Foriysian Totem MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Artifact
Released	2006-10-06
Set symbol
Set name	Time Spiral
Set code	TSP
Number	254
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Anson Maddocks

Key Takeaways

Foriysian Totem excels in card advantage and resource acceleration, crucial for maintaining momentum.
The totem’s instant speed transformation offers tactical adaptability during critical game moments.
Its downsides include a specific mana requirement and potentially costly activation in resource-tight situations.

Text of card

: Add to your mana pool. : Foriysian Totem becomes a 4/4 red Giant artifact creature with trample until end of turn. As long as Foriysian Totem is a creature, it can block an additional creature.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Foriysian Totem can be turned into a creature capable of blocking or pressing an attack while doubling as a mana source. This versatility provides the opportunity to maintain board presence without losing the ability to generate resources, benefiting your overall card economy.

Resource Acceleration: As a mana artifact, Foriysian Totem helps in ramping up your available mana. By tapping for red mana, it can contribute to playing high-cost spells earlier or allow for multiple spell casts in a single turn, streamlining your gameplay and giving you an edge over opponents who may be resource-constrained.

Instant Speed: The ability to become a creature at instant speed offers tactical advantages. You can transform it in response to an opponent’s actions, potentially creating surprise blockers or attackers. This flexibility lets you adapt on the fly, keeping opponents guessing while maximizing the strategic use of your mana each turn.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One potential downside of the Foriysian Totem is that activating its ability requires you to discard a card. This can be a significant setback if you are in a situation where your hand is already depleted, forcing you to lose valuable resources that could be critical for your strategy.

Specific Mana Cost: The Foriysian Totem demands a precise combination of mana to cast. With a casting cost that includes red mana, this card is inherently restricted to decks that can produce that color, potentially limiting its versatility across various deck archetypes.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: When considering the card’s overall impact, its activation cost is on the higher side. There are other cards available that may provide similar or better effects for a lower mana investment, making the Foriysian Totem less mana efficient in comparison.

Reasons to Include Foriysian Totem in Your Collection

Versatility: Foriysian Totem offers flexible options for different play styles. As a mana-producing artifact, it provides not only resource acceleration but also can become a creature with trample, useful in several deck archetypes.

Combo Potential: This artifact can be a key piece in decks that synergize with transforming permanents or benefit from having another creature at the ready. The transformation from mana rock to attacker can surprise opponents and capitalize on an open board state.

Meta-Relevance: In a game that values artifacts and creature-based strategies, Foriysian Totem has its place. With its dual nature, it aligns well with decks that need to adapt to various threats or capitalize on late-game finishers.

How to Beat Foriysian Totem

When facing the multifaceted Foriysian Totem in a game of MTG, understanding its dual nature is key to forming a successful counterstrategy. This artifact offers defensive capabilities and, upon activation, transforms into a formidable creature that can influence the state of play. To effectively neutralize the potential threat of the Foriysian Totem, players should focus on two aspects—preventing its activation and mitigating its impact once it becomes a creature.

To stop the totem from becoming an imposing creature, consider employing removal spells that specifically target artifacts, such as Naturalize or Disenchant. These spells can disrupt the Foriysian Totem before your opponent has a chance to utilize its creature-forming ability. Additionally, countermeasures like artifact suppression or control elements can prevent the totem’s activation in the first place, stalling your opponent’s strategy further.

If the Foriysian Totem has already transformed, its creature form can be managed through traditional creature control methods. Temporary lockdowns like Pacifism or bounce effects via spells like Unsummon could provide the respite needed to regroup. Keep in mind, the key to success is a versatile deck that accommodates for both the totem’s passive and active threats, ensuring you can deal with it at any stage of the game.

Cards like Foriysian Totem

The Foriysian Totem is an intriguing artifact in Magic: The Gathering, offering a unique duality of mana acceleration and potential creature transformation. In its category, it reminds us of cards like Guardian Idol, which can turn into a creature to attack or defend when needed. However, Guardian Idol does not impart the trample ability to its creature form, an advantage Foriysian Totem delivers when it becomes an imposing 4/4 red Giant creature.

Another similar card is Ratchet Bomb, which also sits on the battlefield and can be activated at a critical moment. While it doesn’t morph into a creature, it can serve as a formidable cleansing device against a swarm of tokens or low-cost cards. Ratchet Bomb’s impact doesn’t match the direct offensive power of Foriysian Totem but can clear the way for a winning strategy.

In essence, while comparing the strengths and strategic uses of these artifacts, Foriysian Totem stands out for its versatility on the battlefield. Its ability to serve as a mana source or transform into a powerful creature caters to dynamic gameplay strategies that multifaceted players appreciate.

Cards similar to Foriysian Totem by color, type and mana cost

Battlemage's Bracers - MTG Card versions

Komainu Battle Armor - MTG Card versions

Geistflame Reservoir - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Foriysian Totem MTG card by a specific set like Time Spiral, 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 Foriysian Totem and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Foriysian Totem has restrictions

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

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2006-09-25	If an effect says Foriysian Totem can’t block, then it can’t block any creatures.
2006-09-25	The third ability normally lets Foriysian Totem block two creatures. If another effect also lets it block an additional creature, the effects are cumulative.
2008-08-01	A noncreature permanent that turns into a creature can attack, and its abilities can be activated, only if its controller has continuously controlled that permanent since the beginning of their most recent turn. It doesn’t matter how long the permanent has been a creature.