Trial of Strength MTG Card
2017-04-28 - Number 191
2020-08-13 - Number 223
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Enchantment |
Text of card
When Trial of Strength enters the battlefield, create a 4/2 green Beast creature token. When a Cartouche enters the battlefield under your control, return Trial of Strength to its owner's hand.
"Instincts to guide. Strength to overcome."
Cards like Trial of Strength
Trial of Strength is an interesting creature summoning card in Magic: The Gathering. It shares similarities with other creature token producing cards, such as Call of the Herd, which also creates a substantial creature token by spending mana. Both carve a path for board presence but with different secondary benefits. Trial of Strength has the advantage of being part of the Cartouche and Trial cycle, potentially gaining even more value in a deck that synergizes with those card types.
Another card that echoes Trial of Strength’s function is Squirrel Nest. While Squirrel Nest generates smaller tokens, it does so repeatedly, granting a player tokens each turn instead of a one-off effect. This continuous threat can snowball if unchecked, contrasting with the immediate but single impact of Trial of Strength. Beast Attack is also worth mentioning: similar in mana cost and the generation of a sturdy token, Beast Attack, however, offers flexibility through its split second cost, allowing players to deploy their creature at a potentially more strategic moment.
Every game of MTG is a complex dance of strategy and timing, and cards like Trial of Strength provide a powerful option for shaping the battlefield. When it comes to a direct and immediate presence, this card stands firm among its peers in the realm of creature token generation.
Cards similar to Trial of Strength by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: With the ability to put a sizeable creature token onto the battlefield, Trial of Strength facilitates significant card advantage. This move can often shift the tide of a match by adding considerable power to your side without depleting your hand.
Resource Acceleration: By creating a 4/2 green Beast creature token, Trial of Strength provides you with a notable surge in board presence. This acceleration can be crucial for ramping up to your larger threats or for applying pressure on your opponent early in the game.
Instant Speed: Although Trial of Strength is a sorcery, its impact on the game can be as pivotal as an instant speed play. Deploying a new creature before your attack phase can catch an opponent off guard and can be just as strategic as any instant, altering combat calculations or forcing a reactionary play.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Trial of Strength card requires players to discard as part of the casting cost. This can be a significant disadvantage, especially when a player’s hand is already depleted or if the discarded card could be vital for future strategies.
Specific Mana Cost: Trial of Strength demands a specific combination of mana to be played which includes green. This specific mana requirement can restrict its inclusion to green-centric or multicolored decks, potentially excluding it from a wide range of other deck types.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Requiring a sizable amount of mana to play, Trial of Strength can be cumbersome in fast-paced games where lower-cost spells could provide similar benefits more quickly. It may not always be the most mana-efficient choice, considering other creatures or spells available at a lower cost.
Reasons to Include Trial of Strength in Your Collection
Versatility: Trial of Strength offers great flexibility for green decks, fitting snugly into strategies that benefit from creature presence on the battlefield. As a spell that creates a token, it serves multiple purposes, from being a formidable body to enhancing board state.
Combo Potential: The card contributes to decks keen on harnessing the power of creature-based synergies. With the right setup, the generated 4/2 green Beast token can be the lynchpin in combos seeking to utilize creature count or power for game-winning tactics.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta that favors fast deployment of creatures to pressure opponents, Trial of Strength swiftly introduces a competitive threat, adapting well to various battlefield scenarios and offering a rapid response to evolving gameplay dynamics.
How to beat
Trial of Strength is a unique creature-enabling card that brings a strategic depth to deck building in Magic: The Gathering. The card lets players manifest the top card of their library, potentially turning it into a creature. This action can turn the tides by providing an unexpected blocker or an additional attacker. However, to counter Trial of Strength, key removal spells that deal with face-down creatures can be highly effective.
Consider spells like Echoing Truth or Whiplash Trap, which can handle multiple creatures at once. In addition, board wipes, like Wrath of God or Damnation, can clear multiple manifested creatures without the necessity to target them individually. Decks utilizing Trial of Strength might also rely on turning the manifested cards face up, so counteracting with cards that restrict flipping or transforming such as Hushwing Gryff can be a viable tactic. Adaptability is essential, as playing cards that offer flexibility in response to Trial of Strength will strengthen your gameplay and provide the upper hand during matches.
By preparing for and anticipating the possible outcomes generated by Trial of Strength, players can effectively mitigate its advantages and maintain a competitive edge in their matches, ensuring that this singular card does not determine the game’s outcome.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Trial of Strength MTG card by a specific set like Amonkhet and Amonkhet Remastered, 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 Trial of Strength 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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Printings
The Trial of Strength Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2017-04-28 and 2020-08-13. Illustrated by Kieran Yanner.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2017-04-28 | Amonkhet | AKH | 191 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Kieran Yanner | |
| 2 | 2020-08-13 | Amonkhet Remastered | AKR | 223 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Kieran Yanner |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Trial of Strength has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Trial of Strength card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2017-04-18 | Each Trial has an ability to return to your hand when a Cartouche enters the battlefield under your control. The Trial is returned to its owner’s hand only if it’s on the battlefield as the ability resolves. |