Aven Windreader MTG Card
2001-10-01 - Number 65
2005-07-29 - Number 62★
2005-07-29 - Number 62
2005-08-22 - Number H52
2005-08-22 - Number H53
2007-07-13 - Number 69
2007-07-13 - Number 69★
| Card sets | Released in 7 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Bird Soldier Wizard |
| Abilities | Flying |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Text of card
Flying o1o U: Target player reveals the top card of his or her library.
"The tiniest ripple tells a story ten fathoms deep."
Cards like Aven Windreader
Aven Windreader is a unique blue creature card enriching the skies of Magic: The Gathering with its strategic flying ability combined with an informational advantage. Similar to other flying creatures like Air Elemental, the Windreader has the power to elegantly soar over ground-based blockers. However, Aven Windreader stands out with its ability to peek at an opponent’s top card, an edge not afforded by the simple brawn of Air Elemental.
Another card with resemblance in utility is Augury Owl, which, upon entering the battlefield, allows for card scrying. Although the owl doesn’t offer the sustained recon of Aven Windreader or its stronger combat presence, it does provide an immediate and concentrated insight into the next draws. Keen-eyed Navigator also shares the gift of foresight; while it doesn’t have flying, it enables a more extensive look at the opponent’s hand, a trade-off that depends heavily on one’s game strategy.
Assessing Aven Windreader within the spectrum of MTG creature cards, its combination of aerial assault and steady intelligence gathering makes it a valuable asset for players who desire a balance of offensive capability and tactical foreknowledge on the battlefield.
Cards similar to Aven Windreader by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Aven Windreader allows you to peek at the top card of an opponent’s library, potentially giving you a strategic advantage by knowing their next move. Continuous use of this ability can steadily inform your decisions and keep you one step ahead.
Resource Acceleration: While Aven Windreader doesn’t directly accelerate resources, its moderate casting cost makes it a viable inclusion in a deck that values tempo and presence on the battlefield over immediate mana gain.
Instant Speed: The ability to utilize Aven Windreader’s “look at an opponent’s top card” at any time gives you the flexibility to adapt during an opponent’s turn, similar to the reactive nature of instant speed spells, keeping your strategy concealed while gathering information.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Aven Windreader has the advantage of letting you peek at the top card of an opponent’s library, it doesn’t have a discard mechanic. This means no direct hand disruption to complement its battlefield intelligence gathering, potentially leaving you wishing for more interactive gameplay.
Specific Mana Cost: Aven Windreader demands a specific mana combination to cast, with two islands and one other type of land. This makes the card less flexible and can sometimes be a hindrance in multicolored decks that struggle with mana consistency.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Clocking in at four mana, the cost of Aven Windreader can be steep, particularly when you consider other creatures in the game that offer similar or better abilities for a lower investment. This has ramifications for both early game tempo and late-game efficiency.
Reasons to Include Aven Windreader in Your Collection
Versatility: Aven Windreader offers flexibility as a flying creature, making it a valuable asset in decks aiming to dominate aerial combat. Its ability to grant visibility over opponents’ top cards elevates strategic planning, allowing for better-informed decisions each turn.
Combo Potential: With its foresight ability, Aven Windreader synergizes with cards that arrange deck order, benefiting from and contributing to setups that influence both your own and your opponent’s draws. This can be a key component in decks that capitalize on knowing the next card to be played.
Meta-Relevance: In game environments where knowledge is power, Aven Windreader shines by providing continuous intel, positioning itself as a tactical element in matches that hinge on anticipating the opponent’s moves and disrupting their strategy.
How to beat
Aven Windreader stands as a valuable card for those who seek aerial superiority and information advantage in Magic: The Gathering. Boasting not only flying but also providing the ability to peek into an opponent’s hand, this card challenges players to tackle it strategically. To overcome the Aven Windreader, it’s essential to prioritize removal spells, which can unceremoniously dispatch the bird before its abilities take a toll on your hand-secrets.
One effective method is to use instant-speed removals like Path to Exile or Lightning Bolt, which can clear the Aven Windreader off the board with minimal cost and before its controller can leverage any intel. Enchantment-based removal can also be a sensible choice, especially those that neutralize abilities or pin creatures to the ground, such as Pacifism. Additionally, creature combat tactics, bolstered by cards that grant buffs or deathtouch, present another avenue to defeat Aven Windreader through battle without the opponent gaining any significant card advantage.
Ultimately, swift and decisive action against Aven Windreader is the key to maintaining control over the game’s flow and safeguarding your strategic plays within the diverse and ever-evolving landscape of Magic: The Gathering.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Aven Windreader MTG card by a specific set like Odyssey and Ninth Edition, 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 Windreader 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
Printings
The Aven Windreader Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2001-10-01 and 2007-07-13. Illustrated by 5 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2001-10-01 | Odyssey | ODY | 65 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Greg Hildebrandt & Tim Hildebrandt | |
| 2 | 2005-07-29 | Ninth Edition | 9ED | 62★ | 2003 | Normal | Black | Greg Hildebrandt & Tim Hildebrandt | |
| 3 | 2005-07-29 | Ninth Edition | 9ED | 62 | 2003 | Normal | White | Greg Hildebrandt & Tim Hildebrandt | |
| 4 | 2005-08-22 | Salvat 2005 | PSAL | H52 | 2003 | Normal | White | Greg Hildebrandt | |
| 5 | 2005-08-22 | Salvat 2005 | PSAL | H53 | 2003 | Normal | White | Greg Hildebrandt | |
| 6 | 2007-07-13 | Tenth Edition | 10E | 69 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Greg Hildebrandt | |
| 7 | 2007-07-13 | Tenth Edition | 10E | 69★ | 2003 | Normal | Black | Greg Hildebrandt |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Aven Windreader has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |