Gifted Aetherborn MTG Card
Card sets | Released in 6 setsSee all |
Mana cost | |
Converted mana cost | 2 |
Rarity | Uncommon |
Type | Creature — Aetherborn Vampire |
Abilities | Deathtouch,Lifelink |
Power | 2 |
Toughness | 3 |
Text of card
Deathtouch, lifelink
A few aetherborn have discovered a way to sustain their own existences at the cost of an insatiable hunger for the life essence of other beings.
Cards like Gifted Aetherborn
Gifted Aetherborn stands out in the realm of two-mana creatures in Magic: The Gathering. It is often compared to the Vampire Nighthawk, a notable card from prior sets that shares both the Vampire creature type and the coveted keywords of flying, deathtouch, and lifelink. Gifted Aetherborn, though lacking flight, compensates with its lower mana cost, making it a highly efficient play early in the game.
Another card that comes to mind is Kalastria Highborn, which offers a different advantage within the Vampire archetype through its ability to drain life upon the death of another Vampire. While Gifted Aetherborn doesn’t have such a triggered ability, it stands its ground with its static presence on the battlefield, deterring attackers with its deathtouch and continually buffering one’s life total with lifelink.
When it comes down to two-drop creatures offering tremendous value for their cost, Gifted Aetherborn’s balance of power, toughness, and combat abilities allow it to shine in decks that aim to establish early board control and resilience. It’s a solid choice that provides an immediate impact on the game, subtly influencing the battlefield much like other high-caliber cards in its category.
Cards similar to Gifted Aetherborn by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Gifted Aetherborn. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
# | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
---|---|---|---|---|
Rakdos Vampires | Pioneer | Rakdos Vampires | Pioneer League 2024-04-27 | |
Mono-Black Midrange | Pioneer | Mono-Black Midrange | Pioneer Showcase Qualifier 2024-03-24 | |
Mono-Black Vampires | Pioneer | Mono-Black Vampires | Pioneer Challenge 64 2024-04-28 | |
Orzhov Vampires | Pioneer | Orzhov Vampires | Pioneer Challenge 32 2024-04-21 | |
Mono-Black Aggro | Gladiator | Sword and Sandals Showdown: EMEA Week 13 2024 | ||
Dimir Vampires | Pioneer | Dimir Vampires | Pioneer Challenge 64 2024-03-31 (1) |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Gifted Aetherborn doesn’t directly grant card draw, but its deathtouch ability can efficiently deal with multiple opposing creatures over the course of a match. This inherent threat often forces your opponent to deal with it or risk losing their own creatures, essentially offering a form of card advantage through board control.
Resource Acceleration: While Gifted Aetherborn itself doesn’t provide additional resources or acceleration, its low mana cost allows for a quick deployment on the battlefield. This, coupled with its vampiric lifelink, can swing the life total gap early in the game, indirectly contributing to resource advantage as you maintain higher life totals while developing your board.
Instant Speed: Although Gifted Aetherborn can’t be played at instant speed, its presence on the board is a constant deterrent, similar to the effects that instant speed interactions have. By forcing opponents to play around its deathtouch and lifelink abilities, the Aetherborn subtly influences your opponent’s turn, shaping their plays as if you had an instant up your sleeve.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Despite its impressive abilities, Gifted Aetherborn doesn’t come without downsides. One of the potential drawbacks of integrating it into your playing strategy is that it might align your game plan strictly to vampiric or nocturnal themes. This could inadvertently cause a discard of valuable cards to maintain that synergy, especially when you’re strategizing to keep a specific theme or mechanic active.
Specific Mana Cost: Something to consider when adding Gifted Aetherborn to your lineup is its specific mana cost, which entirely consists of two black mana. This can pose a restriction unless your deck is tailored for a heavy or at least a moderate black mana curve, potentially reducing its versatility in multicolored decks or ones that do not prioritize black mana sources.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although a two-mana cost might seem moderate for a card with deathtouch and lifelink, when compared to the broader spectrum of two-drops available in MTG, you may find other creatures or spells that potentially offer greater tactical advantages or broader strategic flexibility at a similar, if not lower, mana cost.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Gifted Aetherborn’s deathtouch and lifelink abilities make it a great fit for both aggressive and defensive strategies, ensuring it can adapt to various roles within different deck archetypes.
Combo Potential: Its lifelink ability can be synergized with cards that benefit from life gain, while deathtouch works well with cards that require creatures to deal damage.
Meta-Relevance: Gifted Aetherborn remains relevant in formats where creatures play a key role. It can deter attacks, trade up with larger creatures, and provide a consistent life buffer against aggressive decks.
How to Beat
Gifted Aetherborn is a powerful creature card known for its vampiric prowess in the battlefield of MTG. With deathtouch and lifelink abilities, this two-mana-cost vampire quickly becomes a significant threat, able to gracefully dispatch larger creatures and maintain your life total. But every card has its Achilles heel, and for the Gifted Aetherborn, this lies in its susceptibility to removal spells.
Since it’s a creature with a modest toughness, spells that deal damage or those that can exile, like Path to Exile or Fatal Push, prove to be effective counters. Another strategy to beat it involves going wide on the battlefield. Overwhelming the opponent with a multitude of creatures can reduce the impact of the Aetherborn’s individual combat prowess. Also, flying creatures are particularly handy since the Aetherborn lacks reach, making it unable to block them. It’s also prudent to play around the two black mana requirement, taking advantage of times when mana is tapped out or not enough to summon it.
Understanding these strategies positions a player to handle the Gifted Aetherborn’s strengths, integrating countermeasures within their deck building and gameplay tactics to mitigate this renowed vampire’s impact on the game.
BurnMana Recommendations
Deepening your understanding of MTG’s intricate dynamics can reshape your gameplay experience. Gifted Aetherborn stands as a testament to the strategic depth found within these cards. Its proficiency in clearing creatures and sustaining your life total adds layers of strategy to every match. However, it’s also crucial to anticipate its vulnerabilities and know how to maneuver against it. Looking for more insights on maximizing your deck’s potential or countering popular threats? Embrace your tactical edge and join us as we unravel the intricacies of MTG playstyles, card interactions, and deck optimization for seasoned players and newcomers alike.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Gifted Aetherborn MTG card by a specific set like Aether Revolt and Mystery Booster, 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 Gifted Aetherborn 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 Gifted Aetherborn Magic the Gathering card was released in 6 different sets between 2017-01-20 and 2022-10-14. Illustrated by Ryan Yee.
# | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2017-01-20 | Aether Revolt | AER | 61 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Ryan Yee | |
2 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 669 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Ryan Yee | |
3 | 2020-07-17 | Jumpstart | JMP | 239 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Ryan Yee | |
4 | The List | PLST | AER-61 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Ryan Yee | ||
5 | 2020-11-12 | Kaladesh Remastered | KLR | 91 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Ryan Yee | |
6 | 2022-10-14 | Game Night: Free-for-All | GN3 | 52 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Ryan Yee |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Gifted Aetherborn has restrictions
Format | Legality |
---|---|
Historicbrawl | Legal |
Historic | Legal |
Legacy | Legal |
Paupercommander | Restricted |
Oathbreaker | Legal |
Gladiator | Legal |
Pioneer | Legal |
Commander | Legal |
Modern | Legal |
Vintage | Legal |
Duel | Legal |
Explorer | Legal |
Timeless | Legal |