Strength of Cedars MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Instant — Arcane |
| Released | 2004-10-01 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Champions of Kamigawa |
| Set code | CHK |
| Number | 245 |
| Frame | 2003 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Edward P. Beard, Jr. |
Text of card
Target creature gets +X/+X until end of turn, where X is the number of lands you control.
"No sooner had the beast collapsed under the blows of Takeno's sword than the earth rippled and the creature rose again to face him." —*Battle of Akagi River: A Survivor's Tale*
Cards like Strength of Cedars
Strength of Cedars is an intriguing option in Magic the Gathering for players looking to boost a creature’s power unexpectedly during the late game. It shares traits with Overrun, a well-known card that provides creatures with a power and toughness increase. While Overrun offers a uniform boost and trample to all creatures you control, Strength of Cedars targets a single creature but scales with the number of lands you control, potentially turning even the smallest creature into a colossal threat.
Comparable cards include Giant Growth, a staple that offers a cost-efficient, instant power boost. While Giant Growth can be a swift game-changer early on, Strength of Cedars shines in the endgame where land count is high. Another akin card is Titanic Growth, which provides a solid +4/+4 to a creature. Titanic Growth falls between the immediacy of Giant Growth and the late-game potential of Strength of Cedars, balancing power increase with timing.
In summary, Strength of Cedars stands out among creature buff spells for its land-based scaling power, potentially offering unparalleled late-game advantage. For players with a strategy to ramp up land count, it can be a game-ending surprise against unsuspecting opponents.
Cards similar to Strength of Cedars by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: While Strength of Cedars doesn’t directly allow you to draw cards, it provides a significant power boost that can turn a regular creature into a formidable threat, potentially resulting in a favorable trade-off or outright game win. This could indirectly translate into card advantage by overpowering the opponent’s resources with a single creature.
Resource Acceleration: Though not a direct source of resource acceleration, Strength of Cedars’ true potential is unlocked when you have substantial mana available. It shines in decks designed to ramp up quickly, allowing you to capitalize on having excess lands to dramatically enhance a creature’s power.
Instant Speed: The true strength of Strength of Cedars lies in its instant speed, enabling surprise shifts in power during combat. This tactical advantage often leads to advantageous trades or unexpected lethal damage, forcing the opponent to reconsider their actions whenever you have open mana and cards in hand.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One notable downside to utilizing the Strength of Cedars is the necessity to have the card in your hand when your creature attacks. This requirement can hamper your strategy if you’re facing a deck that pressures you to maintain card advantage.
Specific Mana Cost: The card demands one green mana within its casting cost, making it most suitable for mono-green or heavy green-based decks. Players running multicolored decks may find it challenging to ensure the right mana is available right when they need it.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that encompasses a total of four mana to fully utilize its potential, this card can put you at a significant tempo disadvantage against opponents playing more cost-efficient creatures and spells. In competitive play where every mana point counts, there may be other alternatives to provide a better return on investment within your deck strategy.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Strength of Cedars offers adaptability in decks that capitalize on land count and strive to execute massive creature swings, fitting into green-based ramp or aggro strategies effectively.
Combo Potential: With its instant speed, it can be a surprise factor, potentially turning an unassuming creature into a lethal threat or collaborating with cards that track the number of spells you’ve cast or the power of creatures.
Meta-Relevance: For players facing off against decks that struggle to block or remove large creatures, Strength of Cedars could be a game-changer, providing the necessary oomph to close out a match before the opponent stabilizes.
How to beat
Confronting the card Strength of Cedars in Magic: The Gathering can present a unique challenge given its potential to drastically amplify a creature’s power. This green Instant is known for its classic ‘pump’ effect which scales with the number of lands you have in play, potentially turning an unassuming creature into a game-ending threat. To effectively counter this card, maintaining a strategic stance is crucial.
One approach is controlling the battlefield with removal spells before the combat phase or in response to the Strength of Cedars being cast. Another reliable strategy is to keep counter spells at hand, ready to neutralize it before it can affect the board state. Hand disruption tactics can also strip it from an opponent’s grip before they have the opportunity to use it, mitigating the risk early on.
Ultimately, staying vigilant about your opponent’s land count and potential for a sudden surge in power through cards like Strength of Cedars will guide you to victory. Keeping your defenses up and staying one step ahead of such explosive plays would solidify your position and enhance your chances against the surprise that this card can bring to the battlefield.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Strength of Cedars MTG card by a specific set like Champions of Kamigawa, 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 Strength of Cedars 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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Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Strength of Cedars has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |