Forcefield MTG Card
1993-08-05 - Number 243
1993-10-04 - Number 244
1993-12-01 - Number 244
1993-12-10 - Number 244
1993-12-10 - Number 244
2007-09-10 - Number 157
2022-11-28 - Number 536
2022-11-28 - Number 239
| Card sets | Released in 8 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Artifact |
Text of card
o1: Lose only 1 life to an unblocked creature.
Cards like Forcefield
The allure of the Forcefield MTG card lies in its prowess to diminish combat damage to a single point, setting it on par with other formidable defensive artifacts. A card that shares this damage mitigation theme is the well-known Righteous Aura. While Righteous Aura also provides the ability to reduce damage from a source to 2 life with its activated ability, it diverges with its requirement for white mana and a life payment.
Moving to the Sphere of Safety, we observe an enchantment that protects by using a tax on attacking creatures based on the number of enchantments you control, rather than limiting damage like Forcefield. Its mechanism provides a different strategic avenue, focusing on deterring attacks altogether. Another comparable card, the renowned Ghostly Prison, operates under a similar concept, charging attackers for the privilege to swing, which can create a significant hurdle for opponents.
Despite these alternatives, Forcefield’s unique offering of reducing nearly all incoming damage to just one makes it an exceptional choice for players prioritizing unyielding defense. Its independence from color restrictions and the capacity to affect multiple attacks each turn ensures its enduring status among protective MTG artifacts.
Cards similar to Forcefield by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Forcefield doesn’t directly let you draw cards, but it can effectively negate the advantage your opponent has with powerful creatures. By reducing the damage to just 1, it helps maintain your life total and keeps your key creatures on the board longer, which indirectly contributes to your cumulative card advantage.
Resource Acceleration: While Forcefield itself doesn’t produce additional mana or ramp, it conserves resources by potentially eliminating the need to play other spells to deal with large enemy creatures. This allows players to allocate mana to further their board state or invest in spells that provide actual resource acceleration.
Instant Speed: The ability to activate Forcefield at instant speed offers supreme flexibility. You can decide during the combat phase whether using Forcefield is necessary based on the attacks declared, enabling you to respond effectively to threats and bluff open mana for other potential instant-speed interactions.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: To activate Forcefield’s ability, players must discard a card, which may pose a challenge when options are limited or each card in hand is vital to the deck’s strategy.
Specific Mana Cost: Its activation cost demands one generic mana, which is manageable, but the initial cost to cast Forcefield can be restrictive, requiring three mana that may not align with the deck’s mana curve.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: At three mana for its static ability and an additional cost to use its activated ability, Forcefield can be considered a hefty investment when there are alternatives in the game that protect creatures or prevent damage for a lower cost.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: The Forcefield card offers unrivaled defensive capabilities, fitting seamlessly into a variety of decks that focus on prolonging the game. Its ability to reduce damage to a mere point makes it a staple in control and mid-range builds.
Combo Potential: This artifact shines in setups aiming to capitalize on defense mechanisms. When combined with cards that trigger off taking damage or saving creatures, Forcefield’s potential is multiplied, providing impressive synergy and interaction with numerous strategies.
Meta-Relevance: In a gameplay environment that’s heavy on combat and aggressive decks, Forcefield can be a game-changer. Its relevance grows as it counters dominant strategies, ensuring your key creatures survive to turn the tide in your favor.
How to Beat the Forcefield Mtg Card
The Forcefield card remains a potent defensive tool in many Magic: The Gathering decks. Renowned for its ability to reduce incoming damage to a mere 1 life point, the card poses a real challenge to opponents seeking to break through a player’s defenses. Mastering the intricacies of Forcefield requires strategic planning and a deep understanding of its mechanics.
When facing off against Forcefield, it’s crucial to deploy indirect damage sources or strategies that don’t rely solely on combat. Enchantment removal spells, such as Disenchant, provide a clean solution to dismantle the Forcefield’s protection. Additionally, implementing cards that force players to sacrifice artifacts can circumvent Forcefield’s ability, leaving your opponent vulnerable to more conventional damage-dealing tactics.
Ultimately, conquering a Forcefield demands a flexible approach, incorporating elements of control and disruption. By prioritizing the elimination of this formidable obstacle, players can pave the way for successful attacks and maintain the upper hand in their Magic: The Gathering matches.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Forcefield MTG card by a specific set like Limited Edition Alpha and Limited Edition Beta, 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 Forcefield 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
See MTG Products
Printings
The Forcefield Magic the Gathering card was released in 7 different sets between 1993-08-05 and 2022-11-28. Illustrated by Dan Frazier.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1993-08-05 | Limited Edition Alpha | LEA | 243 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Dan Frazier | |
| 2 | 1993-10-04 | Limited Edition Beta | LEB | 244 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Dan Frazier | |
| 3 | 1993-12-01 | Unlimited Edition | 2ED | 244 | 1993 | Normal | White | Dan Frazier | |
| 4 | 1993-12-10 | Intl. Collectors' Edition | CEI | 244 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Dan Frazier | |
| 5 | 1993-12-10 | Collectors' Edition | CED | 244 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Dan Frazier | |
| 6 | 2007-09-10 | Masters Edition | ME1 | 157 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Dan Frazier | |
| 7 | 2022-11-28 | 30th Anniversary Edition | 30A | 536 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Dan Frazier | |
| 8 | 2022-11-28 | 30th Anniversary Edition | 30A | 239 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Dan Frazier |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Forcefield has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Oldschool | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Forcefield card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2004-10-04 | This can’t be used to prevent damage caused by a blocked creature with Trample ability. |