The Accidental Player 49: The Topdeck Awards, "Outstanding Flyer"

By: Kumagoro42, Gianluca Aicardi
Dec 31 2014 1:00pm

I love this game. I love writing about it. Compiling lists about it. Evaluating it. Sometimes, I even play it. I'm an Accidental Player.

The Tolarian Academy of Arcane Arts and Pictures presents: THE TOPDECK AWARDS!
The best way to celebrate 20 long years of this silly game, by rewarding all those beloved cards that, at one point or another, starred in our personal tragicomedies and psychodramas.

Today's category: Outstanding Flyer. Flying is probably the first ability every Magic player learns about, and still one of the most powerful and crucial across every format. But which particular flyers are everyone's favorites? Only creatures with a natural flying ability have been considered (so none of those who can acquire the ability later). The nominations are divided into color-based sub-categories and accompanied by a brief profile of the nominees, which are listed alphabetically. Winners will be published with the announcement of the next category. Last month's winners are here.

And the voting duty, ladies and gentlemen, is all yours.

> GO DIRECTLY TO THE BALLOTS <

> PREVIOUS CATEGORIES <

Category A: Outstanding Mono-White Flyer

Candidates (Un-Sets not included):

The nominees are:

Name: Akroma, Angel of Wrath
Rarity: Rare
Birthdate: February 2003
Birthplace: Legions
Reason for Nomination: Because she's still the fiercest fighter on the board.

Name: Angel of Serenity
Rarity: Mythic Rare
Birthdate: October 2012
Birthplace: Return to Ravnica
Reason for Nomination: Because she causes the greatest impact upon landing, one way or another.

Name: Avacyn, Angel of Hope
Rarity: Mythic Rare
Birthdate: May 2012
Birthplace: Avacyn Restored
Reason for Nomination: Because she's a harbinger of victory.

Name: Aven Mindcensor
Rarity: Uncommon
Birthdate: May 2007
Birthplace: Future Sight
Reason for Nomination: Because he shuts down most enemy combos, pronto.

Name: Baneslayer Angel
Rarity: Mythic Rare
Birthdate: July 2009
Birthplace: Magic 2010
Reason for Nomination: Because there was a time when she was the most sought-after card in Magic history.

Name: Iona, Shield of Emeria
Rarity: Mythic Rare
Birthdate: October 2009
Birthplace: Zendikar
Reason for Nomination: Because she's one of the scariest things you may face in a Magic battlefield.

Name: Linvala, Keeper of Silence
Rarity: Mythic Rare
Birthdate: April 2010
Birthplace: Rise of the Eldrazi
Reason for Nomination: Because even elves lower their eyes in her presence.

Name: Restoration Angel
Rarity: Rare
Birthdate: May 2012
Birthplace: Avacyn Restored
Reason for Nomination: Because she's the ultimate tactical operator.

Name: Squadron Hawk
Rarity: Common
Birthdate: July 2010
Birthplace: Magic 2011
Reason for Nomination: Because these four little guys held the whole world hostage.

10.

Name: Yosei, the Morning Star
Rarity: Rare
Birthdate: October 2004
Birthplace: Champions of Kamigawa
Reason for Nomination: Because his death is your enemy's doom.

Honorable Mentions: Archangel of Thune, Aven Riftwatcher, Blazing Archon, Emeria Angel, Eternal Dragon, Exalted Angel, Flickerwisp, Karmic Guide, Kor Skyfisher, Serra Ascendant, Serra Angel, Serra Avenger, Sublime Archangel, Sunblast Angel, Wall of Reverence, Windborn Muse, Wingmate Roc.

> GO TO THE BALLOTS <

Category B: Outstanding Mono-Blue Flyer

Candidates (Un-Sets not included):

The nominees are:

Name: Consecrated Sphinx
Rarity: Mythic Rare
Birthdate: February 2011
Birthplace: Mirrodin Besieged
Reason for Nomination: Because it's card advantage incarnate.

Name: Gilded Drake
Rarity: Rare
Birthdate: October 1998
Birthplace: Urza's Saga
Reason for Nomination: Because it's often trained to come back to its master.

