Turf Wound MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Instant |
| Released | 2000-10-02 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Invasion |
| Set code | INV |
| Number | 177 |
| Frame | 1997 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Thomas Gianni |
Text of card
Target player can't play land cards this turn. Draw a card.
"I can't imagine how anyone lives in Shiv, let alone why they choose to stay." —Sisay
Cards like Turf Wound
Turf Wound is one card that presents Magic: The Gathering players with an interesting dynamic in managing life totals. At a basic level, it shares similarities with cards like Lightning Bolt, as both involve dealing damage directly. Lightning Bolt is a classic for dealing three damage to any target at the cost of one red mana, making it versatile and cost-effective. Turf Wound, on the other hand, is more specialized in its design.
Looking towards cards like Shock, we see another parallel. Shock allows players to deal two damage at instant speed for one red mana, slightly less than Lightning Bolt but with the same speed. Turf Wound sacrifices the instant speed for permanent damage mark mechanics, which can set the stage for further strategic plays against your opponent, making it unique in its approach to damaging creatures or planeswalkers.
Overall, Turf Wound may not be as straightforward or versatile as Lightning Bolt or Shock, but it provides strategic depth and different tactical uses that can be more aligned with specific deck themes or strategies within the MTG universe. Players interested in exploring new ways to apply pressure on opponents will find Turf Wound to be an intriguing option.
Cards similar to Turf Wound by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Turf Wound. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Izzet Control | Pauper | Sprint Wheel Event - Geddon Series 2^ tappa MILANO 2024 |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Turf Wound’s ability to let players sacrifice a land for drawing cards can provide a significant edge, especially when you’re in need of more options or trying to find that key piece for your strategy.
Resource Acceleration: By allowing the trade-off of a land for instant card draw, Turf Wound can accelerate your resources, replacing lands with potentially more valuable spells that can be played immediately or set up for future turns.
Instant Speed: The flexibility of Turf Wound being an instant means you can adapt to the pace of the game, using it at the end of your opponent’s turn or in response to an action, keeping up the element of surprise and maximizing your mana efficiency.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Turf Wound necessitates the player to discard another card, which could hinder your hand especially when you’re striving to maintain card advantage over the opponent.
Specific Mana Cost: Its demand for one green and one black mana restricts its seamless inclusion in decks; dual-colored mana requirements can sometimes be a stumbling block, particularly in multi-colored decks seeking to optimize mana base efficiency.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: While the ability to target creatures and players is versatile, the four total mana that Turf Wound demands could be better invested in other spells or abilities that deliver greater impact or more immediate board presence in a game where pacing can be critical.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Turf Wound offers a unique blend of damage and land manipulation, making it adaptable across different deck types. It can serve as both a control element and a tool for setting back your opponent’s mana base.
Combo Potential: The card’s ability to produce immediate impact on the board allows it to synergize with strategies that prioritize land disruption or benefit from opponents having fewer resources. This can be especially powerful in combination with cards that punish or capitalize on land destruction.
Meta-Relevance: In a game state where fast mana acceleration is prevalent, Turf Wound can act as a counterbalance, disrupting opponents’ curves and providing you a tactical advantage. Keeping the opposing strategy at bay can be crucial for your victory.
How to beat
Turf Wound has the potential to disrupt your gameplay in MTG, having the capability to enfeeble creatures and tamper with your opponent’s board state. While this spell can be detrimental to your game plan, it can be neutralized with the right strategy. To effectively counter Turf Wound, you should focus on maintaining a versatile deck with plenty of creature protection or using spells that can negate or reverse the effects of this card. Consider including instant-speed spells that can boost a creature’s toughness or grant indestructible until the end of turn to ensure your key creatures survive the encounter.
Another fruitful method is to rely on creature abilities that activate upon being targeted. This turns Turf Wound into an unlikely advantage for you as the creature’s ability can be triggered, deterring your adversary from choosing it as a target. Running cards that can shuffle your graveyard back into your library is an additional strategy that mitigates the secondary effect of Turf Wound, preserving your deck’s integrity and leaving your opponent’s efforts fruitless.
Ultimately, mindfulness of Turf Wound and incorporating preventative measures or counter-strategies can convert this potential threat into an opportunity to outsmart your opponent and maintain dominance on the battlefield.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Turf Wound MTG card by a specific set like Invasion, 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 Wound 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
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Turf Wound has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Turf Wound card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2004-10-04 | Stops the player from playing a land, but not from putting a land onto the battlefield using a spell or ability. |