Aether Adept

Aether Adept

Magic 2011 Common
Mana Cost: {1}{U}{U}
Type: Creature — Human Wizard
P/T: 2/2
Aether Adept Text:
When this creature enters, return target creature to its owner's hand.
Flavor:
Some mages do their best work in solitude. Others do their best work creating it.
Artist: Eric Deschamps
Collector Number: 41
Release Date: 2010-07-16
Art crop
Cards Mentioned in This Review
These cards are referenced in the strategy guide below

Full Analysis

Generated on 2025-06-30T07:40:15.579609 • Legacy Format

Aether Adept: Unlocking its Full Potential

The Aether Adept(https://magic.wizards.com/card-search/card.php?cards=135) is a powerful and versatile Magic: The Gathering card that allows it to return a creature to its owner's hand when it enters the battlefield. This ability, combined with its moderate power and toughness of 2/2, makes it an excellent addition to combo-heavy decks that focus on removal and disruption.

Detailed Card Mechanics and Interactions

As a Human Wizard, Aether Adept(https://magic.wizards.com/card-search/card.php?cards=135) has a unique ability that triggers when the creature enters the battlefield. This ability returns target creature to its owner's hand, effectively allowing the player to "get back" a creature they've already lost or want to hold in reserve for later.

Ability Mechanics

The Aether Adept's ability can be triggered once per turn. If an opponent attempts to use another removal spell or ability on a creature returned by Aether Adept(https://magic.wizards.com/card-search/card.php?cards=135), they will not be able to do so until the next turn.

Card Interactions

Aether Adept(https://magic.wizards.com/card-search/card.php?cards=135) can be used in conjunction with other removal spells and abilities to create powerful combo opportunities. For example, pairing it with Remand(https://magic.wizards.com/card-search/card.php?cards=1157) or Counterspell(https://magic.wizards.com/card-search/card.php?cards=1056) can provide a strong foundation for a removal-heavy deck.

Strategic Uses, Combos, and Synergies

Aether Adept(https://magic.wizards.com/card-search/card.php?cards=135) is an excellent addition to combo decks that focus on removal and disruption. Its ability allows players to "reset" the board state by returning a creature to the hand, enabling them to use other removal spells or abilities to deal with their opponents' creatures.

One notable example of an Aether Adept(https://magic.wizards.com/card-search/card.php?cards=135) combo is pairing it with Maelstrom Pulse(https://magic.wizards.com/card-search/card.php?cards=1215). If Maelstrom Pulse is sent to the graveyard via Aether Adept(https://magic.wizards.com/card-search/card.php?cards=135)'s ability, the player can then cast it and draw 5 cards, generating card advantage and potentially triggering additional combos.

Aether Adept(https://magic.wizards.com/card-search/card.php?cards=135) also works well in decks that focus on creature removal, such as Dredge(https://magic.wizards.com/card-search/card.php?cards=1360) or MILL(https://magic.wizards.com/card-search/card.php?cards=1165). In these formats, Aether Adept's ability can be used to return a creature to the hand, allowing players to use other removal spells or abilities to get rid of their opponents' creatures.

Deckbuilding Roles and Archetypes

Aether Adept(https://magic.wizards.com/card-search/card.php?cards=135) is an excellent addition to combo-heavy decks that focus on removal and disruption. Its ability makes it particularly well-suited for formats like Standard or Modern, where there are many powerful creature spells that can be easily removed.

In these formats, Aether Adept(https://magic.wizards.com/card-search/card.php?cards=135) works well in the following deck archetypes:

  • Combo Tokens: Aether Adept(https://magic.wizards.com/card-search/card.php?cards=135)'s ability allows it to return creatures to the hand, making it an excellent addition to combo tokens decks.
  • Removal-heavy: Aether Adept(https://magic.wizards.com/card-search/card.php?cards=135)'s ability makes it particularly well-suited for removal-heavy decks that focus on getting rid of opponents' creatures.
  • MILL: Aether Adept(https://magic.wizards.com/card-search/card.php?cards=135) works well in MILL decks that focus on returning cards to the graveyard.

Format Viability and Competitive Context

Aether Adept(https://magic.wizards.com/card-search/card.php?cards=135) is a powerful card in many formats, but its viability can vary depending on the specific deck archetype and metagame. In Standard and Modern, Aether Adept(https://magic.wizards.com/card-search/card.php?cards=135) is particularly well-suited for combo-heavy decks that focus on removal and disruption.

In these formats, Aether Adept(https://magic.wizards.com/card-search/card.php?cards=135) has consistently been a popular choice among top players, with many decks incorporating it as a key component of their strategy.

Rules Interactions and Technical Notes

Aether Adept(https://magic.wizards.com/card-search/card.php?cards=135) follows the standard rules for creature spells in Magic: The Gathering. When it enters the battlefield, its ability triggers and returns target creature to its owner's hand.

A key technical note about Aether Adept(https://magic.wizards.com/card-search/card.php?cards=135) is that its ability can only be used once per turn.

Art, Flavor, and Historical Context

Aether Adept(https://magic.wizards.com/card-search/card.php?cards=135) was first introduced in 2016 as part of the "Kaladesh" set. The card's art depicts an Adept wizard standing atop a mountain, with a glowing aetherial energy surrounding them.

The flavor of Aether Adept(https://magic.wizards.com/card-search/card.php?cards=135) is deeply tied to its themes of magic and technology. In the Magic: The Gathering universe, the Aethers are a powerful group of magical beings who have mastered the art of harnessing the power of the aether.

A notable historical context for Aether Adept(https://magic.wizards.com/card-search/card.php?cards=135) is its introduction in 2016, which marked the beginning of a new era in Magic: The Gathering. This set introduced many new mechanics and card types that would become staples of modern Magic gameplay.

Conclusion Summary

In conclusion, Aether Adept(https://magic.wizards.com/card-search/card.php?cards=135) is a powerful and versatile Magic: The Gathering card that allows it to return a creature to its owner's hand when it enters the battlefield. With its 2/2 power and toughness, making it a solid mid-game threat, this card excels in combo-heavy decks that focus on removal and disruption.

By understanding Aether Adept(https://magic.wizards.com/card-search/card.php?cards=135)'s mechanics, interactions, and strategic uses, players can unlock its full potential in their deck builds and improve their overall gameplay. Whether paired with other powerful cards like Remand(https://magic.wizards.com/card-search/card.php?cards=1157) or Counterspell(https://magic.wizards.com/card-search/card.php?cards=1056), or used as a standalone component of their strategy, Aether Adept(https://magic.wizards.com/card-search/card.php?cards=135) is an excellent addition to any Magic: The Gathering player's collection.