Aether Charge MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Enchantment |
| Released | 2002-10-07 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Onslaught |
| Set code | ONS |
| Number | 184 |
| Frame | 1997 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Mark Brill |
Text of card
Whenever a Beast comes into play under your control, you may have it deal 4 damage to target opponent.
"Is it just me, or does that meteor have teeth?"
Cards like Aether Charge
Aether Charge is a unique card that delivers powerful gameplay tactics for players of Magic: The Gathering. It resembles cards like Warstorm Surge in the way it capitalizes on creature play. Much like Aether Charge, Warstorm Surge allows you to deal damage to any target equal to the power of the creature that entered the battlefield under your control. While Aether Charge is limited to targeting a player, Warstorm Surge offers the flexibility to target creatures as well.
Another related card is Where Ancients Tread. Although this enchantment has a similar damage-dealing effect based on creature power, it triggers only for creatures with power 5 or greater, making it a more selective but potentially more impactful option compared to Aether Charge. In contrast, Aether Charge has the advantage of affecting each opponent with its damage output whenever a creature with power 4 or greater comes into play.
Assessing these cards highlights Aether Charge as a strategic choice in creature-heavy decks that aim to deal consistent damage to opponents. Its ability to potentially trigger multiple times in a turn could be a game-changer, particularly when you manage to summon several large creatures in quick succession.
Cards similar to Aether Charge by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Aether Charge provides a significant boost in creature presence. Each time a Beast enters the battlefield under your control, you can deal 4 damage to any target. This allows you to maintain board control while potentially damaging your opponent or clearing their creatures.
Resource Acceleration: While Aether Charge itself doesn’t generate mana or tokens, its synergy with Beast creatures can result in a cumulative advantage. Casting multiple Beasts can lead to repetitive triggers, effectively utilizing your resources and accelerating your board state.
Instant Speed: Aether Charge is an enchantment that continuously influences the board as long as it remains in play. However, Beasts you cast can benefit from flash or other instant-speed mechanics, allowing you to deploy threats and activate Aether Charge’s ability at unexpected times, disrupting your opponent’s strategy.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Aether Charge may pressure players into discarding cards to generate the necessary mana, potentially diminishing their strategic options and hand advantage against opponents.
Specific Mana Cost: Aether Charge’s demand for four specific mana (two general and two red) can restrict the card’s versatility, making it a less preferable choice for multi-color decks that may not consistently yield the required red mana.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a four-mana investment needed to cast Aether Charge, players might find this cost steep, considering other cards might provide similar or more impactful effects for lower mana expenditures, potentially offering a better return on investment in fast-paced gameplay situations.
Reasons to Include Aether Charge in Your Collection
Versatility: Aether Charge fits seamlessly into a range of red-based creature decks looking to capitalize on aggressive strategies. It excels in environments where creature play is foundational, easily slotting into both casual and thematic deck builds.
Combo Potential: The card is known for its synergy with creature-heavy strategies, especially those involving Beasts or other creatures with enter-the-battlefield effects. Its ability to deal damage upon creature arrival can be a game-changer, working in tandem with effects that summon multiple creatures to maximize impact.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where creature strategies are prevalent, Aether Charge can act as a deterrent to opponents’ creature deployments while bolstering your own offensive tactics. Its capacity to provide recurring damage makes it a consistent threat that can shape the flow of the game.
How to Beat Aether Charge
Aether Charge is a unique enchantment in the world of MTG that can be a powerful asset for players utilizing creatures with power 4 or greater. Once on the battlefield, it can turn any high-powered creature into a direct source of damage to your opponent. Navigating around this card requires strategic adjustments and efficient use of removal spells.
The key lies in managing the board state and keeping creatures with 4 or greater power in check. Employ spot removal like Doom Blade or Path to Exile to deal with individual threats quickly. Board wipes such as Wrath of God are crucial against decks that aim to flood the field with powerful creatures. If enchantment removal is accessible, cards like Naturalize or Disenchant can directly counter Aether Charge, neutralizing it before it becomes a significant problem.
For players looking to bypass the damage altogether, look into lifegain strategies or utilizing cards like Leyline of Sanctity that provide you hexproof. These methods can offset the damage Aether Charge aims to inflict and protect your life total. Understanding these interactions and having the right answers at the ready can be the difference between victory and defeat against a deck featuring Aether Charge.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Aether Charge MTG card by a specific set like Onslaught, 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 Aether Charge and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
See MTG Products
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Aether Charge has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |