Symbiosis MTG Card

Card advantage and resource acceleration make Symbiosis a formidable force in MTG matches. Though powerful, the discard requirement and specific mana costs present tangible deck-building challenges. Symbiosis is versatile but must be balanced with other deck components to optimize its potential.

Urza's Saga (USG)
1998-10-12 - Number 275

Battle Royale Box Set (BRB)
1999-11-12 - Number 85

Card sets	Released in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Common
Type	Instant

Text of card

Two target creatures each get +2/+2 until end of turn.

Although the elves of Argoth always considered them a nuisance, the pixies made fine allies during the war against the machines.

Cards like Symbiosis

Symbiosis stands out in the category of creature buffing instants in MTG. It bears similarities to Giant Growth, one of the classic spells that boosts a creature’s power and toughness. While Giant Growth provides a consistent +3/+3 increase, Symbiosis offers a twist with its potential to affect two creatures, albeit with a smaller boost of +2/+2.

Another relative in this space is Invigorate. Like Symbiosis, Invigorate can significantly impact combat but does so without any mana cost, provided you give your opponent 3 life. This zero-cost alternative can be game-changing, especially when preserving mana for other spells.

Comparing these and other similar spells reveals Symbiosis as a versatile choice in MTG due to its dual-target capability. It doesn’t bestow quite the power punch of Giant Growth on a single creature, nor offer the surprise factor of a mana-free spell like Invigorate but strikes a balance between them. Ultimately, it provides players a unique option to simultaneously empower two allies on the battlefield.

Cards similar to Symbiosis by color, type and mana cost

Might of the Nephilim - MTG Card versions

Strength of the Tajuru - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Symbiosis shines in its potential to flood your hand with additional options. By triggering an effect that can draw you cards or manipulate the top of your library, you stay ahead in the arms race of resources.

Resource Acceleration: The nature of this spell can catalyze your mana production, enabling you to deploy bigger threats or multiple spells much earlier. This boost to your resource pool can be pivotal in outpacing opponents.

Instant Speed: The versatility of casting Symbiosis at instant speed cannot be overstated. It means you can adapt to the evolving battlefield on the fly, responding to threats or capitalizing on moments of weakness without missing a beat.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Symbiosis presents a trade-off by requiring the discard of another card upon casting. This could put you at a resource deficit, especially if your hand is already running thin.

Specific Mana Cost: For a green-aligned deck, the specific mana cost of Symbiosis doesn’t pose much of an issue, but it can be restrictive in multicolor decks that struggle with green mana consistency.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The mana investment needed to play Symbiosis could be a setback since it competes with other impactful game actions at a similar cost point.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Symbiosis offers strategic flexibility, as it seamlessly integrates with numerous deck archetypes. Whether you’re fortifying a creature-heavy strategy or looking for a card that helps develop your board presence early in the game, this card adapts to multiple situations with ease.

Combo Potential: This card unlocks significant combo opportunities, providing a bridge to powerful creature-based synergies. By instantly bolstering your creatures, it not only increases your offensive capacity but also can trigger a variety of abilities tied to creature strength or summoning.

Meta-Relevance: In a game environment where tempo and creature-based tactics are prevalent, Symbiosis holds its value. It plays a pivotal role in maintaining pace against aggressive decks, while also serving as a tool to outmaneuver control decks through rapid board development.

How to beat

Symbiosis is a unique enchantment in the vast world of Magic: The Gathering, where players often encounter numerous cards that create or benefit from synergies between creatures. This enchantment, specifically, could be challenging to face, as it bolsters the strength of creatures by sharing abilities or stats. To counteract Symbiosis effectively, pinpoint removal spells are crucial. Using cards like Murder to dismantle a key creature in the synergistic chain can collapse the entire setup. Additionally, board wipes like Wrath of God can sweep the field clean, disrupting the mutual enhancement the enchantment offers.

Apart from direct removal, countering the card before it lands on the battlefield is another strong strategy. Counterspells such as Counterspell or Negate can halt Symbiosis in its tracks, preventing any of its effects from taking place. Furthermore, enchantment removal is powerful too, with cards like Naturalize, allowing you to target and destroy Symbiosis directly, freeing your path from its lingering influence on the game. Staying one step ahead with pre-emptive measures, you can preserve your position and keep the match within your control.

When facing decks that utilize Symbiosis, keep calm, ready your answers, and remember that even the most intricate strategies have their Achilles’ heel. Disrupting key components, you can maintain the upper hand and secure your victory.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Symbiosis MTG card by a specific set like Urza's Saga and Battle Royale Box Set, 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 Symbiosis and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Symbiosis Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1998-10-12 and 1999-11-12. Illustrated by Jeff Miracola.

#	Released	Name	Code	Symbol	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	1998-10-12	Urza's Saga	USG		275	1997	Normal	Black	Jeff Miracola
2	1999-11-12	Battle Royale Box Set	BRB		85	1997	Normal	White	Jeff Miracola

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Symbiosis has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Premodern	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal
Penny	Legal