Possessed Aven MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Rare
Type	Creature — Bird Soldier Horror
Abilities	Flying,Threshold
Released	2002-02-04
Set symbol
Set name	Torment
Set code	TOR
Power	3
Toughness	3
Number	45
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Scott M. Fischer

Key Takeaways

Provides card advantage and fuels strategic depth, enhancing control over the flow of the game.
Instant speed casting flexibility allows for adaptive plays and pressures opponents on their turn.
Requires careful deck construction due to specific mana colors and discard conditions.

Text of card

Flying Threshold Possessed Aven gets +1/+1, is black, and has "o B, oc T: Destroy target blue creature." (You have threshold as long as seven or more cards are in your graveyard.)

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Possessed Aven shines in its ability to influence the flow of the game by providing access to additional cards. This offers players a substantial edge in terms of options and strategies, crucial in outmaneuvering opponents.

Resource Acceleration: The presence of this character in your deck can translate into a quicker execution of your game plans. It can potentially untap lands or other resources, hastening your capacity to deploy threats or respond to the changing battlefield.

Instant Speed: The card shines with its versatile casting speed, allowing for reactive gameplay. Deploying at instant speed gives you the flexibility to adapt to threats during the opponent’s turn or end step, keeping them guessing and ensuring that you are always one move ahead.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: As part of its casting condition, Possessed Aven requires players to discard a card. This can be a significant drawback in game states where hand size is critical to maintaining control and strategic options.

Specific Mana Cost: Possessed Aven demands a particular blend of mana to play — two colorless, one blue, and one black. This specificity can restrict the card’s versatility, confining it predominantly to blue-black decks and potentially clashing with mana base consistency in multicolored builds.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Charging four mana overall, including two of which are colored, Possessed Aven might be considered costly, especially when evaluated against other flyers or creatures with comparable abilities that could be integrated into a deck for a lower mana investment.

Reasons to Include Possessed Aven in Your Collection

Versatility: Possessed Aven is a flexible card that fits well into decks focused on control and tempo plays. Its flying ability gives it an edge in maneuvering past defenses, and its flip mechanism can turn it into a surprise threat.

Combo Potential: This card’s ability to transform under specific conditions can synergize with strategies centered around flip cards or etching cards. In addition, being a Bird Soldier offers tribal deck opportunities, notably with buffs and other tribal support cards.

Meta-Relevance: In a format where mind games and interactive gameplay are essential, Possessed Aven might catch an opponent off-guard. Its cast and control altering capabilities could shift the tide of a match, especially in a game state sensitive to flyer creatures and transformative plays.

How to beat Possessed Aven

Possessed Aven is a multifaceted creature card that brings control and flexibility to the table in Magic: The Gathering. This bird wizard has the notable ability to morph, concealing its true power and springing surprises on the unprepared. But like any card, it has its vulnerabilities and can be outmaneuvered with the right strategy.

One reliable tactic to undermine Possessed Aven’s advantages is to employ instant-speed removal. This allows you to respond to the morph activation without the Aven ever revealing its full potential. Direct damage spells or “destroy creature” effects can efficiently handle the hidden threat before it takes effect. In addition, keeping track of the mana available to your opponent is crucial as it gives away clues to when they might activate Possessed Aven’s morph ability.

Moreover, board wipes can reset the playing field by clearing all creatures, including a morphed Possessed Aven. By patiently biding your time and choosing the right moment, you can navigate around this tricky creature and maintain an upper hand. Remember, thorough knowledge and anticipation of your opponent’s possible moves can turn the tide of battle in MTG.

Discover the Depth of Possessed Aven

In the vast array of creature cards that Magic: The Gathering offers, Possessed Aven occupies a unique role within its own niche. As a comparison, let’s look at Silent Sentinel, another card that shares some mechanics. Possessed Aven stands out with its peculiar forecast ability, allowing a glimpse of potential without committing to the board presence right away. Silent Sentinel, whilst lacking forecast, compensates with a powerful recurring effect capable of bringing enchantments back into play.

Cards like Possessed Aven

Possessed Aven invites an interesting comparison to other creatures with mechanics that manipulate or benefit from cards in hand. For instance, Looter il-Kor has a different take on hand interaction, offering a steady looting effect that can refine options over time. While Looter il-Kor provides incremental advantage, Possessed Aven’s forecast ability is more about strategic planning and timing. Another creature worth mentioning is Spellstutter Sprite, which capitalizes on having other faeries in play for an immediate impact on the stack, quite divergent from Possessed Aven’s patient game plan.

Each of these creatures offers unique strategies to explore within their environments. However, what sets Possessed Aven apart is its versatility and the subtle mind games it enables by obfuscating your intentions until the moment you choose to unveil them – a trait not commonly found in other cards. When evaluating creature cards with distinctive abilities like forecast, Possessed Aven stands as a testament to the strategic complexity and depth inherent in Magic: The Gathering’s design.

Cards similar to Possessed Aven by color, type and mana cost

Elusive Tormentor // Insidious Mist - MTG Card versions

Ingenious Infiltrator - MTG Card versions

Circu, Dimir Lobotomist - MTG Card versions

Wydwen, the Biting Gale - MTG Card versions

Lazav, Dimir Mastermind - MTG Card versions

Drunau Corpse Trawler - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

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