Fruit of the First Tree MTG Card


Gains you life and cards, accelerating resource availability upon creature death for tactical advantage. Requires specific and higher mana investment, limiting its flexibility and immediate board impact. Combos well with sacrificial and battlefield effects, enhancing its value in specialized decks.
Fruit of the First Tree - Fate Reforged
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityUncommon
TypeEnchantment — Aura
Abilities Enchant
Released2015-01-23
Set symbol
Set nameFate Reforged
Set codeFRF
Number132
Frame2015
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byRyan Yee

Text of card

Enchant creature When enchanted creature dies, you gain X life and draw X cards, where X is its toughness.

"I will be the ancestor my descendants call upon for aid. On that day I will take up my sword for my family once more."


Cards like Fruit of the First Tree

Fruit of the First Tree is a unique card that offers a compelling blend of life gain and card draw upon the enchanted creature’s death in Magic: The Gathering. It’s akin to cards like Rancor, which also attaches to creatures and has a lasting impact once it leaves the battlefield. However, Rancor primarily increases power and returns to hand, unlike the one-time beneficial burst of life and cards that Fruit of the First Tree provides.

Exploring the life gain aspect, a similar enchantment is Unholy Indenture. This card reanimates the enchanted creature upon death, but does not grant the immediate card draw or life gain. In card advantage terms, Deadbridge Chant brings a similar long-term value through gradual card return from the graveyard to your hand, though it doesn’t focus on a single creature’s demise nor does it boost life totals.

In essence, while Magic: The Gathering boasts various enchantments that interact with creature death, Fruit of the First Tree offers a singular combination of instant card drawing and life gain that sets it apart. It offers a strategic edge for players looking to benefit from their creature’s eventual sacrifice.

Rancor - MTG Card versions
Unholy Indenture - MTG Card versions
Deadbridge Chant - MTG Card versions
Rancor - MTG Card versions
Unholy Indenture - MTG Card versions
Deadbridge Chant - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Fruit of the First Tree by color, type and mana cost

Living Lands - MTG Card versions
Titania's Song - MTG Card versions
Arboria - MTG Card versions
Cyclone - MTG Card versions
Splintering Wind - MTG Card versions
Barbed Foliage - MTG Card versions
Preferred Selection - MTG Card versions
Aluren - MTG Card versions
Sporogenesis - MTG Card versions
Defense of the Heart - MTG Card versions
Vernal Equinox - MTG Card versions
Overlaid Terrain - MTG Card versions
Rowen - MTG Card versions
Epic Struggle - MTG Card versions
Court of Bounty - MTG Card versions
Eidolon of Blossoms - MTG Card versions
Greater Good - MTG Card versions
Arasta of the Endless Web - MTG Card versions
Upwelling - MTG Card versions
Primitive Etchings - MTG Card versions
Living Lands - MTG Card versions
Titania's Song - MTG Card versions
Arboria - MTG Card versions
Cyclone - MTG Card versions
Splintering Wind - MTG Card versions
Barbed Foliage - MTG Card versions
Preferred Selection - MTG Card versions
Aluren - MTG Card versions
Sporogenesis - MTG Card versions
Defense of the Heart - MTG Card versions
Vernal Equinox - MTG Card versions
Overlaid Terrain - MTG Card versions
Rowen - MTG Card versions
Epic Struggle - MTG Card versions
Court of Bounty - MTG Card versions
Eidolon of Blossoms - MTG Card versions
Greater Good - MTG Card versions
Arasta of the Endless Web - MTG Card versions
Upwelling - MTG Card versions
Primitive Etchings - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Fruit of the First Tree ensures that when your creature is destroyed, you not only replace it with another card, you actually gain additional resources. This can be pivotal in outpacing your opponent and maintaining a strong hand.

Resource Acceleration: Upon the enchanted creature’s demise, you gain life and obtain a number of lands equal to that creature’s toughness. This significant boost in your mana base can propel you ahead, permitting more powerful plays in subsequent turns.

Instant Speed: While Fruit of the First Tree itself is not an instant, its trigger occurs whenever the enchanted creature dies. This means you can benefit from its effects even during your opponent’s turn, making it a surprisingly reactive tool in your arsenal for gaining life and ramping up your resources.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One of the drawbacks of the Fruit of the First Tree is that it necessitates a card to be discarded. This can be particularly detrimental during the late game when each card in hand could be pivotal for maintaining an advantage or staging a comeback.

Specific Mana Cost: This card requires both green mana and generic mana to be cast. While its inclusion in green-centric decks is natural, it might not be as easily slotted into multicolored decks without a solid mana base. This limitation can affect deck building strategies and flexibility.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With its mana cost leaning towards the higher side, it faces stiff competition from other options in the format. For four mana, players expect significant impact, and while Fruit of the First Tree offers long-term value, it might not make the immediate impact other cards at the same cost can offer.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Fruit of the First Tree can be a dynamic addition to a variety of decks, specifically those that capitalize on life gain or enchantment synergies. Its ability to provide both card draw and a healthy life boost make it a flexible card in several matchups.

Combo Potential: When paired with creatures that have leave-the-battlefield effects or ways to sacrifice creatures for gains, Fruit of the First Tree becomes a powerful engine. It turns any creature into a potential resource for drawing cards and gaining life, making it a potent part of combo strategies.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where creature removal is prevalent, this enchantment offers a way to benefit from your creatures being targeted. It can deter opponents from destroying your creatures, or at least ensure you get value from them, keeping you resilient in various metas.


How to beat

Confronting Fruit of the First Tree on the battlefield requires astute strategy and timing. This enchantment turns any creature into a significant investment, blossoming into a bounty of life and cards upon its departure. To neutralize this growth, sturdy removal spells that bypass the enchantment, such as exile or bounce effects, are key. Consider including cards like Path to Exile or Unsummon in your deck to handle the creatures without triggering Fruit of the First Tree’s ability. Moreover, enchantment removal like Disenchant can uproot the Fruit before it bears any advantage, starving your opponent’s resources and keeping the playing field level. Keep in mind creature control; an untimely removal can disrupt your opponent’s strategy when they least expect it, squashing their hopes of a fruitful harvest.


BurnMana Recommendations

As we explore the depths of MTG strategy, Fruit of the First Tree stands out with its unique blend of resource acceleration and card advantage. It’s a savvy choice for players who gravitate towards green’s inherent strengths in life gain and mana ramping. Utilizing this card in your deck can be a game-changer, especially when expecting frequent creature removal from opponents. However, every card is a piece of a larger puzzle. To truly master your deck, it’s essential to consider not only individual card strengths but also synergies and meta-relevancy. Embark on your journey to enhance your deck’s capabilities and discover new ways to secure victory with every draw. Dive into the MTG realm and refine your strategy with us.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Fruit of the First Tree MTG card by a specific set like Fate Reforged, 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 Fruit of the First Tree and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Fruit of the First Tree has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Fruit of the First Tree card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2014-11-24 Fruit of the First Tree can enchant any creature, but Fruit of the First Tree’s controller will gain life and draw cards.
2014-11-24 Use the creature’s toughness when it left the battlefield to determine the value of X. If that number is 0 or less, you won’t gain life or draw cards. (You won’t lose life or discard cards either.)