Avatar of Woe MTG Card
Card sets | Released in 11 setsSee all |
Mana cost | |
Converted mana cost | 8 |
Rarity | Rare |
Type | Creature — Avatar |
Abilities | Fear |
Power | 6 |
Toughness | 5 |
Text of card
If there are ten or more creature cards total in all graveyards, Avatar of Woe costs o6 less to play. Avatar of Woe can't be blocked except by artifact creatures and/or black creatures. oc T: Destroy target creature. It can't be regenerated.
Cards like Avatar of Woe
The Avatar of Woe stands as a formidable force within the Magic: The Gathering realm. With an incredible ability to destroy any creature it engages in combat without the usual kerfuffle of damage calculation, this card echoes the impact of iconic cards like Visara the Dreadful, which also offers targeted creature removal without tapping. However, Visara lacks the conditional cost reduction that makes Avatar of Woe a game changer under the right circumstances.
Yet another peer in the arena of creature control is Royal Assassin, with the capacity to pick off tapped creatures without battling. It sports a lower mana cost than Avatar of Woe, enabling quicker play, but it doesn’t have the sheer power and toughness to stand on the battlefield quite as formidably. Then there’s Sheoldred, Whispering One, a kin in its swampy domain. Sheoldred combines reanimating power with the relentless removal of opposing forces, albeit at a higher casting cost. Despite this, the recurring advantage of resurrecting creatures from your graveyard each turn adds a layer of value that extends beyond mere creature destruction.
Moving through the maze of MTG’s vast library, while many cards offer similar dread-inducing removal abilities, Avatar of Woe has carved out its niche as a resilient, conditional powerhouse that can single-handedly dictate the flow of combat and, ultimately, the game.
Cards similar to Avatar of Woe by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Avatar of Woe. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
# | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
---|---|---|---|---|
Sultai Scam | Modern | Sultai Scam | Modern Challenge 96 2024-01-27 |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Avatar of Woe provides significant card advantage within creature heavy matchups, thoroughly swaying the tide by allowing you to control and potentially eliminate opponents’ threats with ease. This powerful ability to destroy creatures without expending additional cards is a cornerstone of attrition strategies.
Resource Acceleration: Although Avatar of Woe does not directly produce mana or Treasure tokens, its ability to consistently clear the board without using extra resources can indirectly accelerate your overall strategy. By removing potential blockers or threats, you can freely attack or develop your board, giving you a tactical lead in the resource race.
Instant Speed: A key feature of Avatar of Woe is the capability to destroy another target creature without tapping, at instant speed. This flexibility allows for strategic planning, as you can wait for your opponent to commit to their plays before deciding on the optimal use of this devastating ability, potentially altering the course of the game during critical turns.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Players must manage graveyard content strategically because Avatar of Woe requires ten creatures in the graveyards to be activated with its abilities at a lower cost. This requirement can impede gameplay, especially in formats where filling the graveyard quickly is challenging.
Specific Mana Cost: Avatar of Woe’s mana cost includes black mana symbols, limiting its seamless inclusion in multicolored decks. To effectively cast this card, a deck must be tailored with a sufficient amount of black mana-producing sources, which can restrict deck building options.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With an eight mana-value, Avatar of Woe’s casting cost is on the higher end of the spectrum. Even though its ability can reduce the cost under the right circumstances, such a heavy investment might slow down the player’s tempo, particularly when faster, lower-cost alternatives are available for creature control.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Avatar of Woe can be a game-changer in various deck builds. Its ability to destroy creatures without requiring mana makes it a powerful tool, particularly in decks focused on controlling the board or in graveyard-based strategies where it’s easier to meet its activation conditions.
Combo Potential: With its tap ability, Avatar of Woe works well with cards that untap creatures or copy activated abilities, amplifying its impact on the game. Integrating this card can lead to devastating combos that repeatedly clear the field of opponent’s creatures.
Meta-Relevance: In metas where creature-heavy decks are prominent, Avatar of Woe thrives. It functions as both deterrent and executioner against creature-based aggressions, making it a valuable asset in holding back swarms and maintaining a cleared board for your strategies to unfold.
How to beat
Avatar of Woe is a formidable force, a creature card that can turn the tide of battle in Magic: The Gathering with its power to destroy another creature at will. To overcome this towering terror, players need to think strategically. Avatar of Woe thrives in a graveyard-rich environment, so controlling the number of creature cards in all graveyards is crucial. Graveyard removal spells like Tormod’s Crypt or Rest in Peace can dismantle the necessary conditions for Avatar of Woe to become active or to be cast with its cost reduction ability.
Efficient removal spells like Path to Exile or Murderous Rider are also effective, as they can exile Avatar of Woe or destroy it before its ability becomes a recurring problem. Counterspells like Negate or Dovin’s Veto—played at the right moment—can ensure that Avatar of Woe never hits the board in the first place. Enchantment-based solutions such as Pacifism can also render it harmless, preventing it from using its terrifying ability. Staying ahead by applying these strategies can neutralize Avatar of Woe, allowing players to reclaim control of the game.
Avatar of Woe may be a daunting adversary, but with the right approach to resource management and proactive defense, you can keep this creature in check and maintain the upper hand in your matches.
BurnMana Recommendations
Embrace the power of Avatar of Woe in your MTG collection and witness its potential to shape your gameplay experience. It holds a unique position in creature control strategies, with its ability to eliminate threats effortlessly. Enhancing your graveyard management and implementing synergistic cards can turn this avatar into a key player on your battlefield. Whether your deck thrives on controlling the board or you’re looking to fortify your collection with versatile and impactful creatures, consider including Avatar of Woe. Its presence alone can deter opponents and offer you a commanding game advantage. Discover more strategies and refine your MTG prowess with us.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Avatar of Woe 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 Woe 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 Woe Magic the Gathering card was released in 11 different sets between 2000-06-05 and 2018-06-08. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
# | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2000-06-05 | Prophecy | PCY | 56 | 1997 | Normal | Black | rk post | |
2 | Magic Online Promos | PRM | 36208 | 2003 | Normal | Black | rk post | ||
3 | 2006-10-06 | Time Spiral Timeshifted | TSB | 37 | 1997 | Normal | Black | rk post | |
4 | Pro Tour Promos | PPRO | 2010 | 2003 | Normal | Black | rk post | ||
5 | 2010-06-18 | Archenemy | ARC | 9 | 2003 | Normal | Black | rk post | |
6 | 2010-11-08 | Magic Online Theme Decks | TD0 | A38 | 1997 | Normal | Black | rk post | |
7 | 2011-06-17 | Commander 2011 | CMD | 73 | 2003 | Normal | Black | rk post | |
8 | 2011-11-18 | Premium Deck Series: Graveborn | PD3 | 6 | 2003 | Normal | Black | rk post | |
9 | 2016-08-26 | Conspiracy: Take the Crown | CN2 | 128 | 2015 | Normal | Black | rk post | |
10 | 2017-04-28 | Amonkhet Invocations | MP2 | 38 | 2015 | Normal | Borderless | Igor Kieryluk | |
11 | 2018-06-08 | Commander Anthology Volume II | CM2 | 57 | 2015 | Normal | Black | rk post |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Avatar of Woe 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 Woe 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. |