Tide of War MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	6
Rarity	Rare
Type	Enchantment
Released	2004-10-01
Set symbol
Set name	Champions of Kamigawa
Set code	CHK
Number	194
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Wayne Reynolds

Key Takeaways

Tide of War generates card advantage and amplifies warrior tribal or aggressive strategies with land ramp.
Instantaneous combat benefits from triggered abilities reinforce its utility during both players’ turns.
High mana cost and restricted color commitment might limit Tide of War’s versatility and efficiency.

Text of card

Whenever one or more creatures blocks, flip a coin. If you win the flip, the defending player sacrifices all blocking creatures. Otherwise, the attacking player sacrifices the blocked creatures.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Tide of War offers a unique way to generate card advantage by turning each clash into a potential draw engine. As you clash with your opponent, winning these mini-battles not only grants you a glimpse of the future but also the opportunity to draw additional cards, keeping your hand filled with options.

Resource Acceleration: This card synergizes exceptionally well with decks built around warrior tribal themes or aggressive strategies, potentially giving you an edge by accelerating your resource development. Every time a warrior you control wins a clash, you’re rewarded with a land onto the battlefield, possibly untapped, that can ramp up your ability to deploy threats quicker than your adversaries can handle.

Instant Speed: Although Tide of War itself isn’t an instant, its triggered ability can create instantaneous benefits during combat on any player’s turn. This characteristic ensures that the momentum of the battle stays in your favor, letting you reap rewards at the pace of instant speed interactions, making the card a formidable addition to decks that want to maintain a presence both on and off their own turn.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Tide of War necessitates parting with a card from your hand as part of its activation. This demand can put you at a disadvantage, especially in situations where maintaining a full grip of cards is essential to your strategy.

Specific Mana Cost: The casting cost of Tide of War is entrenched in a particular color identity, necessitating a strong commitment to that hue within your deck. This requirement potentially restricts its versatility and may make it a cumbersome inclusion in multicolored decks that struggle with mana consistency.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: For players looking to make the most impactful plays, the mana investment for Tide of War may seem steep when compared to other options available. In a game where efficiency is key, the mana-to-effect ratio of Tide of War might not always align with the needs of competitive gameplay.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Tide of War offers dynamic interactions in numerous deck builds. Its ability to transform combats into potential board wipes or power shifts means it can be effectively slotted into strategies that are focused on creature control or passive damage.

Combo Potential: With Tide of War, crafty players can engineer combos with cards that trigger upon creature damage or death, amplifying the effects of each skirmish and turning routine battles into game-changers.

Meta-Relevance: As the battlefield ebbs and flows with new expansions and shifting strategies, Tide of War remains pertinent. It’s a card that can adapt to various meta changes, punishing creature-heavy decks and altering the course of matches in your favor.

How to beat

Tide of War is a formidable enchantment that can turn the tide of combat in Magic: The Gathering. When a creature attacks, Tide of War forces a clash between the attacker and a creature defending player controls, potentially leading to a destructive outcome for both sides. To counter this card, strategic creature management is essential. Consider holding back creatures that are critical to your strategy, thereby not giving your opponent the chance to trigger Tide of War’s effect.

Moreover, leveraging removal spells or enchantment destruction can directly neutralize Tide of War before its effect becomes a recurring threat throughout the match. Additionally, tactics such as playing cards that grant your creatures indestructible, or using instant-speed tricks to surprise your opponent and save your creatures, can also nullify Tide of War’s impact. Anticipating and preparing for this card’s effect can help retain control of the board and keep your key creatures safe from forced conflict.

Ultimately, the key to beating Tide of War lies in a combination of careful gameplay decisions and incorporating cards that can either avoid or withstand its forced battle mechanic, maintaining an upper hand against opponents who might rely heavily on this powerful enchantment.

Cards like Tide of War

One could argue that Tide of War stands out amongst red enchantments in Magic: The Gathering. It shares space with cards like War’s Toll, another tool for manipulating combat. Where Tide of War brings substantial upheaval by turning each fight into a potential creature elimination, War’s Toll differentiates itself by restricting opponents’ combat decisions and mana usage, offering control rather than destruction. Both are potent in red’s arsenal, serving distinct strategies.

Compared to Raid Bombardment, Tide of War follows the red philosophy of using combat to your advantage but in a vastly more punishing manner. While Raid Bombardment deals additional damage when attacking with smaller creatures, Tide of War has the potential to clear the board of blockers, synergizing well with a strategy of creature supremacy. The cost is heavier, but the impact on the game can be far more significant.

Analyzing enchantments with similar themes, Tide of War offers a unique combination of aggression and board control. This makes it not just a high-cost card but also a high-impact player in games where creatures clash in combat.

Cards similar to Tide of War by color, type and mana cost

Curse of the Fire Penguin // Curse of the Fire Penguin Creature - MTG Card versions

Homura, Human Ascendant // Homura's Essence - MTG Card versions

Cyclops of Eternal Fury - MTG Card versions

Sunbird's Invocation - MTG Card versions

Form of the Dinosaur - MTG Card versions

Haphazard Bombardment - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Tide of War MTG card by a specific set like Champions of Kamigawa, 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 Tide of War and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Tide of War has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Modern	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal
Penny	Legal

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2004-12-01	Even if the blockers are sacrificed, any attackers that were blocked are still considered blocked.
2004-12-01	Tide of War’s ability triggers only once each combat and only if at least one blocker is declared. The effect does nothing to unblocked attacking creatures.
2004-12-01	Tide of War’s controller always flips the coin. This means that you want to win the flip when you’re attacking but lose the flip when you’re defending.