Jötun Owl Keeper MTG Card


Jötun Owl Keeper - Coldsnap
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Giant
Abilities Cumulative upkeep
Released2006-07-21
Set symbol
Set nameColdsnap
Set codeCSP
Power 3
Toughness 3
Number9
Frame2003
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred byDave Dorman

Key Takeaways

  1. Creates numerous flying tokens matching card draws, enhancing board control and keeping opponents on their toes.
  2. Cumulative upkeep can accelerate resource generation, offering a tactical edge through potential army growth.
  3. Forecast ability usable at instant speed adds a layer of unpredictability, allowing responsive play against adversaries.

Text of card

Cumulative upkeep or (At the beginning of your upkeep, put an age counter on this permanent, then sacrifice it unless you pay its upkeep cost for each age counter on it.) When Jötun Owl Keeper is put into a graveyard from play, put a 1/1 white Bird creature token with flying into play for each age counter on it.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Jötun Owl Keeper’s ability to create a number of 1/1 white Bird creature tokens with flying equal to the number of card draws you’ve had in a turn bolsters your board presence and maintains pressure on your opponent.

Resource Acceleration: This creature can also catalyze your resource generation with its cumulative upkeep cost, allowing you to potentially amass a larger army the longer it’s in play, thus accelerating your resource deployment.

Instant Speed: The capacity to use its forecast ability at instant speed gives you the tactical advantage of adaptability; you can contribute to your flock of fliers at a moment’s notice or during your opponent’s turn, keeping them guessing and unprepared.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Playing the Jötun Owl Keeper typically involves a discard condition, putting players in a potentially precarious position if their hand is already depleted. This can challenge deck-building strategies and hand management, making it a less attractive option when cards in hand are crucial for upcoming turns.

Specific Mana Cost: The casting cost of the card requires specific mana types, which can be restrictive for players running multicolored decks. This makes it less versatile, as it necessitates a commitment to its specific color identity within your deck build.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While the card’s abilities can be impactful, its mana cost is on the higher end of the curve, which can make it a less preferable choice during the early stages of the game. In the quickly evolving game of Magic, where efficiency is key, there may be more cost-effective creatures or spells to include in your deck.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Jötun Owl Keeper can seamlessly slot into decks that leverage flying creatures or those built around cumulative upkeep. Its ability to create multiple tokens makes it a flexible asset on both defense and offense.

Combo Potential: This card synergizes well with effects that buff fliers or exploit creature tokens, offering a launchpad for powerful combinations and interactions on the battlefield.

Meta-Relevance: Flying creatures are perennially useful due to their evasion, making Jötun Owl Keeper a relevant choice in many game situations, particularly where ground stalls are common or controlling the skies is paramount.


How to beat

Jötun Owl Keeper is a creature card that can be a significant presence on the battlefield in Magic: The Gathering. Its strength lies in the cumulated upkeep ability, allowing a player to create a 1/1 white Bird creature token with flying for each age counter on it at the cost of one mana. Bypassing this creature’s potential to overwhelm the board with tokens requires a strategic approach.

One effective tactic is to utilize removal spells that can handle the Owl Keeper before it gets out of hand. Spot removals like Path to Exile or Fatal Push offer a swift solution to this growing threat. In scenarios where tokens have already been created, board sweepers such as Supreme Verdict or Wrath of God can reset the playing field. Additionally, countering the creature spell is always a clean way to prevent any upkeep triggers from occurring. Cards such as Counterspell or Dovin’s Veto can be key in maintaining control of the game.

Timing is crucial when dealing with Jötun Owl Keeper. By considering both the immediate and long-term impacts it has on the game, players can select the most opportune moment to use their removal resources. Addressing the card quickly often mitigates the risk of facing an overwhelming flock of tokens later in the match.


Cards like Jötun Owl Keeper

Jötun Owl Keeper is an intriguing creature in the vast lineup of Magic: The Gathering. It’s often compared to cards like Squadron Hawk which is also known for providing card advantage by fetching other Squadron Hawks from your deck. However, Jötun Owl Keeper comes with a cumulative upkeep cost, allowing the creation of Owl tokens before ultimately saying farewell to your feathery guide.

Adding to the comparison, Emeria Angel stands out with its Landfall ability, creating 1/1 bird creature tokens as lands are played, which can consistently build an army. Jötun Owl Keeper, in contrast, offers a one-time token creation, tied to its departure from the battlefield. Then we have Murmuring Mystic, impacting the game by generating tokens through casting instants and sorceries. It’s a more versatile choice for token generation in spell-heavy decks, whereas Jötun Owl Keeper suits the creature-based strategies that focus on board presence over longer periods.

Every card’s unique flexible mechanics serve different strategies in Magic: The Gathering. Picking the right card, like Jötun Owl Keeper, hinges on fitting within your overarching game plan, matching synergy within your deck, and optimizing the timing of token generation on the battlefield.

Squadron Hawk - MTG Card versions
Emeria Angel - MTG Card versions
Murmuring Mystic - MTG Card versions
Squadron Hawk - Magic 2011 (M11)
Emeria Angel - Zendikar (ZEN)
Murmuring Mystic - Guilds of Ravnica (GRN)

Cards similar to Jötun Owl Keeper by color, type and mana cost

Adarkar Unicorn - MTG Card versions
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Adarkar Unicorn - Ice Age (ICE)
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Guiding Spirit - Visions (VIS)
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Samite Archer - Invasion (INV)
Riptide Crab - The List (PLST)
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Tolarian Emissary - Invasion (INV)
Silver Drake - Planeshift (PLS)
Disciple of Kangee - Planeshift (PLS)
Soulherder - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Kotori, Pilot Prodigy - Neon Dynasty Commander (NEC)
Soulsworn Jury - Dissension (DIS)
Minister of Impediments - Dissension (DIS)
Court Hussar - Mystery Booster (MB1)
Azorius Herald - RNA Guild Kit (GK2)
Thistledown Duo - Shadowmoor (SHM)
Plumeveil - Modern Masters (MMA)
Silkbind Faerie - Shadowmoor (SHM)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Jötun Owl Keeper MTG card by a specific set like Coldsnap, 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 Jötun Owl Keeper and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Jötun Owl Keeper has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

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