Pointed Discussion

There's... nothing really good I can say about this. I suppose it's fid itself in my "*** cards" cube, white has a big griffin theme there.

It's not terrible... overcosted, and probably only useful in limited and griffin commander decks, but not terrible.

I used to giving all cards the benefit of the doubt, but I don't quite understand what they were going for with this card. There's enough flying in Theros limited in both White and Blue, that I can't imagine this seeing very much play, even compared to stuff like Stonehorn Chanter.

Is that griffin wearing a toga?

I had hopes for griffins in this block. Maybe, just maybe they could become good. Or decent. I mean, minotaurs were supposed to, right? They were in the same situation, and both have a greek theme.
Then I saw this.

I love the art on this guy, but I feel like he is overcosted. Hope is not lost though! Keep up the good art and fix griffins in the next 2 sets! :D

Griffins seems to be forever destined to get mediocre cards :(

"Why would anyone play this when they could be playing a Baneslayer Angel for the same mana cost?" - the classic white creature arguement.

I'm guessing this card was printed to indulge limited, but I'd hate to open a pack and find one of my uncommon slots hoisted by this guy. I really do have to agree with the classic arguement.

There is hope for it though - if you can get infinite mana and find a way to keep this from being exiled or destroyed. Let's look at how to do that!

Basalt Monolith + Rings of Brighthearth + Mox Opal + Voltaic Key = infinite colored mana of your choice.

Mizzium Skin + Isochron Scepter = repeatable hexproof engine

Withstand Death + Isochron Scepter = repeatable indestructible engine

Flicker + Isochron Scepter = this can stay on the field in the face of a board exile such as Cyclonic Rift

Yeah... when you need that many cards to make this useful, you realize that there can be better options out there =/

Stops you from losing, but doesn't exactly put you in a position to win, because you have to be continually investing mana.

"Is that griffin wearing a toga?"
Yes, that's why it is a decorated griffin and not a normal one. Togas are fancy.

This is basically Shield of the Ages stapled onto Sunspire Griffin.