Reinforcements MTG Card
1996-06-10 - Number 12b
1996-06-10 - Number 12a
2006-07-21 - Number 12b
2008-09-22 - Number 28
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Instant |
Text of card
Put up to three target creature cards from your graveyard on top of your library in any order.
"Let them send their legions! I will show them that my truth is stronger than their swords." —General Varchild
Cards like Reinforcements
Reinforcements, a tactical spell within the army of MTG cards, finds its kinship with many other white spells designed to bolster forces on the battlefield. Comparable to cards like Raise the Alarm, Reinforcements summons creatures to your side. However, while Raise the Alarm generates two 1/1 white Soldier creature tokens upon casting, Reinforcements calls on any three creatures from your graveyard, offering a restorative angle to your army’s strategy.
Another parallel can be drawn with the card Sun Titan, which also breathes life into your fallen creatures. Sun Titan has the prowess to bring back a creature with a converted mana cost of three or less from your graveyard to the battlefield every time it attacks or enters the battlefield. This reanimation potency is continuous, whereas Reinforcements is a one-time chance to amass your forces.
Ultimately, when considering the strategic depth and utility that such cards can provide, Reinforcements stands out with its potential to deliver a surge of power from the graveyard, offering a strategic comeback in the late game which many similar cards cannot match.
Cards similar to Reinforcements by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Reinforcements shines by letting players effectively increase their army, maximizing their presence on the battlefield while conserving cards in hand. It’s the kind of strategic play that can tip the scales in your favor, especially when you’re in a position where each creature counts.
Resource Acceleration: By putting creatures directly onto the battlefield, Reinforcements bypasses the usual mana costs associated with casting multiple creatures. This can save valuable resources, allowing you to deploy other strategies or hold up mana for crucial reactive plays.
Instant Speed: This card’s ability to be played at instant speed offers significant tactical advantages. This means you can wait until the most opportune moment to surprise your opponent, such as during the combat phase or in response to an opponent’s spell that threatens your board state.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One notable drawback of the Reinforcements card is the mandatory discard of a card from your hand to deploy its effect. For players already at a card disadvantage, this could exacerbate the situation by diminishing their options even further.
Specific Mana Cost: Reinforcements necessitates a very specific mana composition for its activation. The card requires white mana which might not readily be available in multicolored or non-white decks, potentially constraining its versatility and ease of casting in a wider array of strategies.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With its mana cost leaning on the higher side for its effect, players may ponder over its cost-effectiveness. Given that the card produces a one-time effect of returning creature cards from your graveyard to your hand, there are alternative cards that might provide more impact or efficiency for a similar or lower mana investment.
Reasons to Include Reinforcements in Your Collection
Versatility: Reinforcements offers players the unique utility of bringing creatures back from the graveyard to the battlefield at a critical juncture. This makes it a suitable addition for decks that thrive on maintaining a robust board presence.
Combo Potential: For those interested in intricate gameplay, Reinforcements pairs well with cards that benefit from multiple creatures entering the battlefield simultaneously, potentially unlocking powerful synergies and combo plays.
Meta-Relevance: In an environment where creature-based strategies dominate, having Reinforcements could be a tactical move. It can quickly turn the tide of battle by amassing a sudden defense or overwhelming offence when least expected by your opponent.
How to Beat
Reinforcements might not be the flashiest card in a game of Magic: The Gathering, but it can swing the tide of battle by bringing back creatures from the graveyard to your hand. It’s a card that exemplifies strategy and timing, ensuring you have the right creatures to resurrect when you need them the most. To outplay an opponent wielding this card, you need to anticipate their moves and disrupt their graveyard.
One effective tactic is to utilize graveyard hate cards, like Rest in Peace or Relic of Progenitus, which can clear out the graveyard before the opponent has the chance to use Reinforcements. You could also go the counter spell route, with options like Cancel or Mana Leak to stop Reinforcements before it even resolves. Lastly, consider the timing of board wipes, since players often leverage Reinforcements after one. Clearing the board when they’re low on cards could prevent them from taking full advantage of the card’s potential.
By understanding the environment Reinforcements thrives in and preparing with precise tools to dismantle that environment, you can ensure that this card doesn’t become an obstacle you can’t overcome. Keep your answers ready, and Reinforcements will just be another card on the battlefield.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Reinforcements MTG card by a specific set like Alliances and Alliances, 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 Reinforcements 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 Reinforcements Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 1996-06-10 and 2008-09-22. Illustrated by Diana Vick.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1996-06-10 | Alliances | ALL | 12b | 1993 | Normal | Black | Diana Vick | |
| 2 | 1996-06-10 | Alliances | ALL | 12a | 1993 | Normal | Black | Diana Vick | |
| 3 | 2006-07-21 | Coldsnap Theme Decks | CST | 12b | 2003 | Normal | Black | Diana Vick | |
| 4 | 2008-09-22 | Masters Edition II | ME2 | 28 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Diana Vick |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Reinforcements has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Reinforcements card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2004-10-04 | You have to show which creature cards you put on top of your library, but not the order you put them there. |