Aven Shrine MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Enchantment |
| Released | 2001-10-01 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Odyssey |
| Set code | ODY |
| Number | 9 |
| Frame | 1997 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Wayne England |
Text of card
Whenever a player plays a spell, that player gains X life, where X is the number of cards in all graveyards with the same name as that spell.
Cards like Aven Shrine
Aven Shrine is a unique enchantment piece in the realm of MTG that interacts specifically with white spells. A card with a similar thematic approach is Honden of Cleansing Fire, which also rewards players for dedicating to a color, in this case through life gain each turn. Aven Shrine, however, stands out by potentially disrupting opponents every time you play a white spell, making it an interesting choice in a mono-white or multicolored control deck.
Comparatively, we observe the Shrine of Loyal Legions, another card emphasizing commitment to white spells. This artifact creates creature tokens, diverging from Aven Shrine’s disruption strategy. While both cards thrive in a white-centric deck, Aven Shrine offers more of a tactical edge against opponents’ strategies, rather than the board presence that Shrine of Loyal Legions provides.
Ultimately, Aven Shrine might not be the most famous Shrine in MTG, but its specific color interaction can tactically advantage white spell-heavy decks. It has potential when used thoughtfully, particularly within a format where disrupting an opponent’s hand can be as crucial as building one’s own board.
Cards similar to Aven Shrine by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Aven Shrine shines by potentially drawing you additional cards whenever you cast a spell that matches the chosen type. Over time, this can snowball into a significant upper hand, keeping your hand flush with options.
Resource Acceleration: While Aven Shrine itself does not directly accelerate resources, the cards it helps draw into your hand can lead to finding the keys to unlock mana ramp or quicker access to your more impactful spells.
Instant Speed: Aven Shrine’s influence is felt when casting instants of your chosen type. This takes your instant-speed interactions up a notch by not only countering or disrupting but also refueling your hand, keeping the pressure on opponents even during their turn.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Aven Shrine compels players to sacrifice a card every time they wish to tap into its ability, presenting a harsh trade-off when your hand is already dwindling.
Specific Mana Cost: Requiring a precise blend of mana that includes white, Aven Shrine imposes a challenge for decks that aren’t primarily aligned with white mana, potentially undermining its utility in a versatile mana base.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With an activation fee that sits on the higher end of the scale, Aven Shrine may not be as resource-efficient as other cards in your arsenal, especially when considering its potential impact on the game’s progression.
Reasons to Include Aven Shrine in Your Collection
Versatility: Aven Shrine evolves with the game, capable of fitting snugly into deck builds that play around with creature types, particularly Aven or cleric. It can augment both tribal strategies and control-oriented decks.
Combo Potential: This Shrine has the ability to trigger each turn, setting the stage for consistent combos, especially in concert with cards that benefit from casting spells of a specific type or involve repeated ETB (enter the battlefield) abilities.
Meta-Relevance: Given that it interacts with both players’ spells, Aven Shrine holds its ground in environments where creature-heavy decks are common, offering a subtle yet consistent form of advantage.
How to beat
Aven Shrine can be a tricky card to maneuver around in a match. This enchantment benefits from a playstyle that focuses on the cumulative effects of casting white spells. Each white spell cast further empowers this shrine—potentially a daunting scenario for opponents. How can you tilt the scales back in your favor against such a card?
One effective strategy lies in targeting the enchantment directly. Utilizing enchantment removal cards is a direct and straightforward approach. Green decks offer a variety of such options; cards like Naturalize or Disenchant can efficiently handle Aven Shrine by removing it from play. In addition, countering the spells that trigger its benefits is also viable. Having counterspells ready can stop the shrine from amassing too much power. Blue decks excel in this aspect, with spells like Negate or Cancel.
Another angle would be to pressure your opponent with a faster, more aggressive strategy. Overwhelming them before they can establish their shrine’s advantage can lead to victory. Red decks with fast creatures and burn spells can outpace the shrine’s gradual benefits. In essence, swift removal, strategic countering, or prioritizing attack can render Aven Shrine far less threatening.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Aven Shrine MTG card by a specific set like Odyssey, 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 Shrine 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
See MTG Products
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Aven Shrine has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |