Ayara, First of Locthwain MTG Card

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Ayara, First of Locthwain’s ability to draw a card whenever you sacrifice another black creature not only helps to maintain hand presence but also thins your deck, boosting the chance of drawing into your key cards.

Resource Acceleration: While not providing traditional mana acceleration, Ayara can indirectly contribute to resource development by using her sacrifice mechanic to enable synergistic interactions within a deck that may result in additional mana production or cost reduction effects.

Instant Speed: Ayara’s ability to sacrifice another black creature at instant speed allows for strategic plays that can disrupt opponents’ calculations. This flexibility ensures that you can respond to threats or opportunities on the battlefield with precision, maintaining the upper hand.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Players using Ayara, First of Locthwain must often manage their hand with care as the card necessitates sacrificing another black creature. This card can be less desirable for those who do not wish to diminish their board presence or those with a low creature count.

Specific Mana Cost: The mana cost of Ayara is entirely in black. While typical for mono-black decks, this can be restrictive for multi-colored decks and can hinder its inclusion in a deck that cannot consistently provide the needed black mana sources.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: At three black mana, Ayara can compete with other valuable three-drop cards in a deck. With other options that may not require a sacrifice or offer immediate impact without depending on board state, her cost can be a sticking point for players looking for more efficiency or versatility in that mana slot.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Ayara, First of Locthwain fits seamlessly into a vast array of black-based decks, chiefly those leaning on the synergy of Elf or Sacrifice themes. Her ability to provide consistent life drain for opponents while drawing cards makes her a valuable asset in both aggressive and control strategies.

Combo Potential: The card excels in creating powerful interactions, particularly in decks utilizing creatures that enter the battlefield or die often. Combining Ayara with cards that generate multiple tokens can result in significant life swings and card advantage.

Meta-Relevance: As the metagame evolves, cards like Ayara, First of Locthwain remain pertinent due to their intrinsic value in games. She can be a game-changer in matchups that grind out for longer periods, providing sustained benefits that can overwhelm opponents over time.

How to beat

Ayara, First of Locthwain presents a unique challenge in Magic: The Gathering. Her ability to drain life with every black creature’s entrance on the battlefield can quickly turn the tides in favor of her controller. To counteract Ayara, focus on limiting her interactions. Strategies such as removing black creatures before they enter the battlefield, or using exile and bounce effects to handle Ayara directly, can stifle the life drain effect. Cards like Scavenging Ooze can also be effective by removing creatures from graveyards, thus hindering any recurrence synergies.

Another technique is to attack the player’s mana base to prevent Ayara from being cast early on. Land destruction or counterspells can be crucial in delaying or completely stopping Ayara from entering the fray. Additionally, since Ayara thrives in a deck with many creatures, board wipes like Shatter the Sky can prove devastating to your opponent while also dealing with Ayara. Remember, timing these interactions is key, as you want to minimize the value your opponent gets from the life drain and card draw that Ayara provides.

Securing victory against a deck featuring Ayara requires a blend of proactive and reactive plays. By managing the battlefield and keeping your opponent’s creature count low, you can effectively neutralize Ayara’s life-draining threat and tip the scales in your favor.

BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering the intricate dynamics of Ayara, First of Locthwain can be instrumental in your MTG journey. With the insights gained on card pros and cons, you’re equipped to make informed decisions about weaving this card into your deck. The strategic depth offered by Ayara’s abilities enable both aggressive and control tactics, enhancing your gameplay experience. If you’re looking to harness the full potential of this powerful card, understanding the various interactions and deck types where she shines is key. Elevate your game by discovering new deckbuilding strategies and mastering the art of sacrifice mechanics. Embark on this exciting path with us and delve deeper into the strategic aspects of MTG.