Oketra's Avenger MTG Card

Oketra’s Avenger’s exert allows evasion, indirectly leading to opponent’s resource depletion. Efficient mana usage with this card facilitates playing other threats or keeping responses open. Optimal in multi-strategy decks, Oketra’s Avenger adapts well to a fluctuating meta.

Oketra's Avenger - Hour of Devastation (HOU)

Hour of Devastation (HOU)
2017-07-14 - Number 17

Oketra's Avenger - Amonkhet Remastered (AKR)

Amonkhet Remastered (AKR)
2020-08-13 - Number 29

Card sets	Released in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Human Warrior
Abilities	Exert
Power	3
Toughness	1

Text of card

You may exert Oketra's Avenger as it attacks. When you do, prevent all combat damage that would be dealt to it this turn. (An exerted creature won't untap during your next untap step.)

"Oketra's arrow is my spear, and her love my shield."

Cards like Oketra's Avenger

Oketra’s Avenger stands out among White creature cards in MTG with its ability to prevent all combat damage that would be dealt to it as you declare it as an attacker by exerting it. This self-preservation mechanic is somewhat mirrored in Gust Walker, another card which can be exerted for a combat advantage — in this case, gaining flying until end of turn.

Comparable yet distinct is Adorned Pouncer, offering double strike as its exertion reward, which can be a powerful offensive boost. While Oketra’s Avenger focuses on defense during attack, Adorned Pouncer doubles down on damage potential. Desert of the True’s cycling ability doesn’t directly parallel Oketra’s Avenger’s abilities, but for a deck utilizing exert mechanics, the cycling can ensure a steady flow of options.

Each of these cards demonstrates the versatility of exertion within MTG while highlighting Oketra’s Avenger’s unique defensive positioning. This card can be a strategic choice for players seeking a reliable front liner that can ward off damage turn after turn, making it a noteworthy component in White creature-focused strategies.

Cards similar to Oketra's Avenger by color, type and mana cost

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Card Pros

Card Advantage: Although Oketra’s Avenger doesn’t directly contribute to drawing cards, its exert ability means it can be a persistent threat that requires an answer. This can indirectly lead to card advantage as opponents may need to use multiple resources to deal with it.

Resource Acceleration: This card doesn’t directly provide resource acceleration in the traditional sense of providing more mana. However, Oketra’s Avenger’s low casting cost allows for an efficient use of mana, enabling players to deploy other threats or leave mana open for responses.

Instant Speed: While Oketra’s Avenger operates at sorcery speed due to being a creature, its exert ability effectively granting it pseudo unblockability can compel immediate action from opponents at instant speed, potentially disrupting their plans or forcing premature plays.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Oketra’s Avenger offers valuable combat potential, players must remain aware that utilizing its exert ability effectively denies them its use on the following turn. This can translate to a significant loss of momentum, especially in decks that depend on consistently pressuring the opponent with creature attacks.

Specific Mana Cost: Oketra’s Avenger requires a specific white mana to cast, which might not pose an issue in mono-white decks but can be a challenge in multi-color decks that might struggle with mana consistency. Players have to ensure they have sufficient white mana sources to deploy it when needed.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Despite being a 3/1 creature, which might seem decent for a 2-mana cost, in a game where early board presence is paramount, there are alternative two drops that could potentially offer more immediate board impact or provide utility beyond simply being an attacker, which could be a more mana-efficient use of resources.

Reasons to Include Oketra’s Avenger in Your Collection

Versatility: Oketra’s Avenger plays well in a variety of deck archetypes, particularly those that appreciate aggressive one or two drops. Its ability to become essentially unblockable allows it to fit neatly into strategies aiming to chip away at the opponent’s life total reliably.

Combo Potential: This card has untapped potential with equipment and aura decks, acting as a reliable carrier for buffs due to its untap ability which ensures it’s always ready for defense or bolstered for a heavier hit next turn.

Meta-Relevance: As meta strategies often fluctuate, Oketra’s Avenger can thrive in an environment filled with creature-based strategies. Being able to decide when it can be blocked provides a tactical edge, making it a strategic choice in certain metas where controlling combat interactions is key.

How to beat

Oketra’s Avenger is a white creature card that presents a unique challenge on the battlefield in Magic: The Gathering. With its ability to become unblockable every turn when exerted, it requires some strategizing to handle effectively. However, certain tactics can neutralize this seemingly relentless attacker.

First, consider leveraging control spells that negate the ability to exert, leaving the Avenger vulnerable to blockers. Spells such as “Frost Breath” can immobilize the Avenger, preventing it from causing havoc. A timely “Pacifism” or “Arrest” can also render the Avenger harmless without resorting to destroying it. Should these control methods not be available, prioritize high-toughness creatures, which act as efficient guardians against multiple strikes from creatures like Oketra’s Avenger.

In essence, dealing with Oketra’s Avenger involves a mix of disabling it from exerting or outlasting its attacks with robust defense. By integrating these tactics, players can mitigate the impact of Oketra’s Avenger and maintain control over the game’s tempo.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Oketra's Avenger MTG card by a specific set like Hour of Devastation and Amonkhet Remastered, 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 Oketra's Avenger and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Oketra's Avenger Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2017-07-14 and 2020-08-13. Illustrated by Anthony Palumbo.

#	Released	Name	Code	Symbol	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	2017-07-14	Hour of Devastation	HOU		17	2015	Normal	Black	Anthony Palumbo
2	2020-08-13	Amonkhet Remastered	AKR		29	2015	Normal	Black	Anthony Palumbo

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Oketra's Avenger has restrictions

Format	Legality
Historicbrawl	Legal
Historic	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Gladiator	Legal
Pioneer	Legal
Commander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Explorer	Legal
Penny	Legal
Timeless	Legal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Oketra's Avenger card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date	Text
2017-04-18	All cards in the Amonkhet set that let you exert a creature let you do so as you declare it as an attacking creature, as do some of the cards in the Hour of Devastation set. You can’t do so later in combat, and creatures put onto the battlefield attacking can’t be exerted. Any abilities that trigger on exerting an attacking creature will resolve before blockers are declared.
2017-04-18	If an exerted creature is already untapped during your next untap step (most likely because it had vigilance or an effect untapped it), exert’s effect preventing it from untapping expires without having done anything.
2017-04-18	If you gain control of another player’s creature until end of turn and exert it, it will untap during that player’s untap step.
2017-04-18	You can’t exert a creature unless an effect allows you to do so. Similar effects that “tap and freeze” a creature (such as that of Decision Paralysis) don’t exert that creature.