Compelled Duel MTG Card

Compelled Duel - Adventures in the Forgotten Realms

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Common
Type	Sorcery
Released	2021-07-23
Set symbol
Set name	Adventures in the Forgotten Realms
Set code	AFR
Number	178
Frame	2015
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Zezhou Chen

Key Takeaways

Compelled Duel manipulates combat, offering both a situational advantage and the element of surprise at instant speed.
In terms of strategy, it demands careful hand and mana management due to its discard and casting requirements.
Its distinct ability to direct attacks makes Compelled Duel a worthwhile consideration for competitive play and deck building.

Text of card

Target creature gets +3/+3 until end of turn and must be blocked this turn if able.

"You might be four times my size, but I will not be ignored!"

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Compelled Duel is well-regarded for its ability to force an interaction, potentially removing an opponent’s key creature without losing card quantity from your hand. This can lead to a favorable change in board state that tips the scales in your favor.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly providing mana or acceleration, Compelled Duel can disrupt an opponent’s resource development by compelling their most potent creature to attack into an unfavorable situation. This can slow their tempo and provide you with a window to advance your board state.

Instant Speed: As an instant, Compelled Duel offers strategic flexibility. You can cast it during the combat phase, potentially creating an advantageous block for your team, or use it on your opponent’s turn to alter their attack plan. This adaptability can be crucial in navigating complex board states and outmaneuvering your opponent.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The card Compelled Duel necessitates discarding another card, which may not always be advantageous, particularly if you’re trying to maintain card advantage or when your hand is already depleted.

Specific Mana Cost: Compelled Duel requires a precise mix of mana to cast, thus its usage might be constrained in multicolored or color-restricted decks, potentially disrupting a player’s mana curve and strategy.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: This card comes at a higher mana cost than some alternative options for creature control, which may result in it being overlooked for more mana-efficient choices available in a player’s library.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Compelled Duel is flexible enough to slot into diverse deck types, appealing to players looking for targeted creature control without committing to heavy removal spells. Its utility in directing combat makes it a unique tool in any player’s arsenal.

Combo Potential: This card’s ability to dictate opponents’ block choices can be cleverly combined with combat tricks or abilities that trigger when certain creatures attack or are blocked, thus enhancing synergies within your deck.

Meta-Relevance: In a game state where powerful creatures dominate and control the board, Compelled Duel provides a strategic way to manage potential threats. By forcing key creatures into unfavorable battles, it can turn the tide of the match in your favor, making it a pertinent choice for the current competitive landscape.

How to beat

Compelled Duel is a unique spell from the Magic: The Gathering universe that forces a one-on-one creature clash. This can be tricky to navigate, especially when your opponent utilizes it to take out a key creature in your lineup or to break through your defenses. To strategically counteract this, flexibility in your gameplay and a diverse deck build can be your strongest allies.

Having instant-speed removal spells or creatures with flash that can be played in response are valuable to have in your arsenal. These allow you to eliminate or reduce the power of the creature targeted by Compelled Duel before the fight occurs, effectively negating the duel. Another avenue is to make use of hexproof or indestructible creatures which Compelled Duel cannot target or will survive the encounter with.

Lastly, knowing when to keep mana open for these responses is crucial. A wise player anticipates when an opponent might have a Compelled Duel at the ready. By keeping up your guard and having an answer in hand, you can maintain control over the battlefield and prevent your opponent from dictating the pace of the game.

Cards like Compelled Duel

Compelled Duel is an intriguing tactical spell in the realm of combat control within Magic: The Gathering. It’s often compared to other cards like Go for the Throat which, like Compelled Duel, is a spell focused on dealing with creatures. Go for the Throat allows you to outright destroy a nonartifact creature, whereas Compelled Duel forces a creature to battle another. Each card serves a strategic purpose based on the game scenario, with Compelled Duel being exceptional at disrupting your opponent’s combat plans.

Another related card is Prey Upon, which facilitates a fight between two creatures, much like Compelled Duel. However, Prey Upon lacks the immediate impact of compelling an opponent’s creature to attack, providing a different level of control over the battlefield. Then there’s the card Ray of Command, which not only forces a creature to attack but also temporarily brings it under your control, offering a combination of Compelled Duel’s forced fight and an additional layer of command over the opponent’s creature.

To sum up, Compelled Duel offers a unique place among Magic: The Gathering combat control cards. It provides the option to not only force an engagement but to do so in a way that can be tactically advantageous, preserving your key creatures while possibly removing a threat.

Cards similar to Compelled Duel by color, type and mana cost

Nylea's Intervention - MTG Card versions

Thunderherd Migration - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Compelled Duel MTG card by a specific set like Adventures in the Forgotten Realms, 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 Compelled Duel and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Compelled Duel has restrictions

Format	Legality
Historicbrawl	Legal
Historic	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Gladiator	Legal
Pioneer	Legal
Commander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Explorer	Legal
Timeless	Legal

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2021-07-23	If each creature the defending player controls can't block for any reason (such as being tapped), then the affected creature isn't blocked. If there's a cost associated with blocking the affected creature, the defending player isn't forced to pay that cost, so it doesn't have to be blocked in that case either.
2021-07-23	Only one creature is required to block the affected creature. Other creatures may also block it and are free to block other creatures or not block at all.