Aven Trailblazer MTG Card


Domain ability scales Aven Trailblazer’s toughness with basic land type variety, aiding multicolored decks. Offers versatile play by fitting into strategies with instant-speed flying creature requirements. Demands careful deckbuilding to manage the high mana cost and color specificity.
Aven Trailblazer - Conflux
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Bird Soldier
Abilities Domain,Flying
Released2009-02-06
Set symbol
Set nameConflux
Set codeCON
Power 2
Toughness *
Number4
Frame2003
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byChris Rahn

Text of card

Flying Domain Aven Trailblazer's toughness is equal to the number of basic land types among lands you control.

"The bird wore the form of a man, bereft of filigree. Why do the Texts not speak of it?" —Belator of Esper


Cards like Aven Trailblazer

Aven Trailblazer distinguishes itself within the expansive world of Magic: The Gathering creatures by having a domain ability that bases its toughness on the number of basic land types you control. This makes it somewhat reminiscent of cards like Primal Plasma, which also has a power or toughness that can change depending on the situation when it enters the battlefield. Yet, Primal Plasma lacks the domain ability and doesn’t scale its defensive capabilities as the game progresses.

Another card worthy of comparison is the Matca Rioters, whose power and toughness are dictated by the number of lands you control. While similar in the scaling aspect, the Rioters calculate their strength based purely on quantity, not variety. Aven Trailblazer thrives in a deck with a diverse mana base, able to grow stronger defensively in multi-colored decks. Then we have the Coalition Honor Guard, a creature with a distinct ability to protect others by redirecting spells or abilities that target only a single creature. Although it’s not directly related to power or toughness, this protective trait adds tactical depth to deck construction and play style.

In essence, Aven Trailblazer offers an adaptable defensive presence for MTG players who favor multi-color decks, standing out with its unique mechanic that is both thematic and potentially powerful depending on the in-game landscape.

Primal Plasma - MTG Card versions
Matca Rioters - MTG Card versions
Coalition Honor Guard - MTG Card versions
Primal Plasma - MTG Card versions
Matca Rioters - MTG Card versions
Coalition Honor Guard - MTG Card versions

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Jamuraan Lion - MTG Card versions
Snow Hound - MTG Card versions
Elvish Healer - MTG Card versions
Femeref Knight - MTG Card versions
Border Guard - MTG Card versions
Stern Marshal - MTG Card versions
Benalish Knight - MTG Card versions
Regal Unicorn - MTG Card versions
Wild Griffin - MTG Card versions
Pianna, Nomad Captain - MTG Card versions
Dogged Hunter - MTG Card versions
Diving Griffin - MTG Card versions
Faithful Squire // Kaiso, Memory of Loyalty - MTG Card versions
Kitsune Palliator - MTG Card versions
Freewind Equenaut - MTG Card versions
Sanctum Guardian - MTG Card versions
Field Marshal - MTG Card versions
Kithkin Healer - MTG Card versions
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Card Pros

Card Advantage: Aven Trailblazer’s domain ability has potential to provide card advantage in multicolored decks. The more basic land types you control, the higher its toughness, making it a formidable blocker that can deter opponents from attacking and preserve your hand by reducing the need to cast additional creatures.

Resource Acceleration: While Aven Trailblazer itself doesn’t provide direct mana acceleration, its scalable toughness based on domain can help maintain a stable board presence, allowing you to allocate resources towards spells and abilities that further your game plan rather than defense.

Instant Speed: A powerful aspect of this card is its ability to fit into strategies that require flying creatures to be played at instant speed. With the assistance of flash enablers, Aven Trailblazer can surprise opponents during combat or end of their turn, creating unexpected blockers or attackers that sync well with instant-speed interaction for dynamic play.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Aven Trailblazer doesn’t directly mandate discarding cards, but its high mana cost in a deck that may also run cards with cycling or other discard outlets could put pressure on your hand, especially if you’re trying to maintain card advantage.

Specific Mana Cost: Aven Trailblazer requires white mana, which may not be troublesome on its own, but when combined with its third color requirement that the domain mechanic introduces, it becomes less flexible for decks that aren’t heavily invested in mana fixing or multi-color strategies.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: For three mana, its base stats are underwhelming unless you control a variety of basic land types. In many cases, you might be casting a creature that’s inefficient for the cost, particularly in the early game when domain hasn’t reached its full potential, or in mono-white builds where it doesn’t shine as brightly.


Reasons to Include Aven Trailblazer in Your Collection

Versatility: Aven Trailblazer’s domain ability allows it to adapt its power and toughness according to the number of basic land types under your control. This characteristic enables it to serve as a dynamic defender or an aggressive attacker in many deck varieties that span across different colors.

Combo Potential: In deck themes that manipulate the number of basic land types or benefit from flying creatures, Aven Trailblazer shines. It seamlessly integrates into decks that utilize land-type synergy or evasion tactics, making it an unpredictable and flexible asset for inventive combo plays.

Meta-Relevance: Considering the flying trait and scalability of Aven Trailblazer, it can become a formidable threat in a meta where aerial superiority can outmaneuver ground-based strategies or dodge certain removal spells. The versatility in its stats means it can adapt to the ever-changing battlefield conditions, thus remaining a relevant choice for decks that need a responsive creature card.


How to Beat Aven Trailblazer

Aven Trailblazer may seem like a formidable flyer in MTG, with its domain ability granting it toughness equal to the number of basic land types among lands you control. Still, it leaves room for strategic counterplay. Removal spells that don’t rely on power or toughness to take effect, such as Path to Exile or Fatal Push, can efficiently handle the Trailblazer regardless of its size. Additionally, board wipes, like Damnation or Supreme Verdict, can clear the creature off the battlefield without fuss.

Controlling the number of land types in play is another approach—cards like Blood Moon can turn all nonbasic lands into Mountains, thus limiting the Trailblazer’s toughness to the number of basic land types available. And lastly, avoiding combat with cards like Maze of Ith ensures you can deter an attack without having to commit to removing the Aven Trailblazer altogether. Understanding the card’s strengths and applying these strategies will confidently guide any MTG player to victory over this high-flying threat.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Aven Trailblazer MTG card by a specific set like Conflux, 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 Trailblazer and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Aven Trailblazer has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Aven Trailblazer card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2009-02-01 Aven Trailblazer’s second ability is a “characteristic-defining ability.” It applies at all times in all zones.
2021-03-19 Domain abilities count the number of basic land types among lands you control, not how many lands you control or how many of any type.
2021-03-19 The basic land types are Plains, Island, Swamp, Mountain, and Forest. Land types other than basic land types (such as Desert) don’t contribute to domain abilities.