Thran Forge MTG Card
1997-06-09 - Number 159
2020-09-26 - Number WTH-159
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Artifact |
Text of card
: Until end of turn, target nonartifact creature gets +1/+0 and is an artifact creature.
"This will work," Gerrard called to the elves as he used the forge to strengthen the aboroth, "but if it doesn't, we won't survive to care."
Cards like Thran Forge
Thran Forge is a unique artifact in the landscape of Magic: The Gathering, somewhat akin to cards that transform creatures temporarily. A card like Liquimetal Coating can make another permanent into an artifact until end of turn, much like Thran Forge does for creatures. However, Liquimetal Coating doesn’t change creature types or give them potential new abilities the way Thran Forge does by turning them into artifacts and using the selection of artifact synergies available in the game.
Additionally, Mycosynth Lattice shares the trait of converting other permanents into artifacts, but it does this in a more comprehensive manner, affecting all permanents on the battlefield. Thran Forge focuses solely on creatures, giving the player precise control over which creatures become artifacts. Crucible of Worlds stands out for its interaction with artifacts, allowing players to retrieve them from the graveyard, but Thran Forge does not have this recursive quality.
Despite their differences, Thran Forge holds its ground in MTG owing to its capability to surprise opponents with an artifact creature on the battlefield, which can be advantageous for both offensive and defensive strategies, adjusting well within the niche of artifact manipulation.
Cards similar to Thran Forge by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Thran Forge delivers a unique form of card advantage by transforming any of your creatures into artifact creatures until end of turn. This capability can synergize with decks that benefit from artifacts or artifact creatures, turning any stalemate on the board to your advantage by unlocking new interactions.
Resource Acceleration: Though not a direct form of resource acceleration like mana ramp cards, Thran Forge can be seen as a strategic accelerator. By providing artifact status to creatures, it can potentially enhance the usefulness of cards that interact with artifacts, effectively getting more value out of your existing board state and accelerating your strategic objectives.
Instant Speed: The flexibility of Thran Forge is one of its main benefits. You can activate its ability at instant speed, which means you can respond to your opponent’s actions during their turn, adapt to unexpected spells, or even craft surprise blockers. This allows for nuanced tactical play where timing could change the course of the game.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Activating Thran Forge’s ability comes with the caveat of discarding a card. This trade-off can be particularly taxing when your hand is already depleted, making it challenging to maintain card advantage.
Specific Mana Cost: Thran Forge demands a precise mana investment to utilize its potential. Requiring one colorless and two red mana, it constrains deck-building options, favoring those that can reliably produce the necessary red mana.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: When considering the card’s utility, Thran Forge’s total cost of three mana might be deemed expensive. This is especially true in formats where tempo plays a crucial role, and there exist alternatives which might accomplish similar outcomes for a lesser investment.
Reasons to Include Thran Forge in Your Collection
Versatility: Thran Forge is an asset to decks that require flexible solutions to various in-game situations. Its ability to turn any creature into an artifact in addition to its other types means it allows you to skirt certain restrictions or make the most out of artifact synergies.
Combo Potential: This card shines in setups where artifact creatures can unlock combo wins or enable synergistic plays. It can dovetail with strategies that benefit from artifacts entering or leaving the battlefield, and thereby can be a linchpin in intricate combos.
Meta-Relevance: Thran Forge’s relevance in the meta can fluctuate, but in environments where artifacts are key or there are advantages to changing a creature’s type, this card can become an unexpected game-changer. Its utility in various scenarios makes it a card with enduring potential in changing metagames.
How to beat
Thran Forge is an artifact that carries the potential to alter the dynamics of creature play fundamentally. This ability to turn any noncreature artifact into a creature until end of turn may seem daunting, but overcoming this strategy is all about timing and resource management. Cards that remove, counteract, or neutralize artifacts effectively dismantle strategies reliant on Thran Forge.
Consider incorporating versatile artifact removal spells such as Disenchant or Nature’s Claim into your deck. These spells not only offer a cost-effective solution for dealing with artifacts but also ensure that your opponent’s investments into turning artifacts into creatures are rendered useless. Additionally, instant-speed removal like Shatter or Abrade gives you the flexibility to wait until your opponent commits to a play before removing the key artifact, maximizing your tactical advantage.
Patience and strategic card selection make the difference when facing an opponent wielding the power of Thran Forge. By prioritizing the inclusion of artifact hate in your sideboard and employing it judiciously, you can tilt the battlefield to your favor, rendering Thran Forge’s strength inconsequential.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Thran Forge MTG card by a specific set like Weatherlight and The List, 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 Thran Forge 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
See MTG Products
Printings
The Thran Forge Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1997-06-09 and 1997-06-09. Illustrated by Mark Poole.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1997-06-09 | Weatherlight | WTH | 159 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Mark Poole | |
| 2 | The List | PLST | WTH-159 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Mark Poole |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Thran Forge 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 Thran Forge card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2005-11-01 | Now becomes an artifact in addition to its other types. |
| 2008-04-01 | If Thran Forge’s ability is activated targeting a nonartifact creature, then it’s activated again in response targeting the same creature, the second instance will resolve. The first instance will then be countered for having an illegal target, since the target is no longer a nonartifact creature. |