Everyone focuses on the any color mana ramp the Birds are famous for, and yes that is a very VERY powerful effect, one of the most powerful, yet intrinsically balanced cards in the game. But don't forget one of the major reasons Birds have remained a staple RARE for all this time, it's a FLYING green creature, nearly unheard of in all of Magic. With it's flying, Birds remain relevant long after the mana base is firmly entrenched, and makes dropping a Birds a good idea even in a mono green deck.
Birds really can stand up and shout: "I am the beating heart of Magic" more than any other card, never been banned, never missed a Standard season, more than relevant, phenomenal from day 1 through the modern day, without being broken or forgotten at any point in its history, from casual to draft and sealed to the cutthroat vintage circuits, nobody looks down upon the Birds.
Posted By:
Atali
(2/10/2011 11:37:08 PM)
The god of mana-ramp. All hail the Birds of Paradise!
Posted By:
Boday1
(8/1/2010 5:35:26 PM)
I so love iSlapTrees's post. So true and so often has that happened! It's a trick that has won me more games, and now with battle cry and Raid Bombardment, my friends are always taking out my "Birds of Target Practice" as soon as they can!
Posted By:
Ouroborobelisk
(3/20/2011 4:21:42 AM)
Lazy gods only used five colors, though...
Posted By:
TDL
(12/7/2010 6:21:18 AM)
Perty birdy.
Posted By:
roqbthepirate
(7/12/2010 6:09:46 AM)
Birds of Paradise! We're knocking on heaven's door!
Birds of Paradise! How could we ask for more?
I swear that I can see forever in your eyes...
Posted By:
Steinhauser
(3/10/2011 2:29:37 AM)
I love first turn drops that have people rushing to use their removal. Cards like this are a great way to keep the big stuff safe.
Posted By:
kiseki
(1/6/2011 5:28:18 PM)
People who say "Maybe you want the 1 power in exchange for just adding green mana" don't understand how big of a mana ramp "any color" honestly is.
Not to mention this guy is flying, so putting a Giant Growth in most cases is much better for a quick hit.
I love me some Llanowar Elves, don't get me wrong,
I just feel there's a legitimate reason why this guy is Rare, and he is Common.
Posted By:
infernox10
(7/28/2010 1:22:54 PM)
Looks like Wizards is going to stick to the Ravnica artwork for the next couple of years.
Not that i dislike it, but it seems to be rather ungenerous with these buildings in the background.
I'd like to see 7th Edition artwork once again.
Posted By:
Mode
(7/9/2010 2:38:04 AM)
Ahhhhh no. I like the Ravnica artwork. Who cares about the buildings? They look cooler than that 7th edition rain forest anyways.
Posted By:
UltimaCenturion
(7/12/2010 11:13:44 AM)