Forbidding Watchtower MTG Card
1999-02-15 - Number 140
2007-07-13 - Number 352
2011-05-14 - Number 39
2020-09-26 - Number 10E-352
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Land |
Text of card
Forbidding Watchtower comes into play tapped. oc T: Add one white mana to your mana pool. o1oo W Forbidding Watchtower becomes a 1/5 white creature until end of turn. This creature still counts as a land.
Cards like Forbidding Watchtower
Forbidding Watchtower is a unique land card within MTG that stands out for its ability to become a creature. This card transforms into a 1/5 white Soldier creature with a modest activation cost, which can be a strategic defensive move. When we look at similar cards such as Mishra’s Factory, it also turns into a creature; however, it becomes a 2/2 Assembly-Worker with the potential to boost others of its kind, offering both offensive and defensive functionalities.
Gargoyle Castle is another noteworthy comparison, able to provide a one-off 3/4 flying creature, which offers a stronger offensive threat compared to the Forbidding Watchtower. Yet, the latter can be activated multiple times throughout the game, presenting a recurring blocking entity. Then we have Mutavault, a game-changer card that excels by becoming a 2/2 creature with all creature types, granting it exceptional versatility in tribal decks.
In essence, MTG players must consider the balance between defense and versatility when evaluating Forbidding Watchtower against its counterparts. While it may not offer the offensive power of some alternatives, its defensive capabilities and reusable nature often make it a formidable card in control-oriented decks.
Cards similar to Forbidding Watchtower by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Forbidding Watchtower. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Orzhov Control | Premodern | Misty Premodern Winter Finals | |
 | Azorius Control | Premodern | Eternal Weekend Europe 2023 Premodern Mainevent |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Forbidding Watchtower doesn’t just serve as a land; it also transforms into a creature, effectively offering you an additional asset without losing a land. This multifunctionality means one card fulfills two roles, optimizing the cards in your hand and on the battlefield.
Resource Acceleration: As a land, Forbidding Watchtower contributes to your mana base from the moment it enters play. Its true strength lies in its ability to become a creature without costing you a card from your hand, allowing you to develop your board presence while still keeping up with land drops.
Instant Speed: The ability to turn Forbidding Watchtower into a creature can be activated at instant speed. This gives you the flexibility to adapt to the battlefield during your opponent’s turn, either by creating a surprise blocker or by simply conserving mana until it’s most strategically advantageous to activate.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Although Forbidding Watchtower doesn’t require you to discard a card outright, it does demand management of your hand and battlefield since it’s a land that comes into play tapped. This can be a setback if you’re strategizing for a swift play.
Specific Mana Cost: To transform Forbidding Watchtower into a creature, you’re locked into spending one white mana along with other mana, which might not be optimal for all deck types, especially those that are mana color diverse or not white-centric.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: A total of three mana to animate Forbidding Watchtower each turn might not sound demanding, but this cost can be high compared to using those mana resources for other versatility or game-changing spells. This could slow down momentum and limit options during crucial turns.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Forbidding Watchtower offers a unique role as both land and creature, seamlessly integrating into decks that value flexibility. It can serve as a mana source early game, then transform into a defensive presence to thwart attacks, making it suitable for an array of strategies.
Combo Potential: This card has synergy in land animation strategies or those that benefit from landfall triggers. With its ability to become a creature, it can suddenly become a key piece in complex game plays or simply provide an unexpected blocker when needed.
Meta-Relevance: In game environments where lands are safe from most sorcery-speed removal, Forbidding Watchtower offers a tactical advantage. It aligns well with control decks that demand resilience and the element of surprise against fast-paced aggro opponents.
How to beat
Forbidding Watchtower is often seen as one of those sleeper cards in MTG that can catch players off guard. As a land, it typically sits on the battlefield, subtly contributing to your mana pool until it transforms into a defensive creature. When faced with this seemingly innocent structure, one effective strategy is direct land destruction. Cards like Ghost Quarter can dismantle the Watchtower before it becomes a creature, ensuring it doesn’t stand in your way.
Alternatively, you could employ enchantment-based control, such as Encase in Ice, which can effectively neutralize the Watchtower even after it has been animated. Keep in mind that instant-speed removal spells can be key, especially if your opponent activates the Watchtower during their turn. This flexibility ensures you have an answer ready, whether the Watchtower is in land form or brandishing its creature capabilities. Utilizing spot removal like Path to Exile can also shift the tide in your favor, dealing with the animate land swiftly and efficiently.
Ultimately, while the Forbidding Watchtower presents a unique combination of utility and threat, there are various avenues to keep it in check. A combination of land destruction, enchantment control, and instant-speed removal can ensure that the tower does not loom over the battlefield for long.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Forbidding Watchtower MTG card by a specific set like Urza's Legacy and Tenth Edition, 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 Forbidding Watchtower and other MTG cards:
BUY NOW BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
- 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
See MTG Products
Printings
The Forbidding Watchtower Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 1999-02-15 and 2011-05-14. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1999-02-15 | Urza's Legacy | ULG | 140 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Mark Brill | |
| 2 | 2007-07-13 | Tenth Edition | 10E | 352 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Aleksi Briclot | |
| 3 | 2011-05-14 | Duel Decks: Mirrodin Pure vs. New Phyrexia | TD2 | 39 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Aleksi Briclot | |
| 4 | The List | PLST | 10E-352 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Aleksi Briclot |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Forbidding Watchtower has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Forbidding Watchtower card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2008-08-01 | A noncreature permanent that turns into a creature can attack, and its abilities can be activated, only if its controller has continuously controlled that permanent since the beginning of their most recent turn. It doesn’t matter how long the permanent has been a creature. |
| 2009-10-01 | Activating the ability that turns it into a creature while it’s already a creature will override any effects that set its power and/or toughness to a specific number. However, any effect that raises or lowers power and/or toughness (such as the effect created by Giant Growth, Glorious Anthem, or a +1/+1 counter) will continue to apply. |