Name: Glen Elendra Archmage
Rarity: Rare
Birthdate: July 2008
Birthplace: Eventide
Reason for Nomination: Because he dictates your enemy's next move(s).

Name: Keiga, the Tide Star
Rarity: Rare
Birthdate: October 2004
Birthplace: Champions of Kamigawa
Reason for Nomination: Because to trade, or not to trade, to kill, or not to kill, that is the question.

Name: Kira, Great Glass-Spinner
Rarity: Rare
Birthdate: February 2005
Birthplace: Betrayers of Kamigawa
Reason for Nomination: Because it's your team's deflector shield.

Name: Meloku the Clouded Mirror
Rarity: Rare
Birthdate: October 2004
Birthplace: Champions of Kamigawa
Reason for Nomination: Because when the time has come and the opponent says "go", he powers up your alpha strike before you can even say "draw".

Name: Mulldrifter
Rarity: Common
Birthdate: October 2007
Birthplace: Lorwyn
Reason for Nomination: Because this little flying fishy is a card-drawing, all-time star.

Name: Narcomoeba
Rarity: Uncommon
Birthdate: May 2007
Birthplace: Future Sight
Reason for Nomination: Because it's dredge.dek's engine.

Name: Palinchron
Rarity: Rare
Birthdate: February 1999
Birthplace: (Urza's Legacy)
Reason for Nomination: Because it often gives back more than it costs.

10.

Name: Pestermite
Rarity: Common
Birthdate: October 2007
Birthplace: Lorwyn
Reason for Nomination: Because she was genetically engineered for combos.

11.

Name: Sower of Temptation
Rarity: Rare
Birthdate: October 2007
Birthplace: Lorwyn
Reason for Nomination: Because that's an alternative way towards card advantage. As well as removal.

12.

Name: Sphinx of Jwar Isle
Rarity: Rare
Birthdate: October 2009
Birthplace: Zendikar
Reason for Nomination: Because it's still one of the safest, most solid choices for a finisher.

13.

Name: Tidespout Tyrant
Rarity: Rare
Birthdate: May 2006
Birthplace: Dissension
Reason for Nomination: Because he makes for a very flashy endgame.

14.

Name: Tradewind Rider
Rarity: Rare
Birthdate: October 1997
Birthplace: Tempest
Reason for Nomination: Because it's old-school board control.

15.

Name: Vendilion Clique
Rarity: Rare
Birthdate: February 2008
Birthplace: Morningtide
Reason for Nomination: Because everyone wants to get access to this clique.

Honorable Mentions: Arbiter of the Ideal, Archetype of Imagination, Augury Owl, Aura Thief, Broodstar, Cloud of Faeries, Cloudfin Raptor, Draining Whelk, Diluvian Primordial, Drift of Phantasms, Dungeon Geists, Erayo, Soratami Ascendant, Ephemeron, Ethersworn Adjudicator, Faerie Mechanist, Flying Men, Fog Bank, Galerider Sliver, Gomazoa, Illusory Angel, Krovikan Mist, Mahamoti Djinn, Mindshrieker, Mistbind Clique, Misthollow Griffin, Parasitic Strix, Phantasmal Dragon, Prognostic Sphinx, Scion of Oona, Serendib Efreet, Sharding Sphinx, Sphinx of Lost Truths, Sphinx of Magosi, Sphinx of Uthuun, Thieving Magpie, Thrummingbird, Wonder.

> GO TO THE BALLOTS <

Category C: Outstanding Mono-Black Flyer

Candidates (Un-Sets not included):

The nominees are:

Name: Bloodgift Demon
Rarity: Rare
Birthdate: September 2011
Birthplace: Innistrad
Reason for Nomination: Because big midrange flyer plus card advantage equals success.

Name: Bone Shredder
Rarity: Uncommom
Birthdate: February 1999
Birthplace: Urza's Legacy
Reason for Nomination: Because it's the best removal-on-a-stick ever printed.

Name: Griselbrand
Rarity: Mythic Rare
Birthdate: May 2012
Birthplace: Avacyn Restored
Reason for Nomination: Because he might well be the best high-end creature in the game.

Name: Hypnotic Specter
Rarity: Uncommon
Birthdate: August 1993
Birthplace: Limited Edition Alpha
Reason for Nomination: Because it's still scary after all these years.

