Tradewind Rider Avatar MTG Card
2003-01-01 - Number 104
2003-01-01 - Number 89
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Vanguard |
Text of card
: Each player returns a permanent he or she controls to its owner's hand unless he or she pays 2 life.
Cards like Tradewind Rider Avatar
The Tradewind Rider Avatar is an intriguing card in Magic: The Gathering, known for its ability to control the battlefield by returning permanents to players’ hands. It’s similar in function to cards like Capsize, which also offers the flexibility of returning not just creatures but any permanents to its owner’s hand. Capsize, however, has the advantage of buyback, allowing for repetitive use at the cost of additional mana.
Another comparable card in terms of utility is Venser, Shaper Savant. While Venser doesn’t have the repeatable effect of the Tradewind Rider Avatar, it does provide an immediate impact by returning a spell or permanent when it enters the battlefield. Additionally, Venser can be a surprise element due to its flash ability—meaning it can be cast at any time like an instant. Cyclonic Rift also bears mentioning, another blue spell that can reset the board by bouncing not just one, but all nonland permanents of your opponents during a late-game overload cast. While it is a single-use card, its broad resetting power can be game-changing.
When comparing these options, the Tradewind Rider Avatar holds its ground as a versatile card, offering strategic advantage in returning key permanents and disrupting opponents’ board setup over multiple turns.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Tradewind Rider Avatar excels in disrupting your opponent’s game plan while concurrently padding your hand. Its ability to return permanents to owners’ hands can indirectly translate into card advantage, as reusing your own permanents with enter-the-battlefield effects or negating the momentum of your opponent can tilt the game in your favor.
Resource Acceleration: By being able to untap lands or potential mana-producing creatures, Tradewind Rider Avatar can essentially ramp up your resources, giving you access to more mana in a single turn. This can be particularly powerful when orchestrating large, game-changing plays or deploying multiple threats in quick succession.
Instant Speed: The utility of activating Tradewind Rider Avatar’s abilities at instant speed cannot be overemphasized. This flexibility allows players to wait until the most advantageous moment to act, whether it’s in response to an opponent’s play or at the end of their turn, ensuring maximum disruption and strategic depth.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Playing Tradewind Rider Avatar demands that you have another creature to sacrifice, which might not always be desirable or possible. This can lead to a tough decision, especially in tight game situations where every creature on your board is valuable.
Specific Mana Cost: This card requires not just any mana, but two blue mana, which can be restrictive to decks that are not heavily invested in blue. It can be challenging to cast for multi-colored decks that rely on a balanced mana base.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that includes three generic mana and two blue mana, the total five mana investment can be steep, especially since it impacts your ability to play other spells in the same turn. This can put you at a disadvantage by limiting your options and potentially leaving you vulnerable to faster-paced decks.
Reasons to Include Tradewind Rider Avatar in Your Collection
Versatility: The Tradewind Rider Avatar card from MTG offers flexible strategic options for your deck, fitting nicely with various blue-centric control or tempo playstyles. Its ability to return permanents to owners’ hands allows players to disrupt opponents’ plans while resetting their board state.
Combo Potential: This card excels in combination plays, working well with untap effects and cards that benefit from being returned to hand or replayed. Its potential in combo chains makes it a powerful addition to synergistic deck builds.
Meta-Relevance: In environments where slower, more controlling games are prominent, Tradewind Rider Avatar can shine. Its continuous ability to repeatedly impact the battlefield makes it a crucial tool against decks that rely on key permanents, keeping them off balance and unable to maintain a presence.
How to beat
Overcoming the Tradewind Rider Avatar in MTG hinges on strategic use of removal spells and disruption tactics. As an avatar that thrives on bouncing creatures to their owner’s hand, it’s essential to minimize the number of creatures you have on the board, rendering the Avatar’s ability less effective. Instant speed removal such as Path to Exile or Fatal Push can be crucial for getting rid of the Avatar before its controller is able to use its ability to disrupt your game plan. You may also consider using counter spells to prevent the Avatar from hitting the battlefield in the first place.
Countering bounce strategies can also be accomplished through the use of hexproof or indestructible creatures that are resistant to targeting or battlefield removal, nullifying the Avatar’s influence. Additionally, cards that punish or restrict your opponent from casting multiple spells or playing creatures can serve as a formidable roadblock against the Tradewind Rider Avatar. Adjusting your deck to include such responses ensures you’re equipped to counteract this threat in MTG play. Keep your strategy flexible and maintain a proactive approach when dealing with this evasive avatar.
Ultimately, a keen understanding of when to hold back and when to remove key pieces will lead you to mastery over the Tradewind Rider Avatar and secure your position in the game. Being prepared for this particular challenge will be a testament to your adaptability and strategic foresight in MTG duels.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Tradewind Rider Avatar MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Avatars and Magic Online Avatars, 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 Tradewind Rider Avatar 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 Tradewind Rider Avatar Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2003-01-01 and 2003-01-01. Illustrated by UDON.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2003-01-01 | Magic Online Avatars | PMOA | 104 | 2015 | Vanguard | Black | UDON | |
| 2 | 2003-01-01 | Magic Online Avatars | PMOA | 89 | 2015 | Vanguard | Black | UDON |