Fold into Aether MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Instant |
| Released | 2004-06-04 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Fifth Dawn |
| Set code | 5DN |
| Number | 31 |
| Frame | 2003 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Anthony S. Waters |
Text of card
Counter target spell. If you do, that spell's controller may put a creature card from his or her hand into play.
Æther portals drift across Mirrodin's surface, dragging creatures across time and space.
Cards like Fold into Aether
Fold into Aether is a unique counter card in Magic: The Gathering. When considering its closest counterparts, we often look at cards that can change the outcome of the game by not just countering a spell, but also offering an additional advantage. For instance, we can compare it to Mana Leak, which counters a spell unless its caster pays additional mana. While Mana Leak is efficient in its cost and wide applicability, it doesn’t provide the secondary effect of putting a creature onto the battlefield as Fold into Aether does.
Counterspell is another staple in the genre of counter spells. As a straightforward solution, it fully negates the spell without the need for any additional mana from its caster, differing from Fold into Aether which allows a free creature on the field post-countering. However, Dissipate adds a twist by not only countering but also exiling the countered spell, ensuring it won’t return from the graveyard. While this has its strategic advantages, it lacks the interactive play that Fold into Aether encourages, giving the player a surprise element by potentially bringing a powerful creature into play unexpectedly.
In the realm of counter spells, Fold into Aether shines for its blend of disruption and field advantage, elevating it beyond a mere counter measure and creating exciting gameplay possibilities.
Cards similar to Fold into Aether by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Fold into Aether presents a unique opportunity to cheat a high-cost creature onto the battlefield at a significantly reduced mana investment, turning a single card play into a potential game-changing event.
Resource Acceleration: This card transcends traditional resource acceleration by bypassing the need for extensive mana buildup, allowing for a swift and substantial shift in board state in your favor.
Instant Speed: The instant speed of Fold into Aether grants the flexibility to disrupt an opponent’s strategy mid-play while simultaneously advancing your own board position, maintaining the element of surprise and tactical depth.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Fold into Aether card requires you to counter a spell as a necessary trigger, which might not be reliably executable in every game scenario, especially if the opponent is wary or has countermeasures.
Specific Mana Cost: This card commands a dual mana cost, requiring both blue and generic mana, potentially complicating its inclusion in multi-colored decks not heavily focused on blue.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of two blue and two generic mana, Fold into Aether may be considered costly for the effect it provides, given that its optimal use case is highly situational and other, lower-costed spells could provide more consistent board impact.
Reasons to Include Fold into Aether in Your Collection
Versatility: Fold into Aether serves as a flexible piece in any MTG player’s arsenal, able to counter spells while also providing a unique way to cheat a high-cost creature onto the battlefield early in the game.
Combo Potential: This card opens up a plethora of combo opportunities. You can use it in conjunction with your own cheap spells to ensure a powerful creature hits the play much earlier than usual, thereby enhancing your board state unexpectedly.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where instant-speed interaction is king, Fold into Aether holds its own. The ability to disrupt an opponent’s strategy while accelerating your own game plan is highly valuable and can often catch opponents off-guard, shifting the tide of the game.
How to beat
Fold into Aether presents Magic: The Gathering players with a unique challenge. Its ability to essentially cheat a high-cost creature onto the battlefield can turn the tides of a game swiftly. To combat this, timing and strategy are essential. Counterspells are your first line of defense, intercepting Fold into Aether before its effect can trigger. Cards like Negate or Mana Leak can efficiently prevent your opponent from resolving the potent spell, keeping the battlefield safe from surprise behemoths.
Another tactic is to monitor and manage the stack carefully. Recognize opportunities to play instant-speed spells or abilities that can remove the creature targeted by Fold into Aether, thereby nullifying its effect since there would be no legal target for the spell upon resolution. Relic of Progenitus or Tormod’s Crypt can be excellent choices if the creature card targeted is in the graveyard, aiming to be pulled onto the battlefield.
The key lies in predicting your opponent’s moves and holding back essential spells until they make their play. The anticipation and smart management of your resources can effectively neutralize the threat of Fold into Aether, keeping you one step ahead. So, stay vigilant and be ready to act swiftly to maintain control of the game.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Fold into Aether MTG card by a specific set like Fifth Dawn, 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 Fold into Aether 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 Fold into Aether has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Fold into Aether card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2004-12-01 | If the spell isn’t countered (because it’s a spell that can’t be countered, for example), nothing happens. |
| 2004-12-01 | If your Fold into Aether counters a spell you control, you get to put a creature card from your hand onto the battlefield. |