Aerial Caravan MTG Card


Aerial Caravan ensures a steady card advantage with its unique ability to filter the top cards of your library. Ability to convert unwanted cards into mana resources offers players a unique form of in-game acceleration. The instant speed operation of Aerial Caravan adds strategic depth and adaptability to your gameplay tactics.
Aerial Caravan - Mercadian Masques
Mana cost
Converted mana cost6
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Human Soldier
Abilities Flying
Released1999-10-04
Set symbol
Set nameMercadian Masques
Set codeMMQ
Power 4
Toughness 3
Number58
Frame1997
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byDiTerlizzi

Text of card

Flying o1o Uo U: Remove the top card of your library from the game. Until end of turn, you may play that card as though it were in your hand. (Reveal the card as you remove it from the game.)

Successful delivery is *not* guaranteed.


Cards like Aerial Caravan

Aerial Caravan broadens the scope of the blue spell toolbox in Magic: The Gathering. Its abilities align closely with other creatures that facilitate card advantage such as Arcanis the Omnipotent. Unlike Arcanis, which provides raw card draw without the need for tapping other creatures, Aerial Caravan demands a more strategic board presence. With its requirement to tap two untapped creatures you control besides itself, it instructs players to weave a tapestry of tactical play and board development.

Another card in this conversational sphere is the renowned Consecrated Sphinx. Although not offering card filtering like Aerial Caravan, the Sphinx compensates with a passive ability that potentially draws you a treasure trove of cards. Yet, it doesn’t provide the selection control that Aerial Caravan offers—allowing you to look at the top four cards and pick the most needed one at the moment. Azure Mage is also a comparable contender, presenting an ability to draw cards. However, Aerial Caravan stands out with its potential for repeated card filtering, versus the Mage’s more mana-intensive, single card draw.

Overall, while evaluating the unique traits and adaptability of each card, Aerial Caravan holds a distinguished spot among its kindred with its unique mix of card selection and manipulation, which can be a crucial asset in the art of mastering MTG’s strategic gameplay.

Arcanis the Omnipotent - MTG Card versions
Consecrated Sphinx - MTG Card versions
Azure Mage - MTG Card versions
Arcanis the Omnipotent - MTG Card versions
Consecrated Sphinx - MTG Card versions
Azure Mage - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Aerial Caravan by color, type and mana cost

Sea Serpent - MTG Card versions
Sibilant Spirit - MTG Card versions
Drifting Djinn - MTG Card versions
King Crab - MTG Card versions
Sea Monster - MTG Card versions
Sun Quan, Lord of Wu - MTG Card versions
Sliptide Serpent - MTG Card versions
Zanam Djinn - MTG Card versions
Mahamoti Djinn - MTG Card versions
Deepfathom Skulker - MTG Card versions
Sakashima's Protege - MTG Card versions
Zahid, Djinn of the Lamp - MTG Card versions
Shoreline Ranger - MTG Card versions
Vedalken Dismisser - MTG Card versions
Novijen Sages - MTG Card versions
Storm Elemental - MTG Card versions
Draining Whelk - MTG Card versions
Brine Elemental - MTG Card versions
Arcanis the Omnipotent - MTG Card versions
Quicksilver Dragon - MTG Card versions
Sea Serpent - MTG Card versions
Sibilant Spirit - MTG Card versions
Drifting Djinn - MTG Card versions
King Crab - MTG Card versions
Sea Monster - MTG Card versions
Sun Quan, Lord of Wu - MTG Card versions
Sliptide Serpent - MTG Card versions
Zanam Djinn - MTG Card versions
Mahamoti Djinn - MTG Card versions
Deepfathom Skulker - MTG Card versions
Sakashima's Protege - MTG Card versions
Zahid, Djinn of the Lamp - MTG Card versions
Shoreline Ranger - MTG Card versions
Vedalken Dismisser - MTG Card versions
Novijen Sages - MTG Card versions
Storm Elemental - MTG Card versions
Draining Whelk - MTG Card versions
Brine Elemental - MTG Card versions
Arcanis the Omnipotent - MTG Card versions
Quicksilver Dragon - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Aerial Caravan opens the door for a consistent flow of card options by granting the ability to sift through your library. By peering at the top four cards of your library each turn, it ensures that you have the right tools at your disposal, keeping you one step ahead of your opponent.

Resource Acceleration: By converting cards you don’t need into valuable mana resources, Aerial Caravan offers a unique form of acceleration. This ability can be pivotal, allowing you to deploy your threats or answers ahead of schedule, potentially swaying the tide of the game in your favor.

Instant Speed: The versatility of Aerial Caravan is significantly enhanced by its ability to operate at instant speed. This allows for strategic depth in gameplay, letting you optimize the timing of your maneuvers against an opponent, ensuring that you can adapt to the fluid dynamics of each match.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One of the drawbacks of using Aerial Caravan in your lineup is the discard requirement. Activating its ability to draw cards comes at the cost of discarding from your hand. This could leave you at a disadvantage, particularly if your hand is already depleted or if the cards you hold are vital for your winning strategy.

Specific Mana Cost: Aerial Caravan demands a specific mana combination to cast. The mana cost includes color-specific mana, which may not be conveniently accessible in all types of decks, limiting its versatility across various deck builds. This specific mana requirement can be a hurdle, especially in multicolored decks that may struggle with mana consistency.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost that peaks at six, including a relatively expensive activation cost for its ability, Aerial Caravan can be somewhat inefficient in terms of mana economy. Other creatures or spells in the game provide similar or better effects at a lower mana cost, offering players more impactful options for their decks.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Aerial Caravan is a multifaceted card that can serve multiple roles in a deck. Its ability to tap and draw cards can be pivotal for decks that thrive on card advantage.

Combo Potential: With the capability to build around, Aerial Caravan can be an integral component in decks that capitalize on untap mechanics or use cards influenced by the number of creatures you control.

Meta-Relevance: In a format where the sky’s the limit, Aerial Caravan offers relevance with its unique mechanics. Against slower, more strategic decks, it provides continuous value and pressure each turn.


How to beat

Aerial Caravan is a unique card that presents a challenge in Magic: The Gathering due to its ability to manipulate card advantage for the controlling player. To effectively counter this card, players should consider strategies that can either disrupt the Caravan’s activation or mitigate its impact. One efficient tactic is to employ instant-speed removal spells that can eliminate the Caravan before its ability is used, ensuring the card advantage is never gained. Additionally, cards that can nullify activated abilities, such as Pithing Needle, offer an excellent means to shut down the Caravan’s effectiveness without having to remove it from the battlefield.

Another approach involves utilizing counter spells to prevent the Caravan from entering play in the first place. This preemptive measure can be critical, especially in formats where timing and resource management are key. Finally, enchantments or artifacts with static abilities that restrict or increase the costs of activated abilities can also provide lasting control over cards like Aerial Caravan. Considering these strategies will greatly aid in maintaining parity on the board and reducing the advantage that such a card can provide to an opponent.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Aerial Caravan MTG card by a specific set like Mercadian Masques, 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 Aerial Caravan and other MTG cards:

TCGPlayerBUY NOW
BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See MTG Products

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Aerial Caravan has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Aerial Caravan card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2004-10-04 If you do not play the card by end of turn, it remains exiled. If you play it, it goes wherever the it would normally go when played.