Aven Wind MageHow it works & interactions with other cards

Taking Flight with Prowess-like Power

Aven Wind Mage features a triggered ability that watches for whenever you cast an instant or sorcery spell. Unlike the keyword Prowess, which triggers off any noncreature spell, this Bird Wizard specifically cares about spells that go to the graveyard or stack as instants or sorceries. Each time you cast a qualifying spell, the Mage gets a +1/+1 buff until the end of the current turn.

The Order of Resolution

When you cast an instant or sorcery, the Aven Wind Mage's ability is put onto the stack on top of that spell. This means the +1/+1 bonus will always resolve and apply before the original spell actually happens. Even if your opponent uses a spell to counter your instant or sorcery, the Mage still gets the bonus because the act of casting was successfully completed.

Maximizing the Trigger

To get the most out of Aven Wind Mage, you want to cast your spells during combat after blockers are declared but before damage is dealt. This allows you to surprise an opponent with a creature that is larger than it appeared during the declare blockers step. Remember that multiple spells lead to multiple triggers, allowing the Mage to grow significantly in a single turn.

Interaction examples

Double the Wizardry

Roaming Throne

If you have Roaming Throne on the battlefield and chose 'Wizard' as it entered, casting an instant or sorcery will trigger Aven Wind Mage twice. Because the Mage is a Wizard, Roaming Throne's replacement effect causes the +1/+1 trigger to fire an additional time, giving the Mage +2/+2 total for a single spell.

The Timing of the Buff

Solemn Simulacrum

If you cast an instant while Aven Wind Mage and Solemn Simulacrum are on the battlefield, only the Mage responds. Note that casting Solemn Simulacrum does not trigger the Mage's ability because the Golem is a creature spell, not an instant or sorcery. The Mage remains a 2/2 unless a non-permanent spell is cast.