Griffin
Griffin is a mainly white creature type used for cards that depict a fabled race of semi-intelligent beasts that resemble a cross between a bird of prey (typically an eagle) and a large cat (typically a lion). Mechanically, it is one of the medium-sized, common white flying races, with power and toughness usually somewhere between 2/2 and 3/4.
Description
The head and wings of griffins are birdlike, and the body and hind parts are lionesque.
Storyline
Alara
Alaran griffins are rare, mostly found in Naya. An example is the <c>Retaliator Griffin</c>, who are known for their swift execution of justice.
Dominaria
Griffins were most prominent in northwestern Jamuraa on Dominaria. When Zhalfir was phased out of the time stream by the Planeswalker Teferi, most of the griffins that hunted those savannah skies went with it. Zeriam, a descendant of the legendary griffin Zuberi, is one of the few remaining members of the species.[1]
Eldraine
The griffins of Eldraine are associated with blue as well as the usual white mana, and are frequently used as flying mounts by the knights of the Realm.
Innistrad
The griffins of Innistrad are true allies of humanity. <c>Silverclaw Griffin</c>s are known to patrol around grafs and slay any undead that may arise from them.
Ixalan
The griffins of Ixalan live in the jungle and have the hind legs of jaguars and the heads and plumage of jungle parrots.[2] They are intelligent and noble, and they share the River Heralds’ desire to ensure that the power of the Immortal Sun is never again unleashed on the world.[3]
Kylem
Griffins are used to display scores and match information for Martial Magic tournaments at Valor's Reach on the plane of Kylem.
Ravnica
Ravnican griffins were originally piscivores, who <c title="later adapted">Screeching Griffin</c> to hunting in the streets after Ravnica's oceans dried up. Several wild griffins now stalk the city and prey on those not able to defend themselves. The Boros use them as mounts and the Azorius are <c title="known">Azorius First-Wing</c> to feed lawbreakers to them. These griffins developed resistance to magic. Golgari griffins are also known as part of it's teratogen social class, though they have not been represented in the cards.
Shandalar
On Shandalar, the Knights of Thune are known to fight alongside an order of <c title="griffin riders">Griffin Rider</c>.
Theros
Theran Griffins are reclusive creatures that live along the borders of Phoberos. They hunt for food in the chaparral, and their keen eyes sense the slightest movement in the scrubland. Wild griffins are ferocious and hunt small humans, killing them with a single blow and carrying them off into their treetop aeries to devour them. Several Meletis hoplites have managed to tame griffins as mounts over the years.[4] According to The Cosmogony, the griffins of Theros were originally created by its gods to catch falling stars, a task for which they were given keen eyes and swift wings.[5] Some griffins are able to venture into the Aether and return with secrets.[6] Skeletal griffins also serve Athreos to catch the souls of the unwilling dead.[7]
Thunder Junction
Griffins of Thunder Junction resemble bald eagles in their avian parts.
Zendikar
Zendikar's griffins are distantly related to its felidar population. Larger griffin species are about the size of horses and can be ridden. Indeed, such griffins are often the only reliable means of reaching certain remote locations, particularly in Akoum. Smaller griffins range from the size of donkeys to large dogs, and are trained to carry messages or supplies without a rider.[8]<c title="Young griffins">Fledgling Griffin</c> are known to be incredibly curious.
Notable Griffins
- Dominaria
Gallery
- Retaliator Griffin.jpg
Retaliator Griffin, from Alara.
- Aurora Griffin.jpg
Aurora Griffin, from Dominaria.
- Balshan Griffin.jpg
Balshan Griffin, blue griffin from Dominaria.
- Boreal Griffin.jpg
Boreal Griffin, snow creature from Dominaria.
- Prized Griffin.jpg
Prized Griffin, wild griffin from Eldraine.
- Ardenvale Tactician.jpg
Ardenvale Tactician, domesticated griffin from Eldraine.
- Steelgaze Griffin.jpg
Steelgaze Griffin, from Eldraine.
- Resplendent Griffin.jpg
Resplendent Griffin, from Ixalan.
- Silverclaw Griffin.jpg
Silverclaw Griffin, from Innistrad.
- Misthollow Griffin.jpg
Misthollow Griffin, from Innistrad.
- Skystreamer.jpg
Skystreamer, from Kylem.
- Azorius Skyguard.jpg
Azorius Skyguard, from Ravnica (Azorius Senate).
- Griffin Rider.jpg
Griffin Rider, from Shandalar.
- Griffin Dreamfinder.jpg
Griffin Dreamfinder, from Theros.
- Sentry of the Underworld.jpg
Sentry of the Underworld, griffin skeleton from Theros.
- Transcendent Envoy.jpg
Transcendent Envoy, griffin Nyxborn.
- Courier Griffin.jpg
Courier Griffin, from Zendikar.
- Fearless Fledgling.png
Fearless Fledgling, griffin puppy from Zendikar.
- Peregrine Griffin.jpg
Peregrine Griffin.
- Goldmane Griffin.jpg
Goldmane Griffin.
- Gale Swooper.jpg
Gale Swooper.
- Griffin Aerie.jpg
Griffin Aerie, griffin nest.
Trivia
- <c>Retaliator Griffin</c>, <c>Azorius First-Wing</c>, <c> Resplendent Griffin</c>, <c set="" number="" title="Senate Griffin" artist="">Senate Griffin</c> and <c>Sentry of the Underworld</c> are the only multicolored Griffins. <c>Retaliator Griffin</c> and <c>Sentry of the Underworld</c> are the only Griffins in red, black and green.
- <c>Balshan Griffin</c>, <c set="" number="" title="Steelgaze Griffin" artist="">Steelgaze Griffin</c> and <c>Misthollow Griffin</c> are mono blue Griffins.
- <c>Boreal Griffin</c> is a snow creature.
- <c>Griffin Canyon</c> is a land that untaps Griffins.
- <c>Skyspear Cavalry</c> is a Griffin rider.
Tokens
References
- ↑ Roy Graham (September 1, 2022). "The Legends You'll Find in Dominaria United". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Doug Beyer (January 05, 2018). "I’m Glad You Finally Found a Home, Paroot Griffin Concept!". A Voice for Vorthos. Tumblr.
- ↑ James Wyatt (January 9, 2018). "Plane Shift: Ixalan". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ The Magic Creative Team (September 04, 2013). "Planeswalker's Guide to Theros, Part 3". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Flavor text of <c>Transcendent Envoy</c>
- ↑ Flavor text of <c>Griffin Dreamfinder</c>
- ↑ Flavor text of <c>Sentry of the Underworld</c>
- ↑ Wizards of the Coast (April 27, 2016). "Plane Shift: Zendikar". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.