By Force MTG Card

Amonkhet (AKH)
2017-04-28 - Number 123

Amonkhet Remastered (AKR)
2020-08-13 - Number 144

Secret Lair Drop (SLD)
2019-12-02 - Number 1086

Card sets	Released in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	1
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Sorcery

Key Takeaways

By Force allows targeted artifact destruction, pivotal for dismantling opponent strategies and resource balance.
The card’s strategic use can offer a form of resource acceleration by hindering opponent’s mana artifacts.
Although not instant speed, By Force’s timing is crucial for clearing a path and disrupting opponents.

Text of card

Destroy X target artifacts.

"Dissent? Your gods can't even begin to comprehend the dissent that's about to happen here!" —Chandra Nalaar

Card Pros

Card Advantage: By Force provides a unique edge in dealing with multiple artifacts simultaneously, potentially dismantling an opponent’s strategic setup and leading to a considerable shift in the balance of resources.

Resource Acceleration: Although By Force itself does not directly accelerate resources, by removing crucial mana artifacts from the opponent, it effectively slows them down, providing a relative acceleration for the player who casts it.

Instant Speed: By Force, as a sorcery, requires strategic planning to maximize its disruptive potential. While not at instant speed, its impact on the game can be monumental when timed correctly, especially during the pre-combat main phase to clear the way for an attack.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: By Force does not necessitate discarding as an additional cost, however, in situations where hand size is vital, it’s important to have a card that doesn’t deplete resources beyond mana.

Specific Mana Cost: By Force requires red mana specifically for casting, which may not seamlessly fit into multicolor decks that don’t heavily feature red or have a means of mana-fixing.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost that starts at one red plus more depending on the number of targets, By Force can become costly if you’re aiming to destroy a large number of artifacts, potentially hindering your ability to play other spells in the same turn.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: By Force offers a flexible answer to artifacts that can smoothly integrate into multiple deck themes, whether you’re dismantling an opponent’s ramp or removing pesky utility artifacts.

Combo Potential: This card thrives in a meta heavily reliant on artifacts, synergizing well with strategies focused on artifact removal or as a preparatory step for your own combo execution.

Meta-Relevance: Given the prevalence of artifact-based decks in various formats, By Force is a timely sideboard card that can decisively swing matches in your favor against artifact-heavy opponents.

How to beat

By Force offers MTG players a potent tool for dismantling their opponent’s array of artifacts. This often comes into play in metal-rich environments, and can radically shift the balance of the game. If you’re facing off against By Force, it’s vital to anticipate its appearance. Try to avoid overcommitting artifacts onto the battlefield if you suspect By Force could be in your opponent’s hand.

Protection for your artifacts is also key. Utilizing cards that grant your artifacts hexproof or indestructible can shield them from By Force’s destructive capability. Additionally, countering By Force with spells like Negate or keeping mana open to activate the abilities of cards like Welding Jar can save your valuables from ruin. Diversifying your threats is crucial too. If your game plan isn’t solely reliant on artifacts, By Force will lose much of its potency, allowing you to maintain momentum even if some of your artifacts are destroyed.

Ultimately, while By Force is a heavy hitter against artifact-laden strategies, a planned approach with protective measures and threat diversification can effectively nullify its impact, leaving you well-positioned to carry your game plan to victory.

Cards like By Force

By Force is a powerful tool in any Magic: The Gathering player’s arsenal, particularly when dealing with an abundance of artifacts on the battlefield. It’s somewhat akin to cards like Shatterstorm, which also offers a sweeping solution to artifacts. However, By Force gives players surgical precision, allowing them to destroy a number of artifacts equal to the mana invested into its X value. Shatterstorm, while thorough, does not provide this level of flexibility, and necessitates a larger mana investment upfront.

Next, consider Vandalblast, a spell that resonates with similar notes, offering the option to either take out a single artifact or sweep the board clean with its Overload cost. Although Vandalblast’s versatility is commendable, By Force excels in scenarios where players prefer to conserve resources while still achieving their removal goals. Smelt, as another example, offers a cost-effective alternative, although limited to a single target, which can be less impactful in artifact-heavy game states.

Comparing these cards, By Force emerges as a significant player in artifact control strategies within Magic: The Gathering. It balances cost efficiency with tailored devastation, making it a valuable pick for any deck dealing with problematic artifacts.

Cards similar to By Force by color, type and mana cost

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase By Force MTG card by a specific set like Amonkhet and Secret Lair Drop, 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 By Force and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The By Force Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2017-04-28 and 2020-08-13. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#	Released	Name	Code	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	2017-04-28	Amonkhet	AKH	123	2015	Normal	Black	Magali Villeneuve
2	~~2019-12-02~~	Secret Lair Drop	SLD	1086	2015	Normal	Black	Volta Creation
3	2020-08-13	Amonkhet Remastered	AKR	144	2015	Normal	Black	Magali Villeneuve

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where By Force 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 By Force card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date	Text
2018-01-19	There are many important moments in the story, but the most crucial—called “story spotlights”—are shown on cards. These cards have the Planeswalker symbol in their text box; this symbol has no effect on gameplay. You can read more about these events in the official Magic fiction at http://www.mtgstory.com.