Name: Kokusho, the Evening Star
Rarity: Rare
Birthdate: October 2004
Birthplace: Champions of Kamigawa
Reason for Nomination: Because it's your regular win by recursion.

Name: Shadowborn Demon
Rarity: Mythic Rare
Birthdate: July 2013
Birthplace: Magic 2014
Reason for Nomination: Because you can worry about the upkeep cost later.

Name: Skithiryx, the Blight Dragon
Rarity: Mythic Rare
Birthdate: October 2010
Birthplace: Scars of Mirrodin
Reason for Nomination: Because it'll kill you faster than you can spell its name.

Name: Stinkweed Imp
Rarity: Common
Birthdate: October 2005
Birthplace: Ravnica: City of Guilds
Reason for Nomination: Because it's dredge.dek's ignition system.

Name: Vampire Nighthawk
Rarity: Uncommon
Birthdate: October 2009
Birthplace: Zendikar
Reason for Nomination: Because it's the best offense and the best defense rolled into one.

10.

Name: Visara the Dreadful
Rarity: Rare
Birthdate: October 2002
Birthplace: Onslaught
Reason for Nomination: Because she's repeatable, unconditional killing on a big evasive body, c'mon.

Honorable Mentions: Abyssal Persecutor, Bloodline Keeper, Butcher of Malakir, Carnifex Demon, Desecration Demon, Desolation Angel, Drana, Kalastria Bloodchief, Faerie Macabre, Fallen Angel, Glaze Fiend, Herald of Torment, Lord of the Pit, Lord of the Void, Malakir Bloodwitch, Master of the Feast, Mephidross Vampire, Mirri the Cursed, Necropolis Regent, Nefarox, Overlord of Grixis, Nightmare, Oona's Blackguard, Oona's Prowler, Overseer of the Damned, Pestilence Demon, Puppeteer Clique, Reaper from the Abyss, Reiver Demon, Rune-Scarred Demon, Sangromancer, Spirit of the Night, Tombstalker, Vault Skirge, Will-o'-the-Wisp, Xathrid Demon.

> GO TO THE BALLOTS <

Category D: Outstanding Mono-Red Flyer

Candidates (Un-Sets not included):

The nominees are:

Name: Akroma, Angel of Fury
Rarity: Rare
Birthdate: February 2007
Birthplace: Planar Chaos
Reason for Nomination: Because she shows up faster than you expected, and she's harder to send away than you expected.

Name: Ashcloud Phoenix
Rarity: Mythic Rare
Birthdate: September 2014
Birthplace: Khans of Tarkir
Reason for Nomination: Because it only dies while hiding.

Name: Bogardan Hellkite
Rarity: Rare
Birthdate: October 2006
Birthplace: Time Spiral
Reason for Nomination: Because it really unleashes hell.

Name: Chandra's Phoenix
Rarity: Rare
Birthdate: July 2011
Birthplace: Magic 2012
Reason for Nomination: Because it adds assault to injury.

Name: Flameblast Dragon
Rarity: Rare
Birthdate: October 2008
Birthplace: Shards of Alara
Reason for Nomination: Because it's the only dragon that actually breaths fire.

Name: Hell's Thunder
Rarity: Rare
Birthdate: October 2008
Birthplace: Shards of Alara
Reason for Nomination: Because it's an airborne Hellspark Elemental.

Name: Predator Dragon
Rarity: Rare
Birthdate: October 2008
Birthplace: Shards of Alara
Reason for Nomination: Because its favorite food is elves.

Name: Stormbreath Dragon
Rarity: Mythic Rare
Birthdate: September 2013
Birthplace: Theros
Reason for Nomination: Because you won't exile it easily.

Name: Thunder Dragon
Rarity: Rare
Birthdate: July 1999
Birthplace: Starter 1999
Reason for Nomination: Because it's a powerhouse that's been ignored for a decade.

10.

Name: Thundermaw Hellkite
Rarity: Rare
Birthdate: July 2012
Birthplace: Magic 2013
Reason for Nomination: Because it's a powerhouse that will never be ignored.

Honorable Mentions: Balefire Dragon, Chandra's Spitfire, Covetous Dragon, Dragon Tyrant, Dragon Whelp, Flame-Wreathed Phoenix, Hellkite Charger, Hoard-Smelter Dragon, Impetuous Sunchaser, Kilnmouth Dragon, Knollspine Dragon, Kuldotha Phoenix, Lightning Dragon, Moonveil Dragon, Rakdos Pit Dragon, Rathi Dragon, Rorix Bladewing, Ryusei, the Falling Star, Scourge of Valkas, Shivan Dragon, Shivan Hellkite, Siege Dragon, Utvara Hellkite, Worldgorger Dragon.

> GO TO THE BALLOTS <

Category E: Outstanding Mono-Green Flyer

Candidates (Un-Sets not included):

The nominees are:

Name: Birds of Paradise
Rarity: Rare
Birthdate: August 1993
Birthplace: Limited Edition Alpha
Reason for Nomination: Because the fact that they fly is not irrelevant.

Name: Hornet Queen
Rarity: Rare
Birthdate: June 2011
Birthplace: Commander
Reason for Nomination: Because she rules the battlefield.

Name: Ifh-Bíff Efreet
Rarity: Rare
Birthdate: December 1993
Birthplace: Arabian Nights
Reason for Nomination: Because nobody remembers this guy anymore, but he would be huge in Modern and Standard.

Name: Jugan, the Rising Star
Rarity: Rare
Birthdate: October 2004
Birthplace: Champions of Kamigawa
Reason for Nomination: Because it's the biggest green flyer to date.

Name: Scryb Ranger
Rarity: Uncommon
Birthdate: October 2006
Birthplace: Time Spiral
Reason for Nomination: Because it's a flying Quirion Ranger, that also stops blue finishers out of nowhere.

Name: Unyaro Bees
Rarity: Rare
Birthdate: October 2006
Birthplace: Time Spiral
Reason for Nomination: Because this and Killer Bees are as largest as a green flyer can ever get.

Name: Xantid Swarm
Rarity: Rare
Birthdate: May 2003
Birthplace: Scourge
Reason for Nomination: Because it's a 1-drop that stealthily stops countermagic.

Honorable Mentions: Caustic Wasps, Cockatrice, Giant Dustwasp, Locust Swarm, Mindbender Spores, Patagia Viper, Pixie Queen, Scryb Sprites, Uktabi Drake, Uktabi Faerie, Unyaro Bees, Venomous Dragonfly.

> GO TO THE BALLOTS <

Category F: Outstanding Colorless Flyer (Emrakul, the Aeons Torn not eligible)

Candidates (Un-Sets not included):

The nominees are:

Name: Draco
Rarity: Rare
Birthdate: February 2001
Birthplace: Planeshift
Reason for Nomination: Because it's still the highest casting cost available for shenanigans.

Name: Eater of Days
Rarity: Rare
Birthdate: February 2004
Birthplace: Darksteel
Reason for Nomination: Because it's a riddle to solve.

Name: Nullstone Gargoyle
Rarity: Rare
Birthdate: October 2005
Birthplace: Ravnica: City of Guilds
Reason for Nomination: Because it changes the rules of the game.

Name: Ornithopter
Rarity: Common
Birthdate: March 1994
Birthplace: Antiquities
Reason for Nomination: Because its beauty is in its simplicity.

Name: Platinum Angel
Rarity: Rare
Birthdate: October 2003
Birthplace: Mirrodin
Reason for Nomination: Because the path to winning passes through not losing.

Name: Steel Hellkite
Rarity: Rare
Birthdate: October 2010
Birthplace: Scars of Mirrodin
Reason for Nomination: Because it's the bringer of one-sided destruction.

Name: Thopter Assembly
Rarity: Rare
Birthdate: February 2011
Birthplace: Mirrodin Besieged
Reason for Nomination: Because it only waits for you to find a way to break it.

Honorable Mentions: Dancing Scimitar, Hovermyr, Junk Diver, Pilgrim's Eye, Spire Golem, Tetravus, Thopter Squadron, Triskelavus, Wizard Replica.

> GO TO THE BALLOTS <

Category G: Outstanding Multicolored Flyer

Candidates (Un-Sets not included):

The nominees are:

Name: Aurelia, the Warleader
Rarity: Mythic Rare
Birthdate: February 2013
Birthplace: Gatecrash
Reason for Nomination: Because she leads the ultimate charge.

Name: Ashen Rider
Rarity: Mythic Rare
Birthdate: September 2013
Birthplace: Theros
Reason for Nomination: Because she made Angel of Despair obsolete.

Name: Cavern Harpy
Rarity: Common
Birthdate: February 2001
Birthplace: Planeshift
Reason for Nomination: Because if you need ETB triggers, she's your bird-girl.

Name: Demigod of Revenge
Rarity: Rare
Birthdate: May 2008
Birthplace: Shadowmoor
Reason for Nomination: Because revenge is a dish best served from the graveyard.

Name: Empyrial Archangel
Rarity: Mythic Rare
Birthdate: October 2008
Birthplace: Shards of Alara
Reason for Nomination: Because she only dies for you.

Name: Falkenrath Aristocrat
Rarity: Mythic Rare
Birthdate: February 2012
Birthplace: Dark Ascension
Reason for Nomination: Because all your puny humans will gladly die for her.

Name: Gisela, Blade of Goldnight
Rarity: Mythic Rare
Birthdate: May 2012
Birthplace: Avacyn Restored
Reason for Nomination: Because she takes inevitability to a whole other level.

Name: Hellkite Overlord
Rarity: Mythic Rare
Birthdate: October 2008
Birthplace: Shards of Alara
Reason for Nomination: Because he's the heavyweight of haste.

Name: Kaalia of the Vast
Rarity: Mythic Rare
Birthdate: June 2011
Birthplace: Commander
Reason for Nomination: Because she never flies alone.

10.

Name: Niv-Mizzet, the Firemind
Rarity: Rare
Birthdate: February 2006
Birthplace: Guildpact
Reason for Nomination: Because even his own future self can't combo so majestically.

11.

Name: Olivia Voldaren
Rarity: Mythic Rare
Birthdate: September 2011
Birthplace: Innistrad
Reason for Nomination: Because she's the life and soul of the dinner party.

12.

Name: Oona, Queen of the Fae
Rarity: Rare
Birthdate: May 2008
Birthplace: Shadowmoor
Reason for Nomination: Because she only needs infinite mana to spell a game over.

13.

Name: Sigarda, Host of Herons
Rarity: Mythic Rare
Birthdate: May 2012
Birthplace: Avacyn Restored
Reason for Nomination: Because she's the apex predator at CMC 5. And she can even stop annihilator.

14.

Name: Sphinx of the Steel Wind
Rarity: Mythic Rare
Birthdate: April 2009
Birthplace: Alara Reborn
Reason for Nomination: Because she's Akroma's main contender for the title of supreme fighter.

15.

Name: Zur the Enchanter
Rarity: Rare
Birthdate: July 2006
Birthplace: Coldsnap
Reason for Nomination: Because he can fetch almost anything. And counting.

Honorable Mentions: Angel of Despair, Aven Mimeomancer, Baleful Strix, Brago, King Eternal, Broodmate Dragon, Bruna, Light of Alabaster, Butcher of the Horde, Chromanticore, Divinity of Pride, Dominus of Fealty, Drogskol Reaver, Horizon Chimera, Jenara, Asura of War, Karrthus, Tyrant of Jund, Krond the Dawn-Clad, Lightning Angel, Maelstrom Archangel, Magister of Worth, Magister Sphinx, Medomai the Ageless, Nicol Bolas, Nightveil Specter, Niv-Mizzet, Dracogenius, Oros, the Avenger, Plumeveil, Prossh, Skyraider of Kher, Rakdos, Lord of Riots, Razia, Boros Archangel, Scion of the Ur-Dragon, Rith, the Awakener, Sharuum the Hegemon, Simic Sky Swallower, Sky Hussar, Sphinx Sovereign, Sphinx Summoner, Swans of Bryn Argoll, Tariel, Reckoner of Souls, Teneb, the Harvester, Trygon Predator, Vorosh, the Hunter, Vulturous Zombie, Wall of Denial, Winged Coatl.