Aether Tradewinds MTG Card
2010-02-05 - Number 24
2014-06-06 - Number 89
2016-09-30 - Number 38
2019-11-07 - Number 283
2020-11-12 - Number 41
2020-09-26 - Number KLD-38
| Card sets | Released in 6 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Instant |
Text of card
Return target permanent you control and target permanent you don't control to their owners' hands.
"The wind smells of misfortune. Check your knots." —Anitan, Ondu cleric
Cards like Aether Tradewinds
Aether Tradewinds holds its ground among the selection of bounce spells available to players of Magic: The Gathering. When examining cards like Into the Roil, we find that both offer the ability to return nonland permanents to their owner’s hand. Aether Tradewinds distinguishes itself by allowing you to bounce an additional permanent you control, which can be leveraged for beneficial replay effects.
Comparatively, Unsummon is another alternative, providing a lower-cost option to bounce creatures back to hand. Whilst it may lack the versatility of also targeting artifacts or enchantments, the reduced mana cost is pivotal in fast-paced matches where tempo is key. Echoing Truth, on the other hand, has the unique upside of potentially handling multiple copies of a permanent, thanks to its sweeping effect. This could be a game-changer in matches against token strategies or decks that rely on duplicates.
To summarize, Aether Tradewinds delivers a versatile and tactical choice within the arsenal of available bounce spells in Magic: The Gathering. Despite not being the cheapest in mana cost, the dual-target nature provides additional layers of strategy and combo potential for innovative players.
Cards similar to Aether Tradewinds by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Aether Tradewinds. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Rogue Decklists | Pauper | Familiars | Nacional Pauper 2023 |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: One critical aspect of Aether Tradewinds lies in its ability to return a permanent you control to your hand. This can be utilized to reuse enter-the-battlefield effects, saving your valuable assets from removal or simply resetting cards for another strategic play.
Resource Acceleration: While Aether Tradewinds does not directly accelerate resources in the typical sense of providing extra mana, it can indirectly contribute to resource management. By bouncing your own permanents, it can help mitigate mana costs for replaying those cards at critical moments or disrupting opponent tempo.
Instant Speed: The instant speed nature of Aether Tradewinds offers flexibility in gameplay. You can disrupt your opponent’s strategy during their turn or at the end of turn, keeping your mana available for responses until it’s absolutely necessary to cast it. The ability to choose the timing of Aether Tradewinds gives players a tactical advantage in the ever-changing landscape of a match.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The functionality of Aether Tradewinds does not directly involve discarding, but to fully utilize this card, strategically choosing what to bounce back to your hand is crucial. This may lead to discarding valuable cards later, as it can inadvertently inflate your hand size, thus leading to a discard at the end of your turn.
Specific Mana Cost: Aether Tradewinds has a specific mana cost requirement that includes one blue mana. This cost can pose a limitation for decks that do not run blue or have a flexible mana base, potentially relegating this card to strictly blue-containing decks or those with the necessary mana fixing.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana, including one blue, Aether Tradewinds competes with other bounce spells. Considering the available options, some MTG players may find the cost on the higher side for the effect of returning just a permanent each from yourself and your opponent to their owners’ hands. Alternative bounce spells or different forms of board control might provide more value or versatility for the same or a lower mana investment.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Aether Tradewinds stands out for its ability to interact with both your own permanents and those of your opponents. This card can be seamlessly integrated into decks that thrive on bouncing key pieces back to hand to reuse their enter the battlefield effects, or to disrupt opponents’ strategies.
Combo Potential: The sheer potential of Aether Tradewinds in combo-centric decks is notable. It can be the linchpin in complex plays, allowing you to reset or reuse permanents with potent abilities, or to save your assets from adverse effects or imminent destruction.
Meta-Relevance: With shifting metas, control elements like Aether Tradewinds remain relevant. It can counteract aggressive token strategies or dismantle intricate setups crafted by your opponents, making it an adaptable card in various competitive scenarios.
How to beat
Aether Tradewinds presents an interesting tactical advantage in MTG, allowing players to return a target permanent they control and a target permanent they don’t control back to their owners’ hands. This can disrupt your opponent’s board state and potentially save one of your own key pieces at a critical moment. It’s typically played in decks that capitalize on enter-the-battlefield effects or in those aiming to bounce back opponent’s threats, delaying their game plan.
To effectively counter Aether Tradewinds, timing and strategic resource management are essential. Prioritize maintaining available mana for instant-speed interaction that can either negate the spell or mitigate its impact. Employing counterspells is the most direct method to foil Aether Tradewinds. Additionally, focus on developing a resilient board state that can quickly recover from the tempo loss. Cards with indestructible or those that can be easily recast will help in maintaining your board presence, despite your opponent’s attempt to unsettle it with Aether Tradewinds.
Overall, overcoming Aether Tradewinds requires planning ahead, reserving interaction for key moments, and building a board that can withstand temporary setbacks. With a well-thought-out approach, this card can be stripped of its potential to cause significant disruption in your game plan.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Aether Tradewinds MTG card by a specific set like Worldwake and Conspiracy, 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 Tradewinds 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
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Printings
The Aether Tradewinds Magic the Gathering card was released in 6 different sets between 2010-02-05 and 2020-11-12. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2010-02-05 | Worldwake | WWK | 24 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Kieran Yanner | |
| 2 | 2014-06-06 | Conspiracy | CNS | 89 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Kieran Yanner | |
| 3 | 2016-09-30 | Kaladesh | KLD | 38 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Lius Lasahido | |
| 4 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 283 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Lius Lasahido | |
| 5 | The List | PLST | KLD-38 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Lius Lasahido | ||
| 6 | 2020-11-12 | Kaladesh Remastered | KLR | 41 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Lius Lasahido |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Aether Tradewinds has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Aether Tradewinds card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2016-09-20 | If one target permanent becomes an illegal target, the other will be returned to its owner's hand. If both targets become illegal, Aether Tradewinds won't resolve. |