Experimental Aviator MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Human Artificer |
| Abilities | Flying |
| Released | 2016-09-30 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Kaladesh |
| Set code | KLD |
| Power | 0 |
| Toughness | 3 |
| Number | 46 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Jesper Ejsing |
Text of card
Flying When Experimental Aviator enters the battlefield, create two 1/1 colorless Thopter artifact creature tokens with flying.
"The little thopters seemed lonely up here, so I thought I'd join them."
Cards like Experimental Aviator
Experimental Aviator shines in the niche of token creation within Magic: The Gathering. Its closest peers are cards like Whirler Rogue, which similarly generates multiple Thopter tokens upon entering the battlefield. However, Experimental Aviator stands out by granting you the ability to rebuild your aerial army by returning it to your hand and recasting it, thus creating additional Thopter tokens each time. Whirler Rogue lacks this recursive functionality but compensates by potentially making creatures unblockable, manifesting an alternative tactical advantage.
Another similar entity in the skies of MTG is Pia Nalaar. Although Pia only creates a single Thopter token, she brings to the table a unique suite of abilities, including pumping up an artifact creature’s power or providing a sacrifice outlet to disrupt your opponent’s game plan. In contrast, Maverick Thopterist deserves a mention with its improvise ability, allowing you to tap artifacts to help cast it, therefore giving you a potential cost advantage over Experimental Aviator, which lacks such cost-efficiency options.
In sum, while each card comes with its distinct pros and cons, Experimental Aviator holds its ground as a resilient and renewable source of flying tokens, making it a noteworthy option for decks focusing on artifact synergies or needing a recurrent aerial threat.
Cards similar to Experimental Aviator by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Experimental Aviator lets you create two 1/1 colorless Thopter artifact creature tokens with flying each time it enters the battlefield. This can significantly bolster your aerial presence and provide additional blockers or attackers, contributing to a strategic advantage during your game.
Resource Acceleration: Each Thopter artifact creature token you control through Experimental Aviator can potentially be converted into additional resources. Utilizing artifacts synergistically to boost your mana production or fuel powerful abilities can give you a notable edge in mid to late-game scenarios.
Instant Speed: While Experimental Aviator itself is cast at sorcery speed, its ability to produce flying creature tokens can prove invaluable when used in combination with other instant-speed interactions in your deck. This increases the card’s versatility, enabling you to adapt to the evolving battlefield while maximizing your strategic plays.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: When it comes to the Experimental Aviator, players often find the discard requirement to be a hurdle. Each activation asks something of your hand, potentially eating into valuable resources. This can leave you in a bind, especially in games where every card counts.
Specific Mana Cost: Navigating the mana landscape in MTG can be tricky, and the Experimental Aviator comes with its own set of constraints. Sporting a need for specific mana types, this card can challenge the flexibility of your deck, often necessitating a commitment to its color scheme that not all players are willing to make.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Value matters in your mana economy, and with the Experimental Aviator’s somewhat lofty mana cost, you might be reckoning with whether the output justifies the expenditure. In a game where speed often equates to victory, the cost of bringing this asset into play can potentially slow you down just enough to give your opponent the upper hand.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Experimental Aviator presents a flexible role in deck-building, fitting snugly into artifact and token strategies alike. Its ability to produce multiple flyers makes it a solid addition not only in limited formats but also in casual artifact-centered decks.
Combo Potential: This card’s inherent synergy with mechanics like proliferate or blink effects that manipulate the number of Thopters can turn a simple board state into a complex and potentially game-winning scenario. It’s a springboard for creative deck builders to leverage in intricate combos.
Meta-Relevance: In environments where flying creatures have a clear advantage, Experimental Aviator shines by providing both a defensive and offensive presence. Its relevance grows with the popularity of artifact and engine-based strategies, which mark the current trends in various MTG formats.
How to beat
Overcoming Experimental Aviator in Magic: The Gathering requires strategic planning due to its ability to generate Thopter tokens. This card shines by creating a wider board presence, which can be overwhelming if not addressed promptly. A key strategy is to prevent these Thopters from amassing or to remove them effectively when they appear.
One efficient approach is to use board wipes or spells that deal damage to multiple creatures at once, clearing the field of Thopters regardless of their numbers. Spot removal, although useful, may not be as efficient due to the Aviator’s token-generating capability. Therefore, it is advantageous to rely on mass removal spells or those that can target multiple creatures simultaneously.
Additionally, countering the spell before it resolves denies the opponent the advantage of Thopter tokens altogether. Hence, holding onto counter spells specifically for impactful creatues or token generators can turn the tide of the game. By executing these tactics, players can dampen the impact of Experimental Aviator and maintain control over the game state.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Experimental Aviator MTG card by a specific set like Kaladesh, 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 Experimental Aviator 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 Experimental Aviator has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |