March of Souls MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	5
Rarity	Rare
Type	Sorcery
Released	2001-02-05
Set symbol
Set name	Planeshift
Set code	PLS
Number	10
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Marc Fishman

Key Takeaways

Creates an advantage by transforming creatures into a multitude of Spirit tokens for tactical maneuvers.
Enables instant speed play, disrupting opponents’ plans while offering a surprise element in combat.
Serves as a versatile tool, fitting into various decks and synergizing with token-based strategies.

Text of card

Destroy all creatures. They can't be regenerated. For each creature destroyed this way, its controller puts a 1/1 white Spirit creature token with flying into play.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: March of Souls transforms each creature into a Spirit token upon resolution, which can lead to a significant net gain in card presence on the battlefield, giving players a considerable advantage particularly in token-focused strategies.

Resource Acceleration: Converting existing creatures into fresh tokens can be seen as a form of resource acceleration, as it bypasses the usual casting cost associated with deploying multiple creatures, bolstering your board state rapidly.

Instant Speed: The ability to play March of Souls at instant speed allows for reactive gameplay, letting players wait until the most opportune moment to disrupt the opponent’s strategy and maximize the card’s impact during combat or in response to an opponent’s actions.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: March of Souls demands you toss away another card to trigger its effect. In intense match-ups where each card in hand is crucial, this cost can be quite detrimental to maintaining your strategic advantage.

Specific Mana Cost: This card’s necessity for a specific arrangement of mana, including two white, can complicate its casting in a multi-color deck. This requirement might hinder its inclusion in decks that can’t reliably produce the needed colors.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Requiring a total of five mana, March of Souls is costlier compared to other board-wiping options. Deck builders might opt for more efficient spells that destabilize opponents without such a steep mana investment.

Reasons to Include March of Souls in Your Collection

Versatility: March of Souls can serve multiple roles within various deck archetypes. It can reset the board in creature-heavy matchups or be used as a strategic tool in token-based strategies, offering flexibility that adapts to your gameplay needs.

Combo Potential: This card excels in its ability to transform any number of creatures into Spirit tokens. These tokens can synergize with strategies that rely on creatures entering or leaving the battlefield, enabling powerful combos in both casual and competitive play.

Meta-Relevance: Against decks that rely on powerful, singular creatures, March of Souls acts as a potent equalizer. It provides a way to tip the scales, particularly in a meta where creature-based strategies dominate, making it a timely inclusion in your deck-building arsenal.

How to beat

The challenge of confronting March of Souls lies in its ability to transform your carefully cultivated board state into a flock of spirits. This powerful card can quickly turn the tide of a game by equalizing the playing field, particularly when you’ve established a creature advantage. To effectively counteract this, focus on strategies that emphasize resilience and recovery. Cards that provide value upon leaving the battlefield, such as creatures with “enters the battlefield” or “dies” triggers, minimize the impact of being turned into spirits.

Keep in mind that instant speed removals or sacrifice outlets allow you to respond to March of Souls, ensuring you reap benefits before your creatures transform. Including cards that can regenerate or return creatures from your graveyard to play helps you to re-establish your board after March of Souls resolves. Additionally, employing spells that limit spell casting or counter key spells can prevent March of Souls from ever taking effect, allowing you to maintain control over the board and steer the game towards victory.

Understanding the tempo and knowing when to commit or hold back your creatures will serve you well against decks featuring March of Souls. By adapting to the prospect of your foes marching to a different beat, you can outmaneuver them and secure your win.

Cards like March of Souls

March of Souls proves to be a thought-provoking addition to the suite of creature-based board wipes in Magic: The Gathering. It bears resemblance to cards like Day of Judgment or Wrath of God, which also sweep the board of creatures. Yet, March of Souls diverges with a unique twist – it transforms those fallen creatures into Spirit tokens for the controller. Wrath of God and Day of Judgment leave the battlefield completely clear, without offering such a consolation prize.

Another parallel can be drawn with Phyrexian Rebirth, which destroys all creatures and then provides a single large Horror creature token with power and toughness equal to the number destroyed. This shifts the aftermath of the wipe from a swarm of smaller bodies to one formidable creature. March of Souls, however, distributes the power across multiple tokens which can collectively bolster your defenses or turn the tide with a new army.

To wrap things up, when pondering the various creature wipe strategies available, March of Souls presents an interesting tactical play. Its ability to convert the loss of your creatures into an immediate field presence sets it apart, providing a strategic advantage for players looking to capitalize on board resets in Magic: The Gathering.

Cards similar to March of Souls by color, type and mana cost

Lonesome Unicorn // Rider in Need - MTG Card versions

Righteous Confluence - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase March of Souls MTG card by a specific set like Planeshift, 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 March of Souls and other MTG cards: