Keeneye Aven MTG Card
2003-02-03 - Number 41
2014-06-16 - Number 75
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Bird Soldier |
| Abilities | Cycling,Flying |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Text of card
Flying Cycling (, Discard this card from your hand: Draw a card.)
"I have no need of a map. The very continent itself guides my way."
Cards like Keeneye Aven
Keeneye Aven carves a niche for itself within the avian creatures category of Magic: The Gathering. It finds kinship with cards like Cloudchaser Kestrel, a fellow bird with an ability quite distinct from generic flying. The Kestrel can remove enchantments which gives it a strategic edge in certain matchups, while Keeneye Aven boasts looter abilities, granting players the advantage of card quality management over pure card advantage.
Adding to the flock, we have Aven Fisher which also belongs to this family of winged strategists, delivering a different benefit upon its departure from the battlefield by guiding a card into your hand. Although both Keeneye Aven and Aven Fisher offer card benefits, the flexibility of Keeneye Aven’s looting every turn promises ongoing deck filtration, as opposed to the one-time draw of Aven Fisher.
In the context of gameplay and utility, Keeneye Aven stands as a versatile component in decks that aim to optimize draw potential. The continual reconfiguration of hand provided by the Aven makes it a valuable player on the blue side of the battlefield. In essence, within the blue skies of MTG, the Keeneye Aven soars with a unique blend of utility and consistency.
Cards similar to Keeneye Aven by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Keeneye Aven. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Fluctuator | Premodern | Eternal Weekend Europe 2023 Premodern Mainevent |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Keeneye Aven assists in deck filtering by allowing a glimpse of the top card of your library, offering the choice to discard it if not desired. This subtle card advantage can tip the scales in long game matches.
Resource Acceleration: Not directly falling into the typical resource acceleration category, Keeneye Aven can still indirectly influence mana utilization. Its flying trait can lead to potent attacks that could change the resource equation in your favor by dealing with key threats.
Instant Speed: With a flash ability, Keeneye Aven thrives on surprise and tactical flexibility. You can deploy it at the end of your opponent’s turn or when they least expect it, catching them off guard and potentially disrupting their strategy.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Keeneye Aven requires a player to discard a card to utilize its cycle ability. This can deplete your hand, especially if you’re already struggling with card advantage.
Specific Mana Cost: With a casting cost that includes blue mana, Keeneye Aven is restricted to decks that can produce blue mana, which could limit its versatility across different deck types.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: While a 4 mana 2/3 flyer might be reasonable in some draft formats, in constructed play, there are many creatures that offer more impact or better stats for the same or less mana investment.
Reasons to Include Keeneye Aven in Your Collection
Versatility: Keeneye Aven can seamlessly adapt to different gameplay tactics. Its flying ability makes it a constant aerial threat, while the cycling ability provides strategic card draw flexibility.
Combo Potential: With cycling, Keeneye Aven works well in synergy with decks that capitalize on cycling triggers and effects, setting off a chain reaction of advantageous plays.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where air superiority and card flow are crucial, Keeneye Aven holds a relevant place. Its ability to evade ground blockades and ensure fluid deck cycling keeps it pertinent.
How to beat Keeneye Aven
Keeneye Aven, a bird soldier with an inclination towards spellshaper prowess, presents a unique challenge in the Magic: The Gathering battlefield. Its ability to turn any card in hand into a Glimpse of the Sun God, temporarily disabling opponent creatures, can give its controller a tactical edge during combat phases. To efficiently counter this feathery foe, it’s crucial to preempt the use of its activated ability.
One strategy involves removing it before the ability can be activated, which can be achieved through instant-speed removal spells. Alternatively, maintaining a hand size advantage will ensure that you have the resources necessary to withstand and recover from the tempo loss caused by its tapping ability. Including cards that are immune to tapping or have untap abilities also severely reduces the impact of Keeneye Aven’s power.
Understanding the ebb and flow of combat, and predicting when your opponent is likely to leverage Keeneye Aven’s skill, is vital. Direct damage spells, board wipes, or forcing the opponent to deplete their hand, thus limiting Keeneye Aven’s utility, could be the key to ensuring that this bird doesn’t soar to victory.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Keeneye Aven MTG card by a specific set like Legions and Vintage Masters, 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 Keeneye Aven 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 Keeneye Aven Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2003-02-03 and 2014-06-16. Illustrated by Greg Hildebrandt.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2003-02-03 | Legions | LGN | 41 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Greg Hildebrandt | |
| 2 | 2014-06-16 | Vintage Masters | VMA | 75 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Greg Hildebrandt |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Keeneye Aven has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Keeneye Aven card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2008-10-01 | Cycling is an activated ability. Effects that interact with activated abilities (such as Stifle or Rings of Brighthearth) will interact with cycling. Effects that interact with spells (such as Remove Soul or Faerie Tauntings) will not. |