Aven Archer MTG Card


Aven Archer - Odyssey
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Bird Soldier Archer
Abilities Flying
Released2001-10-01
Set symbol
Set nameOdyssey
Set codeODY
Power 2
Toughness 2
Number6
Frame1997
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byMark Zug

Key Takeaways

  1. Aven Archer’s ability to draw cards while removing threats bolsters card advantage seamlessly.
  2. Instant speed play and flying synergy provide dynamic defensive and offensive strategies.
  3. While powerful, its specific mana needs and higher casting cost can limit deck flexibility.

Text of card

Flying o W, oc T: Aven Archer deals 2 damage to target attacking or blocking creature.

Aimed by the eyes of eagles, their arrows never miss the mark.


Card Pros

When analyzing the strengths of the Aven Archer in your gameplay, several aspects stand out that can significantly impact your matches in various beneficial ways.

Card Advantage: Aven Archer stands out by enabling players to potentially remove an opposing creature while also offering the ability to draw a card upon hitting a target. This effect ensures that engaging with your opponent’s threats doesn’t come at the cost of depleting your own resources, thus maintaining or even improving your card advantage.

Resource Acceleration: While Aven Archer itself may not directly accelerate your mana resources, its inclusion in decks that prioritize flying creatures can hasten your board state’s development. Cards that synergize with the flying archetype often provide mana-efficient options to deploy threats quickly and effectively.

Instant Speed: The utility of Aven Archer is increased by its ability to act at instant speed. This flexibility allows for defensive maneuvers that can disrupt your opponent’s strategy during their turn. Being able to leave mana untapped can also create a strategic advantage, as it keeps your opponents guessing about your potential responses and the tricks you might have up your sleeve.

By taking advantage of these attributes, Aven Archer can provide a strategic edge and enhance the performance of your deck, particularly in a game where timing and resource management play pivotal roles.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Engaging with Aven Archer’s abilities can sometimes require the player to discard a card. This can be a strategic setback, especially when hand size is pivotal to maintaining gameplay options.

Specific Mana Cost: The Aven Archer card comes with a strict mana cost that includes white mana. This requisite can potentially hinder players from incorporating it into a wide array of deck types, particularly those that don’t support white mana or multi-color synergies effectively.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost that is on the higher end of the spectrum for its class of effects, Aven Archer may not be the most mana-efficient choice. Players could find themselves in situations where such an investment does not yield the most optimal return, especially when compared to other options available within the same mana range.


Reasons to Include Aven Archer in Your Collection

Versatility: Aven Archer is a flexible addition to any MTG deck that needs a reliable flyer. Its ability to engage in combat or block opposing creatures from the skies adds strategic depth to both offensive and defensive gameplay.

Combo Potential: With its flying trait, Aven Archer pairs well with cards that exploit the presence of flying creatures, unlocking the potential for powerful synergies and interactions in your deck.

Meta-Relevance: As the metagame often includes decks that are weak against flying creatures, including Aven Archer in your collection could provide you with a significant advantage, especially in limited formats where evasion abilities are highly valued.


How to beat

The Aven Archer is a unique card in MTG that can present quite the challenge on the battlefield with its flying ability and the potential to thwart your attacking strategies. One effective method to neutralize this creature is by utilizing spells or abilities that can bypass its flying capability. Cards with reach or any spell that can target and destroy flying creatures can be a game-changer when facing off against Aven Archer. Additionally, since the Archer may have a modest toughness, spells that deal damage or -X/-X effects can be an efficient way to remove it from the board.

Besides direct removal, another tactic is playing around the Archer by focusing on building a formidable ground force or increasing the pace of your play so that your opponent has to react to you instead of establishing their defenses. This can shift the equilibrium of power and force the Aven Archer to play a defensive role, diminishing its impact on your strategy. Also, spells that counter creature spells or cards that can force an opponent to sacrifice a creature can effectively deal with the Aven Archer before it can establish a presence.

In summary, understanding your deck’s resources to counteract or sidestep the Aven Archer’s advantages is crucial. This approach can leave your opponent on the back foot and help you maintain control of the game.


Cards like Aven Archer

Aven Archer emerges as an intriguing flying creature in the vast universe of Magic: The Gathering. It bears a resemblance to other flying creatures such as Squadron Hawk, which also boasts an ability to soar over the battlefield. Aven Archer differentiates itself with its potential to provide reach and deal damage to attacking or blocking creatures, an ability Squadron Hawk does not possess.

When eyeing the sky, Suntail Hawk comes into the conversation. It offers a cost-effective flying creature for one mana, but lacks Aven Archer’s defensive capabilities to shoot down your adversaries from the skies. Another comparison could be made with Welkin Tern, which can only block creatures with flying; however, Aven Archer stands out with its reach attribute, allowing it to also defend against non-flying threats.

To sum up, Aven Archer finds its niche among avian MTG cards with its unique combination of flying and reach. This dual capability ensures the card provides both offensive and defensive value, fortifying its position in decks that demand aerial control and versatility.

Squadron Hawk - MTG Card versions
Suntail Hawk - MTG Card versions
Welkin Tern - MTG Card versions
Squadron Hawk - MTG Card versions
Suntail Hawk - MTG Card versions
Welkin Tern - MTG Card versions

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Rashida Scalebane - MTG Card versions
Avenging Angel - MTG Card versions
Lancers en-Kor - MTG Card versions
Radiant, Archangel - MTG Card versions
Master Healer - MTG Card versions
Angel of Mercy - MTG Card versions
Serra Angel - MTG Card versions
Border Patrol - MTG Card versions
Enduring Angel // Angelic Enforcer - MTG Card versions
Sigardian Savior - MTG Card versions
Celestial Gatekeeper - MTG Card versions
Collector Protector - MTG Card versions
Kiyomaro, First to Stand - MTG Card versions
Belfry Spirit - MTG Card versions
Petra Sphinx - MTG Card versions
Barrenton Medic - MTG Card versions
Ivory Gargoyle - MTG Card versions
Shu Elite Companions - MTG Card versions
Conclave Phalanx - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Aven Archer MTG card by a specific set like Odyssey, 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 Aven Archer and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Aven Archer has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

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