Foster MTG Card

Foster’s card draw from perished creatures bolsters strategic depth in creature-focused decks. Mana specificity and discard can challenge deck diversity and resource stability. Despite costs, its ability to recover from loss makes Foster a resilient asset.

Mercadian Masques (MMQ)
1999-10-04 - Number 247

Commander 2013 (C13)
2013-11-01 - Number 146

Card sets	Released in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Rare
Type	Enchantment

Text of card

Whenever a creature you control is put into a graveyard, you may pay o1. If you do, reveal cards from the top of your library until you reveal a creature card. Put that card into your hand and the rest into your graveyard.

Cards like Foster

Foster is an intriguing enchantment card that offers consistent creature support in Magic: The Gathering. Much like Guardian Project, a card that provides a draw mechanism every time a non-token creature enters the battlefield under your control, Foster has a similar creature-focused benefit. However, Foster allows you to draw a card whenever a creature you control is put into a graveyard, meaning it turns each creature’s demise into potential card advantage. Guardian Project, on the other hand, is more proactive, giving you benefits as creatures arrive rather than when they leave.

Another comparable card is Harvester of Souls, which also capitalizes on creatures dying. The difference lies in its nature as a creature card itself, and the fact that it triggers on any nontoken creature’s death, not just your own. This could provide a wider range of card draw opportunities but requires a creature body to be on the field. Finally, when considering Deathreap Ritual, a card that offers a more universal approach, triggering on each end step where a creature died, it suits decks that are more passive or controlling.

In essence, Foster can be a crucial engine in creature-heavy decks that thrive on or can easily recover from creature loss, making it a valuable piece in MTG where managing resources can turn the tides of gameplay.

Cards similar to Foster by color, type and mana cost

Defense of the Heart - MTG Card versions

Arasta of the Endless Web - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Foster ensures that no creature goes to waste by letting you replace creatures that die with fresh ones from your library, bolstering your hand and options on the battlefield.

Resource Acceleration: By cycling creatures into your hand, Foster can effectively decrease the cost of future creature spells thanks to the inherent synergies within creature-based decks, speeding up your game plan.

Instant Speed: The ability to trigger at instant speed means Foster can turn end-of-turn situations into strategic advantages, allowing you to wait for the opportune moment to refill your hand after blockers are declared or combat has resolved.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Foster demands that you discard a card as part of its casting cost. While this can set up some graveyard strategies, it often results in a net loss of resources, which might strain your hand, especially in crucial moments of the game.

Specific Mana Cost: Casting Foster requires a mix of green and white mana, restricting it to decks that can consistently generate these colors. This makes it less flexible and can be a stumbling block for players running multi-colored decks that don’t focus on green and white.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a cost that encompasses both green and white mana, Foster’s investment can be steep compared to other options. Players may find that there are alternative cards that provide similar benefits or better suit their deck’s strategy without such a significant mana investment.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Foster offers a unique advantage by allowing players to replenish their hand when creatures in play are dealt with, which is a common situation in various formats. This makes it a versatile pick for decks that anticipate significant creature turnover.

Combo Potential: As part of intricate gameplay, Foster can be critical in maintaining the flow of creatures for combos, especially in decks that can easily sacrifice creatures for greater benefits, thus never leaving a player without resources in hand.

Meta-Relevance: In a game that is continuously evolving, Foster holds relevance in metas that favor creature-based strategies, giving players a way to remain resourceful even when facing heavy removal or board wipes, making it a solid inclusion against such strategies.

How to beat

Foster is a unique card in Magic: The Gathering that can pose quite the conundrum for players facing it across the battlefield. The card provides a consistent draw engine by turning each creature’s death into a potential card advantage. To effectively dismantle the advantages Foster offers, one needs to pivot their strategy toward exile effects or graveyard disruption.

Directly addressing the creatures is a game of Whac-A-Mole you’re bound to lose due to the overwhelming card draw Foster provides. Shift focus instead to cards like Rest in Peace or Leyline of the Void to neutralize the graveyard, nullifying Foster’s ability to draw cards. Additionally, utilizing exile spells such as Path to Exile on creatures ensures they never hit the graveyard, further weakening Foster’s potential. Managing the battlefield while being strategic about how creatures are disposed of can hamstring Foster’s effectiveness and tilt the game back in your favor.

Overall, while Foster can be a formidable engine in MTG, with well-placed disruption and a shift in your typical creature management strategy, you can dismantle your opponent’s plans and hold the upper hand. A keen understanding of your deck’s tools is crucial in overcoming the resiliency that Foster provides.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Foster MTG card by a specific set like Mercadian Masques and Commander 2013, 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 Foster and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Foster Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1999-10-04 and 2013-11-01. Illustrated by Carl Critchlow.

#	Released	Name	Code	Symbol	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	1999-10-04	Mercadian Masques	MMQ		247	1997	Normal	Black	Carl Critchlow
2	2013-11-01	Commander 2013	C13		146	2003	Normal	Black	Carl Critchlow

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Foster has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Premodern	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal