Spoils of War MTG Card

Provides card advantage through resource accumulation, crucial for gaining an upper hand in matches. Instant speed allows for flexible and strategic play, enhancing reactive game tactics. Demands careful deck construction due to specific mana and discard costs that impact playability.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	1
Rarity	Rare
Type	Sorcery
Released	1995-06-03
Set symbol
Set name	Ice Age
Set code	ICE
Number	164
Frame	1993
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Pete Venters

Text of card

Put X +1/+1 counters on any number of target creatures, distributed any way you choose, where X is equal to the number of creatures and artifacts in target opponent's graveyard.

"This is the fun part!" —Ib Halfheart, Goblin Tactician

Cards like Spoils of War

The Spoils of War card is an intriguing piece in the puzzle of resource advantage strategies within Magic: The Gathering. While similar to cards like Armillary Sphere in their ability to exchange positions and improve card quality within the deck, Spoils of War offers a nuanced difference. Unlike Armillary Sphere, which simply retrieves lands from the deck, Spoils of War can potentially disrupt the opponent’s strategy while bolstering one’s own arsenal.

Exploring comparable mechanics, we encounter Blight and Thistle, both of which manipulate the battlefield in one’s favor. However, Spoils of War’s unique blend of disruption and resource enhancement gives it an edge in the mid-game scenarios where maintaining momentum is crucial. Blight and Thistle may target resources more aggressively, but lack the subtlety and strategic depth brought by Spoils of War.

To encapsulate, Spoils of War finds its niche among MTG cards that pivot on the fine line between resource management and tactical board impact. Its distinctive approach to enhancing one’s position while imposing hindrance on an opponent allows for sophisticated playmaking that goes beyond the scope of its counterparts.

Cards similar to Spoils of War by color, type and mana cost

Bloodcurdling Scream - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Spoils of War card offers a clever way to tip the scales in your favor by providing an opportunity to pull ahead in resources. With each clash won, the card can potentially multiply the assets available to you, leading to an overwhelming advantage.

Resource Acceleration: The ability to churn out additional artifacts with this card is not to be underestimated. The generated Clue and Treasure tokens serve as excellent means for ramping up your mana pool, enabling faster and more impactful plays as the game progresses.

Instant Speed: The flexibility offered by instant speed cannot be overstated. Having Spoils of War at the ready permits strategic players to navigate complex battles, waiting for the opportune moment to turn the tide without sacrificing their turn to play other spells.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Spoils of War card demands that you discard a card, which could be a drawback when you’re already struggling with a depleted hand. This cost could potentially leave you at a disadvantage against opponents with fuller grips.

Specific Mana Cost: Spoils of War has a color-intensive mana requirement, needing both generic and colored mana to cast. This might make it difficult to incorporate into multicolor decks that don’t have a strong focus on the card’s color identity.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The card comes with a moderately high mana cost which might make it challenging to play in the early game. This could negatively impact its versatility, especially when quicker options are available for gaining similar advantages on the battlefield.

Reasons to Include Spoils of War in Your Collection

Versatility: Spoils of War offers flexibility for various deck builds with its ability to manipulate counters and accommodate strategies that thrive on interactive plays.

Combo Potential: This card works harmoniously with mechanics that proliferate or benefit from the addition and shifting of counters on permanents, opening up an array of combo avenues.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta that celebrates intricate counter interactions and aggressive strategies, Spoils of War can become a game-changer, adeptly tipping the scales in your favor.

How to beat

Spoils of War is an intriguing force in the world of MTG, celebrated for its potential to tip the scales in a match by exploiting the number of artifacts players own. Much akin to Attrition, it allows a player to leverage what’s already on the board, but it holds a unique position as it specifically targets artifacts, thereby nudging players to ponder their artifact count.

To outmaneuver the impact of Spoils of War, consider reducing your reliance on artifacts or implementing strategies that restrict your opponent’s ability to benefit from the card. Implementing cards like Stony Silence can neutralize the effectiveness of artifacts, while holding back on playing artifacts until Spoils of War has been used could minimize its potential effects. Merely being mindful of its presence in your opponent’s arsenal can influence your play style and decision-making, ensuring that when it lands, its impact is significantly blunted.

Thus, understanding not only your own strategy but also your opponent’s possible plays is key to maintaining control over the battlefield. Spoils of War demands respect, but by careful manipulation of the board state and prudent use of resources, its influence can be mitigated, keeping you in command of the game’s outcome.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Spoils of War MTG card by a specific set like Ice Age, 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 Spoils of War and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Spoils of War has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Premodern	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2008-08-01	X is set as you cast the spell to be exactly the number of appropriate cards in an opponent’s graveyard. You can’t choose a higher or lower value for X.