like Vesuvan
Shapeshifter or Thelonite Hermit, which had more
permissive triggers and gave you more chances to
use their ability. In the case of this card,
they probably figured it would have been too
harsh on the opponent (cf. Sunblast Angel). Even
as written, though, Thousand Winds can be
absolutely devastating. Yes, your opponent has a
chance to prevent the mass bounce effect pre-emptively,
but they won't always know they have to do so
until it's too late.
Today's card of the day is Thousand Winds which
is a six mana Blue 5/6 with Flying, Morph for
seven, and when it is turned face up return all
other tapped creatures to their owners hands.
The effect is powerful, but primarily with
support or after an alpha strike which makes it
situational for maximum impact. The high
mana cost is an issue as well, though the 5/6
body with evasion after that effect gives the
value.
Overall this may see play in Commander or
Multiplayer, though the high cost and wanting
outside sources for the effect will keep it out
of other formats.
In Limited this is a six mana 5/6 with evasion
and that alone makes it a first pick in Booster
and worth building around in Sealed. The
Morph effect is very situational and leaves the
2/2 vulnerable, plus is actually higher cost
than the hard cast which slows down playing it
noticeably.
Finishing out our trio of big morph creatures,
we see Thousand Winds. Before we go any further,
let's just remember that he is a 5/6 flier for 6
mana. That's a pretty powerful threat in any
situation. Maybe not anything splashy, or not
the best creature in the world, but a viable big
guy nonetheless, and there's no shame in playing
him straight up without the morph ability.
But the morph ability can blow out games when it
is relevant. Did you opponent just tap out to
attack you? Do you have a spell that taps their
creatures at the end of their turn? You can gain
massive board advantage in some cases.
Another use for him is if your opponent plays a
board wipe. If you have the mana, anything you
tapped last turn can go back to your hand
instead of to the graveyard.
True, his ability is very expensive, and will
probably be too much for most constructed decks,
but in limited or Commander, watch out!
