Aven Battle PriestHow it works & interactions with other cards

Soaring Support

Aven Battle Priest combines two key mechanics: Flying and a triggered 'enters-the-battlefield' ability. As a 2/9 Bird Cleric, it serves as a reliable blocker against other flyers and a consistent source of evasive damage. The 3 life gained upon its arrival can often be the difference between surviving an alpha strike or falling just short.

Resolving the Trigger

When Aven Battle Priest enters the battlefield, its ability is put onto the stack. This is a triggered ability that does not target, meaning it will resolve even if the Aven Battle Priest is destroyed in response. Once the ability resolves, you immediately add 3 to your life total. If multiple Aven Battle Priests enter at the same time, each one triggers separately, resulting in multiple instances of 3 life gain.

Strategic Considerations

A common mistake is forgetting that Flying only affects how the creature is blocked, not what it can block. Aven Battle Priest can block creatures without flying perfectly fine. Additionally, remember that the life gain happens only once when it enters; to get the effect again, you would need to return it to your hand or blink it out of exile.

Maximizing the Priest

In a vacuum, this card is a solid defensive play. However, in formats like Commander or Limited, it shines when you have ways to re-trigger its ability. While its high mana cost prevents some synergies, its impact on the board state is immediate and clear.

Interaction examples

Aerial Defense

You cast Aven Battle Priest while at 5 life. Upon entering the battlefield, its ability triggers. Your opponent has no response, the ability resolves, and you go up to 8 life. On your opponent's turn, they attack with a 2/2 ground creature; you can use your Flying priest to block it and survive another turn.

Synchronized Value

Sun Titan

In this scenario, Aven Battle Priest is in your graveyard. You attack with Sun Titan. Sun Titan's ability triggers, but because Aven Battle Priest has a mana value of 6, it is not a legal target for Sun Titan's ability (which requires a mana value of 3 or less). You must choose a different target for the Titan, highlighting the importance of checking mana costs.

Racing the Clock

Psychosis Crawler

Your opponent controls Psychosis Crawler and draws several cards, reducing your life total to 2. On your turn, you cast Aven Battle Priest. When it enters, you gain 3 life, bringing you back up to 5. This life gain provides you the necessary buffer to survive the next few card draws from the Crawler while you attack over its head with your Flying bird.