Autumn Willow MTG Card
1995-10-01 - Number 83
1996-05-02 - Number bl83
1996-05-02 - Number pp83
1996-05-02 - Number et83
1996-05-02 - Number pp83sb
1996-05-02 - Number et83sb
2007-09-10 - Number 113
| Card sets | Released in 7 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 6 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Legendary Creature — Avatar |
| Abilities | Shroud |
| Power | 4 |
| Toughness | 4 |
Text of card
Cannot be the target of spells or effects. oo G Target player may target Autumn Willow with spells or effects until end of turn.
"We must shake her limbs and rattle her brains." —Grandmother Sengir
Cards like Autumn Willow
Autumn Willow holds a unique position in Magic: The Gathering as a green creature with the ability to protect itself from being the target of spells or abilities. Similar in concept to Shroud, Autumn Willow’s ability can be voluntarily turned off by paying mana, differentiating it from creatures like Silhana Ledgewalker which has permanent Hexproof. This adaptability allows for a strategic depth not present in the more straightforward defensive capabilities of the Ledgewalker.
Moving forward in the comparison, we find the Thorn Elemental, another green creature that offers choice in combat dynamics. Much like Autumn Willow, it has the power to impact how combat resolves with its peculiar ability to assign damage as though it weren’t blocked. While Autumn Willow influences the stack and targeting, Thorn Elemental alters the combat phase. However, neither has an inherent offensive advantage; their strength lies in their unique combat and ability interactions.
In assessing the utility and strategic potential of Autumn Willow among its counterparts, its combination of self-protection and controlled vulnerability offers a versatile toolset for MTG players. It carves out a distinctive niche among creatures that combine defense with a touch of tactical flexibility in gameplay.
Cards similar to Autumn Willow by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Autumn Willow offers the benefit of allowing a steady flow of creature cards thanks to its ability to be untargetable by spells unless the controller chooses otherwise. This feature sustains card advantage on the battlefield by protecting your key creature from targeted removals, making it a reliable presence in your matches.
Resource Acceleration: Although Autumn Willow itself doesn’t directly contribute to resource acceleration, its resilience in the face of targeted spells means you can save resources that would otherwise be spent on protecting it. This allows you to allocate mana and other resources towards furthering your board state with additional threats or answers.
Instant Speed: While Autumn Willow isn’t an instant, its unique ability to be sheltered from spells at will effectively gives you a reactive tool against opponents’ threats, as they must respect its presence during their planning. It forces opponents to play around it, akin to having an instant-speed response ready, providing a subtle but significant tactical advantage.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Autumn Willow stands out with the unique ability to conveniently sidestep spells and abilities. However, to activate her protection, you need to keep one green mana open. This can force a player into discarding cards when they’re unable to empty their hand, affecting their game plan.
Specific Mana Cost: This legendary creature demands a specific mix of mana to cast, including one green. While green is often abundant in decks looking to play creatures like Autumn Willow, it can pose a challenge for mana fixing in multicolored decks, limiting its viability outside mono-green builds.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: At a six mana casting cost including two green, Autumn Willow requires a significant investment. Given her ability set, this cost may be overshadowed by other creatures or spells that provide more impact or versatility for the same or less investment, potentially reducing her effectiveness in competitive play.
Reasons to Include Autumn Willow in Your Collection
Versatility: Autumn Willow offers flexibility for green decks by allowing creatures to bypass an opponent’s abilities or spells that target them, thanks to its shroud ability. This versatility can be pivotal in protecting key creatures in various deck archetypes.
Combo Potential: With a respectable 4/4 body, Autumn Willow can serve as a valuable piece in creature-based combos. Its ability to skirt around targeted removal grants it longevity on the board, enabling you to piece together crushing combos with less interference.
Meta-Relevance: In metas where control decks and spot removal are prevalent, Autumn Willow shines by being a resilient threat that can survive where other creatures might not. This trait makes it a meaningful addition to a collection for players looking to adapt to such an environment.
How to Beat
Autumn Willow, a formidable commander in MTG, presents a unique challenge with her ability to evade being targeted by spells or abilities. To counter her, employing global effects that don’t specifically target can be highly effective. Board wipes such as Wrath of God or Damnation clear the board without having to target Autumn Willow directly. Moreover, playing cards with the Edict effect like Diabolic Edict forces the Autumn Willow player to sacrifice her, again bypassing her protective shroud.
Players may also opt for mass -1/-1 counters applicators like Black Sun’s Zenith, which reduce Autumn Willow’s toughness indirectly. Another approach is using creatures with abilities activated upon blocking or being blocked, such as Deadly Recluse, which can deal with Autumn Willow without having to target her. Lastly, taking advantage of colorless creatures that can block or engage with shroud creatures gives a strategic edge, as they are often overlooked but offer valuable solutions to deal with protective abilities.
Adapting strategies that circumvent her shroud ability allows players to tackle the challenge she poses effectively, keeping in mind the versatility and indirect methods as key components to win against Autumn Willow in a MTG game.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Autumn Willow MTG card by a specific set like Homelands 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 Autumn Willow 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 Autumn Willow Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 1995-10-01 and 2007-09-10. Illustrated by Margaret Organ-Kean.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1995-10-01 | Homelands | HML | 83 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Margaret Organ-Kean | |
| 2 | 1996-05-02 | Pro Tour Collector Set | PTC | bl83 | 1993 | Normal | Gold | Margaret Organ-Kean | |
| 3 | 1996-05-02 | Pro Tour Collector Set | PTC | pp83 | 1993 | Normal | Gold | Margaret Organ-Kean | |
| 4 | 1996-05-02 | Pro Tour Collector Set | PTC | et83 | 1993 | Normal | Gold | Margaret Organ-Kean | |
| 5 | 1996-05-02 | Pro Tour Collector Set | PTC | pp83sb | 1993 | Normal | Gold | Margaret Organ-Kean | |
| 6 | 1996-05-02 | Pro Tour Collector Set | PTC | et83sb | 1993 | Normal | Gold | Margaret Organ-Kean | |
| 7 | 2007-09-10 | Masters Edition | ME1 | 113 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Margaret Organ-Kean |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Autumn Willow has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Autumn Willow card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2004-10-04 | This spell can be countered. Shroud does not work until it enters the battlefield. |