Force of Will MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 16 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityUncommon
TypeInstant

Key Takeaways

  1. Force of Will is a flagship counterspell card, offering cost-free casting at the expense of a card and life points.
  2. This card sees play in multiple formats, especially in decks that require protection during the player’s own turn.
  3. It’s essential for blue-based control strategies, balancing the need for board presence with the flexibility to counter key spells.

Text of card

You may pay 1 life and remove a blue card in your hand from the game instead of paying Force of Will's casting cost. Effects that prevent or redirect damage cannot be used to counter this loss of life. Counter target spell.


 

Force of Will, also known as the quintessential blue spell in Magic the Gathering, has made waves since its release in the Alliances set. As an Instant card, it can be played at any time, providing an essential control element to the game. The unique aspect of Force of Will is its alternative cost feature, which allows players to pay 1 life and exile a blue card from their hand instead of paying its mana cost. This offers unparalleled flexibility, transforming potentially dire situations into opportunities for remarkable comebacks. The flavor text of “In the face of change, the most courageous choice lies within” eloquently captures the essence of Force of Will. It connotes the audacious decision-making inherent in employing this card, which can be game-changing when used judiciously. Terese Nielsen, a well-known artist in the MTG community, is credited for the mesmerizing cosmic illustration of Force of Will. Her work brilliantly encapsulates the raw energy and power the card represents. While legal in formats like Legacy, Vintage, and Commander, the Force of Will is sadly unavailable in other MTG offerings. Nevertheless, its impact continues to be felt in the decks where it is played, affirming its place as one of the most iconic cards in Magic the Gathering history.


Unyielding Advantage of Force of Will MTG

Card Advantage: Despite its alternative casting cost, Force of Will lets you keep a strong grip on your arsenal. By allowing you to counter any spell at literally no mana cost, it offers a critical edge, especially when resources are thin, helping you maintain or gain card supremacy.

Resource Acceleration: This potent spell allows you to seize back control of the game’s tempo. Its spontaneity combined with an alternate casting cost option means maintaining momentum by denying opponents their key spells without tapping any of your lands, accelerating your game plan undeterred.

Instant Speed: The real strength of Force of Will lies in its speed. It’s an instant spell, providing you the flexibility to respond to threats as they appear. This control and timing can be crucial, keeping your strategy intact and altering the flow of the match in your favor.


Force of Will Cons

Discard Requirement: The casting of Force of Will implores a grueling condition. Using it in its alternate cost requires a discard of another blue card from your hand, this can deplete your resources and potentially leave you in a vulnerable state, especially when your hand count is scanty.

Specific Mana Cost: The default casting cost of this card sums up to a whopping five mana, out of which three mandatorily have to be blue mana. This restricts the utility of this powerful card to only blue or multicolor decks that can afford to allocate resources for it.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a prohibitive mana cost of five, Force of Will is undoubtedly steep. It’s even more significant when other counterspells in MTG offer similar benefits for a lower cost, albeit without the flexibility of an alternate casting cost.


Reasons to Include Force of Will MTG in Your Collection

Versatility: Force of Will opens up a wealth of opportunities. From gameplay strategies to deck development, it integrates seamlessly into multiple setups, particularly those requiring a robust counter response without the hindrance of tapped lands.

Combo Potential: The power of Force of Will lies in its ability to disrupt opponents’ strategies rapidly. It adds depth to your gameplay, enhancing your moveset with its unique alternate cost mechanism. Combos can be executed swiftly, making it a valuable addition to any deck.

Meta-Relevance: The meta-game nature of MTG always necessitates the need for quick, decisive counters like Force of Will. With its instant cast, it is extremely relevant in meta environments filled with unexpected spells, granting players an edge by providing a well-timed response.


Comparative Analysis

Force of Will is undoubtedly a defining card within Magic: The Gathering, a key fixture in strategies involving control and countering. Equatable cards such as Pact of Negation and Mana Drain also offer the counter spell functionality, albeit with distinct differences. Pact of Negation offers the same immediate availability as Force of Will, but there’s one drawback – you’ll need to pay additional mana, five in total, on your next upkeep or you lose the game.

Mana Drain, in contrast to Force of Will, siphons the mana of the countered spell and adds it to your pool in the next main phase. That extra mana could turn the tide in your favor, but Mana Drain, unlike Force of Will, doesn’t have the alternative casting cost which significantly adds to its convenience and in-game application.

Also joining this comparison is Counterspell, a classic and straightforward answer to an opposing spell. Yet again, the lack of alternate payment methods posed by cards like Counterspell, and the tempo change they might necessitate, accentuates the versatility of Force of Will.

Summarizing our comparison, Force of Will holds a unique position among counter cards in Magic: The Gathering thanks to its dual casting cost and instantaneous use. Its ability to maintain control with little to no resources on-hand continues to cement its place as an MTG staple.


How to Beat Force of Will MTG

Navigating through a game where Force of Will MTG is in play can be a real test of your strategic capabilities. This powerhouse of a card is known for its counter-management, allowing players to interfere with enemy game plans effectively. But, like any magic card, it’s not invincible.

An effective approach against Force of Will MTG is building pressure through smaller threats, instead of investing all resources in a single heavy-hitter. These minor but consistent threats force your opponent to make a tough decision – burn their Force of Will for something trivial or let the damage stack up subtly over time.

Similarly, using cards with abilities that can’t be countered or cards that take effect immediately upon casting, like split second cards, can prove beneficial. This tactic can rob Force of Will of its prime function, leaving your opponent in a precarious position.

In essence, outstripping Force of Will MTG requires strategy and intuition. Exploit its constraints, make every card count, and turn the tide of the match in your favour.


Conclusion

In wrapping up, the world of Magic the Gathering offers more than just a game—it presents a realm of infinite possibilities. Cards like Force of Will have shaped the landscape of competitive play, illustrating the depth of strategy inherent in MTG. As you forge your path through the multiverse, refining your deck and honing your skills, remember it’s the ongoing pursuit of knowledge that distinguishes a true planeswalker. Continue your quest for mastery and make every duel an epic narrative. Dive deeper into tactics, deck building, and the game’s intricacies with us. Your journey toward becoming a legendary MTG player starts here. Let’s begin.


Comparative Analysis

Force of Will is undoubtedly a defining card within Magic: The Gathering, a key fixture in strategies involving control and countering. Equatable cards such as Pact of Negation and Mana Drain also offer the counter spell functionality, albeit with distinct differences. Pact of Negation offers the same immediate availability as Force of Will, but there’s one drawback – you’ll need to pay additional mana, five in total, on your next upkeep or you lose the game.

Mana Drain, in contrast to Force of Will, siphons the mana of the countered spell and adds it to your pool in the next main phase. That extra mana could turn the tide in your favor, but Mana Drain, unlike Force of Will, doesn’t have the alternative casting cost which significantly adds to its convenience and in-game application.

Also joining this comparison is Counterspell, a classic and straightforward answer to an opposing spell. Yet again, the lack of alternate payment methods posed by cards like Counterspell, and the tempo change they might necessitate, accentuates the versatility of Force of Will.

Summarizing our comparison, Force of Will holds a unique position among counter cards in Magic: The Gathering thanks to its dual casting cost and instantaneous use. Its ability to maintain control with little to no resources on-hand continues to cement its place as an MTG staple.

Pact of Negation - MTG Card versions
Mana Drain - MTG Card versions
Counterspell - MTG Card versions
Pact of Negation - Future Sight (FUT)
Mana Drain - Legends (LEG)
Counterspell - Limited Edition Alpha (LEA)

Cards similar to Force of Will by color, type and mana cost

Desertion - MTG Card versions
Evacuation - MTG Card versions
Double Take - MTG Card versions
Sunder - MTG Card versions
Submerge - MTG Card versions
Misdirection - MTG Card versions
Gush - MTG Card versions
Fervent Denial - MTG Card versions
Perplexing Test - MTG Card versions
Graven Lore - MTG Card versions
Access Denied - MTG Card versions
Jace's Ingenuity - MTG Card versions
Spin into Myth - MTG Card versions
Counterbore - MTG Card versions
Traumatic Visions - MTG Card versions
Whiplash Trap - MTG Card versions
Archive Trap - MTG Card versions
Mysteries of the Deep - MTG Card versions
Quicksilver Geyser - MTG Card versions
Lost in the Mist - MTG Card versions
Desertion - Conspiracy: Take the Crown (CN2)
Evacuation - The Lost Caverns of Ixalan Commander (LCC)
Double Take - Unglued (UGL)
Sunder - The List (PLST)
Submerge - World Championship Decks 2000 (WC00)
Misdirection - The List (PLST)
Gush - Eternal Weekend (PEWK)
Fervent Denial - Odyssey (ODY)
Perplexing Test - Wilds of Eldraine Commander (WOC)
Graven Lore - Kaldheim Promos (PKHM)
Access Denied - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Jace's Ingenuity - Magic 2015 (M15)
Spin into Myth - Future Sight (FUT)
Counterbore - Salvat 2011 (PS11)
Traumatic Visions - Conflux (CON)
Whiplash Trap - Commander 2020 (C20)
Archive Trap - The List (PLST)
Mysteries of the Deep - Worldwake (WWK)
Quicksilver Geyser - Mirrodin Besieged (MBS)
Lost in the Mist - Innistrad (ISD)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Force of Will MTG card by a specific set like Alliances and World Championship Decks 1997, 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 Force of Will and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Force of Will Magic the Gathering card was released in 11 different sets between 1996-06-10 and 2023-01-13. Illustrated by 6 different artists.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11996-06-10AlliancesALL 281993normalblackTerese Nielsen
21997-08-13World Championship Decks 1997WC97 pm281997normalgoldTerese Nielsen
31997-08-13World Championship Decks 1997WC97 jk281997normalgoldTerese Nielsen
42002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 435782003normalblackMatt Stewart
52002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 828422015normalblackScott M. Fischer
62007-09-10Masters EditionME1 331997normalblackTerese Nielsen
72011-01-02Legacy ChampionshipOLGC 20112003normalblackMatt Stewart
82014-01-01Judge Gift Cards 2014J14 42003normalblackMatt Stewart
92014-06-16Vintage MastersVMA 692015normalblackMatt Stewart
102016-06-10Eternal MastersEMA 492015normalblackTerese Nielsen
112017-04-28Amonkhet InvocationsMP2 142015normalborderlessJaime Jones
122020-08-07Double Masters2XM 3402015normalborderlessScott M. Fischer
132020-08-07Double Masters2XM 512015normalblackTerese Nielsen
142023-01-13Dominaria RemasteredDMR 4182015normalborderlessRichard Kane Ferguson
152023-01-13Dominaria RemasteredDMR 2841997normalblackDonato Giancola
162023-01-13Dominaria RemasteredDMR 502015normalblackDonato Giancola

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Force of Will has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernBanned
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Force of Will card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

DateText
2022-12-08 To determine the total cost of a spell, start with the mana cost or alternative cost you’re paying (such as the alternative cost of Force of Will), add any cost increases, then apply any cost reductions. Force of Will’s mana value is always 5, no matter what you paid to cast it.

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