Aven Fateshaper MTG Card


Provides card advantage by scrying your own and influencing your opponent’s deck, offering subtle strategic leverage. Demands discarding a card for each reshuffle, potentially causing hand disadvantage and limiting flexibility. Meta-relevant, particularly in longer games where incremental advantages from consistent scrying can secure wins.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost7
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Bird Wizard
Abilities Flying
Power 4
Toughness 5

Text of card

Flying When Aven Fateshaper comes into play, look at the top four cards of your library, then put them back in any order. o4o U: Look at the top four cards of your library, then put them back in any order.


Cards like Aven Fateshaper

Aven Fateshaper stands out in the constellation of Magic: The Gathering cards with its unique mechanics. It bears some resemblance to cards like Supreme Will or Ixalan’s Binding in its ability to look at the top few cards of a library. The Fateshaper, however, is creature-based and brings a reusable scry function each upkeep, which offers a level of control over upcoming draws similar to that of Crystal Ball.

Next in line is Prognostic Sphinx, a card that also provides a scry ability upon attacking, yet the Fateshaper’s ability is not conditional upon combat. The Sphinx, while a formidable card itself, does not match the repeatable and flexible control over draws provided by Aven Fateshaper. Another peer is Sigiled Starfish, affectionately known as “Patrick”. This creature similarly allows a scry each turn, but lacks the evasion and larger form of Aven Fateshaper.

Evaluating these cards side by side, Aven Fateshaper fits well in decks that need consistent scrying power, particularly in the later game. Its versatility in shaping future draws, while needing a bit of a setup, can be a significant advantage in controlling the course of the game.

Supreme Will - MTG Card versions
Ixalan's Binding - MTG Card versions
Crystal Ball - MTG Card versions
Prognostic Sphinx - MTG Card versions
Sigiled Starfish - MTG Card versions
Supreme Will - MTG Card versions
Ixalan's Binding - MTG Card versions
Crystal Ball - MTG Card versions
Prognostic Sphinx - MTG Card versions
Sigiled Starfish - MTG Card versions

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

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Scrapdiver Serpent - MTG Card versions
Chancellor of the Spires - MTG Card versions
Kraken of the Straits - MTG Card versions
Phyrexian Ingester - MTG Card versions
Island Fish Jasconius - MTG Card versions
Blizzard Elemental - MTG Card versions
Amugaba - MTG Card versions
Jin-Gitaxias, Progress Tyrant - MTG Card versions
Tromokratis - MTG Card versions
Hullbreaker Horror - MTG Card versions
Mistform Skyreaver - MTG Card versions
Slipstream Eel - MTG Card versions
Weaver of Lies - MTG Card versions
Quicksilver Behemoth - MTG Card versions
Vizzerdrix - MTG Card versions
Rimefeather Owl - MTG Card versions
Cyclone Summoner - MTG Card versions
Isleback Spawn - MTG Card versions
Marjhan - MTG Card versions
Goliath Sphinx - MTG Card versions
Scrapdiver Serpent - MTG Card versions
Chancellor of the Spires - MTG Card versions
Kraken of the Straits - MTG Card versions
Phyrexian Ingester - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Aven Fateshaper ensures that you stay ahead in the card game by letting you rearrange not only the top cards of your own deck but also influence your opponent’s next draw, subtly tipping the scales in your favor.

Resource Acceleration: Despite not directly generating mana or tokens, this card allows for strategic scry which can effectively draw you into your ramp cards or other resources faster, effectively streamlining your deck’s performance.

Instant Speed: Although Aven Fateshaper operates at sorcery speed, the versatility it offers in manipulating draws can equip you with the right answers or threats at crucial junctures, almost as if you had the right card just in time, mimicking the impact of an instant speed interaction.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Aven Fateshaper requires a card to be discarded each time you wish to reshuffle your library, which may create a disadvantage when you’re already dealing with a depleted hand, hindering your overall strategic flexibility.

Specific Mana Cost: To cast this creature, you need not only a significant amount of mana, but also a particular combination, including one blue mana, which may not align well with all deck strategies, especially those that are color-diverse or mana-intensive in other hues.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Clocking in at eight mana, Aven Fateshaper can be a heavy hit to your mana resources, delaying your ability to play it until the late game. As a result, other cards with a lower mana cost could provide a more immediate impact or benefit to your gameplay progression.


Reasons to Include Aven Fateshaper in Your Collection

Versatility: Aven Fateshaper offers deck builders a multitude of options, easily slipping into blue-focused decks. Its ability to rearrange the top of your library ensures you draw the right card at the right time, lending a hand in controlling the flow of your game.

Combo Potential: With its ability to scry each turn, Aven Fateshaper can be paired with shuffle effects or cards that benefit from deck manipulation to set up powerful plays. It synergizes well with any strategy that capitalizes on the knowledge of the upcoming draw.

Meta-Relevance: In a game where card advantage can determine the outcome, Aven Fateshaper maintains relevancy. It’s especially useful in metas with longer games where incremental advantages accumulate to secure victory. Its consistent scrying effect can help sift through your library to find answers or threats based on the state of the game.


How to beat

Aven Fateshaper, as a flexible fixture in blue-focused decks within Magic: The Gathering, presents its unique challenge on the board with its ability to manipulate the top cards of a player’s library. To outmaneuver the Fateshaper, it is key to deploy strategies that disrupt its scrying ability. Tools such as Pithing Needle or Sorcerous Spyglass can turn off activated abilities, leaving the bird wizard far less imposing. Playing proactive countermeasures like Thoughtseize or Duress early on can extract it from your opponent’s hand before it’s even cast.

Spot removal spells like Doom Blade or Path to Exile can also provide a clean answer after the Aven hits the table. Keeping pressure with aggressive creatures puts the opponent on the backfoot, making it difficult for them to take full advantage of Fateshaper’s abilities. In a control matchup, utilizing instant speed removal or counterspells ensures that you can deal with the Fateshaper without having to leave a window open for your opponent to exploit. Understanding when to strike and keeping board presence in your favor will guide you to victory against this mythic shaper of fates.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Aven Fateshaper MTG card by a specific set like Onslaught and Dominaria Remastered, 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 Aven Fateshaper and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Aven Fateshaper Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2002-10-07 and 2023-01-13. Illustrated by Anthony S. Waters.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-10-07OnslaughtONS 691997NormalBlackAnthony S. Waters
22023-01-13Dominaria RemasteredDMR 402015NormalBlackAnthony S. Waters

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Aven Fateshaper has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal