Spectral Force MTG Card

Time Spiral (TSP)
2006-10-06 - Number 217

The List (PLST)
2020-09-26 - Number TSP-217

Card sets	Released in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	5
Rarity	Rare
Type	Creature — Elemental Spirit
Abilities	Trample
Power	8
Toughness	8

Key Takeaways

Offers card advantage by applying pressure and forcing opponents to expend multiple resources.
It excels in green decks, enabling faster gameplay through its formidable mana-to-power ratio.
Though mana-hungry, Spectral Force’s presence can dictate the pace and sway the game in your favor.

Text of card

Trample Whenever Spectral Force attacks, if defending player controls no black permanents, it doesn't untap during your next untap step.

"The spirits of old have not left us unguarded." —Uros, Pendelhaven elder

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Spectral Force provides substantial pressure on the battlefield, commanding your opponent’s attention and often requiring multiple resources to deal with. Such a presence can pave the way for card advantage by diverting resources or creating favorable trades that benefit your hand and board state.

Resource Acceleration: This card, by itself, may not directly offer resource acceleration, but its formidable stats for its mana cost can translate into a faster game for green decks where deploying threats quickly can be crucial. In a deck built around ramping up mana, Spectral Force can swing in earlier than expected, accelerating your path to victory.

Instant Speed: Though not an instant, the mere existence of Spectral Force on the board can affect the pace and timing of your opponent’s plays. If you maintain the initiative and dictate the flow of the game, this can indirectly act like you’re operating at instant speed by forcing your opponent to respond reactively to your threats.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Engaging with Spectral Force can be elusive since it requires sifting through your hand for an additional cost. Shedding a card can often mean losing strategic advantage, particularly when your hand is already stretched thin by the exigencies of play.

Specific Mana Cost: Tapping into the ethereal power of Spectral Force necessitates a precise alignment of mana, specifically a steep concentration of green. This not only pigeonholes it into green-based decks but also can make it a cumbersome draw when your mana pool is diversified.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Summoning Spectral Force calls for substantial mana investment, which means your reserves may be depleted just when you need them most. Weighing at five mana for its presence on the field, you may find that there are other entities or spells ready to serve for less – a harsh reality for those looking to economize their mana expenditures.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Spectral Force can adapt to various strategies, thriving in decks geared towards leveraging powerful creatures. Its substantial power makes it a strong standalone threat on the board.

Combo Potential: This card works well with effects that untap creatures or manipulate summoning sickness, unlocking new angles to exploit its substantial stats. Its synergy with various green-centric strategies enhances its combo allure.

Meta-Relevance: Given its resilience in the face of sorcery-speed removal and its ability to pressure control decks, Spectral Force remains a relevant choice in metas where big creatures dictate the pace.

How to beat

Spectral Force is an imposing presence in any MTG duel with its substantial power level, thriving in green-heavy decks that favor nature’s untamed might. To counteract the immense strength of this creature, consider cards that can neutralize it without depending on the combat phase. Enchantment-based solutions like Pacifism can disable Spectral Force by forbidding it from attacking or blocking, effectively rendering it harmless regardless of its power.

Removal spells are also a key strategy to dispatch Spectral Force before it overtakes the battlefield. Direct removal options like Path to Exile offer a swift and effective answer, removing the threat from the game and mitigating the Force’s intimidating ability to grow stronger during your opponent’s turn. Another efficient tactic is exploiting its susceptibility during your turn, utilizing board wipes such as Wrath of God when Spectral Force’s guard is down due to its conditional power enhancement.

Overall, while Spectral Force’s raw power can be daunting, incorporating smart removal or disabling strategies into your deck can ensure that you remain in control of the game, keeping this beast at bay and preserving your chances of clinching victory.

Cards like Spectral Force

Exploring the pantheon of green creatures within MTG reveals that Spectral Force is a unique heavyweight. It’s often compared to fellow titans like Thorn Elemental, both boasting a considerable amount of power for their mana cost. However, Spectral Force stands out with its intimidating 8/8 stature, an advantage over Thorn Elemental’s 7/7. But Spectral Force’s might comes with a stipulation – it only attacks if its controller has no cards in hand, reminiscent of creatures adhering to the hellbent mechanic.

Continuing with the comparison, there’s the Terra Stomper – an uncounterable beast that shares the trample ability with Spectral Force, yet it allows for more consistent assaults without the no-hand restriction. On the other spectrum, Liege of the Tangle offers an opportunity to transform lands into 8/8 creatures, a potential game-ender. Even though Spectral Force may not have the land-awakening capability, it’s significantly cheaper, demanding one less mana than the Liege’s hefty eight-mana cost.

Conclusively, Spectral Force has a formidable presence in MTG, rewarding players who skillfully manage their hand size. While it may not be as versatile or unconditional as its counterparts, it compensates with raw power and a lower casting cost, making it a force to be reckoned with on the battlefield.

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

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Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Spectral Force MTG card by a specific set like Time Spiral and The List, 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 Spectral Force and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Spectral Force Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2006-10-06 and 2006-10-06. Illustrated by Dan Scott.

#	Released	Name	Code	Symbol	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	2006-10-06	Time Spiral	TSP		217	2003	Normal	Black	Dan Scott
2	~~2020-09-26~~	The List	PLST		TSP-217	2003	Normal	Black	Dan Scott

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Spectral Force has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Modern	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal
Penny	Legal

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2007-05-01	”Your next untap…” refers to the player who controls Spectral Force when the triggered ability resolves. That means if it’s temporarily stolen (such as with Word of Seizing) and attacked with, it will untap in its previous controller’s untap step.