Aven Squire MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Bird Soldier
Abilities Exalted,Flying
Power 1
Toughness 1

Key Takeaways

  1. Aven Squire’s Exalted ability enhances board strategy by empowering a single attacker.
  2. Low mana cost allows for early threat deployment, optimizing resource usage.
  3. The card requires a deck focus on white mana, limiting its broader inclusion.

Text of card

Flying Exalted (Whenever a creature you control attacks alone, that creature gets +1/+1 until end of turn.)

When the meek charge into battle, courage becomes infectious.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Aven Squire is a great card for players looking to build their board presence quickly. While it doesn’t draw cards by itself, its Exalted ability can create a card advantage by increasing the power of your single attacking creature significantly, making it more challenging for opponents to block or deal with.

Resource Acceleration: Although Aven Squire doesn’t directly accelerate your resources in terms of mana, its low casting cost allows you to deploy threats early on and save mana for other spells, effectively streamlining your gameplay and ensuring your resources are used efficiently.

Instant Speed: While Aven Squire is not an instant, its presence can impact board states at a speed akin to instant because of the immediate effect it has on combat dynamics. The Exalted trigger works whenever a creature you control attacks alone, effectively being a standing threat that must be dealt with before the combat phase or suffer the consequences.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Aven Squire is a card that doesn’t itself require a discard, but it’s essential to bear in mind that this bird soldier’s synergy with exalted can be somewhat diminished. This is because playing multiple creatures with the exalted mechanic might force you to choose and discard other potentially useful creatures or cards in favor of a singular, more powerful attack.

Specific Mana Cost: Aven Squire commands a specific mana cost that includes white. This restricts it primarily to white or multicolored decks. Decks which do not emphasize white mana may find including Aven Squire challenging or detrimental to the mana base, therefore limiting the card’s versatility across various deck archetypes.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While costing only two mana, one of which is white, could be seen as quite manageable, there are scenarios where Aven Squire’s cost efficiency can be called into question. There are a myriad of two-cost creatures that can potentially offer more immediate board presence or value. Thus, the opportunity cost of playing Aven Squire over other cards in the same mana bracket could be considered a con, especially in formats where the power level of two-drops is exceptionally high.


Reasons to Include Aven Squire in Your Collection

Versatility: Aven Squire is a flexible addition across various deck archetypes, playing a supportive role in strategies that capitalize on flying creatures. It can also buff other creatures with exalted, making it a multipurpose asset on the battlefield.

Combo Potential: The card can synergize significantly with decks that focus on exalted or counter-proliferating mechanics. Its ability to add power to a singular attacking creature can turn any unassuming attacker into a significant threat.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where combat is determined by incremental advantages, Aven Squire’s exalted ability can turn the tide. This makes it especially relevant in metas that have a heavy focus on combat-centric strategies.


How to beat

Aven Squire is a known figure for players who appreciate flying creatures in their deck strategy. This particular card is recognized for its exalted ability, which can turn any creature into a significant threat during combat. To counteract Aven Squire, it is essential to maintain control over the board. Removal spells that can target creatures, regardless of their flying ability, are effective tools. Consider employing instant-speed spells that can disrupt the Aven Squire’s exalted effect before it can bolster an attacker.

Additionally, employing cards that restrict the opponent’s ability to attack with a single creature capitalizes on the shortcomings of the exalted mechanic. Cards with reach or those that can block multiple creatures can be particularly powerful against Aven Squire’s strategy. It’s also wise to keep in mind that once the Squire is dealt with, its exalted ability no longer poses a threat. Therefore, prioritizing the removal or neutralization of Aven Squire can significantly diminish the opponent’s offensive capabilities and lead to a strategic advantage.

Remember that while flying creatures are a formidable force, there are ample ways to ground them and preserve your standing in the game. With the right strategy, Aven Squire can be overcome, paving the way to victory.


Cards like Aven Squire

Aven Squire commands attention in the realm of MTG creatures that bolster their comrades. As a comparison, we could look towards another creature, Knight of Glory. Like Aven Squire, this loyal knight provides exalted, enhancing each attack when acting alone. However, Aven Squire has a minor edge with its flying ability, allowing it to evade common ground blockers and vacuum up aerial dominion.

Moving into the birds of the same feather, we glance at Suntail Hawk which shares the gift of flight. Even though Suntail Hawk is less mana-intensive, it’s the absence of the exalted mechanic that marks the contrast here. Aven Squire shines by encouraging a one-creature attack strategy, moving it a notch above in tactical value.

Evaluating cards in this light demonstrates Aven Squire’s potential to be more than just a simple flyer in your deck. Its synergy with exalted strategies can pivot the course of a game, offering a layered approach to combat that its kith and kin in the avian category might lack.

Knight of Glory - MTG Card versions
Suntail Hawk - MTG Card versions
Knight of Glory - Magic 2013 (M13)
Suntail Hawk - Judgment (JUD)

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

White Knight - MTG Card versions
Soul Shepherd - MTG Card versions
Soltari Monk - MTG Card versions
Talon Sliver - MTG Card versions
Keeper of the Light - MTG Card versions
Faith Healer - MTG Card versions
Angelic Page - MTG Card versions
Avenger en-Dal - MTG Card versions
Spirit Weaver - MTG Card versions
Voice of the Blessed - MTG Card versions
Stoneforge Mystic - MTG Card versions
Drannith Magistrate - MTG Card versions
Leonin Lightscribe - MTG Card versions
Silver Knight - MTG Card versions
Longbow Archer - MTG Card versions
Silverflame Squire // On Alert - MTG Card versions
Flumph - MTG Card versions
Cloudreach Cavalry - MTG Card versions
Samite Healer - MTG Card versions
Kor Firewalker - MTG Card versions
White Knight - Duel Decks: Knights vs. Dragons (DDG)
Soul Shepherd - Weatherlight (WTH)
Soltari Monk - Tempest (TMP)
Talon Sliver - Tempest (TMP)
Keeper of the Light - Exodus (EXO)
Faith Healer - Urza's Saga (USG)
Angelic Page - Battle Royale Box Set (BRB)
Avenger en-Dal - Nemesis (NEM)
Spirit Weaver - Invasion (INV)
Voice of the Blessed - Innistrad: Crimson Vow (VOW)
Stoneforge Mystic - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Drannith Magistrate - Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths (IKO)
Leonin Lightscribe - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Silver Knight - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Longbow Archer - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Silverflame Squire // On Alert - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Flumph - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Cloudreach Cavalry - Legions (LGN)
Samite Healer - Ninth Edition (9ED)
Kor Firewalker - Mystery Booster (MB1)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Aven Squire MTG card by a specific set like Conflux and Magic 2013, 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 Aven Squire and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Aven Squire Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2009-02-06 and 2012-07-13. Illustrated by David Palumbo.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12009-02-06ConfluxCON 32003normalblackDavid Palumbo
22012-07-13Magic 2013M13 62003normalblackDavid Palumbo

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Aven Squire has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

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