Lifelace MTG Card
1993-08-05 - Number 207
1993-10-04 - Number 208
1993-12-01 - Number 208
1993-12-10 - Number 208
1993-12-10 - Number 208
1994-04-01 - Number 208
1994-04-01 - Number 208
1994-06-21 - Number 208
1995-04-01 - Number 258
1995-04-01 - Number 258
2022-11-28 - Number 203
2022-11-28 - Number 500
| Card sets | Released in 12 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Instant |
Text of card
Changes the color of one card either being played or already in play to green. Cost to cast, tap, maintain, or use a special ability of target card remains entirely unchanged.
Understanding Lifelace
Lifelace, known for its unique magical twist in MTG, allows players to change the color of spells or permanents to green. Similar to an artist changing hues on a canvas, this card offers a strategic nuance in gameplay. It’s part of a suite of color-altering cards that were more prominent in earlier sets of Magic: The Gathering. While not commonly seen in competitive play, Lifelace can be considered a sideboard option in certain metagames where color matters significantly.
Cards like Lifelace
Lifelace is a part of the intriguing collection of color conversion spells MTG has innovated over the years. Thoughtlace, for example, also changes colors, but to blue instead of green. It allows blue to be more prominent in a game steeped in color-specific strategies. Deathlace, Spectral Shift, and Purelace offer similar functions for black, white, and other colors respectively, providing an array of options for players who wish to exploit or counter color-based strategies.
Another card akin to Lifelace in its transformative nature is Chaoslace, which turns any spell or permanent red. This can disrupt an opponent’s planning or enhance your own thematic synergies. However, unlike Lifelace, it comes with the red mana’s natural aggressiveness and potential for rapid, game-changing plays. When evaluating these lace cards, players weigh the surprise factor of altering game dynamics against their overall impact on a match’s outcome. Lifelace’s ability to interject green’s essence into any spell or permanent remains a unique tool within a niche set of strategies in MTG.
Cards similar to Lifelace by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: While Lifelace may not directly allow you to draw cards, it can indirectly lead to card advantage by countering a spell that targets green creatures or turning a non-green spell green for favorable interactions.
Resource Acceleration: Lifelace in itself doesn’t accelerate resources in the conventional way, but it has the potential to pave the way for synergistic plays with cards that benefit from green spells or permanents, effectively accelerating your game plan.
Instant Speed: The ability to cast Lifelace at instant speed provides flexibility in gameplay. This allows a savvy player to adapt to dynamic board states and alter spells on the fly, making it a versatile tool in any match.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Lifelace necessitates a green mana card be discarded to activate its effect. For players relying on green for essential mana ramp or creature plays, this could compromise their game strategy and deplete their hand unnecessarily.
Specific Mana Cost: This card requires green mana, which isn’t always readily available in multi-color decks. Players without a steady source of green mana might find it challenging to capitalize on Lifelace’s ability at crucial moments during the game.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Consuming one green mana and one additional mana might seem affordable, but in a game where efficiency is key, there are alternative spells or creatures that could provide a greater benefit for the same cost. This can make Lifelace less appealing when deck building or during gameplay, especially when faster-paced strategies dominate the meta.
Reasons to Include Lifelace in Your Collection
Versatility: Lifelace, an old-school card from Magic the Gathering, is a unique inclusion in decks that aim to manipulate colors. It can alter the color of cards in play to green, which may serve various purposes, such as aligning with color-specific buffs or disrupting enemy strategies expecting different colors.
Combo Potential: This card can be a key piece in niche combos, particularly in casual or thematic decks that center on color matters mechanics. For instance, it can synergize with cards that have a detrimental effect on green cards or those that get bonuses for targeting green. In a more relaxed play environment, these interactions can be both fun and surprising.
Meta-Relevance: While Lifelace may not be a staple in the current competitive meta, it’s a piece of MTG history that can find its place in casual circles or specific formats where its color-changing ability might be applied strategically to outwit opponents running green-hate cards.
How to beat
The Lifelace card from Magic: The Gathering stands out as a unique tool for players who appreciate the intricacies of color manipulation. At its core, Lifelace alters the color of spells or permanents to green, which can be a strategic move in certain gameplay scenarios. Its ability can act as a counter against decks that are sensitive to color-specific spells or rely heavily on protection from colors other than green. Despite its distinctive feature, overcoming Lifelace can be straightforward and can be likened to preparing against color-hate cards.
To effectively neutralize its impact, players may choose to incorporate colorless spells and permanents in their deck, as these will be unaffected by color changes. Also, ensuring a balanced mana base that doesn’t overly rely on one color can mitigate the effects of color-based disruption. Cards that offer protection from abilities, like hexproof, can also be key in shielding your assets from Lifelace’s influence. As part of a strategic deck build, inclusion of counter spells to prevent Lifelace from resolving or cards that purge it from the battlefield ensure that this niche card does not disrupt your carefully laid plans.
Understanding how and when to preemptively address threats like Lifelace is essential for seasoned MTG players, as it reinforces the importance of flexibility and adaptability in your strategy. Recognizing the potential impact of this card, constructing your deck with its existence in mind, and playing smart will keep you one step ahead of the competition.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Lifelace 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 Lifelace 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 Lifelace Magic the Gathering card was released in 11 different sets between 1993-08-05 and 2022-11-28. Illustrated by Amy Weber.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1993-08-05 | Limited Edition Alpha | LEA | 207 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Amy Weber | |
| 2 | 1993-10-04 | Limited Edition Beta | LEB | 208 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Amy Weber | |
| 3 | 1993-12-01 | Unlimited Edition | 2ED | 208 | 1993 | Normal | White | Amy Weber | |
| 4 | 1993-12-10 | Intl. Collectors' Edition | CEI | 208 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Amy Weber | |
| 5 | 1993-12-10 | Collectors' Edition | CED | 208 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Amy Weber | |
| 6 | 1994-04-01 | Foreign Black Border | FBB | 208 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Amy Weber | |
| 7 | 1994-04-01 | Revised Edition | 3ED | 208 | 1993 | Normal | White | Amy Weber | |
| 8 | 1994-06-21 | Summer Magic / Edgar | SUM | 208 | 1993 | Normal | White | Amy Weber | |
| 9 | 1995-04-01 | Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border | 4BB | 258 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Amy Weber | |
| 10 | 1995-04-01 | Fourth Edition | 4ED | 258 | 1993 | Normal | White | Amy Weber | |
| 11 | 2022-11-28 | 30th Anniversary Edition | 30A | 203 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Amy Weber | |
| 12 | 2022-11-28 | 30th Anniversary Edition | 30A | 500 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Amy Weber |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Lifelace has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Oldschool | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |