Natural State MTG Card


Natural State - Oath of the Gatewatch
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityCommon
TypeInstant
Released2016-01-22
Set symbol
Set nameOath of the Gatewatch
Set codeOGW
Number136
Frame2015
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred byVolkan Baǵa

Key Takeaways

  1. Targets low-cost artifacts and enchantments, disrupting early opponent strategies and maintaining game tempo.
  2. Flexible usage at instant speed provides strategic advantage during an opponent’s turn for surprise tactics.
  3. Exclusive to green mana, this card may influence deck construction and strategizing within specific archetypes.

Text of card

Destroy target artifact or enchantment with converted mana cost 3 or less.

"Killing the Eldrazi is not enough. We must erase all memory of them from this world." —Greenweaver Mina


Card Pros

Card Advantage: While Natural State does not directly allow you to draw cards, it potentially disrupts your opponent’s strategy by efficiently removing key artifacts or enchantments, leading to indirect card advantage.

Resource Acceleration: By eliminating artifacts that may be ramping your opponent’s resources, Natural State can effectively slow them down, maintaining a more balanced resource progression between players.

Instant Speed: The speed at which you can play Natural State gives you the flexibility to respond during your opponent’s turn, allowing you to wait and see if they commit more to the board before you decide to use it.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Natural State does not ask you to discard, it is restricted in its ability to target only artifacts or enchantments with mana value 3 or less which can be less effective in a varied meta.

Specific Mana Cost: Natural State requires green mana, potentially limiting its inclusion to decks running green sources, which may not be conducive to certain deck archetypes.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although it costs just a single green mana, in some cases, this card competes with zero-cost alternatives like Surgical Extraction, which can be more appealing for fast-paced or combo decks.


Reasons to Include Natural State in Your Collection

Versatility: Natural State shines in its ability to seamlessly integrate into various deck archetypes, particularly those that demand a cost-effective solution to deal with artifacts or enchantments without heavy mana investments.

Combo Potential: Perfect for decks with a strategic focus on maintaining a clear board, Natural State can dismantle opponent combos by targeting key pieces or simply pave the way for your own combo execution with its low-cost removal.

Meta-Relevance: In metagames heavily featuring artifact or enchantment-based decks, such as those with strong affinity mechanics or oppressive enchantments, the inclusion of Natural State ensures you have an upper hand, remaining both reactive and cost-efficient.


How to beat

Navigating through the challenges posed by destructive spells in MTG, one might encounter the efficient removal card, Natural State. This card is known for its low-cost and ability to dispel artifacts and enchantments with converted mana cost of 3 or less. The key to overcoming Natural State lies in understanding the restrictions in its design. By utilizing higher costed artifacts and enchantments, or those that have hexproof or indestructible abilities, players can mitigate its impact.

Deploying countermeasures such as Prowling Serpopard ensures your creatures can’t be countered, indirectly protecting your enchantments from spells that would be enabled by cards like Natural State. Seeking refuge in adaptable strategies, players may incorporate asset protection methods or pivot towards reliance on non-targetable or high-cost permanents. It’s the balance between low cost efficiency and vulnerability where clever deckbuilding can outpace the limitations of cards like Natural State, thereby fortifying your board presence against such pinpoint disruption.

As players adapt to the meta shifts and intricate card interactions, survival often hinges on anticipating spell-based removal and crafting resilient gameplay strategies that transcend the reach of streamlined cards such as Natural State.


BurnMana Recommendations

Diving into MTG requires not just the right cards, but also the strategic knowledge to use them wisely. From weighing the pros and cons of cards like Natural State to considering its place in the evolving metagame, every choice can tip the scales in your favor. Exploring the utility and potential drawbacks of each card is essential in optimizing your deck’s performance. If you’re looking to adapt your arsenal against artifact or enchantment reliance or seeking to refine your deck’s response time, understanding niche cards is key. Elevate your game and arm yourself with the tools for victory. Join our community for insights and tips that could unlock your path to becoming an adept MTG strategist.


Cards like Natural State

Natural State is an efficient spell in Magic: The Gathering that players appreciate for its ability to target and destroy an artifact or enchantment with a converted mana cost of 3 or less. A card with comparable function is Nature’s Claim, which can target an artifact or enchantment regardless of its mana cost. However, Nature’s Claim gives the opponent 4 life, a potentially significant drawback not found in Natural State.

Disenchant is another card that offers similar utility. It’s a staple in white decks, and while it can destroy any artifact or enchantment, it does so at a higher mana cost of two. This could make Natural State a better option in fast-paced games that rely on quick and low-cost spells. There’s also Krosan Grip, which comes with the Split Second ability, ensuring that the targeted permanents will be destroyed without any chance for the opponent to respond. The downside to Krosan Grip in comparison to Natural State is, again, a higher mana cost.

Ultimately, for players looking to manage opponent’s early utility artifacts or enchantments, Natural State stands out as a cost-effective removal tool. It is a spell that balances cost and function, making it a noteworthy choice in decks that aim for tempo and resource management.

Nature's Claim - MTG Card versions
Disenchant - MTG Card versions
Krosan Grip - MTG Card versions
Nature's Claim - Worldwake (WWK)
Disenchant - Limited Edition Alpha (LEA)
Krosan Grip - Time Spiral (TSP)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Natural State MTG card by a specific set like Oath of the Gatewatch, 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 Natural State and other MTG cards:

Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See Magic products

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Natural State has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal

Rules and information

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

DateText
2016-01-22 If an artifact or enchantment on the battlefield has in its mana cost, X is 0.

Recent MTG decks

Continue exploring other format decks
More decks