Durable Handicraft MTG Card

Generates card advantage by adding counters as new creatures enter the battlefield, leading to long-term value. Enables instant-speed interaction, allowing for strategic combat enhancements and responsive plays. Demands ongoing creature deployment and specific mana, potentially limiting its application across diverse decks.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Enchantment
Released	2016-09-30
Set symbol
Set name	Kaladesh
Set code	KLD
Number	153
Frame	2015
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Raoul Vitale

Text of card

Whenever a creature enters the battlefield under your control, you may pay . If you do, put a +1/+1 counter on that creature. , Sacrifice Durable Handicraft: Put a +1/+1 counter on each creature you control.

Cards like Durable Handicraft

Durable Handicraft offers players of Magic: The Gathering a unique way to boost creatures by placing additional +1/+1 counters as they come onto the battlefield. This is reminiscent of Hardened Scales, a card that also interacts favorably with +1/+1 counters, albeit in a more passive fashion. While Durable Handicraft requires an investment of mana for each creature, Hardened Scales automatically augments the number of counters without additional cost.

Similarly, we can look to Winding Constrictor, which provides a comparable advantage to any type of counters placed on creatures or players. Unlike Durable Handicraft which hinges on the creatures being cast, Winding Constrictor extends its benefits to any type of placing counters throughout the game, offering a broader scope of enhancement. Yet, it does not provide the same control over when and on which creature the counters are placed.

In analyzing these options, Durable Handicraft presents a middle ground with its versatility and the player’s ability to choose whether to pay the mana cost for an immediate impact. This strategic flexibility can be particularly potent in decks designed around entering-the-battlefield triggers or when planning the optimal use of mana reserves.

Cards similar to Durable Handicraft by color, type and mana cost

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Card Pros

Card Advantage: With Durable Handicraft, you gain the persistent ability to bolster your creatures. Every time a creature enters the battlefield under your control, you have the option to put an additional +1/+1 counter on it, thus generating long-term value that could outpace the card advantage of your opponent.

Resource Acceleration: This enchantment leverages your mana, channeling it into a lasting benefit for your creatures. This translates to resource acceleration as you effectively invest your mana to grow your board’s power and toughness each turn.

Instant Speed: Though Durable Handicraft itself is not an instant, it offers the flexibility to be activated at instant speed. This means during any turn, you can enhance your creatures right before an impactful combat or in response to an opponent’s actions, making it a versatile tool in any strategy.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Durable Handicraft doesn’t directly demand a discard, it’s worth noting that it requires a constant stream of creatures to be truly effective. This reliance can make your hand size dwindle as you’re compelled to play more creatures to take advantage of the counter placement feature.

Specific Mana Cost: Durable Handicraft requires both green mana and generic mana to cast. Its specific mana cost of one green means it primarily fits within green-centric or two-color decks, potentially limiting its versatility in a wider range of decks that do not run green mana as efficiently.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With an initial casting cost and an additional cost for each creature you want to bolster with a +1/+1 counter, Durable Handicraft can become quite mana-intensive. In situations where the board state demands an efficient use of mana, investing in the Handicraft’s ability might not be the most effective play, especially when there are alternative cards that can distribute counters or advance your board position at a lower mana cost.

Reasons to Include Durable Handicraft in Your Collection

Versatility: Durable Handicraft offers a smooth transition into decks that emphasize +1/+1 counters. Its ability to beef up your creatures as they enter the battlefield makes it a fit for a variety of green-centric strategies, adding value to each creature you play.

Combo Potential: This enchantment pairs exceptionally well with proliferate mechanics or any strategy that capitalizes on counters. Think of the synergies with cards that remove counters for beneficial effects – Durable Handicraft can be a renewable source for such strategies.

Meta-Relevance: In a creature-heavy meta, swinging in with larger-than-expected creatures can give you an edge. Having the power to consistently place +1/+1 counters on your creatures can apply persistent pressure on opponents, making Durable Handicraft a relevant inclusion in such an environment.

How to beat

Durable Handicraft can be a persistent threat in Magic: The Gathering, gradually bolstering an opponent’s creatures with additional +1/+1 counters. To overcome this enchantment, one efficient approach is to employ removal spells that can directly target enchantments such as Disenchant or Naturalize. By swiftly addressing Durable Handicraft, you can prevent your opponent from establishing a board of formidable creatures.

Another strategic method to counteract the potential impact of Durable Handicraft is by controlling the pace of the game. Utilizing counterspells like Negate or Cancel can thwart your opponent’s plans before they get a chance to use the enchantment’s abilities. Additionally, focus on maintaining control of the board by clearing multiple creatures with board wipes like Wrath of God or Damnation, curtailing the benefit Handicraft provides.

For those who prefer a proactive playstyle, outracing your adversary with an aggressive deck can also be effective. Deploying a swift and robust assault can often outpace the incremental advantages provided by Durable Handicraft, leading you to victory before the enchantment’s influence becomes too significant.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Durable Handicraft MTG card by a specific set like Kaladesh, 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 Durable Handicraft and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Durable Handicraft has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Modern	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Pioneer	Legal

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2016-09-20	You can pay only once each time Durable Handicraft's triggered ability resolves. You can't pay more to put multiple +1/+1 counters on a creature.
2016-09-20	You don't choose whether to pay until Durable Handicraft's triggered ability is resolving. No player may take actions between the time you choose to pay and the time the creature gets a +1/+1 counter.