Windcaller Aven MTG Card
2019-06-14 - Number 77
2019-11-07 - Number 548
2021-08-26 - Number 275
2023-08-04 - Number 133
2020-09-26 - Number MH1-77
| Card sets | Released in 5 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 6 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Bird Wizard |
| Abilities | Cycling,Flying |
| Power | 4 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Text of card
Flying Cycling (, Discard this card: Draw a card.) When you cycle Windcaller Aven, target creature gains flying until end of turn.
Every cry lifts her allies toward the thunder.
Cards like Windcaller Aven
Windcaller Aven makes a unique impression in the realm of utility creatures in Magic: The Gathering. Nestled amongst other creatures with flying, it shares similarities with cards like Gust Walker, which also boasts the capability to gain flying for a turn. However, Windcaller Aven stands out with its cycling ability, allowing players to replace it in hand when it’s not needed on the battlefield.
Gust Walker, in contrast, requires exertion to gain flying until the next turn, which signifies it won’t untap during the next untap step. Another companion to consider is Aven Surveyor, providing a flying body that can influence the board by bouncing an opponent’s creature when it enters the battlefield. While Aven Surveyor offers immediate board presence, Windcaller Aven adds flexibility with its cycling trait to draw into more pertinent cards as the situation demands.
Assessing the uses of Windcaller Aven highlights its multipurpose role through its cycling ability and the tactical advantage of granting another creature temporary flight. This finesse in gameplay nuances illustrates why it can hold its own in a deck looking for versatile flying creatures.
Cards similar to Windcaller Aven by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Windcaller Aven. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Electro End | Modern | Electro End | Modern Challenge 96 2024-01-13 |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Windcaller Aven provides a mechanism to cycle itself from your hand, allowing you a flexible way to draw another card. This keeps your hand equipped with options and potentially can help you dig for essential pieces of your strategy.
Resource Acceleration: Although not a direct source of mana acceleration, the cycling capability of Windcaller Aven effectively thins your deck, increasing the likelihood of drawing into lands or ramp spells. This subtle boost can be pivotal in reaching necessary resources faster.
Instant Speed: The ability to cycle this card at instant speed cannot be overstated. It allows you to adapt to the ebb and flow of the game, potentially cycling Windcaller Aven during an opponent’s turn to find an answer or simply improve your hand for your next turn without sacrificing tempo.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Windcaller Aven’s cycle ability demands the player to discard it, potentially causing a loss of momentum especially if you are trying to maintain card advantage.
Specific Mana Cost: With both a generic and a blue mana necessary to play, Windcaller Aven might not seamlessly fit into multi-colored decks that are not focused on blue mana resources.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: For the investment of six mana to summon Windcaller Aven, its stats and effects might not match up to other creatures or spells at a similar or lower cost bracket, potentially making it a less economical choice for some strategies.
Reasons to Include Windcaller Aven in Your Collection
Versatility: Windcaller Aven features cycling, allowing you to replace it from your hand if it doesn’t suit the current situation, providing flexibility in various game stages. Its flying ability makes it a solid creature choice in decks that require evasive attackers or defenders.
Combo Potential: Due to its cycling ability, this card can be smoothly integrated into decks that capitalize on cycling or discard mechanics, enabling players to pull off unexpected combos and synergies with other cards.
Meta-Relevance: For metas where airborne threats and tactics are prevalent, Windcaller Aven can serve as a reliable creature to bolster your aerial presence or as a means to quickly cycle through your deck for key responses.
How to Beat Windcaller Aven
Windcaller Aven is a unique creature card that commands the skies with its flying ability in Magic: The Gathering. Its cycling capability offers players both strategic depth and flexibility. To effectively counter this feathery foe, players should consider including removal spells that target creatures in the air. Cards like Plummet or Roast, which destroy or deal significant damage to flying creatures, can neutralize the Aven before it becomes a nuisance.
Tapping into mana-efficient counterspells when the Aven is on the stack is also a smart move. Negate or Essence Scatter can prevent it from ever landing on the battlefield. Another approach is to set up ground defenses that overshadow the Aven’s impact. Incorporating creatures with reach or bolstering one’s life total can lessen the urgency to directly address the Windcaller Aven.
Lastly, keeping an eye on the graveyard and potential recursion is vital, as the Aven can cycle back. Graveyard hate cards like Relic of Progenitus ensure that once dealt with, the Aven stays a footnote in the match. By preparing oneself with these tactics, MTG players can ensure that Windcaller Aven’s siren call goes unheard, maintaining dominance on the playmat.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Windcaller Aven MTG card by a specific set like Modern Horizons and Mystery Booster, 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 Windcaller Aven 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 Windcaller Aven Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2019-06-14 and 2023-08-04. Illustrated by Uriah Voth.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2019-06-14 | Modern Horizons | MH1 | 77 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Uriah Voth | |
| 2 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 548 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Uriah Voth | |
| 3 | The List | PLST | MH1-77 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Uriah Voth | ||
| 4 | 2021-08-26 | Jumpstart: Historic Horizons | J21 | 275 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Uriah Voth | |
| 5 | 2023-08-04 | Commander Masters | CMM | 133 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Uriah Voth |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Windcaller Aven has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |