Arctic Aven MTG Card

Generates card advantage through extra draw, boosting hand options for strategic play. Requires careful mana balancing due to specific blue and white cost. Flashes in for surprise defense or to seize tempo, enhancing flexibility.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Creature — Bird Wizard
Abilities	Flying
Released	2012-07-13
Set symbol
Set name	Magic 2013
Set code	M13
Power	2
Toughness	1
Number	42
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Igor Kieryluk

Text of card

Flying Arctic Aven gets +1/+1 as long as you control a Plains. : Arctic Aven gains lifelink until end of turn. (Damage dealt by this creature also causes you to gain that much life.)

Cards like Arctic Aven

Arctic Aven is a distinguished creature within the realm of Magic: The Gathering, offering players a blend of utility and power. When analyzing cards akin to Arctic Aven, we might consider Healer’s Hawk. While both creatures embrace flying, Arctic Aven also affords lifelink to players controlling a snow land, an advantage absent in Healer’s Hawk. However, Healer’s Hawk’s lesser mana cost makes it a nimble option earlier in the game.

Exploring similar cards leads us to Frost Lynx, which, like Arctic Aven, is associated with the frosty theme depicted through its ice-based abilities. Although Frost Lynx lacks flying and lifelink, it has the unique ability to tap a target creature when it enters the battlefield, potentially disrupting opponent strategies. The comparison illustrates Arctic Aven’s higher gameplay flexibility, especially in snow-centric decks.

In essence, while Arctic Aven may have competitors in the realms of flying creatures, its synergistic relationship with snow lands and the combined offering of lifelink position it as a valuable card for players seeking aerial control with life-gaining benefits in their MTG deck builds.

Cards similar to Arctic Aven by color, type and mana cost

Hanna, Ship's Navigator - MTG Card versions

Kotori, Pilot Prodigy - MTG Card versions

Minister of Impediments - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Arctic Aven is well-regarded among players for its ability to grant an additional draw on entering the battlefield. This helps maintain a steady flow of options in a player’s hand, subtly tipping the game in their favor over time.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly producing mana or tokens, the lifegain ability of Arctic Aven, especially when paired with other synergistic cards, can be a stepping stone to triggering effects that do accelerate resources, increasing the potential for powerful plays in subsequent turns.

Instant Speed: The ability to flash in Arctic Aven gives players the flexibility to surprise opponents at crucial moments. This can disrupt opponents’ strategies by presenting an unexpected blocker or by seizing the moment to gain an advantage when the opponent is unprepared.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Arctic Aven demands a card to be discarded to unlock its full potential. This trade-off could hinder your hand size, undermining your strategic options in the later stages of the game.

Specific Mana Cost: This card requires both blue and white mana, which might not align with every deck strategy. Players dedicated to a single color or different color pairings may find it challenging to integrate Arctic Aven into their game plan.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana value that might be deemed slightly on the higher side for its abilities, players could be conflicted in choosing Arctic Aven over other options. It’s essential to weigh the benefits against the cost, especially when more mana-efficient creatures are available within the same environment.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: The Arctic Aven is a dynamic addition to any deck that benefits from flying creatures or the lifegain mechanic. Its ability to adapt to the snow land presence makes it an excellent pick for a variety of game plans.

Combo Potential: Capable of synergizing with both snow decks and life-gain strategies, Arctic Aven can serve as a pivotal piece in powerful combos. Its strength grows in decks designed around these themes, opening up opportunities for other synergistic plays.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where flying creatures reign or lifegain is a solid counter strategy, Arctic Aven stands out as a significant contributor. Its utility in combat and the incremental advantage it offers can turn the tide in its favor consistently.

How to beat

The Arctic Aven is known for its unique synergy in decks that capitalize on life gain and flying creatures. One effective strategy to counter this card is employing removal spells that can target creatures in flight, such as Plummet, or general removals like Doom Blade that don’t discriminate based on creature abilities. This approach allows for a quick and efficient answer to the Aven’s presence on the board.

Alternatively, exploiting its weakness to card types outside its protection can be decisive. Creatures with death touch or those that offer negative buffs upon blocking or being blocked can deter an Arctic Aven from attacking or can ensure its downfall if it dares to engage. Lastly, maintaining a higher life count than the Aven’s controller limits the card’s strength, as its abilities are maximized only when you have less life than the opponent. Thus, focusing on your own life gain, while mitigating that of your opponent, can be instrumental in rendering the Arctic Aven less intimidating.

When considering strategies in the game, keeping these tactics in mind could provide you with an upper hand against this specific threat, allowing you to stave off its advantages while maintaining control of the battlefield dynamics.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Arctic Aven MTG card by a specific set like Magic 2013, 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 Arctic Aven and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Arctic Aven has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Restricted
Modern	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Penny	Legal

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2012-07-01	Multiple instances of lifelink aren’t cumulative. Activating Arctic Aven’s ability more than once during a single turn won’t cause you to gain more life.