Legion's Initiative MTG Card


Boosts red and white creatures, giving an edge in speed and survivability. Exile ability allows re-triggering of enter-the-battlefield effects. Limited to Boros colors and competes with other two-drops.
Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityMythic
TypeEnchantment

Text of card

Red creatures you control get +1/+0. White creatures you control get +0/+1. , Exile Legion's Initiative: Exile all creatures you control. At the beginning of the next combat, return those cards to the battlefield under their owner's control and those creatures gain haste until end of turn.


Cards like Legion's Initiative

Legion’s Initiative finds its niche among MTG’s battalion of multi-faceted Red and White cards. A close comparison is Boros Charm, which protects your assets with its instant-speed indestructibility. While Boros Charm offers a defensive tactic for a critical turn, Legion’s Initiative adds a persistent threat with its stat-boosting ability.

Radiant Destiny is another card that echoes the anthem effect, bolstering creatures of a chosen type. Unlike Legion’s Initiative, it lacks the game-altering exodus and re-entry ability that can swing the tide of battle in your favor. Then there’s Honor of the Pure, focused purely on White creatures, offering a consistent power boost without the tactical flexibility provided by Legion’s Initiative.

When comparing these cards, Legion’s Initiative shines in its dual-role, catering not only to an aggressive strategy but also to tactical board protection and reactivity. This duality gives it a unique position among its peers, allowing players to launch an offense while safeguarding their legion against incoming threats.

Boros Charm - MTG Card versions
Radiant Destiny - MTG Card versions
Honor of the Pure - MTG Card versions
Boros Charm - MTG Card versions
Radiant Destiny - MTG Card versions
Honor of the Pure - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Legion's Initiative by color, type and mana cost

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Suleiman's Legacy - MTG Card versions
Squee's Embrace - MTG Card versions
Rise of the Hobgoblins - MTG Card versions
Nahiri's Machinations - MTG Card versions
Path of Mettle // Metzali, Tower of Triumph - MTG Card versions
Lorehold Excavation - MTG Card versions
Fighter Class - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Legion's Initiative. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Boros AggroBoros Aggro LegacyMO82#CS

Card Pros

Card Advantage: While Legion’s Initiative doesn’t draw you cards directly, it gives you a strategic edge by potentially safeguarding your creatures from board wipes. This preemptive defensive maneuver can leave you with a board presence when others have lost theirs, indirectly contributing to your card advantage.

Resource Acceleration: Legion’s Initiative offers a unique type of acceleration by boosting your creatures’ statistics. The +1/+0 to red creatures and +0/+1 to white creatures can expedite the game in your favor, allowing for quicker damage to opponents and potentially reducing the number of turns to win.

Instant Speed: The true strength of Legion’s Initiative lies in its ability to act at instant speed when you exile it. This can be utilized to outmaneuver your opponent’s strategies during their turn, protect your creatures from removal, or simply as a surprise combat trick that can turn the tables unexpectedly.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Though Legion’s Initiative doesn’t have a discard requirement itself, incorporating cards that synergize with its effects could inadvertently lead to a depleted hand, making you more vulnerable in the late game.

Specific Mana Cost: Legion’s Initiative requires both red and white mana, narrowing its inclusion to Boros or multicolored decks and potentially limiting its adaptability in a variety of MTG strategies.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: At two mana, Legion’s Initiative may compete for a slot with other impactful two-drops or require players to wait until there’s a substantial board presence, delaying its effectiveness in faster-paced matches.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Legion’s Initiative adds a layer of flexibility to your deck by giving a boost to your red and white creatures while also serving as a preemptive measure to protect them from board wipes or removal spells.

Combo Potential: By utilizing Legion’s Initiative’s exile ability, you can set off enter-the-battlefield effects twice, maximizing your creatures’ impact on the game when they return at the next combat phase.

Meta-Relevance: In a gaming environment where creature-based strategies are prevalent, Legion’s Initiative offers a significant edge by making your creatures harder to deal with and disrupting your opponents’ plans.


How to beat

Legion’s Initiative presents itself as a multifaceted tool in the MTG universe, being both a boost to your creatures and a savior in times of peril. It grants a flicker effect, which is a formidable ability that can protect an entire board from mass removal—one of the key strategies in disrupting your opponent’s careful setup is to minimize the effectiveness of this exile-trigger ability.

To outsmart this clever enchantment, consider timing your removal when the exile effect is least beneficial. Instant speed removal or board wipes after the Initiative’s effect is activated yet before the creatures return can be effective. Alternatively, employing counter spells to prevent Legion’s Initiative from hitting the board in the first place, or enchantment removal like Disenchant at a strategic moment can neutralize it before its defensive capabilities can be used. The key lies in precision and predicting when your opponent might be most vulnerable.

In essence, overcoming the boost and safeguard Legion’s Initiative offers requires a deep understanding of MTG dynamics, opportune action, and sometimes a bit of calculated risk. Disrupting your opponent’s tempo or removing their key pieces can turn the tide to your advantage, rendering this powerful card less intimidating.


BurnMana Recommendations

Legion’s Initiative stands out as a key component for any MTG player who thrives on strategy and adaptability. Its ability to manipulate the battlefield and enhance creature performance is unrivaled, offering players both offensive and defensive leverage. Understanding the card’s capabilities and weaknesses is crucial in maximizing its potential. If you’re aiming to refine your strategy, explore card interactions, or simply want to understand how to effectively leverage this enchantment in your deck, dive deeper with us. Our comprehensive insights and analysis can empower you to unleash the full might of Legion’s Initiative and emerge victorious in your MTG battles. Discover more strategies and tips to fortify your deck and outmaneuver your opponents with expertise.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Legion's Initiative MTG card by a specific set like Dragon's Maze and Double Masters 2022, 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 Legion's Initiative and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Legion's Initiative Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2013-05-03 and 2022-07-08. Illustrated by Jaime Jones.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12013-05-03Dragon's MazeDGM 812003NormalBlackJaime Jones
22022-07-08Double Masters 20222X2 5172015NormalBlackJaime Jones
32022-07-08Double Masters 20222X2 2422015NormalBlackJaime Jones

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Legion's Initiative has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2013-04-15 A creature that’s both red and white will get +1/+1 from Legion’s Initiative.
2013-04-15 The beginning of the next combat will happen even if the player whose turn it is doesn’t intend to attack with any creatures.