Jhoira of the Ghitu Avatar MTG Card

Rarity	Rare
Type	Vanguard
Released	2003-01-01
Set symbol
Set name	Magic Online Avatars
Set code	PMOA
Number	69
Frame	2015
Layout	vanguard
Border	black
Illustred by	UDON

Key Takeaways

Jhoira allows advantageous early suspension of high-mana cards, altering the pace of gameplay significantly.
Red and blue mana are essential for Jhoira’s suspension ability, demanding careful deck construction considerations.
Powerful combos and meta adaptability make Jhoira a versatile addition to any MTG collection.

Text of card

, Discard a card: Copy three instant cards chosen at random. You may cast one of the copies without paying its mana cost. , Discard a card: Copy three sorcery cards chosen at random. You may cast one of the copies without paying its mana cost. Activate this ability only any time you could cast a sorcery.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Jhoira of the Ghitu Avatar offers a unique avenue for card advantage by allowing you to suspend high-cost cards early in the game. This means that later on, potentially powerful spells and creatures can be cast for just two mana, effectively increasing the number of threats you can present over the course of a match.

Resource Acceleration: With Jhoira’s suspension ability, she enables a form of resource acceleration by circumventing the traditional mana cost associated with powerful spells. This can allow you to utilize your mana for other strategies or develop your board state, all while knowing that a game-changing card is ticking down to its moment of impact.

Instant Speed: Although her suspension ability is used at sorcery speed, the foresight it provides meshes well with instant-speed interaction. By setting up future plays, you can allocate resources to control the board and disrupt opponents, safe in the knowledge that your suspended cards will emerge unaffected and ready to swing the tide in your favor.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Jhoira of the Ghitu’s ability necessitates you to exile a card with time counters on it. While not a traditional discard mechanic, this can be a setback because it temporarily removes a card from play, potentially delaying a crucial strategy or leaving you without key cards at the moment.

Specific Mana Cost: Harnessing Jhoira’s powerful ability requires a precise mana combination—two generic, one red, and one blue mana. This stringent casting cost can pose deck-building challenges, particularly for those looking to incorporate her into more flexible or multicolored mana bases.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: At a four mana total cost, Jhoira sits at a potentially awkward spot on your curve. While her ability to allow for the suspension of high-cost spells is impactful, it competes for space in a deck with other four-mana spells that offer more immediate impact or don’t require as careful timing to take full advantage of their effects.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Jhoira of the Ghitu Avatar allows for a flexible approach to deck building, fitting seamlessly into various strategies that leverage time manipulation and suspend mechanics. Her ability to set up delayed, yet powerful, turns is invaluable.

Combo Potential: The card presents formidable combo potential, enabling players to cast expensive spells far earlier than normal. With the right setup, it can lead to game-winning turns as suspended cards resolve.

Meta-Relevance: In metas where big-impact plays are key, Jhoira offers a way to circumvent traditional mana costs and timing restrictions, keeping her strategically relevant and a threat that opponents must always consider.

How to beat

Jhoira of the Ghitu is an iconic card that presents a unique challenge in Magic: The Gathering. Commanding the ability to suspend powerful cards and cheat them into play earlier than expected, Jhoira can quickly tilt the scales. To overcome this, timing and disruption are key strategies. Consider playing instant-speed removal or counterspells to address the threats as they’re suspended, ensuring they never manifest onto the battlefield.

Another effective tactic is to target Jhoira directly. With creature removal or abilities that strip away the opponent’s hand, you can prevent her from ever utilizing her potent ability. Directly addressing Jhoira also puts pressure on your opponent to use her ability hastily, potentially leading to less optimized plays. Additionally, exile effects are incredibly potent against Jhoira, as they prevent suspended cards from ever returning, nullifying the looming threat entirely. In essence, prioritize resource denial and rapid responses to keep Jhoira’s game-changing ability in check.

Successfully defeating Jhoira of the Ghitu requires a blend of preemptive control and swift reaction. By employing these strategies, the advantage she offers can be mitigated, maintaining an equal footing throughout the match.

Cards like Jhoira of the Ghitu Avatar

Jhoira of the Ghitu stands as a formidable figure in the realm of MTG, reminiscent of other gameplay accelerators like Maelstrom Wanderer. Both cards offer a unique approach to casting spells, Jhoira with the distinct ability to suspend cards for a delayed, but mana-efficient, impact. In comparison, Maelstrom Wanderer allows for an immediate cascade effect, presenting spells in rapid succession.

Delving into similar mechanics, Omniscience is another heavyweight, giving players the power to cast spells without paying their mana costs, albeit without the suspenseful build-up Jhoira provides. Conversely, Jhoira’s method introduces a strategic waiting game, offering a potentially game-changing reveal over time. And then there’s Intet, the Dreamer, a creature that also plays with the element of delayed gratification through exiled cards that can be cast at a later moment.

Jhoira of the Ghitu avatar holds her own within MTG’s pantheon of unique spell-casting enablers, bringing a balanced mix of early-game setup and mid-to-late-game surprise, thereby carving a niche that appeals to players who enjoy a forward-thinking and time-manipulating strategy.

Maelstrom Wanderer - Planechase 2012 (PC2)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Jhoira of the Ghitu Avatar MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Avatars, 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 Jhoira of the Ghitu Avatar and other MTG cards: