Avatar of Woe MTG Card


Avatar of Woe excels in creature-heavy matchups, offering strategic control with powerful creature elimination abilities. Instant speed destruction without tapping provides players with flexibility for in-game tactics and surprise plays. Its steep mana cost and graveyard activation requirements challenge deck building but can yield high payoffs.
Card setsReleased in 11 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost8
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Avatar
Abilities Fear
Power 6
Toughness 5

Text of card

If there are ten or more creature cards total in all graveyards, Avatar of Woe costs o6 less to play. Avatar of Woe can't be blocked except by artifact creatures and/or black creatures. oc T: Destroy target creature. It can't be regenerated.


Cards like Avatar of Woe

The Avatar of Woe stands as a formidable force within the Magic: The Gathering realm. With an incredible ability to destroy any creature it engages in combat without the usual kerfuffle of damage calculation, this card echoes the impact of iconic cards like Visara the Dreadful, which also offers targeted creature removal without tapping. However, Visara lacks the conditional cost reduction that makes Avatar of Woe a game changer under the right circumstances.

Yet another peer in the arena of creature control is Royal Assassin, with the capacity to pick off tapped creatures without battling. It sports a lower mana cost than Avatar of Woe, enabling quicker play, but it doesn’t have the sheer power and toughness to stand on the battlefield quite as formidably. Then there’s Sheoldred, Whispering One, a kin in its swampy domain. Sheoldred combines reanimating power with the relentless removal of opposing forces, albeit at a higher casting cost. Despite this, the recurring advantage of resurrecting creatures from your graveyard each turn adds a layer of value that extends beyond mere creature destruction.

Moving through the maze of MTG’s vast library, while many cards offer similar dread-inducing removal abilities, Avatar of Woe has carved out its niche as a resilient, conditional powerhouse that can single-handedly dictate the flow of combat and, ultimately, the game.

Visara the Dreadful - MTG Card versions
Royal Assassin - MTG Card versions
Sheoldred, Whispering One - MTG Card versions
Visara the Dreadful - MTG Card versions
Royal Assassin - MTG Card versions
Sheoldred, Whispering One - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Avatar of Woe by color, type and mana cost

Infernal Denizen - MTG Card versions
Baron Sengir - MTG Card versions
Devouring Strossus - MTG Card versions
Griselbrand - MTG Card versions
Void Beckoner - MTG Card versions
Scion of Darkness - MTG Card versions
Reiver Demon - MTG Card versions
Myojin of Night's Reach - MTG Card versions
Sanguine Praetor - MTG Card versions
Liege of the Pit - MTG Card versions
Tombstalker - MTG Card versions
Skeletal Wurm - MTG Card versions
Pestilence Demon - MTG Card versions
Baleful Force - MTG Card versions
Shambling Attendants - MTG Card versions
Distended Mindbender - MTG Card versions
Abundant Maw - MTG Card versions
Razaketh, the Foulblooded - MTG Card versions
Torgaar, Famine Incarnate - MTG Card versions
Archfiend of Despair - MTG Card versions
Infernal Denizen - MTG Card versions
Baron Sengir - MTG Card versions
Devouring Strossus - MTG Card versions
Griselbrand - MTG Card versions
Void Beckoner - MTG Card versions
Scion of Darkness - MTG Card versions
Reiver Demon - MTG Card versions
Myojin of Night's Reach - MTG Card versions
Sanguine Praetor - MTG Card versions
Liege of the Pit - MTG Card versions
Tombstalker - MTG Card versions
Skeletal Wurm - MTG Card versions
Pestilence Demon - MTG Card versions
Baleful Force - MTG Card versions
Shambling Attendants - MTG Card versions
Distended Mindbender - MTG Card versions
Abundant Maw - MTG Card versions
Razaketh, the Foulblooded - MTG Card versions
Torgaar, Famine Incarnate - MTG Card versions
Archfiend of Despair - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Avatar of Woe. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Sultai ScamSultai Scam ModernSultai ScamModern Challenge 96 2024-01-27

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Avatar of Woe provides significant card advantage within creature heavy matchups, thoroughly swaying the tide by allowing you to control and potentially eliminate opponents’ threats with ease. This powerful ability to destroy creatures without expending additional cards is a cornerstone of attrition strategies.

Resource Acceleration: Although Avatar of Woe does not directly produce mana or Treasure tokens, its ability to consistently clear the board without using extra resources can indirectly accelerate your overall strategy. By removing potential blockers or threats, you can freely attack or develop your board, giving you a tactical lead in the resource race.

Instant Speed: A key feature of Avatar of Woe is the capability to destroy another target creature without tapping, at instant speed. This flexibility allows for strategic planning, as you can wait for your opponent to commit to their plays before deciding on the optimal use of this devastating ability, potentially altering the course of the game during critical turns.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Players must manage graveyard content strategically because Avatar of Woe requires ten creatures in the graveyards to be activated with its abilities at a lower cost. This requirement can impede gameplay, especially in formats where filling the graveyard quickly is challenging.

Specific Mana Cost: Avatar of Woe’s mana cost includes black mana symbols, limiting its seamless inclusion in multicolored decks. To effectively cast this card, a deck must be tailored with a sufficient amount of black mana-producing sources, which can restrict deck building options.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With an eight mana-value, Avatar of Woe’s casting cost is on the higher end of the spectrum. Even though its ability can reduce the cost under the right circumstances, such a heavy investment might slow down the player’s tempo, particularly when faster, lower-cost alternatives are available for creature control.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Avatar of Woe can be a game-changer in various deck builds. Its ability to destroy creatures without requiring mana makes it a powerful tool, particularly in decks focused on controlling the board or in graveyard-based strategies where it’s easier to meet its activation conditions.

Combo Potential: With its tap ability, Avatar of Woe works well with cards that untap creatures or copy activated abilities, amplifying its impact on the game. Integrating this card can lead to devastating combos that repeatedly clear the field of opponent’s creatures.

Meta-Relevance: In metas where creature-heavy decks are prominent, Avatar of Woe thrives. It functions as both deterrent and executioner against creature-based aggressions, making it a valuable asset in holding back swarms and maintaining a cleared board for your strategies to unfold.


How to beat

Avatar of Woe is a formidable force, a creature card that can turn the tide of battle in Magic: The Gathering with its power to destroy another creature at will. To overcome this towering terror, players need to think strategically. Avatar of Woe thrives in a graveyard-rich environment, so controlling the number of creature cards in all graveyards is crucial. Graveyard removal spells like Tormod’s Crypt or Rest in Peace can dismantle the necessary conditions for Avatar of Woe to become active or to be cast with its cost reduction ability.

Efficient removal spells like Path to Exile or Murderous Rider are also effective, as they can exile Avatar of Woe or destroy it before its ability becomes a recurring problem. Counterspells like Negate or Dovin’s Veto—played at the right moment—can ensure that Avatar of Woe never hits the board in the first place. Enchantment-based solutions such as Pacifism can also render it harmless, preventing it from using its terrifying ability. Staying ahead by applying these strategies can neutralize Avatar of Woe, allowing players to reclaim control of the game.

Avatar of Woe may be a daunting adversary, but with the right approach to resource management and proactive defense, you can keep this creature in check and maintain the upper hand in your matches.


BurnMana Recommendations

Embrace the power of Avatar of Woe in your MTG collection and witness its potential to shape your gameplay experience. It holds a unique position in creature control strategies, with its ability to eliminate threats effortlessly. Enhancing your graveyard management and implementing synergistic cards can turn this avatar into a key player on your battlefield. Whether your deck thrives on controlling the board or you’re looking to fortify your collection with versatile and impactful creatures, consider including Avatar of Woe. Its presence alone can deter opponents and offer you a commanding game advantage. Discover more strategies and refine your MTG prowess with us.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Avatar of Woe MTG card by a specific set like Prophecy and Magic Online Promos, 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 Avatar of Woe and other MTG cards:

TCGPlayerBUY NOW
BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See MTG Products

Printings

The Avatar of Woe Magic the Gathering card was released in 11 different sets between 2000-06-05 and 2018-06-08. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12000-06-05ProphecyPCY 561997NormalBlackrk post
22002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 362082003NormalBlackrk post
32006-10-06Time Spiral TimeshiftedTSB 371997NormalBlackrk post
42007-02-10Pro Tour PromosPPRO 20102003NormalBlackrk post
52010-06-18ArchenemyARC 92003NormalBlackrk post
62010-11-08Magic Online Theme DecksTD0 A381997NormalBlackrk post
72011-06-17Commander 2011CMD 732003NormalBlackrk post
82011-11-18Premium Deck Series: GravebornPD3 62003NormalBlackrk post
92016-08-26Conspiracy: Take the CrownCN2 1282015NormalBlackrk post
102017-04-28Amonkhet InvocationsMP2 382015NormalBorderlessIgor Kieryluk
112018-06-08Commander Anthology Volume IICM2 572015NormalBlackrk post

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Avatar of Woe has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2004-10-04 The mana value of this card is still 8, even if you only pay to cast it.