Avatar of Hope MTG Card
2000-06-05 - Number 3
2003-07-28 - Number 4★
2003-07-28 - Number 4
2002-06-24 - Number 32206
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 8 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Avatar |
| Abilities | Flying |
| Power | 4 |
| Toughness | 9 |
Text of card
Flying If you have 3 life or less, Avatar of Hope costs o6 less to play. Avatar of Hope may block any number of creatures.
Cards like Avatar of Hope
The Avatar of Hope is a unique entry in the realm of creature cards with a twist on casting cost conditions. Resembling the robust and resilient characteristics of Palladia-Mors, the Ruiner, the Avatar demands a specific situation for a reduced cost – being at 3 life or less. Palladia-Mors doesn’t carry such a condition but is protected from most spells for a full turn.
Delving further into the collection, we discover Blazing Archon, a creature that also offers protection by preventing attacks. While it doesn’t have a cost-reduction mechanic, its higher and static mana cost is a fair trade for its blanket effect on opposition creatures. Then there is Platinum Angel, another angelic figure barring loss by maintaining the player’s life total above zero regardless of the circumstances. However, unlike Avatar of Hope, it maintains a consistent mana value, providing a different form of game utility.
In evaluating the Avatar of Hope alongside its counterparts, its niche condition for a reduced cost provides a gateway to potentially game-winning defenses for players on the brink. This card holds its ground, offering singular advantages for those looking to turn the tide in challenging situations.
Cards similar to Avatar of Hope by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Avatar of Hope can be a pivotal card in stabilizing your game position, especially when facing decks that pressure your life total. Once on the battlefield, it ensures a strong presence, being a formidable blocker thanks to its significant toughness, providing a steadfast line of defense while you marshal your resources.
Resource Acceleration: While Avatar of Hope itself does not directly accelerate resources, its low casting cost under specific conditions can save critical mana. This allows for a more efficient allocation of resources to other spells and strategies, enabling a swifter deployment of your game plan and potential board dominance.
Instant Speed: Though not an instant, the mere presence of Avatar of Hope in your deck can influence an opponent’s playstyle, making them wary of reducing your life total too quickly. This indirect effect can buy you time, thereby increasing your ability to respond to threats effectively with actual instant-speed interactions—it’s a psychological twist on the concept of playing at instant speed.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: To summon Avatar of Hope onto the battlefield under ordinary circumstances, there’s a hefty caveat. Players are only allowed to cast it if their life total is 3 or less, which may not align with the strategy of decks that strive to keep a healthy life total.
Specific Mana Cost: Avatar of Hope demands a very specific mana combination to be brought into play – two white mana along with six mana of any type. This can prove challenging in multicolored decks that might not reliably produce the necessary white mana when it’s crucial.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: At a total cost of eight mana, Avatar of Hope is a significant investment, especially when considering other creatures or spells available that might offer a better cost-to-effectiveness ratio. The high mana cost makes it a late-game card, which may not be conducive to all strategies, particularly in fast-paced games.
Reasons to Include Avatar of Hope in Your Collection
Versatility: With its ability to block any number of creatures, Avatar of Hope offers a robust defensive option for decks dealing with relentless attacks. It slides easily into life-gain or control decks that can benefit from a stalwart blocker.
Combo Potential: This card pairs well with effects that require a creature with high toughness or with strategies aiming to manipulate life totals. Whether it’s using it as a sacrificial piece for various abilities or combining it with cards that grant powerful benefits when life is low, there’s a range of synergies to be explored.
Meta-Relevance: In environments where aggressive strategies are prevalent, Avatar of Hope can act as a game-changer. Its ability to go on the defensive for a low cost when you’re at a life threshold makes it a potential meta counter-card, especially when paired with damage prevention or life-gain mechanics.
How to beat
Overcoming Avatar of Hope on the battlefield requires a blend of strategy and card choice. This particular card comes into play when a player is at a low life total, presenting itself as a defensive bastion with impressive staying power. However, the key to dismantling this formidable creature lies in utilizing removal spells that can bypass its damage reduction ability. Cards such as Path to Exile or Terminate, which exile or destroy without dealing damage, are excellent tools in your arsenal.
Control decks have an advantage by countering Avatar of Hope before it even enters the play, maintaining the upper hand through card advantage and board control. Alternatively, red decks can benefit from direct damage spells that can change the life math, making sure the Avatar’s condition for entering the battlefield isn’t met. Persisted pressure on the opponent’s life total is a strategic path to ensure the late game sees no hope for the Avatar’s emergence.
Remember that versatility in your deck can make all the difference. Including a mix of counterspells, removal, and pressure tactics provides a balanced approach to tackle not only Avatar of Hope but a wide range of threats you may face in a game of MTG.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Avatar of Hope MTG card by a specific set like Prophecy and Magic Online Promos, 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 Avatar of Hope 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 Avatar of Hope Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2000-06-05 and 2003-07-28. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2000-06-05 | Prophecy | PCY | 3 | 1997 | Normal | Black | rk post | |
| 2 | Magic Online Promos | PRM | 32206 | 1997 | Normal | Black | rk post | ||
| 3 | 2003-07-28 | Eighth Edition | 8ED | 4★ | 2003 | Normal | Black | Mark Zug | |
| 4 | 2003-07-28 | Eighth Edition | 8ED | 4 | 2003 | Normal | White | Mark Zug |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Avatar of Hope has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Avatar of Hope 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 | The mana value of this card is still 8, even if you only pay to cast it. |