Primal Forcemage MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 5 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Elf Shaman
Power 2
Toughness 2

Key Takeaways

  1. Increases creature power upon entry, maximizing value from each creature card played in MTG.
  2. Accelerates game pace by boosting creatures, applying quick pressure to opponents.
  3. Enhances instant speed creatures, offering dynamic and potentially game-altering interactions.

Text of card

Whenever another creature enters the battlefield under your control, that creature gets +3/+3 until end of turn.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Primal Forcemage can fundamentally shift the state of your hand and battlefield. When you summon creatures after the Forcemage is in play, they enter with an extra burst of power, effectively getting more value out of each creature card played.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly influencing your mana pool, Primal Forcemage speeds up the pace of your game by boosting creatures the moment they hit the field. This acceleration means you’re able to apply pressure, and potentially end games, quicker than usual.

Instant Speed: Although Primal Forcemage operates at sorcery speed, its effect benefits creatures that can be cast at instant speed. Flash creatures entering during an opponent’s turn get the Forcemage’s bonus, making for unexpected and potentially game-changing interactions.


Card Cons

Specific Mana Cost: Primal Forcemage requires a specific combination of one green and two generic mana. This restricts it to green-centric or two-color decks, which may not be viable in all playstyles or meta environments.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although three mana might not seem very high, in the aggressive decks where Primal Forcemage shines, each turn is critical, and the commitment to three mana on a single creature can be a setback, especially if the player is unable to utilize its ability immediately.

Discard Requirement: Unlike some utility creatures, Primal Forcemage doesn’t have an innate disadvantage like discard; however, it’s worth noting that its benefit is linked to the presence of other creatures. Without other creatures entering the battlefield, its ability is dormant, which could be considered an indirect “discard” of potential if you’re not playing a creature-heavy strategy.


Reasons to Include Primal Forcemage in Your Collection

Versatility: Primal Forcemage has a unique function that seamlessly integrates into decks revolving around creatures. This green card rewards you for playing creatures, buffing them as they enter the battlefield, which can be a significant advantage in creature-heavy decks or green-based aggro strategies.

Combo Potential: Its ability to instantly increase a creature’s power opens up numerous synergies, especially with cards that create creature tokens or those that have effects when dealing damage. Imagine the impact of an additional +3/+0 on creatures with trample or with “enters the battlefield” effects.

Meta-Relevance: Given that creature-based strategies are almost always present in various metagames, including those that value tempo and aggro, the Primal Forcemage can be a powerful inclusion. When timed right, it can shift the board state in your favor, making it a card worth considering for your green deck builds.


How to beat

Primal Forcemage is a unique creature in Magic: The Gathering with a significant impact on gameplay due to its ability to grant extra power to other creatures as they enter the battlefield. In facing this card, it’s essential to disrupt this synergy early. Removing the Forcemage before a summoning surge is key. Targeted removal spells that can take care of this three-mana creature efficiently include Shock, Fatal Push, and Path to Exile.

Controlling the board is another effective strategy. Board wipes such as Wrath of God or Doomskar can reset the playing field, nullifying the Forcemage’s influence. Lastly, counter play is an excellent strategy. Deny the spell before it even takes effect with counterspells like Mana Leak or Dovin’s Veto. Keeping the Forcemage from sticking to the field can severely hinder an opponent’s strategy, especially in decks designed to exploit creature cast triggers. By staying one step ahead with removal or counters, you can mitigate the Forcemage’s potential impact and maintain control over the game.


Cards like Primal Forcemage

Primal Forcemage serves as a unique enhancer in MTG, bolstering creatures as they arrive on the battlefield. It’s easy to draw parallels with other cards like Thunderstaff, which also increases the power of your creatures, but it does so as they attack, not when they enter play. This timing difference can make Primal Forcemage crucial for triggering “enters the battlefield” effects with an extra punch.

Another card worthy of comparison is the Obelisk of Urd. While it broadly grants a boost to creatures of the chosen type, this comes without the immediate impact offered by Primal Forcemage, taking a more long-term strategy approach. On the flip side, Primal Forcemage’s effect is temporary and only applies to creatures entering the battlefield, not those already in play.

In assessing these interactions, Primal Forcemage stands out for its capacity to immediately influence the board state, presenting a strong option for decks that rely on a chain of creature deployments. This instant power surge can be leveraged for aggressive strategies, distinguishing it in the MTG realm as a card that synergizes fluidly with creatures that have impactful entrance abilities.

Thunderstaff - MTG Card versions
Obelisk of Urd - MTG Card versions
Thunderstaff - Darksteel (DST)
Obelisk of Urd - Magic 2015 (M15)

Cards similar to Primal Forcemage by color, type and mana cost

Cat Warriors - MTG Card versions
Rysorian Badger - MTG Card versions
Sabertooth Cobra - MTG Card versions
Quirion Druid - MTG Card versions
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Hungry Hungry Heifer - MTG Card versions
Titania's Chosen - MTG Card versions
Taoist Mystic - MTG Card versions
Femeref Archers - MTG Card versions
Lydari Druid - MTG Card versions
Steel Leaf Champion - MTG Card versions
Realmwalker - MTG Card versions
Topiary Stomper - MTG Card versions
Territorial Scythecat - MTG Card versions
Wirewood Savage - MTG Card versions
Reki, the History of Kamigawa - MTG Card versions
Timberwatch Elf - MTG Card versions
Pincher Beetles - MTG Card versions
Yavimaya Elder - MTG Card versions
Awakener Druid - MTG Card versions
Cat Warriors - Legends (LEG)
Rysorian Badger - Homelands (HML)
Sabertooth Cobra - Mirage (MIR)
Quirion Druid - Visions (VIS)
Spike Feeder - Stronghold (STH)
Hungry Hungry Heifer - Unglued (UGL)
Titania's Chosen - Urza's Saga (USG)
Taoist Mystic - Portal Three Kingdoms (PTK)
Femeref Archers - Seventh Edition (7ED)
Lydari Druid - Sega Dreamcast Cards (PSDG)
Steel Leaf Champion - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Realmwalker - The Lost Caverns of Ixalan Commander (LCC)
Topiary Stomper - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Territorial Scythecat - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Wirewood Savage - Onslaught (ONS)
Reki, the History of Kamigawa - Saviors of Kamigawa (SOK)
Timberwatch Elf - Salvat 2005 (PSAL)
Pincher Beetles - Tenth Edition (10E)
Yavimaya Elder - Mystery Booster (MB1)
Awakener Druid - Magic 2011 (M11)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Primal Forcemage MTG card by a specific set like Salvat 2005 and Salvat 2005, 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 Primal Forcemage and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Primal Forcemage Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2005-08-22 and 2021-03-19. Illustrated by Jeff Miracola.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12005-08-22Salvat 2005PSAL I392003normalwhiteJeff Miracola
22005-08-22Salvat 2005PSAL I402003normalwhiteJeff Miracola
32005-08-22Salvat 2005PSAL I522003normalwhiteJeff Miracola
42006-10-06Time SpiralTSP 2122003normalblackJeff Miracola
52021-03-19Time Spiral RemasteredTSR 2252015normalblackJeff Miracola

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Primal Forcemage has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

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