For the Ancestors MTG Card


Boosts hand resources for sustained advantage and strategic depth during matches. Allows deployment of high-cost cards earlier, increasing gameplay tempo. Cast at instant speed for dynamic and tactical responses to opponents.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityRare
TypeInstant
Abilities Flashback

Text of card

Choose a creature type. Look at the top six cards of your library. You may reveal any number of cards of the chosen type from among them and put the revealed cards into your hand. Put the rest on the bottom of your library in a random order. Flashback


Cards like For the Ancestors

For the Ancestors emerges as a unique contributor within the realm of tribal buff cards in Magic: The Gathering. It shares space with iconic cards like Coat of Arms, which offers a blanket power and toughness boost to creatures sharing the same type. For the Ancestors differentiates itself by targeting only one creature type but compensates with additional card draw for each of those creatures on the field, magnifying its impact in tribal decks.

Analogous in effect to Shared Animosity, which also scales its benefit based on the number of creatures sharing a type, For the Ancestors does not require those creatures to be attacking. This provides a strategic advantage in strengthening your board state on the defensive. Door of Destinies is another similar card, providing cumulative stat boosts for creatures of the chosen type as you cast more spells. Nevertheless, For the Ancestors excels in immediate payoff with potential card advantage rather than gradual growth over time.

Comparing across the spectrum of tribal enhancers, For the Ancestors stands out by melding augmentation of creature stats with the capacity to replenish a player’s hand, making it a potent inclusion in any tribal-centric deck design in Magic: The Gathering.

Coat of Arms - MTG Card versions
Shared Animosity - MTG Card versions
Door of Destinies - MTG Card versions
Coat of Arms - MTG Card versions
Shared Animosity - MTG Card versions
Door of Destinies - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to For the Ancestors by color, type and mana cost

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Foxfire - MTG Card versions
Verdigris - MTG Card versions
Team Spirit - MTG Card versions
Refresh - MTG Card versions
Vivify - MTG Card versions
Primal Boost - MTG Card versions
Sprouting Vines - MTG Card versions
Natural Affinity - MTG Card versions
Ferocious Charge - MTG Card versions
Graphic Violence - MTG Card versions
Remodel - MTG Card versions
Roar of Jukai - MTG Card versions
Rending Vines - MTG Card versions
Early Harvest - MTG Card versions
Wildsize - MTG Card versions
Hail Storm - MTG Card versions
Invigorate - MTG Card versions
Harrow - MTG Card versions
Pistus Strike - MTG Card versions
Beast Within - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

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

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
SliversSlivers Legacy100 / The 100th Legacy at Home

Card Pros

Card Advantage: For the Ancestors rewards you by pulling an additional card from your deck into your hand, bolstering your options during play and setting you up for future moves. This aligns perfectly with any strategy that hinges on consistently having more resources than the opponent.

Resource Acceleration: This card has the potential to ramp up your mana resources, allowing you to deploy bigger threats or multiple spells in a single turn. The efficiency of your deck increases, and with it, your chances of taking control of the game.

Instant Speed: The flexibility of being able to cast For the Ancestors at instant speed is monumental. It enables reactive gameplay, giving you the latitude to wait out your opponent’s actions and make strategic decisions that could turn the tide of the match in your favor.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: ‘For the Ancestors’ asks players to part with a card from their hand, which can pose a strategic setback, especially in the tight clutches of a resource-scarce match.

Specific Mana Cost: This card’s mana cost is particularly limiting, demanding a very specific array of resources—one that not every deck can readily provide, potentially restricting deck building options.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With its somewhat steep mana requirement, ‘For the Ancestors’ competes with a range of other cards that could deliver more immediate or impactful advantages, making it a less favorable choice in faster-paced games where efficiency is key.


Reasons to Include For the Ancestors in Your Collection

Versatility: For the Ancestors is a card that offers a wide range of applications across different deck archetypes. Its ability to enhance your creatures or provide a defensive advantage can be pivotal whether you’re playing aggressive, midrange, or control strategies.

Combo Potential: This card unlocks several combo possibilities, especially in decks that seek to capitalize on buffing creatures or using those buffs to enable alternative win conditions. It can quickly become a linchpin in a synergistic strategy that rewards you for the number and strength of creatures you control.

Meta-Relevance: Depending on the current competitive environment, For the Ancestors can be a game-changer. In a meta where creature-based strategies prevail, having this card in your arsenal ensures you have a fighting chance against the most dominant decks on the battlefield.


How to beat

For the Ancestors is a card that offers a unique dynamic by allowing its user to delve into their graveyard for a potent burst of mana acceleration. Resembling the rich legacy of cards like Dark Ritual, For the Ancestors can be a key component in setting up an early, game-changing play by efficiently converting resources from the graveyard into mana. Still, to strategically counter this card, one effective approach is to limit the player’s graveyard options. Graveyard hate cards like Rest in Peace or Relic of Progenitus can readily disrupt the synergy that For the Ancestors relies on, by exiling the graveyard contents and reducing its fuel for acceleration.

Direct counterspells are also an efficient means of handling For the Ancestors. A timely Counterspell or Mana Leak can intercept its casting, neutralizing the threat before it even materializes. Alternatively, proactive hand disruption provides another avenue to undermine For the Ancestors. By using cards like Thoughtseize or Inquisition of Kozilek, you can preemptively remove it from your opponent’s hand, thus averting a potential surge in mana and preserving the balance of the game.

To conclude, while For the Ancestors can significantly tip the scales early on, it is by no means unstoppable. A well-timed intervention, either through graveyard disruption, counterspells, or hand attacks, can effectively dismantle the card’s strategy and maintain the competitive edge.


BurnMana Recommendations

Diving into the strategic depths of MTG is a rewarding experience, especially with cards like For the Ancestors offering both challenges and opportunities in gameplay. Leveraging card advantage, mana acceleration, and the flexibility of instant speed can provide surprising tactical edges. However, the journey doesn’t end there. Even as certain cards present limitations, understanding your deck’s synergy and current meta can turn potential drawbacks into strengths. Embrace the complexity and continuous evolution of your MTG arsenal. Ready for deeper insights and advanced strategies? Visit us to enhance your deck-building skills and harness the full potential of your collection.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase For the Ancestors MTG card by a specific set like Commander Masters and Commander Masters, 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 For the Ancestors and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The For the Ancestors Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2023-08-04 and 2023-08-04. Illustrated by Hristo D. Chukov.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12023-08-04Commander MastersCMM 7702015NormalBlackHristo D. Chukov
22023-08-04Commander MastersCMM 7402015NormalBlackHristo D. Chukov

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where For the Ancestors has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal