Gaea's Avenger MTG Card
1994-03-04 - Number 33
2011-01-10 - Number 155
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Treefolk |
| Power | 1+* |
| Toughness | 1+* |
Text of card
The *s below are the number of artifacts opponent has in play.
After the destruction of Argoth, Gaea was willing to instill a portion of her own powers into some of her more vengeful followers.
Cards like Gaea's Avenger
Gaea’s Avenger is an intriguing force within the realm of creature-based strategies in Magic: The Gathering. Its power and toughness are directly tied to the number of artifacts your opponents control, making it a flexible threat on the battlefield. Cards like Tarmogoyf offer a comparable dynamic, as its power and toughness are determined by the variety of card types in all graveyards, also fluctuating with game state.
In the same way, Phyrexian Revoker has an impact through its ability to shut down opponent’s artifacts while also offering a solid body for a low mana cost. However, it doesn’t have the scaling power that Gaea’s Avenger potentially possesses. Adaptive Automaton is another kindred spirit, having the versatility to fit with any creature type, though it doesn’t naturally increase in size as the game progresses like Gaea’s Avenger does—its growth relying instead on other creatures of the chosen type.
Therefore, although Gaea’s Avenger may require a specific set of conditions to reach its full potential, it stands out for its capability to become a formidable creature that evolves in response to your opponent’s artifact plays, providing a unique value in MTG creature lineups.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Gaea’s Avenger offers a strategic edge in MTG games by potentially disrupting your opponent’s hand and deck plans while keeping your own strategy intact. Its presence on the board demands an answer, which can lead to card advantage when opponents must use their resources to deal with it.
Resource Acceleration: As a card that benefits from lands your opponent controls, Gaea’s Avenger can unexpectedly accelerate your offensive resources. It grows stronger with more lands your rival plays, which can shift the momentum in your favor without additional mana investment on your part.
Instant Speed: While Gaea’s Avenger itself does not have an instant speed ability, it synergizes well with instant speed interactions. Its power can increase during any phase of the game as opponents add more lands, making it a threatening presence that scales over time and can become a substantial force at a moment’s notice.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Gaea’s Avenger forces a strategic approach to resource management, as you won’t find benefits such as a discard mechanic to potentially enhance its abilities or interact with other cards in your deck.
Specific Mana Cost: The mana cost for Gaea’s Avenger is notably green-centric, which may require you to heavily commit to forests or green mana sources within your deck-building strategy, potentially limiting its versatility.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: For a three-mana creature, the initial stats may seem underwhelming when you compare it to other creatures in the same mana range. This could pose drawbacks in fast-paced or aggro-centric metas where early board presence is crucial.
Reasons to Include Gaea’s Avenger in Your Collection
Versatility: Gaea’s Avenger offers a unique adaptability in green decks known for creatures and land-focused strategies. Its power has the potential to grow as opponents develop their board, making it a card that scales in strength throughout the game.
Combo Potential: This card works well within decks that center around artifact density among opponents, as its power increases with the number of artifacts they control. Utilizing this, you can craft combinations that penalize opponents for their own developments.
Meta-Relevance: In a game state where artifact-based decks are prevalent, Gaea’s Avenger becomes a more powerful threat. Its ability to become a substantial offensive force while also posing as a deterrent to artifact-heavy opponents keeps it relevant in certain metas.
How to beat
Gaea’s Avenger can be a true thorn in the side of artifact-heavy decks in the world of Magic: The Gathering. This creature’s power and toughness are directly tied to the number of artifacts your opponent controls, which can make it a formidable force. What’s important to remember is that Gaea’s Avenger thrives in an environment rich with opposing artifacts. Therefore, the best strategy to tackle it is to keep those artifacts to a minimum.
Another effective approach is to use spells that negate the abilities of your opponent’s creatures. Removal spells can be your best friends here, bypassing the Avenger’s growing strength by taking it off the board entirely. Whether it’s through direct destruction, exile, or bouncing it back to its owner’s hand, the right removal at the right time can neutralize the advantage Gaea’s Avenger might have.
Lastly, consider using deck strategies that focus less on artifacts and more on enchantments, creatures, or instant and sorcery spells. By doing so, Gaea’s Avenger loses much of its threat potential, making it far easier to manage in the grand scheme of your matchup. Playing smart and keeping control of the board will ensure that Gaea’s Avenger doesn’t stand in your way to victory.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Gaea's Avenger MTG card by a specific set like Antiquities and Masters Edition IV, 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 Gaea's Avenger 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
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Printings
The Gaea's Avenger Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1994-03-04 and 2011-01-10. Illustrated by Pete Venters.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1994-03-04 | Antiquities | ATQ | 33 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Pete Venters | |
| 2 | 2011-01-10 | Masters Edition IV | ME4 | 155 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Pete Venters |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Gaea's Avenger has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Oldschool | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Gaea's Avenger card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2004-10-04 | In multi-player games it counts artifacts of all opponents. |