Ajani, Caller of the Pride MTG Card


Ajani elevates the board state by generating tokens and speeding up victory through resource acceleration. It demands strategic deck building with its specific white mana cost and influences deck versatility. Ajani’s unique abilities offer meta relevance, with game-ending potential through its ultimate.
Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityMythic
TypeLegendary Planeswalker — Ajani
Loyalty 4

Text of card

+1: Put a +1/+1 counter on up to one target creature. -3: Target creature gains flying and double strike until end of turn. -8: Put X 2/2 white Cat creature tokens onto the battlefield, where X is your life total.


Cards like Ajani, Caller of the Pride

Ajani, Caller of the Pride stands out among planeswalkers in Magic: The Gathering for its versatile kit designed for creature strategies. This card can be paralleled with Ajani, Strength of the Pride, which also focuses on life gain and empowering creatures. Both cards reflect the white mana lineage of bolstering your board presence, but Caller of the Pride enables you to summon an avatar with power and toughness equal to your life total earlier in the game compared to its counterpart.

Another analogous MTG card is Elspeth, Sun’s Champion, known for creating multiple tokens that can quickly overwhelm opponents. Although Elspeth’s abilities are geared towards generating a larger army, Ajani, Caller of the Pride provides the flexibility of direct creature enhancement and even a flying ability. This can turn any creature into an immediate aerial threat, something that Elspeth can’t directly offer.

Overall, while there are several planeswalker cards in MTG with creature-centric abilities, Ajani, Caller of the Pride holds its own by granting quick and impactful buffs to your creatures. Its early game potential to affect board state sets this card apart in decks focusing on creature synergy and life gain strategies.

Ajani, Strength of the Pride - MTG Card versions
Elspeth, Sun's Champion - MTG Card versions
Ajani, Strength of the Pride - MTG Card versions
Elspeth, Sun's Champion - MTG Card versions

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Card Pros

Card Advantage: Ajani Caller of the Pride is adept at increasing your card quality on the battlefield by generating creature tokens. When you use the second ability to create a 2/2 white Cat creature token, you’re effectively adding card value without losing a card from your hand, bolstering your on-field presence.

Resource Acceleration: By bolstering your creatures with +1/+1 counters swiftly, Ajani Caller of the Pride can accelerate your resource development. His first ability can increase the power of your creatures, enabling faster and more significant damage dealing, which effectively speeds up your path to victory.

Instant Speed: Ajani’s ultimate ability can be a surprise finisher. With the capability to give all creatures you control flying and double strike until end of turn at instant speed, it allows you to turn the tide of the game abruptly in your favor, potentially overwhelming unprepared opponents.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Ajani Caller of the Pride doesn’t have a discard requirement per se, but playing any Planeswalker often requires a careful hand management strategy. A player must weigh the value of casting Ajani against the potential benefits of holding onto other key cards that might be necessary for maintaining board control or achieving victory.

Specific Mana Cost: Ajani Caller of the Pride has a mana cost that includes two white mana symbols. This specific cost demands a commitment to white mana sources, which can limit the range of decks in which this card is optimally played. Players running multicolored decks might find it challenging to consistently meet the mana requirements for casting this Planeswalker on curve.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana, this card sits at an interesting point on the mana curve. While not exorbitant, the cost is significant in the early game, where deploying creatures or other threats might take precedence. Additionally, when looking at the spectrum of three-mana Planeswalkers, there are alternatives that might provide different or more immediately impactful abilities depending on the deck’s strategy.


Reasons to Include Ajani Caller of the Pride in Your Collection

Versatility: Ajani Caller of the Pride can effortlessly transition between aggressive, midrange, and even some control decks. Its ability to strengthen creatures and enhance board presence offers flexibility across various playstyles, making it a valuable addition to any collection.

Combo Potential: This planeswalker showcases potential in combo setups, particularly with its ultimate ability that can instantly spawn a multitude of token creatures for swift game-ending moves. Combined with cards that benefit from creature quantity or lifegain, its impact can be game-defining.

Meta-Relevance: With its capacity to swiftly generate loyalty counters, provide flying and double strike to a pivotal creature, or create an army of token creatures, Ajani Caller of the Pride remains relevant, particularly in formats where board control and life totals can dictate the pace and outcome of games.


How to beat

Ajani Caller of the Pride is a versatile planeswalker in MTG that can quickly turn the tide of a game. Known for its ability to strengthen creatures with +1/+1 counters and generate significant life gain, Ajani poses a strategic challenge. Overcoming this MTG card requires a proactive approach. Neutralizing Ajani as soon as it hits the battlefield is key. Employing instant-speed removal spells can nip the problem in the bud before its loyalty abilities become an issue.

Consider spells like Dreadbore or Hero’s Downfall that can target planeswalkers directly, or even board wipes if Ajani has already put a number of counters on creatures. Counterspells are also effective; by keeping mana open, you can prevent Ajani from impacting the board altogether. Additionally, focusing on fast-paced aggression can pressure Ajani’s controller, forcing them to use Ajani’s abilities defensively rather than proactively. This strategy can give you the upper hand against Ajani Caller of the Pride and its potential to dominate a game of MTG.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering your MTG deck starts with a comprehensive understanding of each card’s strengths and synergies. Ajani Caller of the Pride is a prime example of a card that offers both immediate board impact and the potential for a game-winning move. Harnessing its power can be the key to a triumphant strategy. As you weigh the pros and cons, consider how Ajani can fit into your deck’s archetype and enhance your gameplay. For those intrigued by the tactical depth and possibilities that Ajani brings to the table, we welcome you to dive deeper. Join the BurnMana community where we decode the nuances of deck building and strategy, helping you sharpen your skills with every shuffle and draw.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Ajani, Caller of the Pride MTG card by a specific set like Magic 2013 and San Diego Comic-Con 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 Ajani, Caller of the Pride and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Ajani, Caller of the Pride Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2012-07-13 and 2013-07-19. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12012-07-13Magic 2013M13 12003NormalBlackD. Alexander Gregory
22013-07-18San Diego Comic-Con 2013PSDC 1★2003NormalBlackSteve Prescott
32013-07-19Magic 2014M14 12003NormalBlackD. Alexander Gregory

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Ajani, Caller of the Pride has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Ajani, Caller of the Pride card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2012-07-01 The number of Cat tokens you put onto the battlefield is equal to your life total when the third ability resolves.
2012-07-01 You can activate the first ability without a target. You’ll still put one loyalty counter on Ajani when you activate the ability.