A-Skemfar Avenger MTG Card

A-Skemfar Avenger excels in refilling your hand, transforming creature loss into card advantage. The draw ability aligned with instant speed offers deck versatility and reactive strategies. While potent, it’s best used in decks finely tuned to its specific tribal synergies.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Rare
Type	Creature — Elf Berserker
Released	2021-02-05
Set symbol
Set name	Kaldheim
Set code	KHM
Power	3
Toughness	1
Number	A-109
Frame	2015
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Randy Vargas

Text of card

Whenever another Elf or Berserker you control dies, you draw a card and you lose 1 life.

Cards like A-Skemfar Avenger

A-Skemfar Avenger is an intriguing utility creature for Elf tribal decks in MTG. It sits alongside other notable elf-centric cards such as Dwynen’s Elite, which also excels at providing additional elf tokens and can improve board presence. However, A-Skemfar Avenger brings a unique draw mechanic to the table, triggered by elf deaths. Unlike Dwynen’s Elite, it rewards players for their elves being targeted and destroyed.

We can also compare it to Elvish Visionary, which offers a straightforward card draw upon entering the battlefield. Although beneficial, the Visionary lacks the continuous draw potential provided by the Avenger through recurring triggers. Moreover, we have Lys Alana Huntmaster, which doesn’t draw cards itself but creates additional elves whenever you cast an elf spell, amplifying the effect of A-Skemfar Avenger’s ability by potentially drawing more cards through a wider elf presence.

Overall, A-Skemfar Avenger holds a key position within its tribe by turning temporary losses into strategic gains. When considering elf-themed strategies in MTG, the Avenger’s capacity to replenish resources makes it a formidable card among its elf allies.

Lys Alana Huntmaster - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to A-Skemfar Avenger by color, type and mana cost

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Card Pros

Card Advantage: A-Skemfar Avenger allows players to replenish their hand by drawing a card each time an Elf or Berserker they control dies. This ability is particularly potent in Elf tribal decks, ensuring the player maintains a flow of resources even as their creatures are targeted or traded off in combat.

Resource Acceleration: While the Avenger itself doesn’t directly ramp, the draw effect can lead to pulling more lands or Elves that can untap lands, effectively speeding up mana availability. It synergizes with Elves that function to accelerate mana production, which is a common theme in decks that would utilize this card.

Instant Speed: The instant speed trigger of A-Skemfar Avenger’s ability allows for reactive play during the opponent’s turn. The flexibility to draw cards at any time a qualifying creature dies can surprise an unprepared adversary by refilling the player’s hand when least expected.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One downside of casting A-Skemfar Avenger is the necessity to have an Elf or Berserker you control die. This prerequisite means you need a board presence of these specific creature types to derive any card advantage, which can be a setback in games where maintaining creature control is challenging.

Specific Mana Cost: The card’s cost requires both black and green mana, aligning it strictly with Golgari decks or those that can accommodate its color needs. This specific mana requirement can restrict the deck-building options and make it less flexible for players who are not running a deck that supports these colors.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: At three mana, namely one black and two generic, A-Skemfar Avenger’s ability to potentially draw cards could be deemed costly when compared to other card draw or creature revival options in the format. Players may find other cards that offer similar or better effects for a lower or more flexible mana investment, which can lead to A-Skemfar Avenger being overlooked in favor of those alternatives.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: A-Skemfar Avenger is a perfect fit for any Elf-centric deck. Its ability to draw cards when Elves die makes it invaluable in keeping your hand stocked with resources throughout the game.

Combo Potential: This card excels in combinations with cards that produce Elf tokens, boosting its card-drawing capability. It also pairs well with sacrifice mechanics, allowing you to gain advantage even as you lose creatures.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where creature-based strategies are common, A-Skemfar Avenger shines by turning every threat removal your opponents play into an opportunity for you to refuel your hand, keeping the pressure up and sustaining your board presence.

How to beat

The A-Skemfar Avenger is an intriguing component in MTG strategies focusing on Elf tribal synergy. Its ability to draw cards when Elves you control die presents both a challenge and an opportunity. To outmaneuver this card, prioritizing removal spells that exile rather than destroy is beneficial, as this circumvents the Avenger’s triggered ability. Silent Gravestone is a useful artifact in this context, hampering any attempt of the opponent to capitalize on creatures entering the graveyard.

Controlling the pace of the game is also critical. Resist overextending on the board where A-Skemfar Avenger can turn creature losses into an advantage for your opponent. Instead, incremental play, coupled with steady pressure, can keep the Elf synergy from gaining momentum. Graveyard hate cards such as Relic of Progenitus can disrupt the Elves’ game plan further, rendering the Avenger’s effect negligible. In essence, direct confrontation with an Elf-heavy deck headlined by A-Skemfar Avenger requires a strategic approach that targets the source of their strength—the ample supply of Elf creatures and graveyard interactions.

Those willing to adapt their gameplay to the nuanced threats that A-Skemfar Avenger represents will find themselves better positioned to keep their opponents on their back foot while advancing their own board state toward victory.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase A-Skemfar Avenger MTG card by a specific set like Kaldheim, there are several reliable options to consider. One of the primary sources is your local game store, where you can often find booster packs, individual cards, and preconstructed decks from current and some past sets. They often offer the added benefit of a community where you can trade with other players.

For a broader inventory, particularly of older sets, online marketplaces like TCGPlayer, Card Kingdom and Card Market offer extensive selections and allow you to search for cards from specific sets. Larger e-commerce platforms like eBay and Amazon also have listings from various sellers, which can be a good place to look for sealed product and rare finds.

Additionally, Magic’s official site often has a store locator and retailer lists for finding Wizards of the Coast licensed products. Remember to check for authenticity and the condition of the cards when purchasing, especially from individual sellers on larger marketplaces.

Below is a list of some store websites where you can buy the A-Skemfar Avenger and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where A-Skemfar Avenger has restrictions

Format	Legality
Brawl	Legal
Historic	Legal