Leyline Invocation MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 6 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Sorcery |
| Released | 2021-04-23 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Strixhaven: School of Mages |
| Set code | STX |
| Number | 136 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Liiga Smilshkalne |
Text of card
Create a 0/0 green and blue Fractal creature token. Put X +1/+1 counters on it, where X is the number of lands you control.
"Do you still believe my work is nothing but dry, boring equations?" —Cairu, Quandrix mage-student
Cards like Leyline Invocation
Leyline Invocation is another intriguing addition to the collection of green creature spells in MTG. It stands in line with cards like Baloth Gorger, which also boasts the potential to become a massive creature on the battlefield. However, Leyline Invocation has the unique benefit of scaling with the number of lands you control, potentially becoming much larger as the game progresses. In contrast, Baloth Gorger is limited by its fixed 4/4 size unless you pay the additional kicker cost to make it a 7/7.
Analogous to Leyline Invocation is Primeval Bounty, though it is an enchantment, it similarly rewards players for land plays, but with additional value like life gain and creature tokens. Although it doesn’t directly create a large creature, the incremental advantage can be substantial over time. Then there is Gigantosaurus, a set 10/10 creature for five green mana. While it lacks the land-scaling ability of Leyline Invocation, its sheer size presents an immediate formidable threat.
Assessing these options, Leyline Invocation holds a unique position in MTG, offering a dynamic threat that can continuously grow, providing players with a key advantage in prolonged matches.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Leyline Invocation can generate a considerable sized creature based on the number of lands you control, effectively turning your land resources into a threat on the board. This can rapidly tip the scales in your favor, as the creature it creates adds to your offensive and defensive capabilities without sacrificing cards in hand.
Resource Acceleration: While not directly accelerating resources, Leyline Invocation benefits from the number of lands you’ve played. This synergy encourages, and rewards, a strategy that includes ramping up your mana base to summon a formidable creature earlier in the game.
Instant Speed: The ability to cast Leyline Invocation at instant speed gives you the flexibility to react to your opponent’s actions. This strategic advantage allows you to fully utilize your mana each turn, casting the spell at the end of your opponent’s turn if you’ve not needed to respond with other spells, thus keeping up the pressure and maintaining the element of surprise.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Leyline Invocation doesn’t have a discard requirement itself, when considering its place in a deck, the need to maintain card advantage is paramount. Thus, although not directly a con of Leyline Invocation, it’s important to be aware of resource management when building around it.
Specific Mana Cost: Leyline Invocation demands a commitment to green mana. Its color specific cost can restrict its integration into multicolor decks that may not always have the necessary green mana sources available at the right moment.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Costing six mana, Leyline Invocation might not be your go-to option in a high-speed game. With other spells and creatures that can have an immediate board presence or effect, Leyline Invocation’s high mana cost can be a potential drawback, particularly in faster-paced formats where efficiency is key.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Leyline Invocation has a flexible role in green decks as it scales with the game, ensuring that its strength aligns with your land count. It can be a game-changer for those seeking to summon substantial threats at any stage.
Combo Potential: This card shines in land-centric decks, magnifying its impact with effects that increase land drops or untap lands for repeated use. Its synergy with cards that care about creature power or green devotion can make it a linchpin in combo strategies.
Meta-Relevance: In metas that favor longer games or ramp strategies, Leyline Invocation can be pivotal. Its ability to turn spare lands into considerable threats without additional investment makes it practical and wise, capable of tipping the scales in prolonged matches.
How to beat
Leyline Invocation is a spell that gains strength as the game progresses, scaling with the number of lands you control. This dynamic can make it seem formidable, particularly in the late game when it can summon a creature of colossal size. However, there are tactics to mitigate the impact of this card on the field.
Effective strategies include land destruction to keep the opponent’s land count low, thereby reducing the potency of Leyline Invocation. Counter spells also serve as a direct answer to prevent the invocation from resolving in the first place. Additionally, spells that grant hexproof or shroud can protect your creatures from being targeted, ensuring that the Leyline monster never becomes a threat to your board presence.
Moreover, remember that Leyline Invocation relies on a critical mass of lands, making it slower and more predictable. Fast, aggressive decks that apply pressure early can often outpace the setup required for a successful Leyline Invocation, leading to victories before it becomes a significant factor. With these strategies in mind, Leyline Invocation can be effectively contained, ensuring your pathway to victory remains clear.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Leyline Invocation MTG card by a specific set like Strixhaven: School of Mages, 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 Leyline Invocation and other MTG cards:
BUY NOW BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
See MTG Products
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Leyline Invocation has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Leyline Invocation card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2021-04-16 | The number of lands you control is counted as Leyline Invocation resolves. |