Favored Enemy MTG Card

Provides card advantage with the ability to draw cards upon dealing combat damage. Enables ramp by increasing mana resources when creatures deal damage. Instant speed casting gives tactical flexibility during combat phases.

Favored Enemy - Alchemy Horizons: Baldur's Gate

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	1
Rarity	Rare
Type	Enchantment
Abilities	Fight
Released	2022-07-07
Set symbol
Set name	Alchemy Horizons: Baldur's Gate
Set code	HBG
Number	66
Frame	2015
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Aaron J. Riley

Text of card

As Favored Enemy enters the battlefield, note the most prevalent creature type in an opponent's library. When Favored Enemy enters the battlefield, target creature you control fights up to one target creature you don't control. Whenever a creature an opponent controls of the noted type dies, put a +1/+1 counter on target creature you control.

Cards like Favored Enemy

Favored Enemy brings a unique twist to creature enhancement in Magic: The Gathering. It mirrors effects similar to enchantments like Elephant Guide, granting a power boost and an added benefit upon the enchanted creature’s demise. Yet, Favored Enemy provides an additional edge by potentially hindering an opponent’s creature of choice, shaping the battlefield to your advantage.

Comparable also is Madcap Skills, bestowing a solid power surge and the troublesome menace ability. While Madcap Skills enhances combat prowess, Favored Enemy’s ability to target specific threats can be more tactical, impacting both defense and attack strategies. Another akin card is Aura Gnarlid, which grows stronger with each enchantment and evades most blockers. Unlike Aura Gnarlid, which relies on a build-up strategy, Favored Enemy can be impactful immediately, presenting a direct challenge to an opponent’s creature.

In assessing the utility and versatility of creature auras, Favored Enemy stands out by offering not just a buff to your creatures but also a strategic component against opponents’ creatures. Its focused control and the reactive capacity makes it an intriguing option for players looking to maintain dominance on the board.

Cards similar to Favored Enemy by color, type and mana cost

Concordant Crossroads - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Favored Enemy. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#	Name	Format	Archetype	Event
	Gruul Aggro	Gladiator		Gladiator Team Unified League

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Favored Enemy enables the player to potentially draw extra cards whenever a creature they control deals combat damage to a player. This can be a continuous source of card advantage, particularly in decks that are focused on damage output and repeated attacks.

Resource Acceleration: By potentially ramping the player each time their creature inflicts damage, Favored Enemy can significantly increase mana resources, opening up strategic plays and the ability to cast more impactful spells earlier in the game.

Instant Speed: The versatility of being able to cast Favored Enemy at instant speed offers players the flexibility to respond effectively during the combat phase or adapt to an opponent’s actions, making it an unpredictable and tactical asset in many situations.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Favored Enemy requires discarding another card, a trade-off that can strain your hand, particularly in the tight clutches of the late game when each card’s value escalates.

Specific Mana Cost: The casting cost demands both green and red mana, a combination that can challenge mana bases not dedicated to a Gruul (red-green) strategy, potentially restricting it to specific deck types.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With its mana cost sitting on the higher end for its effects, Favored Enemy competes with various lower-cost cards offering similar benefits, possibly edging it out in deckbuilding considerations for efficiency-driven players.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Favored Enemy offers adaptability across various deck archetypes, seamlessly integrating with strategies that hinge on creature type advantages or specifically target opponents’ creatures.

Combo Potential: With its ability to disrupt opponent tactics, Favored Enemy pairs well with cards aiming to capitalize on opponents’ weaknesses, potentially unlocking powerful synergies within your deck.

Meta-Relevance: As decks become more tuned and the meta shifts towards creature-based strategies, Favored Enemy’s utility as a tailored response grows, making it a worthy consideration for any reactive or sideboard strategy.

How to Beat

Favored Enemy requires strategic maneuvering to overcome. As a card that grants a creature an advantage against a selected type, understanding your opponent’s deck is key. Unlike cards that provide broad protection or buffs, Favored Enemy targets specifics, emphasizing the importance of versatility within your deck.

It is essential to carry a diverse range of removal spells like Path to Exile or Go for the Throat to manage creatures affected by Favored Enemy. This ensures that your deck isn’t crippled by a single empowered creature. Additionally, running counterspells, such as Mana Leak, can prevent Favored Enemy from ever hitting the battlefield. Remember, the key is to disrupt the synergy before it becomes problematic.

This approach emphasizes preparation and adaptability, making your deck resilient not only to Favored Enemy but to a variety of tactics. Adapting to the dynamic nature of the game, where every card and every move can shift the tide, will lead you to consistent victories. Careful planning and the right balance of counterplay will effectively nullify the threat posed by Favored Enemy and other similar game-changing cards.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Favored Enemy MTG card by a specific set like Alchemy Horizons: Baldur's Gate, 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 Favored Enemy and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Favored Enemy has restrictions

Format	Legality
Gladiator	Legal
Historicbrawl	Legal
Historic	Legal
Timeless	Legal