Flying Beginner

What is Flying?

Flying is one of the oldest and most common keyword abilities in Magic: The Gathering. A creature with flying can only be blocked by creatures that also have flying or reach.

How Flying Works

When a creature with flying attacks, only creatures with flying or reach can be assigned as blockers. This makes flying creatures evasive threats that are difficult to deal with in combat.

Key Rules

  • Flying only matters for blocking — a creature with flying can still block ground creatures.
  • A creature with both flying and reach gains no additional benefit (reach is redundant).
  • Losing flying mid-combat does not retroactively change blocking assignments.

Examples

Classic flying creatures include Serra Angel, Baneslayer Angel, Sprite Dragon, and Mulldrifter. Blue and white have the most creatures with flying, though every color has access to it.