Commencement of Festivities MTG Card
2016-09-30 - Number 148
2020-11-12 - Number 157
2020-09-26 - Number KLD-148
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Instant |
Text of card
Prevent all combat damage that would be dealt to players this turn.
Never before have there been so many brilliant minds and wondrous inventions in one place. Denizens from every corner of Kaladesh will flock to the once-in-a-lifetime Inventors' Fair.
Cards like Commencement of Festivities
Commencement of Festivities stands out in the field of fog effects within Magic: The Gathering. Cards like Fog and Haze of Pollen share the fundamental ability to prevent combat damage, a powerful tool in stalling aggressive strategies. What distinguishes Commencement of Festivities is its straightforwardness, allowing a player to halt all combat damage for a turn, similar to the classic Fog, but with a nod to newer players in its clarity and ease of use.
Root Snare also mirrors this effect, yet with the growing popularity of instant-speed interaction, its place in a player’s deck may be more nuanced. While it offers the same instant speed flexibility, Commencement of Festivities benefits from being part of a larger set and having increased synergies in specific deck archetypes related to party and festive themes. Bladebrand, while not preventing damage, offers an alternative means to deter attackers by granting a creature deathtouch, which can be strategically synonymous with damage prevention in certain combat scenarios.
Analyzing these options, Commencement of Festivities provides a reliable safety net for players looking to buy time or set up their board without the frills. Simple, effective, and thematic, it’s a card that resonates well within its category and Magic: The Gathering’s vast array of defensive spells.
Cards similar to Commencement of Festivities by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Commencement of Festivities is a fantastic tool for keeping your hand stocked. With its ability to block damage from creatures for a turn, it can be the key to surviving longer in the game, which in turn can lead to drawing into more powerful plays and maintaining a competitive edge.
Resource Acceleration: By protecting your life total and creatures, the card effectively buys you time. This can be critical for setting up for future turns where accelerated resources can lead to casting impactful spells sooner than your opponent and can be decisive for taking control of the game.
Instant Speed: The strength of Commencement of Festivities is amplified by its instant speed. This allows a strategic player to wait until the last possible moment to cast it, keeping the opponent guessing and unable to predict your moves. This can disrupt their combat calculations, potentially leading to unfavorable trades or wasted attacks on their part, all without sacrificing your own combat phase.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Commencement of Festivities demands that a player discards a card, which can be burdensome when hand size is depleted or when holding valuable cards one would rather retain for later turns.
Specific Mana Cost: This card’s cost is locked into green mana, necessitating a deck built around or heavily featuring green to reliably cast it. Players running multi-color decks without a green focus may find this card challenging to use effectively.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost that could be deemed steep for the protection it offers, there are alternate cards that may provide similar or better defensive measures at a lower cost. This makes Commencement of Festivities less appealing to players seeking to optimize their deck’s mana efficiency.
Reasons to Include Commencement of Festivities in Your Collection
Versatility: Commencement of Festivities offers players a cost-effective means to prevent all combat damage that would be dealt to players this turn. This utility can be pivotal in a variety of decks, from those looking to stall the board against aggressive opponents to those setting up for a game-winning combo.
Combo Potential: This card can be a key element in strategies revolved around delaying the game or enabling combos by providing an extra turn’s worth of breathing space. It may also synergize with cards that have effects when damage is prevented or when the end of combat phase is reached unexpectedly.
Meta-Relevance: In a metagame where combat-centric decks are dominant, Commencement of Festivities can act as a tactical reset button. It’s particularly effective in shifting the momentum of the game or surviving against decks that aim to win through overwhelming combat damage.
How to beat Commencement of Festivities
Commencement of Festivities is a card that finds its way into decks looking to stall the game and prevent damage during pivotal turns. This green instant from the Kaladesh set is particularly effective at thwarting aggressive strategies, thanks to its ability to prevent all combat damage that would be dealt to players this turn. But how can it be countered?
One reliable method to beat Commencement of Festivities is through non-damage-based effects. Counterspells like Negate or Dispel are direct answers since they can nullify the spell before it takes effect. If you’re not in blue, consider using discard tactics to remove it from your opponent’s hand before they have a chance to cast it, with cards like Thoughtseize or Duress. Another strategy involves shifting your win condition away from combat damage. Cards causing loss of life directly or utilizing alternate win conditions can circumvent the damage prevention shield that Commencement of Festivities provides.
Ultimately, while it’s a strong defensive tool, Commencement of Festivities is not invulnerable. Understanding its limitations allows players to craft a strategy that effectively negates its impact, ensuring that your path to victory remains clear.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Commencement of Festivities MTG card by a specific set like Kaladesh and The List, 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 Commencement of Festivities and other MTG cards:
BUY NOW BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
See MTG Products
Printings
The Commencement of Festivities Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2016-09-30 and 2020-11-12. Illustrated by Zack Stella.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2016-09-30 | Kaladesh | KLD | 148 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Zack Stella | |
| 2 | The List | PLST | KLD-148 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Zack Stella | ||
| 3 | 2020-11-12 | Kaladesh Remastered | KLR | 157 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Zack Stella |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Commencement of Festivities 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 |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |