Call the Scions MTG Card
2015-10-02 - Number 165
2019-11-07 - Number 1153
2020-09-26 - Number BFZ-165
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Sorcery |
| Abilities | Devoid |
Key Takeaways
- Call the Scions creates Eldrazi Scion tokens, offering both board presence and mana acceleration capabilities.
- Despite its utility, the specific mana cost and discard requirement can limit deck-building choices and play strategies.
- Wielding this card can be significant in meta-relevant decks, making it a worthwhile addition for diverse MTG strategies.
Text of card
Devoid (This card has no color.) Put two 1/1 colorless Eldrazi Scion creature tokens onto the battlefield. They have "Sacrifice this creature: Add to your mana pool."
Ulamog's progeny swarm the land, draining Zendikar's mana to feed the titan's insatiable hunger.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: When you cast Call the Scions, it instantly boosts your board presence by creating two 1/1 colorless Eldrazi Scion creature tokens. This process can quickly tip the scales in your favor, allowing you not only to outnumber your opponent’s creatures but also to set up for larger plays in subsequent turns. Additionally, these tokens each have the ability to be sacrificed for mana, further playing into your strategy by translating creatures into potential card plays.
Resource Acceleration: The Eldrazi Scions created by Call the Scions don’t just serve as blockers or attackers; they are also a source of resource acceleration. With each Scion able to be sacrificed for one colorless mana, this card essentially places potential mana at your disposal, helping you ramp up toward casting higher-cost spells sooner than you normally could. This ability is critical in decks that aim to deploy large threats early on in the game.
Instant Speed: While Call the Scions operates at sorcery speed, the strategic advantage it provides lies in how it can align with decks that take advantage of both the creature tokens and the mana they generate. The immediate impact on the game’s state can force opponents to reconsider their tactics, adapt to the increased threat, or risk falling behind in the race for board dominance.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One of the drawbacks of Call the Scions is that it necessitates the discarding of another card to utilize its full potential. This requirement could hinder your gameplay, particularly when your hand is already running short on cards, making it a trade-off that needs careful consideration.
Specific Mana Cost: Call the Scions comes with a color-specific mana cost that includes green, which could pose a limitation on deck-building flexibility. Players running multicolored decks might struggle to consistently meet the green mana requirement, impacting the card’s overall versatility.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: While Call the Scions provides a benefit by allowing the summoning of scion creature tokens, its mana cost might be seen as steep when compared to other cards offering similar or more valuable effects. This could lead players to opt for alternatives that provide a better cost-to-benefit ratio, thus overshadowing the uses of Call the Scions in competitive play.
Reasons to Include Call the Scions in Your Collection
Versatility: “Call the Scions” offers substantial flexibility across a range of MTG decks, particularly in strategies focusing on creature generation and mana ramp. This enables the casting of large threats or intricate spell sequences ahead of schedule.
Combo Potential: The creation of Scion tokens dovetails neatly with cards that capitalize on creature tokens. Whether it’s fueling sacrifice mechanics, powering up swarm strategies, or utilizing tokens for convoke spells, the possibilities are extensive.
Meta-Relevance: In an environment that values the advancement of board presence, “Call the Scions” can quickly escalate the tide of battle by providing additional blockers or pressure against opponents, making it a timely addition to any arsenal tuned to current gameplay dynamics.
How to Beat
Call the Scions is a unique card often found in Magic: The Gathering decks that align with a token generation strategy. The card’s primary function is to create two 1/1 colorless Eldrazi Scion creature tokens, which can be sacrificed for ramping up mana. To effectively counter this card, understanding the role of board wipes and removal spells is crucial.
Consider incorporating cards like Radiant Flames or Languish that can handle multiple creatures at once, efficiently dealing with the small tokens generated by Call the Scions. It’s also beneficial to maintain control and keep the board clear of tokens before they can be utilized for a significant mana advantage. For single-target removal, utilizing cost-effective options like Fatal Push to handle an escalated token spawned by buffs or auras can limit an opponent’s board presence.
Being aware of the tempo and deploying preemptive measures against anticipate plays can provide an upper hand. Cards that disrupt or dilute an opponent’s strategy, such as Thoughtseize or Duress, can remove key pieces from their hand before they have the opportunity to generate a large number of Scions. By strategically anticipating and dismantling token-centric tactics, you stand a solid chance of overcoming the challenges posed by Call the Scions.
Cards like Call the Scions
Call the Scions is an intriguing piece in the pantheon of creature tokens in Magic: The Gathering. It’s a spell similar to Dragon Fodder or Krenko’s Command, which generate two 1/1 Goblin creature tokens. However, Call the Scions brings its own flavor to the token-generating spells by producing two 1/1 colorless Eldrazi Scion creature tokens instead, each equipped with the ability to be sacrificed for mana.
Moving through the library of similar cards, we encounter the spell Sram’s Expertise, which not only produces three 1/1 colorless Servo artifact creature tokens but also allows for the casting of a card with converted mana cost 3 or less from your hand without paying its mana cost. While Sram’s Expertise is higher in mana cost than Call the Scions, the added benefit of a “free” spell often outweighs the additional mana investment.
Comparatively, when assessing the efficiency and versatility of mana ramp and token generation effects, Call the Scions offers a solid choice. It fits well into strategies seeking to populate the board with tokens while simultaneously ramping up mana for larger threats on the horizon.
Cards similar to Call the Scions by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Call the Scions MTG card by a specific set like Battle for Zendikar and Mystery Booster, 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 Call the Scions and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- 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
Printings
The Call the Scions Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2015-10-02 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by Winona Nelson.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2015-10-02 | Battle for Zendikar | BFZ | 165 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Winona Nelson | |
| 2 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 1153 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Winona Nelson | |
| 3 | The List | PLST | BFZ-165 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Winona Nelson |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Call the Scions has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Call the Scions card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2015-08-25 | A card with devoid is just colorless. It’s not colorless and the colors of mana in its mana cost. |
| 2015-08-25 | Cards with devoid use frames that are variations of the transparent frame traditionally used for Eldrazi. The top part of the card features some color over a background based on the texture of the hedrons that once imprisoned the Eldrazi. This coloration is intended to aid deckbuilding and game play. |
| 2015-08-25 | Devoid works in all zones, not just on the battlefield. |
| 2015-08-25 | Eldrazi Scions are similar to Eldrazi Spawn, seen in the Zendikar block. Note that Eldrazi Scions are 1/1, not 0/1. |
| 2015-08-25 | Eldrazi and Scion are each separate creature types. Anything that affects Eldrazi will affect these tokens, for example. |
| 2015-08-25 | If a card loses devoid, it will still be colorless. This is because effects that change an object’s color (like the one created by devoid) are considered before the object loses devoid. |
| 2015-08-25 | Other cards and abilities can give a card with devoid color. If that happens, it’s just the new color, not that color and colorless. |
| 2015-08-25 | Sacrificing an Eldrazi Scion creature token to add to your mana pool is a mana ability. It doesn’t use the stack and can’t be responded to. |
| 2015-08-25 | Some instants and sorceries that create Eldrazi Scions require targets. If all targets for such a spell have become illegal by the time that spell tries to resolve, the spell won’t resolve and none of its effects will happen. You won’t get any Eldrazi Scions. |
