Rally the Forces MTG Card


Rally the Forces - Mirrodin Besieged
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityCommon
TypeInstant
Released2011-02-04
Set symbol
Set nameMirrodin Besieged
Set codeMBS
Number73
Frame2003
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred bySteven Belledin

Key Takeaways

  1. Rally the Forces accelerates your board presence by offering instant, cost-effective power and toughness boosts.
  2. The card demands strategic hand management due to its discard condition, which may impact resource availability.
  3. Its versatility and combo potential make it a formidable addition to aggressive, creature-focused MTG strategies.

Text of card

Attacking creatures get +1/+0 and gain first strike until end of turn.

"Drive them back! Make their underworld into their grave!" —Koth of the Hammer


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Rally the Forces is a strategic addition to your deck as it empowers you by bolstering your army. This card enriches your game plan by allowing you to swell the ranks of your attackers or bolster your defenders, effectively overwhelming your opponent and creating pivotal shifts in control.

Resource Acceleration: The inherent power of Rally the Forces lies in its capacity to provide a substantial boost with minimal expenditure. By only using one card, you gain a significant increase in your forces’ strength and toughness, potentially turning the tide of an otherwise balanced matchup by amplifying the potential of each individual creature.

Instant Speed: The surprise element of Rally the Forces, due to its instant speed, can turn it into a game-changing combat trick. Not only does it provide the benefit of enhancing your creatures unexpectedly, but it also allows for tactical flexibility, keeping your opponents guessing and enabling you to make decisive moves in response to their actions.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Rally the Forces requires you to discard a card as part of its casting cost. In situations where you’re carefully managing your hand or attempting to maintain card advantage, this prerequisite could set you back by decreasing your available options during critical moments in the game.

Specific Mana Cost: Coming with a specific mana cost that includes red, Rally the Forces demands a dedicated color commitment. This limits its integration mainly to red-oriented decks or those that can comfortably meet the mana requirement without being stretched too thin on their mana base.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: When assessing the cost against the benefits it provides, the mana investment for Rally the Forces can be seen as steep. There are alternative cards that might provide similar benefits, such as rallying creatures or boosting their abilities, at a lower or more flexible mana cost, potentially offering better synergies or cost-to-benefit ratios for your strategy.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Rally the Forces is flexible enough to be used in a variety of deck builds, particularly those that focus on creature strategies or go wide tactics, multiplying the effects with each attacking creature.

Combo Potential: This card excels in situations where you have numerous creatures, potentially turning an even board state into a favorable one, or amplifying existing synergies with cards that benefit from attacking creatures or red instant spells.

Meta-Relevance: In a game state where aggressive strategies are prominent, Rally the Forces can tip scales in your favor, especially by enhancing each individual creature’s impact during combat phases.


How to beat

Rally the Forces is a versatile combat trick in the realm of Magic: The Gathering. It’s an instant spell that grants your attacking creatures a +1/+1 boost until the end of the turn for a small mana investment. This can turn the tide of battle unexpectedly, making it a formidable card to face during combat.

To overcome this card, timing is everything. One strategy is to employ instant-speed removal spells or abilities when your opponent casts Rally the Forces. This can disrupt their combat plans and mitigate the temporary power increase. Counterspell effects are also effective; by countering Rally the Forces, you protect your board state from being overwhelmed. Moreover, cards that prevent damage or deathtouch creatures can also serve as a tactical defense, absorbing the buff without significant loss.

In essence, maintaining control of the board and being prepared to interact during the combat phase is key. By keeping mana open for responses and understanding when to strike or hold back, you can effectively neutralize the advantage Rally the Forces offers and secure your position in the game.


Cards like Rally the Forces

Rally the Forces is a card that echoes the themes of unity and bolstering your troops in Magic: The Gathering. It’s akin to other red instant spells that boost your creatures’ abilities, such as Trumpet Blast, which affords attacking creatures an uptick in power. Yet, Rally the Forces provides an additional edge, granting both +1/+1 and First Strike until end of turn, enabling even your smallest units to become significant threats during combat.

Comparing it with Make a Stand, another card that affects multiple creatures, provides us with an intriguing perspective. Both instants give a temporary power increase, but Make a Stand offers a permanent boost and indestructible, protecting your board from most destructive spells and effects. Conversely, Rally the Forces is more combat-centric, sharpening your attacking creatures for a crucial turn.

Evaluating Rally the Forces among its peers highlights its niche as a combat trick that has the potential to turn the tides of a battle. Its capacity to amplify threats and create advantageous combat scenarios can be a game-changer in MTG, similar to how Make a Stand can serve as a shield against a sweeping blow.

Trumpet Blast - MTG Card versions
Make a Stand - MTG Card versions
Trumpet Blast - Urza's Destiny (UDS)
Make a Stand - Oath of the Gatewatch (OGW)

Cards similar to Rally the Forces by color, type and mana cost

Solfatara - MTG Card versions
Urza's Rage - MTG Card versions
Char - MTG Card versions
Chaos Warp - MTG Card versions
Seething Song - MTG Card versions
Unforge - MTG Card versions
Aura Barbs - MTG Card versions
Path of Anger's Flame - MTG Card versions
Fiery Temper - MTG Card versions
Orcish Cannonade - MTG Card versions
Fatal Frenzy - MTG Card versions
Seismic Strike - MTG Card versions
Staggershock - MTG Card versions
Flames of the Blood Hand - MTG Card versions
Brimstone Volley - MTG Card versions
Downhill Charge - MTG Card versions
Trumpet Blast - MTG Card versions
Annihilating Fire - MTG Card versions
Massive Raid - MTG Card versions
Volt Charge - MTG Card versions
Solfatara - Visions (VIS)
Urza's Rage - Strixhaven Mystical Archive (STA)
Char - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Chaos Warp - Fallout (PIP)
Seething Song - Mirrodin (MRD)
Unforge - Darksteel (DST)
Aura Barbs - Betrayers of Kamigawa (BOK)
Path of Anger's Flame - Saviors of Kamigawa (SOK)
Fiery Temper - Jumpstart: Historic Horizons (J21)
Orcish Cannonade - Time Spiral (TSP)
Fatal Frenzy - Planar Chaos (PLC)
Seismic Strike - Duel Decks: Knights vs. Dragons (DDG)
Staggershock - Iconic Masters (IMA)
Flames of the Blood Hand - Magic Online Theme Decks (TD0)
Brimstone Volley - Conspiracy (CNS)
Downhill Charge - Duel Decks: Venser vs. Koth (DDI)
Trumpet Blast - Masters 25 (A25)
Annihilating Fire - Return to Ravnica (RTR)
Massive Raid - Gatecrash (GTC)
Volt Charge - Duel Decks: Heroes vs. Monsters (DDL)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Rally the Forces MTG card by a specific set like Mirrodin Besieged, 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 Rally the Forces and other MTG cards:

Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See Magic products

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Rally the Forces has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

DateText
2011-06-01 Even though Rally the Forces affects only attacking creatures, the bonus will remain for the rest of the turn.
2011-06-01 If Rally the Forces is cast before attackers are declared or after combat ends, it won’t do anything.

Recent MTG decks

Continue exploring other format decks
More decks