Arenson's Aura MTG Card
1995-06-03 - Number 3
1996-05-02 - Number shr3sb
1997-03-24 - Number 6
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Enchantment |
Text of card
oo W Sacrifice an enchantment to destroy target enchantment. o3o Uoo U Counter target enchantment.
"I have my faith, and I have my prayers. But if push comes to shove, I've also got a little something extra." —Halvor Arenson, Kjeldoran Priest
Cards like Arenson's Aura
The interesting dynamics of Arenson’s Aura in the realm of MTG are seen through its unique protective abilities. Within its niche, the aura shares similarities with cards like Fountain Watch and Greater Auramancy. Both offer protective layers to your enchantments, yet they diverge in their approach. Fountain Watch extends its protection to all your artifacts and enchantments, rendering them shrouded from your opponents’ spells and abilities. However, it doesn’t provide the same user-directed destruction flexibility that is inherent to Arenson’s Aura.
Greater Auramancy, on the other hand, does something similar by shrouding your other enchantments. While it overlaps with Arenson’s Aura’s shielding theme, it lacks the aura-specific destruction capabilities. In addition, Greater Auramancy is purely passive, unlike Arenson’s Aura which allows the active decision-making in sacrificing enchantments to neutralize threats.
As we explore these comparisons, it’s evident that Arenson’s Aura stands out due to its interactive nature, offering players more control over the board state. It gracefully balances defense and sacrifice, a tactical option that its counterparts do not provide. This particular blend of strategy and protection cements Arenson’s Aura as a distinguished card in managing enchantments in MTG.
Cards similar to Arenson's Aura by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Arenson’s Aura provides a unique way of utilizing enchantments. This card can repeatedly help you maintain control over the battlefield by offering a way to sacrifice those less needed for greater good. Every time you successfully protect your more valuable pieces or dismantle an opponent’s strategy, you’re effectively gaining an advantage that could tip the scales in your favor.
Resource Acceleration: In a deck that’s heavy on enchantments, Arenson’s Aura contributes to resource acceleration by liberating mana that might be tied up in less utilitarian enchantments. This function can be particularly useful in allowing you to keep your pace or ramp up your power on the board quickly and efficiently.
Instant Speed: The ability to activate Arenson’s Aura at instant speed cannot be overstated. The flexibility of responding to your opponents’ actions during their turn, without revealing your plans on your own, can be crucial in complex board states. By providing an option to react in a flash, it gives you a tactical edge that aligns well with a carefully curated strategy and fast-paced gameplay.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Arenson’s Aura does not require you to discard cards, it does demand sacrificing enchantments which could hinder your ability to maintain a presence on the battlefield, especially if your strategy relies heavily on enchantment synergies.
Specific Mana Cost: Arenson’s Aura’s casting cost necessitates both white and blue mana, narrowing its application to decks that can produce both colors consistently. For players running mono-colored or color-light decks, this can pose a significant deckbuilding constraint.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of one white and one blue mana plus two colorless, Arenson’s Aura has a relatively high cost considering its niche effect. In an environment where efficiency is key, the opportunity cost of including it over other lower-cost enchantments or more broadly useful spells could be considerable.
Reasons to Include Arenson’s Aura in Your Collection
Versatility: Arenson’s Aura is a card that can seamlessly integrate into a variety of deck archetypes that utilize enchantments. The ability to protect important enchantments or disrupt opponents’ strategies makes it a valuable addition to any collection.
Combo Potential: Players often seek out this card for its potential to combo with other cards, enabling the activation of abilities at a reduced cost, or even for free, under the right conditions. It pairs well with cards that have recast or graveyard retrieval effects for continuous utility.
Meta-Relevance: In metagames with a strong enchantment presence, Arenson’s Aura gains relevance as a tool for control and protection. As the game evolves, its utility persists, making it a worthy investment for players looking to adapt to changing gameplay dynamics.
How to beat
Arenson’s Aura is an intriguing enchantment in the realm of Magic: The Gathering with its ability to protect your other enchantments from being targeted or destroyed by opponents’ spells. To effectively counter this card, understanding its mechanics is vital. The card itself is susceptible to global enchantment removals, such as Merciless Eviction or Austere Command, which bypass the protection it provides to other enchantments and can clear the board in one fell swoop.
Another approach is to utilize cards that force players to sacrifice enchantments, like Tribute to Hunger, as Arenson’s Aura does not shield against sacrifice effects. Additionally, cards like Ugin, the Spirit Dragon, can exile Arenson’s Aura without targeting it directly. This versatility is crucial when playing against decks that capitalize on enchantment synergies.
It’s also worth noting that the aura works on a cost—an additional enchantment must be sacrificed if the controller wishes to counter a spell with Arenson’s Aura. Exploiting this repetitive cost can strain your opponent’s enchantment resources, ultimately rendering Arenson’s Aura ineffective. Employ strategic plays and focus on cards that either ignore its abilities or require self-sacrifice, and you’ll dismantle the defenses that Arenson’s Aura provides.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Arenson's Aura MTG card by a specific set like Ice Age and Pro Tour Collector Set, 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 Arenson's Aura and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
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- MTG Mint Card
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- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
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Printings
The Arenson's Aura Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 1995-06-03 and 1997-03-24. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1995-06-03 | Ice Age | ICE | 3 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Nicola Leonard | |
| 2 | 1996-05-02 | Pro Tour Collector Set | PTC | shr3sb | 1993 | Normal | Gold | Nicola Leonard | |
| 3 | 1997-03-24 | Fifth Edition | 5ED | 6 | 1997 | Normal | White | D. Alexander Gregory |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Arenson's Aura has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |