Omen of the Forge MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Common
Type	Enchantment
Abilities	Scry, Flash
Released	2020-01-24
Set symbol
Set name	Theros Beyond Death
Set code	THB
Number	145
Frame	2015
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Piotr Dura

Key Takeaways

Omen of the Forge pairs direct damage with tactical ‘Scry 2,’ offering both immediate impact and future play setup.
Theros Beyond Death synergy and instant speed make it a versatile pick for red mana curve and instant responses.
Despite a higher casting cost, its strategic value in the meta can outweigh comparisons with simpler burn spells.

Guide to Flash card ability

Explore the dynamic Flash ability in Magic: The Gathering (MTG), a feature that allows you to cast spells at lightning speed, often leaving your opponents reeling and your strategy several steps ahead. This versatile ability can turn the tide of a game, providing the element of surprise and tactical advantage. It places a premium on timing and foresight, transforming an ordinary deck into a formidable arsenal of instant threats and responses.

Text of card

Flash When Omen of the Forge enters the battlefield, it deals 2 damage to any target. , Sacrifice Omen of the Forge: Scry 2.

"My time will come, when all the world will be reforged in the fires of my invention."

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Omen of the Forge brings a tactical edge to the battlefield by offering direct damage to any target. What sets it apart is the added benefit of the ‘Scry 2’ ability upon entering the battlefield, providing valuable deck manipulation to set up future draws. This combination can be a crucial swing in maintaining card quality over mere quantity.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly impacting mana resources, Omen of the Forge operates efficiently within a red mana curve. Its moderate casting cost can impact the board early on, enabling a swift response to threats. Plus, being part of the Theros Beyond Death set, it adds to the escape mechanic synergy, fueling your graveyard for later game strategies.

Instant Speed: The immediate impact of instant-speed spells cannot be overstated, and Omen of the Forge exemplifies this by offering flexible timing for casting. This ensures you can respond at a moment’s notice to eliminate key creatures or finalize a game with direct damage to your opponent, all while keeping up the momentum during critical turns.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Omen of the Forge doesn’t require a discard, it still presents a challenge in managing your hand effectively if you’re trying to trigger its escape cost, demanding a strategic assessment of the cards you’re willing to sacrifice from your graveyard.

Specific Mana Cost: Requiring a precise mana combination of one red and two generic mana, Omen of the Forge may not seamlessly fit into decks that struggle with mana flexibility, potentially causing a snag in your mana curve if the land spread isn’t just right.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that may seem steep for its immediate effect, some players argue that Omen of the Forge’s initial impact is overshadowed by other lower-cost removal options, potentially relegating it to a situational choice rather than a staple in deck construction.

Reasons to Include Omen of the Forge in Your Collection

Versatility: Omen of the Forge is not just a direct damage card; it’s a flexible tool for red decks. The flash enchantment can be cast on an opponent’s turn, making it a surprise tactic to remove small creatures or finish off a wounded opponent.

Combo Potential: This enchantment synergizes well with strategies revolving around enchantments or sacrifice outlets. Its ability to leave the battlefield on its own accord can trigger beneficial effects from cards that react to enchantments entering or leaving the fray.

Meta-Relevance: In a metagame with creature-based aggressive decks, Omen of the Forge can act as an essential interaction piece, potentially altering the board state in your favor during crucial moments. It finds relevance in a variety of matchups, maintaining its usability across diverse competitive settings.

How to Beat

Omen of the Forge brings compact power to the battlefield in Magic: The Gathering, operating as an efficient tool for direct damage. Based on its functionality, it resembles classic burn spells like Lightning Bolt, though it’s important to note the differences in mana cost and versatility. Lightning Bolt offers immediate damage at a lower cost, but Omen of the Forge provides an enchantment that can affect the board even after its initial use.

When combating Omen of the Forge, a savvy strategy involves cards that neutralize enchantments, such as Disenchant or Thrashing Brontodon. One efficient approach is to remove it with aforementioned cards before the opponent gets a chance to utilize the sacrifice ability for Scrying. Also, countering it with Negate or Dovin’s Veto can be effective when considering the spell’s instant speed nature. Since it is an enchantment, players could also consider a longer-term strategy by using enchantment-based hate cards like Calix, Destiny’s Hand to manage the threats preemptively.

Ultimately, understanding the role and purpose of Omen of the Forge in a deck—its strengths in flexibility and its limitations in cost—allows players to build their decks with the right counters in mind. By considering enchantment removal or counter spells, players can confidently handle this card and maintain control over the game’s pace.

Cards like Omen of the Forge

Omen of the Forge is an intriguing enchantment with a direct damage ability in the domain of Magic: The Gathering. It bears similarities to other damage-dealing spells such as Shock, which delivers a quick two damage to any target at a low cost. Omen of the Forge offers flexibility with its flash ability, allowing players to cast it at any time, which Shock fails to provide.

Incendiary Flow is another comparable option; it deals three damage, but as a sorcery, it lacks the versatility of instant speed or flash. Whereas Omen of the Forge can be sacrificed later to scry 2, thereby providing card selection advantage. Searing Spear also delivers three points of damage at instant speed but unlike Omen of the Forge, it cannot influence future draws or offer the strategic planning that scrying can.

Comparatively speaking, Omen of the Forge is a versatile tool in a player’s arsenal, adept at removing creatures or finishing off an opponent, with the added benefit of setting up future plays, showcasing its multipurpose nature in direct damage decks.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Omen of the Forge MTG card by a specific set like Theros Beyond Death, 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 Omen of the Forge and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Omen of the Forge has restrictions

Format	Legality
Historicbrawl	Legal
Historic	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Gladiator	Legal
Pioneer	Legal
Commander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Explorer	Legal
Timeless	Legal