Turf War MTG Card


Turf War can significantly tilt the game by drawing cards and boosting your mana resources. Its flexibility at instant speed allows for reactive plays and strategic depth in matches. Mind the discard requirement and specific mana needs which might limit its effectiveness.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityRare
TypeEnchantment

Text of card

When Turf War enters the battlefield, for each player, put a contested counter on target land that player controls. Whenever a creature deals combat damage to a player, if that player controls one or more lands with contested counters on them, that creature's controller gains control of one of those lands of their choice and untaps it.


Cards like Turf War

When examining Turf War in Magic: The Gathering, it’s interesting to contrast it with other cards that stimulate combat phases and creature interaction. One similar card is Gruul War Chant, which, like Turf War, encourages aggressive gameplay by making creatures harder to block. Gruul War Chant offers an ongoing effect that affects all creatures, whereas Turf War is a one-time event that can potentially alter the game’s dynamics more explosively.

In the realm of red cards that excite the battlefield, we find Incite War. While it doesn’t offer the same potential for massive creature buffs as Turf War, it does bring a level of unpredictability by forcing a creature to engage in combat. This can be an asset or a drawback depending on your board state. Likewise, Turf War requires strategic forethought to maximize its benefit, given the possible advantage it can grant your opponent as well.

Considering these comparisons, Turf War stands out for its ability to decisively impact the battle phase. Its dual nature of offering both an advantage and a challenge pushes players to think creatively about their approach to combat in MTG.

Gruul War Chant - MTG Card versions
Incite War - MTG Card versions
Gruul War Chant - MTG Card versions
Incite War - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Turf War by color, type and mana cost

Conquer - MTG Card versions
Curse of Marit Lage - MTG Card versions
Bulwark - MTG Card versions
Rumbling Crescendo - MTG Card versions
Burning Sands - MTG Card versions
Unpredictable Cyclone - MTG Card versions
Court of Ire - MTG Card versions
Dictate of the Twin Gods - MTG Card versions
Purphoros, Bronze-Blooded - MTG Card versions
Double Vision - MTG Card versions
Aether Charge - MTG Card versions
Gratuitous Violence - MTG Card versions
Extra Arms - MTG Card versions
Confusion in the Ranks - MTG Card versions
Blood Rites - MTG Card versions
Yet Another Aether Vortex - MTG Card versions
Blockbuster - MTG Card versions
Mindmoil - MTG Card versions
Where Ancients Tread - MTG Card versions
Rumbling Aftershocks - MTG Card versions
Conquer - MTG Card versions
Curse of Marit Lage - MTG Card versions
Bulwark - MTG Card versions
Rumbling Crescendo - MTG Card versions
Burning Sands - MTG Card versions
Unpredictable Cyclone - MTG Card versions
Court of Ire - MTG Card versions
Dictate of the Twin Gods - MTG Card versions
Purphoros, Bronze-Blooded - MTG Card versions
Double Vision - MTG Card versions
Aether Charge - MTG Card versions
Gratuitous Violence - MTG Card versions
Extra Arms - MTG Card versions
Confusion in the Ranks - MTG Card versions
Blood Rites - MTG Card versions
Yet Another Aether Vortex - MTG Card versions
Blockbuster - MTG Card versions
Mindmoil - MTG Card versions
Where Ancients Tread - MTG Card versions
Rumbling Aftershocks - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Turf War grants you a valuable edge by potentially drawing a substantial number of cards. This swings the game in your favor by giving you more options and pathways to victory. The card’s ability to fuel your hand makes it a cornerstone in decks that thrive on consistent card flow.

Resource Acceleration: By energizing your mana pool, Turf War sets the stage for a commanding presence on the battlefield. It jumpstarts your capabilities, allowing you to deploy threats and countermeasures ahead of schedule. The uptick in resources means you can execute your strategy with increased tempo and pressure.

Instant Speed: The instant nature of Turf War affords you the flexibility to adapt seamlessly to the unfolding game. It enables strategic depth, allowing for reactive plays during your opponent’s turn or at the end of their phase, keeping them guessing at your next move while conserving your resources for the most opportune moment.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Turf War demands that you discard another card as part of its casting cost. This can be a setback, especially if your hand is already dwindling or if you need to maintain card advantage against your opponent.

Specific Mana Cost: Turf War requires a precise combination of mana types to play. This mana condition might not align well with decks that aren’t structured to consistently produce the required colors, potentially causing it to be a dead card in hand at crucial moments.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Utilizing Turf War comes at a significant mana investment. When considering its four mana cost, it’s important to assess whether its impact on the game justifies the investment, particularly when there are other cards available that could accomplish similar goals for less.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Turf War is an adaptable card that suits a variety of deck themes. It is especially compelling in decks that capitalize on modifying the battlefield or leveraging land control mechanics for strategic advantage.

Combo Potential: This card pairs well with mechanics that benefit from counting the number of lands under your control or when seeking to increase landfall triggers, thus offering exciting combo opportunities to explore within your deck.

Meta-Relevance: Given that a strong land base is fundamental to many MTG strategies, Turf War aligns well with the current metagame. It accelerates land deployment, which is crucial in outpacing opponents in both aggressive and control-focused playstyles.


How to beat

Turf War is a card that can shift the dynamics of a match in Magic: The Gathering. It embodies the strategic depth of the game by prompting players to control four or more creatures to get value. To effectively overcome Turf War’s challenge, consider focusing on removal spells that can efficiently handle multiple creatures, such as board clear spells like Wrath of God or Blasphemous Act.

Additionally, countering Turf War before it hits the battlefield is another viable strategy. Blue mages wielding counter spells have the upper hand here, as they can prevent Turf War from ever causing trouble. And don’t overlook the importance of instant-speed interaction. Cards like Fatal Push and Path to Exile can disrupt the strategic setup necessary for Turf War, ensuring the conditions for its effect are not met.

Ideally, keeping creature counts low, utilizing spot removal, or simply countering the spell are keys to maintain an edge against Turf War and emerge victorious in your duels. Staying one step ahead in terms of board presence and control can nullify the advantage your opponent hopes to gain with Turf War.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Turf War MTG card by a specific set like New Capenna Commander and New Capenna Commander, 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 Turf War and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Turf War Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2022-04-29 and 2022-04-29. Illustrated by Victor Adame Minguez.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12022-04-29New Capenna CommanderNCC 542015NormalBlackVictor Adame Minguez
22022-04-29New Capenna CommanderNCC 1542015NormalBlackVictor Adame Minguez

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Turf War has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal