Owl Familiar MTG Card
1997-05-01 - Number 63
1999-07-01 - Number 43
2011-01-10 - Number 54
2014-06-16 - Number 85
2024-02-23 - Number 90
| Card sets | Released in 5 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Bird |
| Abilities | Flying |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Text of card
Flying When Owl Familiar comes into play from your hand, draw a card, then choose and discard a card from your hand.
Cards like Owl Familiar
Owl Familiar stands out in the realm of creature-based card draw in MTG. This avian ally is often likened to cards such as Elvish Visionary, which likewise draws a card when it enters the battlefield. However, Owl Familiar offers a unique edge – it flies. The flying ability grants it an evasive advantage, enabling it to often bypass ground-based defenses and pressure opponents from above.
Another card worth mentioning is Wall of Blossoms. Although it’s a defender and hence cannot attack, it does draw a card upon entry, serving as both a protective measure and a means of card advantage. Where Owl Familiar scores is on its offensive capabilities, albeit with less toughness than the Wall.
Observing these comparisons, we notice that Owl Familiar strikes a delicate balance between contributing to your aerial offense and cycling through your deck. This combination of utility and aggression makes it a solid consideration for decks that wish to maintain a presence in the air while efficiently progressing through their library.
Cards similar to Owl Familiar by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Owl Familiar card is a clever addition to your deck when you’re looking to stay ahead in the card draw race. Its ability contributes to your hand by providing additional options and strategies during gameplay, giving you a subtle but critical edge over your opponent.
Resource Acceleration: One of the hidden gems of the Owl Familiar is how it can streamline your game plan by offering resource acceleration. This feathered friend not only contributes to your board presence but can also facilitate pivotal plays much earlier than anticipated, setting the pace for a quicker path to victory.
Instant Speed: Flexibility is key in MTG, and the Owl Familiar shines with its instant speed capabilities. The power to deploy this card at the most opportune moments – whether to surprise an adversary or to optimize your own strategy – is an invaluable trait that can sway the tide of battle in your favor.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: In the case of Owl Familiar, one of the drawbacks is its necessity for discarding another card to trigger certain abilities. This requirement can set you back, especially when you’re running low on hand resources and need every card to count.
Specific Mana Cost: Owl Familiar’s casting cost demands a precise combination of mana, which can be a bit restrictive. Decks that aren’t built to consistently provide the exact mana types needed may find including Owl Familiar a bit cumbersome or may not be able to play the card when needed.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: When evaluating the mana cost against its abilities, Owl Familiar might not measure up to the expectations set by other creatures in its casting cost range. This can make it a less appealing choice when optimizing your deck for cost-efficiency and impact.
Reasons to Include Owl Familiar in Your Collection
Versatility: Owl Familiar offers a blend of tactical advantage with its ability to draw a card when it enters the battlefield. Its low casting cost also makes it an excellent addition to a variety of deck themes, from control to combo-driven builds.
Combo Potential: This card is an asset for strategies that manipulate the number of cards in hand or benefit from creatures entering or leaving the battlefield. It can seamlessly integrate with decks that focus on casting numerous spells in a single turn or reusing creature-triggered abilities for maximum effect.
Meta-Relevance: In the ever-evolving MTG scene, having access to cards that can adapt to different opponents remains crucial. Owl Familiar’s card-drawing ability keeps your hand refreshed, which is consistently useful across various metagame environments.
How to beat
Owl Familiar plays an interesting role in the world of creature cards on the MTG battlefield. As a nimble flyer possessing the ability to draw a card upon its departure, it encourages players to strategize around creature control and card advantage. This unique mechanic can be a puzzle to unravel but not an insurmountable challenge. Facing Owl Familiar, the key to victory lies in mitigating its card-drawing ability.
To effectively neutralize Owl Familiar, consider using spells that restrict the opponent’s ability to reap benefits from creature death. For instance, employing cards that exile rather than destroy can circumvent the Familiar’s last gasp for deck cycling. Alternatively, incorporating creature abilities that negate death triggers or using instant-speed removal before the opponent can gain an advantage through sacrifice or combat can disrupt their strategy. It’s also helpful to pressure the Owl Familiar player, forcing them to block with their card-drawing asset prematurely.
Overall, mastering the timing of your interactions and choosing the right removal tools are pivotal in clipping the wings of Owl Familiar and maintaining control over the flow of the game. Through strategic planning and disruptive play, this seemingly advantageous creature can be rendered just a mild nuisance in the larger tapestry of the match.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Owl Familiar MTG card by a specific set like Portal and Starter 1999, 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 Owl Familiar 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
See MTG Products
Printings
The Owl Familiar Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 1997-05-01 and 2024-02-23. Illustrated by Janine Johnston.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1997-05-01 | Portal | POR | 63 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Janine Johnston | |
| 2 | 1999-07-01 | Starter 1999 | S99 | 43 | 1997 | Normal | White | Janine Johnston | |
| 3 | 2011-01-10 | Masters Edition IV | ME4 | 54 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Janine Johnston | |
| 4 | 2014-06-16 | Vintage Masters | VMA | 85 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Janine Johnston | |
| 5 | 2024-02-23 | Ravnica: Clue Edition | CLU | 90 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Janine Johnston |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Owl Familiar has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |