Mask of Avacyn MTG Card
Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
Mana cost | |
Converted mana cost | 2 |
Rarity | Uncommon |
Type | Artifact — Equipment |
Abilities | Equip |
Text of card
Equipped creature gets +1/+2 and has hexproof. (It can't be the target of spells or abilities your opponents control.) Equip
It hides the face and protects the soul.
Cards like Mask of Avacyn
Mask of Avacyn remains a notably powerful artifact weighing its impact in Magic: The Gathering. Its compared to artifacts such as Swiftfoot Boots, they’ve notably originated with the ability to grant Hexproof. The significant difference is Swiftfoot Boots provides haste, while Mask of Avacyn advances a player’s defense by boosting toughness and power.
When comparing Shield of the Realm, another influential artifact, it operates differently. Shield of the Realm primarily lessens any damage taken by the bearer but fails to offer the Hexproof ability that Mask of Avacyn does, thereby lacking the defensive strength of Mask of Avacyn. Another card, Whispersilk Cloak not only provides unblockable but also has the Shroud ability preventing it from being the target of spells and abilities, a parallel ability as the Hexproof of Mask of Avacyn.
In conclusion, Mask of Avacyn stands out remarkably amid other artifacts in Magic: The Gathering, with its unique blend of Hexproof and power amplifying abilities. It is comparable strategically to Swiftfoot Boots and Whispersilk Cloak in terms of protection, and its bonus power and toughness make it an invaluable complement to any MTG deck.
Cards similar to Mask of Avacyn by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Mask of Avacyn provides significant card advantage in the form of protection. By equipping the Mask to a creature, it becomes safe from most forms of removal, often forcing your opponent to spend additional resources to deal with it.
Resource Acceleration: While it does not produce additional mana or draw cards, the Mask of Avacyn does have an indirect impact on resource acceleration. By protecting your key creatures, it allows you to maintain board control and capitalize on your mana investments for longer, thereby effectively accelerating your game plan.
Instant Speed: Although the Mask of Avacyn itself is not castable at instant speed, the impact it has on the game board can definitely be felt as such. Once you successfully equip it to a creature, it instantly alters the dynamics of the game, making your creature immune to the majority of threats.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One notable disadvantage of the Mask of Avacyn is it necessitates removal, either through discard or other means, from the game. When you’re already grappling with the other complexities of your strategy, this could be a significant setback.
Specific Mana Cost: Mask of Avacyn relies on a specific colorless mana, which can limit its use. Building a deck around this card requires careful planning to ensure sufficient resources are available each game.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a cost of three colorless mana and two to equip, you may find the Mask of Avacyn to be on the high side. Similar equipment cards may come with a lower price point, offering more versatility and flexibility to your deck’s resource management.
Reasons to Include Mask of Avacyn in Your Collection
Versatility: The Mask of Avacyn is not heavily restricted by card color, making it a universal accessory in most decks. Its ability to provide an equipped creature with increased toughness and hexproof creates a wall of defense, broadening its usability across different gameplay strategies.
Combo Potential: This artifact card forms beneficial combos with all creatures, especially those with combat-relevant abilities. Equipping your creature with Mask of Avacyn not only enhances its survival but also protects it from targeted spells, providing a shield for your planned attack or defense strategies.
Meta-Relevance: In metagames where targeted removal or control strategies are rampant, Mask of Avacyn proves invaluable. Its hexproof ability shields your creatures from becoming missile targets of your opponents, strengthening your foothold in the game.
How to Beat
The Mask of Avacyn is a highly valued artifact in the MTG universe for its ability to grant indestructibility. Nevertheless, dealing with this card doesn’t have to be too challenging for well-equipped players. There are couple of strategies that can be used to effectively counter this card.
Firstly, you can resort to card removal methods. Though Mask of Avacyn makes the equipped creature indestructible, the artifact itself does not have this trait. Cards that allow you to target artifacts like Shatter or Naturalize can successfully take out the Mask of Avacyn from play.
Another approach is to bypass the indestructible quality. Indestructible only prevents damage and ‘destroy’ effects but cards that ‘exile’ or reduce a creature’s toughness can also prove to be effective. Toxin cards such as Deadly Rollick or cards with forced sacrifice clauses like Diabolic Edict are viable choices.
In conclusion, despite the Mask of Avacyn’s strong protective powers, it is not unbeatable. Through smart and tactical play, you can overcome the challenges this card presents in Magic: The Gathering.
BurnMana Recommendations
The Mask of Avacyn is a cornerstone of defense in MTG, offering resilience against your opponent’s removal strategies. Its ability to protect key creatures from targeted spells makes it a worthy addition to your collection, especially in a meta dominated by control decks. While the Mask may demand careful resource management due to its equip costs, the enduring board presence it provides can be game-changing. For those looking to fortify their creatures against the forces constantly threatening them, the Mask of Avacyn emerges as an artifact of significant tactical value. Dive deeper with us to harness the full potential of this impressive card and solidify your deck’s defenses.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Mask of Avacyn MTG card by a specific set like Innistrad and Commander Legends, 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 Mask of Avacyn 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 Mask of Avacyn Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2011-09-30 and 2020-11-20. Illustrated by James Paick.
# | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2011-09-30 | Innistrad | ISD | 229 | 2003 | Normal | Black | James Paick | |
2 | 2020-11-20 | Commander Legends | CMR | 466 | 2015 | Normal | Black | James Paick |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Mask of Avacyn has restrictions
Format | Legality |
---|---|
Commander | Legal |
Legacy | Legal |
Modern | Legal |
Oathbreaker | Legal |
Vintage | Legal |
Duel | Legal |
Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Mask of Avacyn card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
Date | Text |
---|---|
2011-09-22 | If Mask of Avacyn somehow becomes attached to a creature an opponent controls, that creature can't be the target of spells or abilities you control. |