Cat-Owl Power Analytics: Ranking Against Similar MTG Cards

Cat-Owl Power Analytics: Ranking Against Similar MTG Cards

In TCG ·

Cat-Owl card art from Avatar: The Last Airbender crossover

Image courtesy of Scryfall.com

Power Analytics: How Cat-Owl Stacks Up Against Similar MTG Cards

If you’ve been chasing those sweet, sometimes chaotic overlaps between flavor and function, Cat-Owl is a delightful case study. This two-color rare bird-cat wonder from Avatar: The Last Airbender’s Universes Beyond crossover arrives with a neat little propulsion system tucked into its wings: a respectable 3/3 body for four mana, flying, and a compact trigger that can turn a stumble into a sprint. On paper, it isn’t a finish-line finisher, but in practice it rewards intelligent combat planning and timely untaps the moment you swing. 🧙‍♂️🔥💎

Card Snapshot: what Cat-Owl actually brings to the battlefield

  • Name: Cat-Owl
  • Mana Cost: {3}{W/U} (hybrid white/blue)
  • Type: Creature — Cat Bird
  • Power/Toughness: 3/3
  • Color Identity: U, W
  • Rarity: Common
  • Set: Avatar: The Last Airbender (tla)
  • Text: Flying. Whenever this creature attacks, untap target artifact or creature.
  • Flavor: "When it's feeling bored, it chases itself." 🐾
  • Legalities: Legal in Arena and MTGO; not legal in several traditional table formats, but foil and nonfoil prints exist.

What makes Cat-Owl intriguing is not only its blue-white color identity and evasive demeanor, but how its attack trigger invites players to think about resource reuse. When Cat-Owl swings, you get to untap an artifact or a creature, which can unlock a second swing, a fresh blocker, or a quick mana engine for a dramatic follow-up. The combination of flying resilience, a compact four-mana cost, and a modest 3/3 profile threads a line between tempo and value. It’s the kind of card that rewards players who plan multiple steps ahead, like a chess moth navigating a moonlit night. 🧙‍♂️🎲

Strategic angles: building around untap power

In a blue-white shell, Cat-Owl wants to leverage untap effects to maximize tempo and inevitability. Think of it as a miniature engine: attack, untap a mana rock or a crucial creature, then push another play or defense. Here are a few angles to consider:

  • Untap targets matter: Untapping a mana artifact can provide a surprise mana advantage for counterspells or a cheaper follow-up attacker. If you have a tap-out effect on your opponent, you can respond with a second threat right away. 🔧
  • Creatures to untap with: Untapping a value engine creature can let you assemble a quick barrage. A creature that taps for mana or a soulbonded companion can turn Cat-Owl’s attack into a double-dip of value.
  • Blue-white synergies: Control elements, blink effects, and tempo plays pair nicely with Cat-Owl’s defensive posture. A well-timed blink recurs Cat-Owl, giving you another attack window to trigger untaps again in a subsequent combat phase.
  • Flavor-informed play: The art and flavor tie-in hint at a curious, restless creature. Lean into a playstyle that rewards creative combat decisions and opportunistic untaps rather than brute force. 🎨

Power metrics in practice: a value-oriented view

Cat-Owl sits at a balanced value row: a 4-mana investment for a 3/3 flyer with a utility trigger. In terms of raw stats, it isn’t a game-ending behemoth, but its strength lies in how it enables another turn’s tempo swing. If you compare this card to other 4-mana fliers, Cat-Owl’s flavor-drenched ability nudges it into the “enterprising midrange” category rather than the “bomb” category. In terms of color economics, the hybrid {W/U} makes it accessible in decks leaning blue or white or both, offering flexibility when you’re piecing together a crowded curve. And in the Avatar universe, the set’s crossover lore gives players a fresh narrative hook: a peppy, self-chasing creature that miraculously finds a way to capitalize on momentum. 🧩

From a collector perspective, this Cat-Owl has practical value, with foil prints and a modest nonfoil price tag. The Scryfall data shows rarity as common, with typical collector appeal driven by theme and artwork more than raw power. For players chasing a playful, flavorful pack-in centerpiece for a casual or artful deck, Cat-Owl provides a distinctive silhouette and a memorable flavor line: it’s the card that makes you smile when you untap the wrong thing at exactly the right moment. ⚡💎

Flavor, art, and design: what makes Cat-Owl memorable

The artwork—courtesy of a characterful illustration by Thomas Chamberlain-Keen—embodies a sense of whimsy and mischief. The flavor text about chasing itself fits perfectly with the card’s hybrid mana identity, a nod to both cunning and dual-nature strategies. In a world of high-stakes mythics, Cat-Owl gives players a charming, approachable option that still feels thematically true to Avatar’s spirit. For collectors and casual players alike, the card’s accessibility and art-forward appeal help it stand out in a sea of four-drop flyers. 🎨

Phone Desk Stand Portable 2-Piece Smartphone Display

More from our network


Cat-Owl

Cat-Owl

{3}{W/U}
Creature — Cat Bird

Flying

Whenever this creature attacks, untap target artifact or creature.

When it's feeling bored, it chases itself.

ID: d7df3391-dbe5-4eb4-85c1-037c5f3ea971

Oracle ID: ba6840a6-b6fd-4b91-ac1a-a61b7b15849a

TCGPlayer ID: 649383

Cardmarket ID: 844436

Colors: U, W

Color Identity: U, W

Keywords: Flying

Rarity: Common

Released: 2025-11-21

Artist: Thomas Chamberlain-Keen

Frame: 2015

Border: black

EDHRec Rank: 28790

Set: Avatar: The Last Airbender (tla)

Collector #: 212

Legalities

  • Standard — not_legal
  • Future — not_legal
  • Historic — not_legal
  • Timeless — not_legal
  • Gladiator — not_legal
  • Pioneer — not_legal
  • Modern — not_legal
  • Legacy — not_legal
  • Pauper — not_legal
  • Vintage — not_legal
  • Penny — not_legal
  • Commander — not_legal
  • Oathbreaker — not_legal
  • Standardbrawl — not_legal
  • Brawl — not_legal
  • Alchemy — not_legal
  • Paupercommander — not_legal
  • Duel — not_legal
  • Oldschool — not_legal
  • Premodern — not_legal
  • Predh — not_legal

Prices

  • USD: 1.21
  • USD_FOIL: 0.38
  • EUR: 0.21
  • EUR_FOIL: 0.13
Last updated: 2025-11-16