Amalia Benavides Aguirre MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityRare
TypeLegendary Creature — Vampire Scout
Abilities Explore,Ward
Power 2
Toughness 2

Key Takeaways

  1. Amalia grants card advantage through combat, keeping players stocked with resources for sustained pressure.
  2. Her cost reduction ability accelerates the game by enabling earlier threat deployment and board control.
  3. Flexible instant-speed casting allows for tactical plays and response to unfolding game states.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Amalia Benavides Aguirre MTG card by a specific set like The Lost Caverns of Ixalan and The Lost Caverns of Ixalan, 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 Amalia Benavides Aguirre and other MTG cards:

Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See MTG Products

Text of card

Ward— Pay 3 life. Whenever you gain life, Amalia Benavides Aguirre explores. Then destroy all other creatures if its power is exactly 20. (To have this creature explore, reveal the top card of your library. Put that card into your hand if it's a land. Otherwise, put a +1/+1 counter on this creature, then put the card back or put it into your graveyard.)


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Amalia Benavides Aguirre provides players with incremental value each time their creatures deal combat damage, effectively replenishing their hand and staying ahead in the resource game.

Resource Acceleration: By offering an alternative cost reduction for creature spells, this card makes it easier for players to deploy their threats earlier in the game, leading to a quicker and more efficient board state development.

Instant Speed: The flexibility of casting at instant speed allows players to react swiftly to changing battlefield conditions, protecting their interests or disrupting opponent strategies at critical moments.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Amalia Benavides Aguirre enforces a condition where you must pitch another card from your hand just to utilize her abilities. This can be particularly hindering when you’re trying to maintain card advantage or when your hand is already dwindling.

Specific Mana Cost: Her casting cost demands a very specific mana alignment, making her a tough fit in multi-colored decks. Players may struggle to cast her on curve, especially in formats that stress on mana flexibility.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: When you analyze her alongside other options available in the pool, the mana investment for what Amalia offers might not line up with the current tempo of the game. There are alternatives that provide similar or better effects without such a significant mana requirement.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Amalia Benavides Aguirre boasts adaptive abilities that serve a multitude of deck archetypes, making her a perfect match for players who enjoy a diverse strategy approach.

Combo Potential: This card integrates seamlessly into various combo lines, amplifying existing synergies within your deck while unlocking new avenues for conquest during play.

Meta-Relevance: Given her compatibility with current popular deck builds, incorporating Amalia Benavides Aguirre can significantly bolster your competitive edge and resilience within the ever-evolving meta.


How to beat

Amalia Benavides Aguirre is a unique presence in MTG, offering players a blend of abilities that can tilt the battlefield in their favor. When facing such a card, it’s critical to undermine its strengths to maintain control of the game. A key strategy is to limit the number of creatures on your opponent’s field, as each one amplifies Amalia’s power. Employing removal spells swiftly is essential, especially before her abilities grant your opponent significant advantages.

Additionally, counter spells can prove invaluable against Amalia, preventing her from entering the battlefield in the first place and denying your adversary the opportunity to exploit her synergies. Control decks might be particularly effective, as they often contain the removal and counter spells necessary to keep Amalia and her supporting cast in check. Lastly, maintaining pressure and presenting threats that demand an immediate answer can divert your opponent’s resources away from capitalizing on Amalia’s abilities, thereby negating her impact on the game.

Ultimately, with a carefully crafted strategy and timely reactions, Amalia Benavides Aguirre can be effectively managed, allowing you to maintain the upper hand in the duel of wits and strategy that is MTG.


BurnMana Recommendations

Amalia Benavides Aguirre enters the MTG arena as a powerful asset, demanding strategy and clever play. While she presents challenges in terms of specific mana alignment and a higher casting cost, her abilities promise a dynamic shift in gameplay that can’t be ignored. From gaining the upper hand with card advantages to accelerating your resources for an aggressive gameplay pace, she opens doors to creative plays and impactful board presence. For those intrigued by her potential and looking to refine their deck’s competitive edge, it’s crucial to understand her strengths and weaknesses in depth. Join us as we dive into the intricacies of maximizing Amalia Benavides Aguirre’s impact, ensuring your arsenal is prepared for any battle that lies ahead.


Cards like Amalia Benavides Aguirre

Amalia Benavides Aguirre is a notable figure to consider when looking at legendary creature cards within the rich tapestry of Magic: The Gathering. Her unique abilities provide players with tactical advantages akin to those found in other powerful cards. Layla, the Blade Reforged, for example, shares the ability to enhance with each attack, though it focuses more on exiling cards, which differs from Amalia’s ability set.

Further comparison can be drawn with Adriana, Captain of the Guard, who also offers a boost to other creatures during combats, enhancing the swarm tactics often employed in red and white decks. While Adriana’s influence is over a greater number of creatures across the battlefield, Amalia’s boosts target specific and potentially more strategic creature plays.

