Mist Raven MTG Card
2012-05-04 - Number 67
2016-02-26 - Number 26
2017-03-17 - Number 43
2019-11-07 - Number 434
2021-02-05 - Number 41
2023-03-21 - Number 18
2020-09-26 - Number DDQ-26
| Card sets | Released in 7 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Bird |
| Abilities | Flying |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Text of card
Flying When Mist Raven enters the battlefield, return target creature to its owner's hand.
"When you see a raven, head for the hills. It knows when the ghost-tide is headed in." —Sved, fisherman of Nephalia
Cards like Mist Raven
Mist Raven stands out in Magic: The Gathering with its ability to effectively alter the flow of a game. It draws parallels to cards like Unsummon and Vapor Snag, which also return target creatures to their owners’ hands. Mist Raven distinguishes itself by being a creature, offering a body on the board in addition to the bounce effect. While Unsummon offers a lower mana cost for the same effect, it doesn’t impact the board presence which Mist Raven ensures.
Another card worth comparing is Aether Adept. Both operate similarly in returning a creature when entering the battlefield. However, Aether Adept is confined to the realm of blue mana, whereas Mist Raven allows for more flexibility with additional color identity, which can benefit multicolored decks.
Ultimately, Mist Raven is a valuable card for players who seek to maintain board control while developing their own presence, making it a competitive choice for players looking to combine tempo with creature strategies in Magic: The Gathering.
Cards similar to Mist Raven by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Mist Raven is adept at providing a swift turnover in cards when it returns an opposing creature to its owner’s hand, effectively setting your opponent back and smoothing out your draws.
Resource Acceleration: While Mist Raven itself doesn’t directly generate additional resources, its ability to bounce an opposing key threat can indirectly accelerate your game plan by freeing up the board and allowing your strategies to proceed unimpeded.
Instant Speed: Mist Raven’s capability to be cast at instant speed offers the strategic advantage of flexibility. You can respond promptly to your opponent’s threats, keeping your mana untapped until the most advantageous moment arises within the heat of battle.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Mist Raven’s activation calls for discarding another card, which can set back your hand, especially if you’re managing limited card resources or playing a strategy reliant on numerous synergies.
Specific Mana Cost: This card demands a precise combination of mana types for casting. Its reliance on blue mana ties it predominantly to blue-centric decks, potentially limiting its versatility across various deck archetypes.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost that may be seen as steep for its immediate impact on the game, players might contemplate other options. Cards with a lower cost could provide similar or greater benefits, reducing the appeal of Mist Raven in a competitive setup.
Reasons to Include Mist Raven in Your Collection
Versatility: Mist Raven stands out as a flexible card able to be slotted into a variety of blue decks. Its capacity to be played at instant speed offers dynamic game responses, such as saving your creatures or nullifying an opponent’s attack at a crucial moment.
Combo Potential: This card aligns seamlessly with strategies that revolve around bounce effects or spellslinging. By returning creatures to hand, it can trigger enter-the-battlefield abilities multiple times or be paired with cards that derive value from casting spells.
Meta-Relevance: In environments where tempo plays a significant role, Mist Raven can provide an upper hand. It’s particularly potent against decks that rely on the synergy of their permanents or heavy investment in beefed-up creatures, as it disrupts their board development efficiently.
How to beat Mist Raven
Mist Raven presents a unique challenge on the battlefield as it epitomizes the blend of evasion and flexibility. When tackling this evasive card, it’s crucial to anticipate its flash ability, allowing it to swoop in unexpectedly during combat or at the end of a turn. To outmaneuver Mist Raven, it’s essential to have removal spells that can be cast at instant speed. This ensures that you can address Mist Raven as it is played, circumventing its ability to evade sorcery-speed removal.
Additionally, leveraging effects that prevent your opponent from casting spells on your turn can also serve as a strong countermeasure. Cards like Teferi, Time Raveler, restrict opponents to acting only on their own turns, effectively grounding Mist Raven. Moreover, creature abilities that strip flying or deal damage irrespective of combat can clip its wings without the need to engage directly. It’s about maintaining direct and flexible answers, being prepared for when Mist Raven reveals itself, to maintain control over the aerial threat it poses.
Effectively, overcoming Mist Raven requires a blend of instant-speed interaction, strategic restrictions on your opponent’s casting abilities, and alternative means of dealing with flying creatures. A mindful strategy and well-prepared deck can ensure that Mist Raven’s ascent is only temporary and well within your bounds to control.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Mist Raven MTG card by a specific set like Avacyn Restored and Duel Decks: Blessed vs. Cursed, 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 Mist Raven 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 Mist Raven Magic the Gathering card was released in 7 different sets between 2012-05-04 and 2023-03-21. Illustrated by John Avon.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2012-05-04 | Avacyn Restored | AVR | 67 | 2003 | Normal | Black | John Avon | |
| 2 | 2016-02-26 | Duel Decks: Blessed vs. Cursed | DDQ | 26 | 2015 | Normal | Black | John Avon | |
| 3 | 2017-03-17 | Modern Masters 2017 | MM3 | 43 | 2015 | Normal | Black | John Avon | |
| 4 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 434 | 2015 | Normal | Black | John Avon | |
| 5 | The List | PLST | DDQ-26 | 2015 | Normal | Black | John Avon | ||
| 6 | 2021-02-05 | Kaldheim Commander | KHC | 41 | 2015 | Normal | Black | John Avon | |
| 7 | 2023-03-21 | Shadows of the Past | SIS | 18 | 2015 | Normal | Black | John Avon |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Mist Raven has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Mist Raven card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2012-05-01 | Mist Raven’s ability is mandatory. If Mist Raven is the only creature on the battlefield when its ability triggers, you must choose it as the target. |