Invasion of Ikoria // Zilortha, Apex of Ikoria MTG Card
2023-04-21 - Number 190s
2023-04-21 - Number 190
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Battle — Siege |
| Abilities | Transform |
Text of card
(As a Siege enters, choose an opponent to protect it. You and others can attack it. When it's defeated, exile it, then cast it transformed.) When Invasion of Ikoria enters the battlefield, search your library and/or graveyard for a non-Human creature card with mana value X or less and put it onto the battlefield. If you search your library this way, shuffle.
Cards like Invasion of Ikoria // Zilortha, Apex of Ikoria
Invasion of Ikoria is a dynamic spell for players looking to control the board in Magic: The Gathering. Like Selesnya Charm, Invasion of Ikoria offers the flexibility of multiple modes. However, Selesnya Charm is limited to creature interaction, while Invasion of Ikoria’s potential extends to noncreature spells as well. This breadth of application places Invasion of Ikoria into a space where it can be more impactful in diverse game situations.
Another peer in this field is Golgari Charm, known for its versatility. Yet, Golgari Charm focuses on protection and creature management, not providing the broad spell interaction that Invasion of Ikoria does. This makes Invasion of Ikoria stand out in its ability to disrupt an opponent’s strategy beyond the battlefield.
When considered among similar spells, Invasion of Ikoria holds a unique position. Its wide-reaching effects can shift the momentum of the game, offering a suite of options that are not always apparent in cards with similar complexity. This makes it a powerful tool in the hands of players who value strategic flexibility.
Cards similar to Invasion of Ikoria // Zilortha, Apex of Ikoria by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Invasion of Ikoria bolsters your hand by drawing additional cards, helping you stay ahead of your opponents with a healthy selection of options at your disposal.
Resource Acceleration: Upon casting, this card provides a swift boost in resources, which could be crucial for ramping up your mana pool and deploying game-winning threats ahead of schedule.
Instant Speed: The capability to play Invasion of Ikoria at instant speed gives you the flexibility to respond to an opponent’s moves tactically, transforming it into a game-changer during pivotal moments of play.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Invasion of Ikoria card demands players to discard a card to unleash its potential. This can be a steep price, especially when your hand is filled with crucial spells needed for later turns. Holding onto your resources often proves vital in the pacing of the game, and having to part with valuable cards prematurely can hinder your strategic plans and momentum.
Specific Mana Cost: This card requires a particular combination of mana to cast. If your deck isn’t tailored for the precise mana requirements of Invasion of Ikoria, integrating it seamlessly into your strategy may pose a challenge. Players who don’t operate within the right mana spectrum may find this card a cumbersome addition that fails to harmonize with their existing deck architecture.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Despite the allure of adding potent creatures to your battle line, the higher mana cost associates with a substantial investment. When considering the turn by turn dynamic of the game, dedicating such a portion of your mana pool to a single play can leave you at a tactical disadvantage. Savvy opponents may capitalize on this window, outmaneuvering you while you’re tapped out or during the buildup to amass the necessary resources.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Invasion of Ikoria is a powerhouse in diverse setups, easily sliding into deck builds that aim to harness the untamed might of monsters or manipulate the numerous creature types within the set.
Combo Potential: This card synergizes well with mechanics that capitalize on casting creature spells or that trigger upon creature entry, setting the stage for dynamic play sequences.
Meta-Relevance: With the evolving battlefield of standard play, Invasion of Ikoria keeps your deck competitive, aligning perfectly with strategies aimed at overwhelming opponents with a diverse range of formidable beasts.
How to beat
Invasion of Ikoria introduces a dynamic twist to the battlefield of Magic: The Gathering. This potent card can turn the tide of a game by flooding the field with creature tokens representative of Ikoria’s monstrous denizens. Overcoming such a surge requires a strategic approach. Control decks with sweepers like Doomskar or Shatter the Sky can clear multiple creatures in a single move. Efficient removal is key.
Graveyard hate cards, such as Grafdigger’s Cage, can also be especially potent in stifling the Invasion’s momentum by preventing creature tokens from entering the battlefield from the library. Additionally, countermagic like Dovin’s Veto remains an invaluable tool for blue mages to preemptively deny the cast of such impactful spells.
Ultimately, while Invasion of Ikoria has the power to alter the flow of a match, there exist methods to mitigate its impact. Timing, anticipation, and the right card choice are pivotal in ensuring that the invasion becomes more of a minor skirmish than a sweeping conquest.
BurnMana Recommendations
If you’re gathering strength to conquer your MTG opponents, Invasion of Ikoria can be a powerful ally. Its ability to advance your game with an influx of creatures is undeniable. Enhance your decks with versatility, embrace the combo potential, and stay ahead in the meta with this formidable spell. Overcoming its few drawbacks requires skill and strategy, ensuring a rewarding experience for those who wield it well. For deckbuilders seeking to exploit the power of Ikoria’s monstrous legions, this card could be the keystone. Embark on a journey of discovery and tactical depth with us, and master the art of Invasion of Ikoria today.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Invasion of Ikoria // Zilortha, Apex of Ikoria MTG card by a specific set like March of the Machine Promos and March of the Machine, 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 Invasion of Ikoria // Zilortha, Apex of Ikoria and other MTG cards:
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Printings
The Invasion of Ikoria // Zilortha, Apex of Ikoria Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2023-04-21 and 2023-04-21. Illustrated by Antonio José Manzanedo.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2023-04-21 | March of the Machine Promos | PMOM | 190s | 2015 | Transform | Black | Antonio José Manzanedo | |
| 2 | 2023-04-21 | March of the Machine | MOM | 190 | 2015 | Transform | Black | Antonio José Manzanedo |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Invasion of Ikoria // Zilortha, Apex of Ikoria has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Alchemy | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Future | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Invasion of Ikoria // Zilortha, Apex of Ikoria card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2023-04-14 | A Siege’s controller can’t be its protector. If a Siege’s protector ever gains control of it, they choose a new player to be its protector. This is a state-based action. |
| 2023-04-14 | A battle can be attacked by all players other than its protector. Notably, this means a Siege’s controller can attack it. |
| 2023-04-14 | A battle can be dealt damage and be target of spells and/or abilities that target “any target.” |
| 2023-04-14 | A battle’s “defense” is displayed in the bottom right corner of the card. A battle enters the battlefield with that number of defense counters. If another permanent enters the battlefield as a copy of a battle, it also enters with that number of defense counters. |
| 2023-04-14 | As a Siege enters the battlefield, its controller chooses an opponent to be its protector. |
| 2023-04-14 | Assigning a creature’s damage as though it weren’t blocked is all or nothing. You can’t use this effect to assign some of the creature’s damage to a blocking creature and the rest to the player, planeswalker, or battle it’s attacking. |
| 2023-04-14 | Battles can’t attack or block, even if one also becomes a creature. If an attacking or blocking creature somehow becomes a battle in addition to being a creature, it is removed from combat. |
| 2023-04-14 | Damage dealt to a battle causes that many defense counters to be removed from it. |
| 2023-04-14 | Even if a creature assigns damage as though it were not blocked, it will still receive damage from creatures that are blocking it. |
| 2023-04-14 | If a Siege never had defense counters on it (perhaps because a permanent became a copy of one), it can’t have its last defense counter removed. It will be put into its owner’s graveyard. You won’t exile it or cast the other face. |
| 2023-04-14 | If a battle has no defense counters, and it isn’t the source of a triggered ability that has triggered but not yet left the stack, that battle is put into its owner’s graveyard. This is a state-based action. This doesn’t cause a Siege’s intrinsic triggered ability to trigger. |
| 2023-04-14 | If a battle that’s being attacked somehow stops being a battle, it is removed from combat. Similarly, if its controller changes in the middle of combat, it is removed from combat. |
| 2023-04-14 | If a non-battle permanent that is already on the battlefield become a copy of a Siege, its controller chooses one of their opponents to be that battle’s protector. However, it will most likely be put into its owner’s graveyard because it has no defense counters (see below). |
| 2023-04-14 | If a permanent that is represented by a transforming double-faced card becomes a copy of a Siege, it will be exiled as that Siege’s triggered ability resolves, then it will be cast transformed. Note that this applies only to transforming double-faced cards, not to modal double-faced cards that can normally be played using either face. |
| 2023-04-14 | If a token or a card that isn’t represented by a transforming double-faced card becomes a copy of a Siege, it can’t be cast as its triggered ability resolves. It will remain in exile. If it’s a token, it will cease to exist the next time state-based actions are performed. |
| 2023-04-14 | In a multiplayer game, if the protector of a battle leaves the game and that battle is not currently being attacked, its controller chooses a new protector for it as a state-based action. If it is being attacked, its controller chooses a new protector for it once no creatures are attacking it. This means that it continues to be attacked and can be dealt combat damage as normal. |
| 2023-04-14 | Only creatures controlled by a battle’s protector can block creatures that are attacking that battle. This means a Siege’s controller can never assign creatures to block for it. |
| 2023-04-14 | Sieges each have an intrinsic triggered ability. That ability is “When the last defense counter is removed from this permanent, exile it, then you may cast it transformed without paying its mana cost.” |
| 2023-04-14 | You decide whether to assign a non-Human creature’s combat damage as though it weren’t blocked just before it assigns that damage. You may make a different choice for each non-Human creature you control—that is, you may have none, some, or all of those creatures assign combat damage as though they weren’t blocked. |