Tread Upon MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Common
Type	Instant
Released	2015-03-27
Set symbol
Set name	Dragons of Tarkir
Set code	DTK
Number	211
Frame	2015
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Efrem Palacios

Key Takeaways

Tread Upon’s combat boost can define board control by preserving or eliminating creatures strategically.
Its low cost and instant speed provide tempo and flexibility, crucial for tactical depth in games.
While powerful, it requires hand and mana considerations, which can limit its use in diverse decks.

Text of card

Target creature gets +2/+2 and gains trample until end of turn.

"Boasting impenetrable defenses only draws the most tenacious of attackers." —Yikaro, Atarka warrior

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Tread Upon provides a significant combat boost, which may not only preserve your creature in a battle but also potentially eliminate an opponent’s key piece, keeping you ahead in the arms race of creatures and threats on the board.

Resource Acceleration: While Tread Upon itself does not produce mana or accelerate resources directly, its low casting cost allows players to maintain tempo and utilize their mana efficiently. Casting this card leaves plenty of room for other spells within the same turn, effectively accelerating your game plan.

Instant Speed: This ability is a game-changer as it allows for unexpected plays. You can bait your opponent into unfavorable blocks or even surprise them by turning a benign creature into a devastating attacker or a formidable blocker at the last moment. Instant speed interactions like this are what make the difference between a good player and a great one. The flexibility of Tread Upon at instant speed makes it a versatile addition to any deck that values surprise tactics and tactical depth.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One of the biggest drawbacks of Tread Upon is its necessity for you to forfeit another card from your hand. This can put you at a significant disadvantage, especially in the late game where every card counts.

Specific Mana Cost: Tread Upon calls for an exact mana arrangement to cast. This restricts its versatility since it necessitates a specific type of mana that may not always be readily available, particularly in multicolour decks that might struggle with mana consistency.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: When assessing Tread Upon against other cards with similar effects, the mana cost might seem steep. More affordable options may offer equal or greater value, leading players to consider alternative spells over Tread Upon in their deck construction.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Tread Upon stands out with its ability to be seamlessly integrated into various green decks. Whether you are powering up a creature in combat or ensuring a crucial block, this card offers flexibility on the battlefield.

Combo Potential: The instant speed of Tread Upon allows it to synergize well with strategies that aim to surprise an opponent with sudden power boosts or that require a quick response to evolving threats.

Meta-Relevance: With creature-centric decks prevalently carving their niche in the meta, Tread Upon’s utility as a combat trick makes it a potent choice for turning the tide in creature-heavy matchups.

How to beat

Tread Upon is a card you might encounter in green decks within MTG, recognized for its ability to nudge the scales during combat to surprising victories. This instant allows a creature not only to get a boost in power and toughness but can also gain the essential trample ability, often turning a blocked attacker into a significant damage dealer.

To counter this, ensure you have instant removal or bounce spells at the ready, such as Path to Exile or Unsummon, to take out the creature before the combat trick can turn the tide. You might also consider including cards that grant your creatures indestructible or hexproof for the turn. With careful play and foresight, you can turn what could’ve been a devastating blow to your advantage. Keep in mind, in a game where timing is critical, holding back mana for these responses can be key to thwarting the enhancements Tread Upon provides to your opponent’s creatures.

Understanding the power dynamic of Tread Upon means recognizing when to hold back resources for the perfect defensive play. Mastering this can provide a clear path to outmaneuvering your opponent and securing your win.

Cards like Tread Upon

Tread Upon holds its own in the realm of creature enhancement spells in Magic: The Gathering. This instant allows your creature to gain a significant power boost and trample through to deal some punishing damage. Cards with similar vein like Giant Growth give the same power and toughness increment for the same mana cost, but minus the trample effect that Tread Upon grants, which could turn the tide by piercing through opponent defenses.

Then, we dive into the likes of Titan’s Strength. Although it provides a smaller stat boost of +3/+1, it packs an added benefit of scrying 1, letting you filter the top card of your library. For players valuing card quality over additional damage, Titan’s Strength might be more appealing. On the flip side, Larger Than Life amplifies your creature significantly more, giving +4/+4 stats, along with trample as well, albeit at sorcery speed – a key difference that limits its use to only your turn and demands more strategic timing.

Peering across these options, Tread Upon establishes an advantageous position for players aiming to deliver sudden and surprising blows. Its combination of cost, power increase, and added trample make it a versatile choice in aggressive MTG decks.

Cards similar to Tread Upon by color, type and mana cost

Might of the Nephilim - MTG Card versions

Strength of the Tajuru - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Tread Upon MTG card by a specific set like Dragons of Tarkir, 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 Tread Upon and other MTG cards: