Invasion Plans MTG Card

Invasion Plans secures combat control, forcing opponents to block, which can disrupt defensive plans. It’s mana-intensive and demands discards, which may deplete your hand and limit deck versatility. Despite drawbacks, its unique manipulation of combat can be integral to specific deck strategies.

Stronghold (STH)
1998-03-02 - Number 89

The List (PLST)
2020-09-26 - Number STH-89

Card sets	Released in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Rare
Type	Enchantment

Text of card

Each creature blocks whenever able. Attacking player chooses how each creature blocks. (All blocking assignments must still be legal.)

Gerrard studied the globe as Mirri kept watch. Suddenly, his eyes widened. "This is Dominaria!"

Cards like Invasion Plans

Invasion Plans is a distinct card within the realm of strategy manipulation in Magic: The Gathering. It bears resemblance to cards like Master Warcraft which allows a player to control how combat damage is assigned. Contrasting with Master Warcraft’s instant speed advantage, Invasion Plans operates at sorcery speed but reshapes the battlefield rules, compelling each creature to block if able.

Rowan’s Stalwarts also plays with the combat aspect by dictating blocking conditions, but it’s tied to a creature rather than being an enchantment with an ongoing effect like Invasion Plans. When considering Disrupt Decorum, which goads all creatures your opponents control, it’s a one-time use and bears a higher mana cost, while Invasion Plans continually impacts the combat phase every turn.

Evaluating these cards highlights Invasion Plans as a unique enchantment that transforms the standard combat tactics, offering players an ongoing tactical edge in controlling the flow of battles. Its uniqueness is cemented by its continuous influence on the game, unlike single-use spells that change combat dynamics just once.

Cards similar to Invasion Plans by color, type and mana cost

Curse of Hospitality - MTG Card versions

Anax, Hardened in the Forge - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Invasion Plans is exceptional in disrupting your opponent’s battle strategy, influencing combat decisions in your favor. This often leads to trading up or picking off high-value creatures, helping tilt the field in your favor without losing card resources.

Resource Acceleration: While Invasion Plans itself doesn’t directly accelerate resources, its ability to control combat engagements sets a faster tempo for your game plan. As you dictate which creatures block or get blocked, you can rapidly thin out the board and pave the way for a more aggressive playstyle.

Instant Speed: Though not an instant itself, Invasion Plans plays nicely with instant-speed spells. Since you can control how your opponent’s creatures block, they are left in an unfavorable position, making your instant-speed removal or combat tricks far more devastating and often unexpected.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Invasion Plans demands a significant commitment from your hand, necessitating a discard every time you wish to engage in battle. This can rapidly deplete your hand, especially in fast-paced games where maintaining card advantage is crucial.

Specific Mana Cost: With a strict color identity rooted in red mana, Invasion Plans requires a dedicated mana base. This specificity may hinder its inclusion in decks that run a wider array of colors, potentially limiting its deck-building versatility.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost demanding three mana, it’s worth considering the opportunity cost of playing Invasion Plans. Other cards at a similar mana threshold could potentially offer more immediate board impact or versatility, which is a crucial aspect to contemplate when optimizing your deck’s performance.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Invasion Plans is a unique card that has the ability to significantly alter combat dynamics, allowing for control over how blockers are declared. This can seamlessly integrate into decks that want to manipulate combat in their favor or disrupt the opponent’s defensive strategies.

Combo Potential: By dictating how blocks must be made, Invasion Plans can be combined with cards that have abilities triggering upon attacking, dealing damage, or other combat-related interactions, potentially unlocking powerful synergies and enabling unexpected win conditions.

Meta-Relevance: In a game where board states can be complex and combat decisions critical, Invasion Plans offers a creative solution to break through stalled boards or overcome creatures with formidable defensive abilities. Its relevance grows as it can tilt the balance in matchups where combat is a key component of the game.

How to Beat Invasion Plans

Invasion Plans alters the usual flow of combat in MTG by determining how creatures block. To outmaneuver this card, flexibility in your defensive strategy becomes crucial. Prioritize creatures with abilities like first strike or deathtouch, as they can turn any forced block into an opportunity. Utilizing instant-speed spells can also provide an unexpected advantage by removing or buffing creatures during combat.

Similarly, consider adding cards to your deck that limit opponents’ choices, like Silent Arbiter, which restricts the number of attackers and blockers. This puts you in control even when Invasion Plans is in play. Lastly, enchantment removal becomes essential. Cards such as Disenchant or Naturalize can remove the hinderance directly, reaffirming your authority over the battlefield.

Adapting to Invasion Plans means looking at combat from a different angle, taking advantage of the compulsory blocking and having the right answers at the right time. Overcome it, and turn the tide of battle to favor your strategy.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Invasion Plans MTG card by a specific set like Stronghold and The List, 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 Plans and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Invasion Plans Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1998-03-02 and 1998-03-02. Illustrated by Pete Venters.

#	Released	Name	Code	Symbol	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	1998-03-02	Stronghold	STH		89	1997	Normal	Black	Pete Venters
2	~~2020-09-26~~	The List	PLST		STH-89	1997	Normal	Black	Pete Venters

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Invasion Plans has restrictions

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