Lifeforce MTG Card
1993-08-05 - Number 206
1993-10-04 - Number 207
1993-12-01 - Number 207
1993-12-10 - Number 207
1993-12-10 - Number 207
1994-04-01 - Number 207
1994-04-01 - Number 207
1994-06-21 - Number 207
1995-04-01 - Number 257
1995-04-01 - Number 257
1997-03-24 - Number 310
2011-01-10 - Number 160
2022-11-28 - Number 499
2022-11-28 - Number 202
| Card sets | Released in 14 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Enchantment |
Text of card
o Go G: Destroy a black spell as it is being cast. This use may be played as an interrupt, and does not affect black cards already in play.
Cards like Lifeforce
Lifeforce stands in Magic the Gathering as a unique counter spell geared towards black spells. Its closest relatives in MTG are cards such as Deathgrip, which offers a mirrored effect, countering green spells instead of black. Where Lifeforce capitalizes is in its ability to give green decks an edge against the traditionally challenging black spell suite in a metagame where such strategies are prevalent.
Another card in this niche is Guttural Response, which targets the countering of blue spells. While Guttural Response provides a one-off counter for less mana, Lifeforce presents a persistent threat against black magic, which can be repeatedly activated as long as mana is available. However, the downside comes in the form of its double green mana cost, as well as the card occupying a potential creature slot in your deck.
Ultimately, for players inclined towards using green and looking to reinforce their deck against black spell-slingers, Lifeforce offers a proactive defensive capability. Its presence alone can deter opponents from casting their most threatening black spells, thereby influencing gameplay beyond its immediate activations.
Cards similar to Lifeforce by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Lifeforce provides a persistent effect that allows you to continuously counter specific spells, potentially disrupting your opponent’s strategy and maintaining the upper hand. This repetitive negation can be the equivalent of drawing additional cards as your opponent loses resources trying to overcome the barrier provided by Lifeforce.
Resource Acceleration: While Lifeforce itself doesn’t generate additional mana or accelerate resources, its crucial defensive abilities can sustain your presence on the board, effectively saving the mana and resources that may otherwise have been spent on protecting your creatures or other key permanents from black spells.
Instant Speed: The ability to activate Lifeforce at instant speed provides significant flexibility, ensuring that you can consistently counter black spells during either your own or your opponent’s turn. This keeps opponents guessing and can deter them from casting their most powerful black spells if they know Lifeforce is ready to counter them.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Lifeforce requires the player to use not just mana, but also to discard another green card from their hand to counter black spells. This additional cost can put the player at a card disadvantage, making it potentially costly if you’re pressed for card options.
Specific Mana Cost: Lifeforce’s activation cost exclusively demands green mana. This specificity can restrict the card’s integration outside of mono-green or green-heavy decks, possibly hindering its versatility across the broad spectrum of MTG strategies.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With an activation cost of two green mana, Lifeforce’s ability to counter black spells may seem steep when gauging its efficiency against other countermeasures available in the game that require less investment or offer more flexibility for the same or lower mana cost.
Reasons to Include Lifeforce in Your Collection
Versatility: Lifeforce is a specialized card that shines in environments where black spells are prevalent. It allows green decks to have a fighting chance against powerful black spell-heavy opponents by countering any black spell with its ability.
Combo Potential: This card can work wonders in combination with other cards that capitalize on the use of green mana or need protection from black spell-based strategies. Its ability to be activated multiple times per turn makes it a reliable safeguard.
Meta-Relevance: Depending on the decks you frequently encounter, Lifeforce can be a meta-dependent sideboard option. In a meta with significant black spell strategies, Lifeforce becomes an indispensable tool, providing a strategic edge and maintaining the balance in your favor.
How to beat
Lifeforce is an often overlooked yet potentially game-altering green enchantment in Magic: The Gathering. A tool frequently seen in sideboards, it has the distinctive ability to counter black spells by spending a modest two green mana. To outmaneuver Lifeforce, the key is diversification of threats. Incorporate spells and creatures across various colors not easily disrupted by color-specific countermeasures. Artifact and multicolored cards also evade Lifeforce’s limitation.
Strategic deck design includes spells that can destroy enchantments or offer hexproof protection. Cards that offer options to sidestep targeted counters, like Autumn’s Veil or Display of Dominance, can prove crucial when facing green’s specific defenses. Additionally, employing instant-speed removal or counterspells ensures readiness to respond during your opponent’s turn, minimizing the impact of Lifeforce. By planning ahead and adapting in-game strategies accordingly, you can effectively neutralize the threat posed by this narrow but potent enchantment.
With thoughtful preparation and a balanced deck, overcoming the challenge of Lifeforce becomes a manageable aspect of Magic: The Gathering’s dynamic gameplay, yet another testament to the intricate strategies that make the game endlessly engaging.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Lifeforce MTG card by a specific set like Limited Edition Alpha and Limited Edition Beta, 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 Lifeforce and other MTG cards:
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- 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
Printings
The Lifeforce Magic the Gathering card was released in 13 different sets between 1993-08-05 and 2022-11-28. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1993-08-05 | Limited Edition Alpha | LEA | 206 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Dameon Willich | |
| 2 | 1993-10-04 | Limited Edition Beta | LEB | 207 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Dameon Willich | |
| 3 | 1993-12-01 | Unlimited Edition | 2ED | 207 | 1993 | Normal | White | Dameon Willich | |
| 4 | 1993-12-10 | Intl. Collectors' Edition | CEI | 207 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Dameon Willich | |
| 5 | 1993-12-10 | Collectors' Edition | CED | 207 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Dameon Willich | |
| 6 | 1994-04-01 | Foreign Black Border | FBB | 207 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Dameon Willich | |
| 7 | 1994-04-01 | Revised Edition | 3ED | 207 | 1993 | Normal | White | Dameon Willich | |
| 8 | 1994-06-21 | Summer Magic / Edgar | SUM | 207 | 1993 | Normal | White | Dameon Willich | |
| 9 | 1995-04-01 | Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border | 4BB | 257 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Dameon Willich | |
| 10 | 1995-04-01 | Fourth Edition | 4ED | 257 | 1993 | Normal | White | Dameon Willich | |
| 11 | 1997-03-24 | Fifth Edition | 5ED | 310 | 1997 | Normal | White | Ron Spencer | |
| 12 | 2011-01-10 | Masters Edition IV | ME4 | 160 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Dameon Willich | |
| 13 | 2022-11-28 | 30th Anniversary Edition | 30A | 499 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Dameon Willich | |
| 14 | 2022-11-28 | 30th Anniversary Edition | 30A | 202 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Dameon Willich |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Lifeforce has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Oldschool | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |