Parallel Lives MTG Card
Card sets | Released in 5 setsSee all |
Mana cost | |
Converted mana cost | 4 |
Rarity | Rare |
Type | Enchantment |
Text of card
If an effect would put one or more tokens onto the battlefield under your control, it puts twice that many of those tokens onto the battlefield instead.
"There will come a time when the only prey left will be each other." —Ulrich of Krallenhorde Pack
Cards like Parallel Lives
Within the rich tapestry of Magic: The Gathering, the Parallel Lives card shines as a powerhouse in token strategies. Guided by the same enchantment vein, Anointed Procession emerges as its counterpart from the Amonkhet set. While Parallel Lives doubles the number of tokens for green-aligned decks, Anointed Procession caters to white-aligned strategies, essentially serving the same doubling effect but across different color identities.
Both Doubling Season and Primal Vigor closely mirror the abilities of Parallel Lives but extend their influence beyond tokens to include counters, making them exceptionally versatile. Doubling Season, albeit at a higher mana cost, combines the impact of Parallel Lives and Anointed Procession, offering a significant advantage to decks that exploit both tokens and counters. Primal Vigor, while offering the doubling boon for any player, provides a delicate balance of risk and reward, demanding strategic deployment.
All these cards exemplify the extraordinary effects of token multiplication in MTG. Although Parallel Lives exclusively affects the control player’s tokens without stretching into other aspects like counters or enemy tokens, its focused strength makes it a valuable piece in decks constructed around creating a vast quantity of tokens.
Cards similar to Parallel Lives by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Parallel Lives. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
# | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
---|---|---|---|---|
Four-color Zoo | Gladiator | Sword and Sandals Showdown: AM Week 08 2024 |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: With Parallel Lives on the battlefield, you effectively double your output on any tokens generated, massively increasing your potential card advantage without expending additional resources.
Resource Acceleration: This enchantment acts as a catalyst for resource acceleration, as it can amplify effects that produce mana tokens, thereby enhancing your ability to cast more spells quicker.
Instant Speed: While not an instant itself, the presence of Parallel Lives can complement strategies involving instant-speed token generation, turning a modest response into an overwhelming force at a moment’s notice.
Card Cons
Specific Mana Cost: Parallel Lives requires a precise combination of mana to play, demanding both generic and green mana. This could potentially restrict its integration within decks that are not heavily focused on green or lack the necessary mana-fixing capabilities to accommodate it effectively.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a cost of four mana, including three generic and one green, Parallel Lives sits at a point on the mana curve where players are looking to make impactful plays. This cost might compete with other significant game-changing four-mana spells or creatures players wish to cast, making it a tough choice at crucial moments of the game.
Discard Requirement: While Parallel Lives itself does not impose a discard requirement, it indirectly influences hand management. To make the most out of its ability to duplicate tokens, players might find themselves retaining token-generating cards in hand until Parallel Lives can be played, which could lead to a less efficient use of resources in the meanwhile.
Reasons to Include Parallel Lives in Your Collection
Versatility: Parallel Lives is an enchantment that can seamlessly integrate into a variety of deck archetypes. Its ability to double the number of tokens you create makes it an invaluable card for any token-based strategy, be it creating creatures, treasures, or clues.
Combo Potential: The card’s capacity to enhance token-based combinations is immense. Integrating it into a deck with token synergies can lead to explosive plays, turning an otherwise modest board state into a dominating force.
Meta-Relevance: In an environment where tokens are a prevalent strategy, Parallel Lives shines as a cornerstone card. Its effect can significantly bolster your board presence, making it harder for opponents to maintain control and allowing you to capitalize on token-generating effects to their full potential.
How to beat
Parallel Lives is a card that stands out in MTG for its ability to effectively double the number of tokens players create. This doubling effect can quickly overwhelm opponents who are unprepared. To tackle this challenge, having the right strategy is crucial. One effective method is to use card removal spells that can directly target and destroy enchantments, such as Disenchant, Oblivion Ring, or Mortify.
Another approach is to take a more aggressive stance. You could employ a strategy focused on controlling the board by using sweepers like Wrath of God or Damnation to reset the playing field, ensuring that the tokens never have a chance to build up. Additionally, employing counterspells such as Negate or Cancel can prevent Parallel Lives from ever hitting the board, cutting the problem at the root.
Lastly, focusing on direct player attacks can also be a winning move. This can be achieved through fast, aggressive creature strategies or combo finishes that outpace the token-generating value Parallel Lives represents. By combining these tools, you’ll have a fighting chance of neutralizing the impressive multiplying power of Parallel Lives and steering the game towards your victory.
BurnMana Recommendations
Doubling tokens with Parallel Lives can be your game-changer, transforming a good position into a winning one. This enchantment is a prized asset for players who love to see their board flourish with tokens. If you’re looking to make the most of token generators or seeking a pivotal card for your green deck, Parallel Lives is worth considering. For those ready to harness its potential—or wanting to defend against it—we have deeper insights and strategies. Join us to dive into the nuances of this card, ensuring you’re well-equipped for your next clash in the enchanting world of MTG.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Parallel Lives MTG card by a specific set like Innistrad and Jumpstart: Historic Horizons, 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 Parallel Lives 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
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Printings
The Parallel Lives Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2011-09-30 and 2023-09-08. Illustrated by 3 different artists.
# | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2011-09-30 | Innistrad | ISD | 199 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Steve Prescott | |
2 | 2021-08-26 | Jumpstart: Historic Horizons | J21 | 615 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Steve Prescott | |
3 | 2023-09-08 | Wilds of Eldraine: Enchanting Tales | WOT | 103 | 2015 | Normal | Borderless | BODAX | |
4 | 2023-09-08 | Wilds of Eldraine: Enchanting Tales | WOT | 58 | 2015 | Normal | Borderless | Lander Strijbol | |
5 | 2023-09-08 | Wilds of Eldraine: Enchanting Tales | WOT | 83 | 2015 | Normal | Borderless | BODAX |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Parallel Lives has restrictions
Format | Legality |
---|---|
Historicbrawl | Legal |
Commander | Legal |
Historic | Legal |
Legacy | Legal |
Modern | Legal |
Oathbreaker | Legal |
Vintage | Legal |
Duel | Legal |
Gladiator | Legal |
Penny | Legal |
Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Parallel Lives card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
Date | Text |
---|---|
2011-09-22 | All of the tokens enter the battlefield simultaneously. They’ll have the same name, color, type and subtype, abilities, power, toughness, and so on. |
2011-09-22 | If the effect creating the tokens instructs you to do something with those tokens at a later time, like exiling them at the end of combat, you’ll do that for all the tokens. |
2011-09-22 | If the effect is putting more than one kind of token onto the battlefield, it’ll put twice as many of each kind onto the battlefield. For example, if you cast Bestial Menace while controlling Parallel Lives, you’ll put two Snake tokens, two Wolf tokens, and two Elephant tokens onto the battlefield. |
2011-09-22 | If you control two Parallel Lives, then the number of tokens created is four times the original number. If you control three, then the number of tokens created is eight times the original number, and so on. |