Joven MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	5
Rarity	Common
Type	Legendary Creature — Human Rogue
Released	1995-10-01
Set symbol
Set name	Homelands
Set code	HML
Power	3
Toughness	3
Number	77
Frame	1993
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Douglas Shuler

Key Takeaways

Joven replenishes red instants and sorceries, keeping your hand filled with spells for sustained pressure.
Requires discarding a card to activate, potentially depleting valuable hand resources when least desired.
Offers unexpected gameplay twists with his artifact destruction ability, adding a strategic edge to certain matches.

Text of card

o Ro Ro R, oc T: Destroy target non-creature artifact.

"Joven, you're almost as good a thief as I. But Eron hates you even more." —Chandler

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Joven can instantly revitalize your hand by returning red instant and sorcery cards from your graveyard, ensuring that your resources stay plentiful throughout the battle.

Resource Acceleration: When Joven hits the field, you gain access to additional mana through the untapping of red permanents, propelling your game speed and amplifying your capacity to outpace opponents.

Instant Speed: The ability to engage Joven’s effect at instant speed offers strategic flexibility, enabling you to adapt to the evolving game state and react swiftly to your adversary’s actions.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Joven’s card has an ability that necessitates discarding another card, which could be a significant drawback when your hand is already dwindling and you need to maintain every advantage.

Specific Mana Cost: This card requires a precise blend of three red mana to play, making it tricky for decks that aren’t heavily red-oriented or those attempting to maintain a flexible mana base to accommodate diverse spells and abilities.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The cost to get Joven onto the battlefield is somewhat steep, especially when evaluated against other options available in the same mana range. Other cards might offer more impactful abilities or provide greater board presence for the same or lower mana investment.

Reasons to Include Joven in Your Collection

Versatility: Joven, although not as widely recognized, can be a quirky addition to decks that exploit disrupting opponent’s artifacts. His ability to destroy artifacts can be unexpectedly useful in certain gameplay scenarios.

Combo Potential: In combination with cards that benefit from artifact destruction or red mana generation, Joven has the potential to fuel some interesting and innovative combos that might catch opponents off guard.

Meta-Relevance: With a constantly evolving meta, Joven’s niche effect could capitalize on specific trends, especially in a local meta dominated by relic-reliant opponents, making him an asset in targeted deck builds.

How to Beat

The Joven card from Magic: The Gathering is known for its unique ability to disrupt artifact strategies. To counteract Joven’s impact in a match, players should focus on proactive measures. Enabling removal spells that can directly deal with Joven before its ability is activated can be an effective strategy. Cards like Swords to Plowshares or Path to Exile provide quick and efficient answers to Joven, quietly removing him without leaving room for his notorious artifact thievery.

Another approach is to maintain a diverse range of threats on the battlefield to minimize the disadvantage his ability may impose. Players might also consider implementing hexproof or shroud capabilities, rendering their important artifacts immune to his effect. As Joven’s ability specifically targets artifacts, diversifying your game plan to rely less on artifacts or to use ones with innate protections, ensures that your strategy remains unaffected by his disruptive presence.

Lastly, instant-speed interaction is key; being ready to act in response to Joven’s activation can conserve your board state and leave your opponent’s turn wasted. Timely countermagic or instant removal when Joven’s ability is on the stack keeps your side of the field safe from plunder and maintains your momentum throughout the game.

Cards like Joven

Joven, a notable figure among red creature cards in MTG, brings to the table interesting dynamics compared to other creature cards. Although Joven doesn’t see much play compared to other red creatures, it stands out with its ability to utilize artifacts, which is not commonly found among red creature cards.

Considering cards with similar functions, we examine Goblin Welder, a card that also interacts with artifacts but via a different mechanism. Goblin Welder allows for the exchange of artifacts from the graveyard and the battlefield, essentially rejuvenating the utility of used artifacts. Unlike Joven, Goblin Welder requires just one red mana to cast, making it more mana efficient. Then there’s Daretti, Scrap Savant, an emblematic planeswalker who also focuses on artifact manipulation. Daretti’s versatility in dealing with artifacts surpasses Joven’s straightforward, but costly, artifact destruction ability.

In evaluating cards akin to Joven, it is evident he holds a unique space within the MTG universe due to his specific role, yet other cards offer artifact interaction with greater tactical flexibility and cost efficiency.

Daretti, Scrap Savant - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Joven by color, type and mana cost

Balduvian War-Makers - MTG Card versions

Flowstone Salamander - MTG Card versions

Ma Chao, Western Warrior - MTG Card versions

Dwarven Strike Force - MTG Card versions

Volatile Arsonist // Dire-Strain Anarchist - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Joven MTG card by a specific set like Homelands, 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 Joven and other MTG cards: