Aviation Pioneer MTG Card
2018-07-13 - Number 46
2022-12-02 - Number 275
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Human Artificer |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Key Takeaways
- Provides a 1/1 Thopter token for immediate aerial defense or offense.
- Thopter tokens can fuel artifact-based mana acceleration and combos.
- Aviation Pioneer’s discard cost and specific mana can limit its use.
Text of card
When Aviation Pioneer enters the battlefield, create a 1/1 colorless Thopter artifact creature token with flying.
"They say perfection is unattainable, but they said that about flight too."
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Aviation Pioneer, when played, taps into the valuable mechanic of token creation, furnishing you with a 1/1 colorless Thopter artifact creature token with flying. This extra token not only represents an additional aerial threat but could also synergize with other cards in your deck to provide card draw or other advantageous interactions, effectively increasing your card presence on the battlefield.
Resource Acceleration: The Thopter generated by Aviation Pioneer can be an integral part of strategies that revolve around artifacts. It can be utilized as a tool for resource acceleration, acting as an additional artifact to sacrifice for abilities that generate mana or to empower certain spells and abilities that grow stronger with more artifacts in play.
Instant Speed: While Aviation Pioneer is a creature that operates at sorcery speed, the Thopter it creates adds immediate board presence that can be beneficial when defending against sudden attacks from your opponent. Furthermore, in decks that capitalize on instant speed interactions, the Thopter can be a agile piece to trigger those effects unexpectedly.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Aviation Pioneer mandates a discard to activate certain abilities, potentially depleting your hand and reducing your options later in the game.
Specific Mana Cost: This card’s mana cost includes blue mana, which means it’s primarily suited for blue-centric or multicolored decks, possibly constraining deck-building strategies.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana for a 1/2 creature and a single Thopter token, players may find Aviation Pioneer less impactful compared to other cards at similar or lower cost points offering greater value.
Reasons to Include Aviation Pioneer in Your Collection
Versatility: Aviation Pioneer is a versatile inclusion, offering both a creature and an artifact upon entry. Its ability to add a Thopter token with flying to the battlefield can complement various strategies, from enhancing creature count to boosting flying synergies.
Combo Potential: With its artifact-generating Thopter, Aviation Pioneer has potential in combo decks. Integrate it into strategies that capitalize on artifacts or that require additional creatures for sacrificial combos or affinity boosts.
Meta-Relevance: As aerial threats can be challenging for certain meta decks to handle, Aviation Pioneer’s ability to quickly deploy a flyer makes it a relevant choice. Its modest mana cost allows for early pressure or defense, aligning well with decks that aim to establish board presence swiftly.
How to beat
Aviation Pioneer presents a unique challenge on the battlefield with its ability to add a flying artifact creature token to the mix when it enters the battlefield. The added dimension of aerial threat can pressure opponents who are unprepared. To counter this versatile card, a strategy focused on controlling the skies becomes essential. Removal spells that deal with multiple creatures, like Sweltering Suns or Ritual of Soot, can extinguish the mechanical menace before it takes off.
Moreover, players must also be ready to deal with tokens beyond just the 1/1 Thopter. Efficient token removal cards such as Ratchet Bomb can clear the skies of these invaders for a minimal investment, maintaining the balance of power. Single-target removals, while less wide-reaching, also play a key role, especially when there is a need to address individual threats swiftly – spells like Fatal Push or Path to Exile are prime examples.
Any player aiming to stay a step ahead of Aviation Pioneer’s tactical advantage should also consider the inclusion of creatures that excel at blocking fliers or cards that can change the rules of engagement, like Gravity Well. Through strategic planning and precise removal, Aviation Pioneer’s impact on the game can be significantly diminished.
Cards like Aviation Pioneer
Aviation Pioneer is a card that fans of Magic: The Gathering might find intriguing due to its unique combination of abilities. It bears resemblance to cards like Aeronaut Tinkerer, with both creatures having synergy with artifacts. Although the Tinkerer has the potential for flying, Aviation Pioneer brings immediate board presence by creating a 1/1 colorless Thopter artifact creature token with flying upon entering the battlefield.
Another card worth comparing is Gearsmith Prodigy, which becomes more powerful in the presence of artifacts, though without directly producing tokens like Aviation Pioneer does. In contrast, Skyscanner also offers an enter-the-battlefield benefit by drawing a card, along with being a flying artifact creature itself. However, it creates an impact through card advantage instead of expanding the number of creatures on the board.
In essence, Aviation Pioneer makes a noticeable spot for itself in decks emphasizing artifact and token strategies in Magic: The Gathering. Its ability to augment an army and contribute to board state right away offers tactical advantages, standing out among its peers for players who value immediate aerial threats and increased creature counts.
Cards similar to Aviation Pioneer by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Aviation Pioneer MTG card by a specific set like Core Set 2019 and Jumpstart 2022, 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 Aviation Pioneer and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- 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 Aviation Pioneer Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2018-07-13 and 2022-12-02. Illustrated by Lake Hurwitz.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2018-07-13 | Core Set 2019 | M19 | 46 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Lake Hurwitz | |
| 2 | 2022-12-02 | Jumpstart 2022 | J22 | 275 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Lake Hurwitz |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Aviation Pioneer 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 |