Examining the nuances of these cards’ abilities reveals the tactical depth they offer. Amalia may not widecast her influence as Adriana does nor exile cards like Layla, but her presence represents a focal point of strength and strategy on the battlefield, making her a formidable card in a player’s arsenal.

Adriana, Captain of the Guard - MTG Card versions
Adriana, Captain of the Guard - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Amalia Benavides Aguirre by color, type and mana cost

Putrid Warrior - MTG Card versions
Triumphant Adventurer - MTG Card versions
Shaile, Dean of Radiance // Embrose, Dean of Shadow - MTG Card versions
Mourning Thrull - MTG Card versions
Suture Spirit - MTG Card versions
Cloistered Youth // Unholy Fiend - MTG Card versions
Loyal Cathar // Unhallowed Cathar - MTG Card versions
Vizkopa Guildmage - MTG Card versions
Cartel Aristocrat - MTG Card versions
High Priest of Penance - MTG Card versions
Chief of the Edge - MTG Card versions
Chief of the Scale - MTG Card versions
Wayward Servant - MTG Card versions
Legion Lieutenant - MTG Card versions
Syndicate Guildmage - MTG Card versions
Cruel Celebrant - MTG Card versions
Corpse Knight - MTG Card versions
Wintermoor Commander - MTG Card versions
Tithe Drinker - MTG Card versions
General's Enforcer - MTG Card versions
Putrid Warrior - MTG Card versions
Triumphant Adventurer - MTG Card versions
Shaile, Dean of Radiance // Embrose, Dean of Shadow - MTG Card versions
Mourning Thrull - MTG Card versions
Suture Spirit - MTG Card versions
Cloistered Youth // Unholy Fiend - MTG Card versions
Loyal Cathar // Unhallowed Cathar - MTG Card versions
Vizkopa Guildmage - MTG Card versions
Cartel Aristocrat - MTG Card versions
High Priest of Penance - MTG Card versions
Chief of the Edge - MTG Card versions
Chief of the Scale - MTG Card versions
Wayward Servant - MTG Card versions
Legion Lieutenant - MTG Card versions
Syndicate Guildmage - MTG Card versions
Cruel Celebrant - MTG Card versions
Corpse Knight - MTG Card versions
Wintermoor Commander - MTG Card versions
Tithe Drinker - MTG Card versions
General's Enforcer - MTG Card versions

Printings

The Amalia Benavides Aguirre Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2023-11-17 and 2023-11-17. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12023-11-17The Lost Caverns of IxalanLCI 2212015NormalBlackAlix Branwyn
22023-11-17The Lost Caverns of IxalanLCI 2992015NormalBlackAlex Negrea

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Amalia Benavides Aguirre has restrictions

FormatLegality
StandardLegal
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
AlchemyLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
FutureLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
BrawlLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2023-11-10 Amalia Benavides Aguirre's power is checked only once, as the triggered ability resolves. If it is no longer on the battlefield at that point, use its power as it last existed on the battlefield.
2023-11-10 Amalia Benavides Aguirre's power must be exactly 20 during the resolution of its last ability after it finishes exploring in order to destroy all other creatures. If it's more or less than 20, nothing is destroyed.
2023-11-10 If a resolving spell or ability instructs a specific creature to explore but that creature has left the battlefield, the creature still explores. If you reveal a nonland card this way, you won't put a +1/+1 counter on anything, but you may put the revealed card into your graveyard. Effects that trigger "whenever a creature explores" trigger as appropriate.
2023-11-10 If an ability instructs a creature to explore, its controller reveals the top card of their library. If it's a land card, they'll put it into their hand. Otherwise, they'll put a +1/+1 counter on that creature, then choose to either leave that card on top of their library or put it into their graveyard.
2023-11-10 If multiple creatures with lifelink you control deal combat damage at the same time, the damage dealt by each of those creatures is a separate life-gaining event and Amalia Benavides Aguirre's ability will trigger that many times.
2023-11-10 If no card is revealed, most likely because that player's library is empty, the exploring creature receives a +1/+1 counter.
2023-11-10 In some unusual cases, noncreature permanents may explore. For example, if the creature card returned by Defossilize is somehow not a creature once it's on the battlefield, it can still explore. You'll take all the same actions, and you may end up putting a +1/+1 counter on the permanent. (Note that some effects target a creature, and those effects would still require a legal target to have it explore.)
2023-11-10 Once an ability that causes a creature to explore begins to resolve, no player may take any other actions until it's done. Notably, opponents can't try to remove the exploring creature after you reveal a nonland card but before it receives a counter.
2023-11-10 Some spells or abilities might cause a creature to explore multiple times in a row. If you reveal a nonland card when a creature explores and leave it on top of your library, then the creature explores again immediately afterwards, you'll reveal the same card again.
2023-11-10 The instruction for Amalia Benavides Aguirre to explore and the effect that occurs if Amalia Benavides Aguirre's power is exactly 20 are all part of the same ability. Players do not get to chance to respond to the ability after knowing the result of the explore.