Call for Aid MTG Card


Call for Aid provides continual card advantage with creatures entering the battlefield. Its instant speed allows strategic plays and surprise during opponents’ turns. While powerful, it requires a discard and specific mana, limiting some decks.
Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityRare
TypeSorcery

Text of card

Gain control of all creatures target opponent controls until end of turn. Untap those creatures. They gain haste until end of turn. You can't attack that player this turn. You can't sacrifice those creatures this turn.

"We must hasten. The beacons of Gondor are alight. War is kindled." —Gandalf


Cards like Call for Aid

Call for Aid finds its niche in the world of creature summoning Magic: The Gathering cards. Its closest relatives might include spells such as Raise the Alarm, which can also swiftly put creatures on the board. Raise the Alarm delivers an immediate impact with two 1/1 tokens, but Call for Aid offers the potential for a larger creature, depending on what is discarded.

Lingering Souls is another piece that echoes the multi-creature summoning dynamic, with a twist of offering flying spirits and with the flexibility of flashback, a feature absent in Call for Aid. Lingering Souls offers a more controlled, distributed summoning experience over two turns. On the flip side, Call for Aid’s immediate effect can be more unpredictable and highly situational, relying heavily on the graveyard’s offerings.

Weighing these options, Call for Aid could be an interesting strategic pick depending on the deck’s composition, seeking a balance between instantly flooding the field and potential power play. In decks that interact with the graveyard, its ability to capitalize on this synergy can give it an edge over straightforward token generators.

Raise the Alarm - MTG Card versions
Lingering Souls - MTG Card versions
Raise the Alarm - MTG Card versions
Lingering Souls - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Call for Aid by color, type and mana cost

Pyrotechnics - MTG Card versions
Illicit Auction - MTG Card versions
Cone of Flame - MTG Card versions
Apocalypse - MTG Card versions
Mogg Infestation - MTG Card versions
Jagged Lightning - MTG Card versions
Lava Axe - MTG Card versions
Landfill - MTG Card versions
Burning Fields - MTG Card versions
Cave-In - MTG Card versions
Implode - MTG Card versions
Shower of Coals - MTG Card versions
Torrent of Fire - MTG Card versions
Mana Geyser - MTG Card versions
Shivan Meteor - MTG Card versions
Yawning Fissure - MTG Card versions
World at War - MTG Card versions
Explosive Revelation - MTG Card versions
Turn to Slag - MTG Card versions
Concussive Bolt - MTG Card versions
Pyrotechnics - MTG Card versions
Illicit Auction - MTG Card versions
Cone of Flame - MTG Card versions
Apocalypse - MTG Card versions
Mogg Infestation - MTG Card versions
Jagged Lightning - MTG Card versions
Lava Axe - MTG Card versions
Landfill - MTG Card versions
Burning Fields - MTG Card versions
Cave-In - MTG Card versions
Implode - MTG Card versions
Shower of Coals - MTG Card versions
Torrent of Fire - MTG Card versions
Mana Geyser - MTG Card versions
Shivan Meteor - MTG Card versions
Yawning Fissure - MTG Card versions
World at War - MTG Card versions
Explosive Revelation - MTG Card versions
Turn to Slag - MTG Card versions
Concussive Bolt - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Call for Aid stands as an exemplary card for sinking resources into your vast army maintaining a favorable board state. Drawing a card whenever another creature enters the battlefield under your control echoes the essence of card advantage, knitting together a strategy that thrives on overwhelming opponents.

Resource Acceleration: Not only does it weave a tapestry of creatures across the battlefield, but Call for Aid also excels in ramping up resources. Each creature’s arrival can potentially be a catalyst for untapping lands, propelling you to cast more spells or activate abilities ahead of time.

Instant Speed: The card’s versatility is further amplified by its instant speed, making it a formidable tool to adapt to shifting game states. Casting this spell during an opponent’s turn can catch them off-guard, transforming your battlefield at a moment’s notice and catalyzing surprise blocks or end-of-turn maneuvers.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Call for Aid asks you to part with another card from your hand, which could set you back if your hand size is already diminishing.

Specific Mana Cost: This card’s casting cost includes colors that may not align with every deck’s mana base, potentially restricting its playability in certain strategies.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With Call for Aid’s mana value, players may feel it’s a heavy investment, especially when other cards could provide similar benefits for less. This could lead to it being overshadowed in competitive formats where mana efficiency is crucial.


Reasons to Include Call for Aid in Your Collection

Versatility: Call for Aid shines in its ability to seamlessly integrate into a variety of deck builds, particularly those which thrive on creature summoning strategies and bolstering battlefield presence.

Combo Potential: This card can synergize well with decks that capitalize on casting spells or creating creature tokens, enabling intricate plays that can swiftly turn the tide of a game.

Meta-Relevance: As game environments fluctuate, Call for Aid maintains its significance, offering a reliable way to maintain momentum against control decks or to outpace aggro opponents with a steady stream of creatures.


How to beat

Call for Aid is one of those cards that can turn the tide of a game in Magic: The Gathering, particularly with its potential for quick creature reinforcements. Often compared to other instant creature summoning spells, Call for Aid’s dynamic allows for creatures to be summoned at a moment’s notice, ready to defend or sway the combat’s result.

Strategically, one way to counter it is by holding onto removal spells that can be cast in response, or counterspells to prevent the Call for Aid from resolving. Instant-speed removal like Fatal Push or Path to Exile is invaluable when dealing with the creatures brought onto the battlefield by such spells. Permission-based decks, which focus on control and utilizing counterspells like Counterspell or Mana Leak, also prove to be effective by intercepting these game-changing spells before they can affect the board state.

Overall, while Call for Aid embodies the strategic unpredictability that makes Magic: The Gathering exhilarating, it’s also a reminder of the importance of reactive play. With the right mix of timing and resource allocation, overcoming this summoning spell is more than possible, maintaining the delicate balance of power in a closely contested duel.


BurnMana Recommendations

With the strategic strengths of Call for Aid in MTG, integrating it into your repertoire could drastically enhance your gameplay. Its card advantage and instant speed capabilities empower you to exploit game dynamics, fueling both creature-based and combo-centric decks. Yet, as with any strategy, it requires thoughtful execution to maximize its potential without falling prey to its limitations. To better understand the subtleties of using this versatile card and to navigate the complexities it presents, head over to BurnMana. We’ll provide you with deep insights, helping you make informed decisions to refine your deck and outmaneuver your opponents with finesse.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Call for Aid // Call for Aid MTG card by a specific set like Tales of Middle-earth Art Series and Tales of Middle-earth Commander, 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 Call for Aid // Call for Aid and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Call for Aid // Call for Aid Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2023-06-23 and 2023-06-23. Illustrated by Nino Is.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12023-06-23Tales of Middle-earth Art SeriesALTR 602015Art seriesBorderlessNino Is
22023-06-23Tales of Middle-earth CommanderLTC 4322015NormalBlackNino Is
32023-06-23Tales of Middle-earth CommanderLTC 1132015NormalBlackNino Is
42023-06-23Tales of Middle-earth CommanderLTC 302015NormalBlackNino Is

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Call for Aid has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2023-06-16 If an effect instructs you to sacrifice a creature, and you control any creatures other than the ones you gained control of with Call for Aid this turn, you must sacrifice one of them. You can't try to sacrifice one of the creatures you gained control of, fail, and therefore ignore the effect.
2023-06-16 You can't sacrifice the creatures you gained control of with Call for Aid this turn for any reason. If an effect instructs you to sacrifice one of them, you can't and it remains on the battlefield. You also can't sacrifice any of them to pay a cost that requires you to sacrifice a creature.