This card, along with Zuberi, Golden Feather, is what made griffin decks even remotely playable when the creature type first was seen. Sure, you can kill off a bunch of griffins fairly easily (at the time they were all 2/2 flyers, every last one), but if the Mtenda survives they'll be coming back... slowly.
Another thing I used to overlook with this card is that the Mtenda Griffin is returned to your hand as part of the effect, not as part of the cost. This means if you can find some way to untap it in response to the ability going on the stack (for example, a Griffin Canyon) then you can pull another griffin back from the graveyard with the same creature. Of course, then you have to cast three griffins that turn, most of which have a 4 CMC, but there are ways around that (Helm of Awakening and Cryptic Gateway spring to mind).
Posted By:
yyukichigai
(7/17/2011 9:51:34 PM)
No, Zuberi, Golden Feather is a griffin legend/lord. The only one.
Posted By:
nammertime
(1/3/2010 8:02:57 PM)
Its okay for bringing back your dead Zuberi, I guess.
Posted By:
shapelyman
(10/5/2009 8:38:51 PM)
'Unlike Zhalfir, this griffin is part leopard!'
Posted By:
Corey_bayoudragonfly
(2/22/2011 3:47:18 PM)
"Hey, nice bird. But it's missing something....a leopard's ass."
Posted By:
Keino
(7/15/2011 12:43:06 PM)
zuberi are griffins?
Posted By:
BambooNickel
(10/25/2009 12:33:37 PM)
Remember kids, this also works with things like Phyrexian Metamorph...that being said in a griffin deck, Zuberi, Golden Feather is probably your best target.
Posted By:
tcollins
(7/11/2011 6:33:46 PM)
Cast Colossal Might on this guy so you too can have a Mtenda 6/4.
Posted By:
tjman543
(4/24/2012 9:18:47 AM)
Probably my favorite griffins just for the art.
Posted By:
bewarellamas
(2/11/2013 1:16:28 PM)