Forbidden Lore MTG Card
1995-06-03 - Number 236
2008-09-22 - Number 163
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Enchantment — Aura |
| Abilities | Enchant |
Text of card
When Forbidden Lore comes into play, choose target land. : Tap land Forbidden Lore enchants to give target creature +2/+1 until end of turn.
Cards like Forbidden Lore
Forbidden Lore is a unique spell within the realm of Magic: The Gathering, sharing similarities with other card enrichment effects. Its kinship is closest to cards like Harmonize, which allows a player to draw three cards for a single card play. Yet, Forbidden Lore is distinguishable with its boon remaining fixated on a single creature, granting an impressive burst of knowledge in the form of additional card draws upon landfall.
Branching out, we can look at Rites of Flourishing. This card strikes with its global effect, permitting all players to draw additional cards and play extra lands. While Forbidden Lore is a targeted blessing, Rites of Flourishing could be considered its magnanimous cousin, impacting everyone’s turn rather than enhancing a lone creature. Another relative is Explore, offering a modest version of this effect. It permits one extra card draw and the option to play an additional land, but unlike Forbidden Lore, it doesn’t repeatedly empower a creature or require a landfall trigger.
To conclude, Forbidden Lore stands as a distinctive option for players looking to specifically augment a creature’s presence on the battlefield, offering potentially recurrent card advantages tied to a landfall mechanic. This makes it a potent choice for decks that synergize with land play and creature-based strategies.
Cards similar to Forbidden Lore by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Forbidden Lore is a boon for your hand, confering the player a burst of extra options by drawing additional cards. This immediate access to more of your deck’s resources can shift the momentum of the match in your favor.
Resource Acceleration: While not directly producing mana or tokens, Forbidden Lore can accelerate your resource pool by offering you cards that might provide lands or mana acceleration effects. This type of advantage can be crucial for ramping up to powerful spells ahead of your opponent.
Instant Speed: The flexibility of casting Forbidden Lore at instant speed grants you the leverage of adaptability. React to your opponent’s moves or end-of-turn decisions with a fresh set of cards, setting the stage for a game-changing next turn.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: To unlock its potential, the Forbidden Lore card necessitates discarding another card. This can backfire if you’re already struggling to keep a substantial hand, potentially weakening your position further.
Specific Mana Cost: With its requirement for a blend of both green mana and colorless mana, this card restricts deck-building flexibility. Players are tied to having the right mana sources, which means it might not fit seamlessly into every green deck archetype.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: The initial investment of four mana might be steep when evaluating the immediate impact on the game. Considering alternative options available, it could be deemed cost-inefficient, particularly when faster-paced decks aim to capitalize on the early turns of gameplay.
Reasons to Include Forbidden Lore in Your Collection
Versatility: Forbidden Lore is an enchantment that can augment a variety of strategies due to its ability to enhance a single creature. Its scalability makes it useful in both casual circles and more competitive environments, as it can be tailored to the needs of any creature-heavy deck.
Combo Potential: This card allows for intriguing interactions, particularly in decks that capitalize on creature growth or damage output. Its ability to stack additional +1/+1 counters or to synergize with landfall mechanics can be a driving force in powerful combo builds.
Meta-Relevance: With fluctuating metas, flexibility is key. Considering the ever-evolving nature of deck construction, Forbidden Lore can adapt to various meta shifts, providing sustained value in both creature-centric and green-based decks known for their resilience and adaptability.
How to beat Forbidden Lore
When facing off against the powerful card known as Forbidden Lore in MTG, players must adopt strategic measures to overcome its unique advantages. Unlike other cards that may instantly buff a creature, Forbidden Lore attaches to a land, providing a scaling buff for up to four turns. This incremental growth can create a formidable threat if not addressed promptly.
One effective strategy is to disrupt the player’s land base, utilizing cards like Ghost Quarter or Field of Ruin which can target the enchanted land directly. Additionally, instant-speed removal spells like Naturalize or Disenchant can effectively dismantle the aura before the benefits become overwhelming. Moreover, countering Forbidden Lore when it’s on the stack can prevent its threatening potential altogether, making cards like Negate crucial during key turns.
Overall, maintaining a versatile deck full of answers, ready to tackle enchantments, and control the board is crucial when preparing to neutralize the threats posed by Forbidden Lore. It’s not just about destroying creatures; it’s about smart resource management and timing your removal to mitigate the advantages derived from such enhancement cards.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Forbidden Lore MTG card by a specific set like Ice Age and Masters Edition II, 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 Forbidden Lore and other MTG cards:
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- 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
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Printings
The Forbidden Lore Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1995-06-03 and 2008-09-22. Illustrated by Christopher Rush.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1995-06-03 | Ice Age | ICE | 236 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Christopher Rush | |
| 2 | 2008-09-22 | Masters Edition II | ME2 | 163 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Christopher Rush |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Forbidden Lore has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Forbidden Lore card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2008-10-01 | Forbidden Lore grants an activated ability to the enchanted land. Only that land’s controller can activate the ability. |