Stand or Fall MTG Card


Stand or Fall - Invasion
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityRare
TypeEnchantment
Released2000-10-02
Set symbol
Set nameInvasion
Set codeINV
Number171
Frame1997
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred byMatt Cavotta

Key Takeaways

  1. Enhances strategy with potential control of additional creatures each turn for a significant tactical advantage.
  2. Instant speed casting offers flexibility, disrupting opponents unexpectedly and shifting the board state.
  3. Resource acceleration from controlling extra creatures provides tempo swings without additional mana costs.

Text of card

At the beginning of your combat phase, separate all creatures defending player controls into two face-up piles. Only creatures in the pile of that player's choice may block this turn.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Stand or Fall enhances the strategic depth of your gameplay by possibly giving you control over an additional creature every turn. This inclusion in your deck ensures you have the upper hand during crucial turns, making it easier to sway the tide of the match in your favor.

Resource Acceleration: Deploying this card can lead to significant resource gains, as controlling more creatures can effectively provide additional blockers or attackers without having to spend more mana. These tempo swings can be game-changing, allowing you to pull ahead while managing your resources efficiently.

Instant Speed: The ability to cast Stand or Fall at instant speed offers exceptional flexibility. You can disrupt your opponent’s strategy during their turn, leaving them unprepared for the sudden shift in board state. This adaptability makes the card a formidable addition, keeping your foes on their toes.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Stand or Fall necessitates discarding a card in order to play it. This can prove troublesome, especially when you’re holding onto key cards for your strategy or running short on hand size. Balancing the cost of discarding with the benefits Stand or Fall brings to the table is crucial for maintaining an advantage.

Specific Mana Cost: The casting cost for Stand or Fall includes a mix of colors that ties it specifically to certain deck archetypes. This restricts its flexibility and may not seamlessly fit into all decks, potentially requiring a rework of your mana base to accommodate it efficiently.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost demanding both red and another color, Stand or Fall is a card that demands a significant mana investment. In fast-paced games, the delay in getting it onto the battlefield can be critical, allowing opponents to establish a dominant position or counter your strategy before you can leverage its effects.


Reasons to Include Stand or Fall in Your Collection

Versatility: Stand or Fall is a card that’s not bound to a single archetype, making it a powerful choice for decks that require an option for balance between control and aggression. Its adaptability in various scenarios makes it worth considering for a wide array of MTG strategies.

Combo Potential: The card’s mechanics allow for synergistic plays, enabling savvy deck builders to exploit its power for unexpected combos. Understanding how to capitalize on its strengths can lead to game-changing moments, especially when paired with cards that thrive off of allegiance choices.

Meta-Relevance: In an environment where precise board control is crucial, Stand or Fall offers a means to tip the scales in your favor. As the meta shifts, having such a tool at your disposal means being prepared for both aggressive decks and enduring grindy matchups.


How to beat

Stand or Fall is one of those intriguing cards in Magic: The Gathering that can pivot a game, especially in multiplayer scenarios. Knowing how to overcome its influence is crucial for any seasoned player. The key lies in understanding its mechanic which dictates combat dynamics in a considerably impactful way, often encouraging alliances in multi-player formats or significantly swinging a duel.

One effective strategy is to maintain instant-speed removal or bounce spells to disrupt the cohesion of the creatures chosen by the Stand or Fall’s controller. In doing so, you neutralize the advantage they gained by redirecting attacks or blocks. Cards like Path to Exile or Unsummon are exemplary picks for their efficiency and surprise factor. Similarly, utilizing flashing creatures that can enter the battlefield during combat can thwart the well-laid plans of a Stand or Fall user, catching them off guard and potentially ruining their strategy.

Ultimately, versatile responses and keeping up mana for reactive plays are paramount when facing a card like Stand or Fall. Anticipating your opponent’s moves and having countermeasures ready can ensure that this card doesn’t dictate the pace and outcome of the match.


Cards like Stand or Fall

Stand or Fall joins the roster of modal double-faced cards that provide flexible options during gameplay. One card it draws comparison to is Delver of Secrets, known for its potential to turn into a flying creature. While Stand or Fall doesn’t transform, it allows a player to choose between a land on one side and a game-altering enchantment on the other, offering strategic depth right from the land slot.

Another comparable card is Legion’s Landing, which similarly flips into an advantageous permanent. Stand or Fall, however, doesn’t convert into a land, maintaining a dichotomy of choice throughout the game. Then we have Valakut Awakening, presenting the modal choice between a land or card advantage. Stand or Fall sets itself apart as it pivots the gameplay dynamic by potentially impacting multiple creatures, rather than focusing on hand refinement.

In the analysis of flexibility and potential impact on the game state, Stand or Fall proves a valuable asset for its utility and duality, lending players the ability to adapt to the ever-changing battlefield of Magic the Gathering.

Cards similar to Stand or Fall by color, type and mana cost

Manabarbs - MTG Card versions
Orcish Oriflamme - MTG Card versions
An-Zerrin Ruins - MTG Card versions
Lightning Cloud - MTG Card versions
Aether Flash - MTG Card versions
Heart of Bogardan - MTG Card versions
Furnace of Rath - MTG Card versions
No Quarter - MTG Card versions
Shiv's Embrace - MTG Card versions
Pyromancy - MTG Card versions
Collapsing Borders - MTG Card versions
Impulsive Maneuvers - MTG Card versions
Magmatic Core - MTG Card versions
Pyrohemia - MTG Card versions
Uncontrollable Anger - MTG Card versions
Elemental Mastery - MTG Card versions
Splinter Twin - MTG Card versions
Stranglehold - MTG Card versions
Burning Earth - MTG Card versions
Purphoros, God of the Forge - MTG Card versions
Manabarbs - 30th Anniversary Edition (30A)
Orcish Oriflamme - 30th Anniversary Edition (30A)
An-Zerrin Ruins - Homelands (HML)
Lightning Cloud - Visions (VIS)
Aether Flash - Classic Sixth Edition (6ED)
Heart of Bogardan - Weatherlight (WTH)
Furnace of Rath - Planechase (HOP)
No Quarter - Tempest (TMP)
Shiv's Embrace - Magic 2011 (M11)
Pyromancy - Urza's Legacy (ULG)
Collapsing Borders - Invasion (INV)
Impulsive Maneuvers - Odyssey (ODY)
Magmatic Core - Coldsnap (CSP)
Pyrohemia - Commander Anthology (CMA)
Uncontrollable Anger - Tenth Edition (10E)
Elemental Mastery - Neon Dynasty Commander (NEC)
Splinter Twin - Rise of the Eldrazi (ROE)
Stranglehold - Commander 2011 (CMD)
Burning Earth - Magic 2014 (M14)
Purphoros, God of the Forge - Mystery Booster (MB1)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Stand or Fall MTG card by a specific set like Invasion, 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 Stand or Fall and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Stand or Fall has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

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