Living Totem MTG Card

Card Pros

Card Advantage: When you’re looking to add creature presence while simultaneously enhancing your existing board, Living Totem offers the versatility you need. Its ability to put a +1/+1 counter on another target creature you control can incrementally shift the balance in your favor, turning smaller creatures into more substantial threats.

Resource Acceleration: Although Living Totem itself doesn’t directly provide mana acceleration, the +1/+1 counter it confers can be particularly synergistic with creatures that grow stronger or unlock abilities based on their power, ultimately speeding up your strategy and resource accumulation.

Instant Speed: While Living Totem operates at sorcery speed, its impact should not be underestimated. It provides a solid body on the field that assists in establishing board control. The key is timing its deployment to maximize the placement of the +1/+1 counter, often catching an opponent off-guard and tipping the scales subtly yet effectively during your turn.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: In the case of the Living Totem, there isn’t a discard requirement, so this con wouldn’t apply to this creature.

Specific Mana Cost: Living Totem’s need for both green mana and generic mana can be a tad restrictive, as it requires a commitment to green mana sources, making it potentially awkward in multicolor decks where green is not a primary color.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Clocking in at four mana for a 2/3 creature, Living Totem can be seen as inefficient when compared to other creatures at the four-mana slot. Considering its ability to bolster another creature might not always justify its cost in fast-paced games where tempo and efficiency are critical.

Reasons to Include Living Totem in Your Collection

Versatility: Living Totem is a flexible addition to any MTG deck that appreciates creature buffs and board presence. Its ability to confer a +1/+1 counter when it enters the battlefield makes it a valuable option for bolstering your creatures at crucial moments.

Combo Potential: The +1/+1 counter from Living Totem can synergize with counter-centric strategies, such as those involving proliferate mechanics or enhancing creatures that benefit from additional counters.

Meta-Relevance: In a game state that rewards proactive creature plays and continuous board development, Living Totem’s seamless integration into a wide range of decks ensures its relevance across various formats.

How to Beat

The Living Totem, within MTG’s vast library of cards, presents a unique challenge when faced across the table. As a creature that can bolster itself or another creature with a +1/+1 counter upon entering the battlefield, it offers a strategic benefit that demands a timely counteraction. The key to overcoming the Living Totem lies in the art of removal. Efficient removal spells can effectively deal with Living Totem before its benefit becomes lasting. Whether it’s a low-cost instant spell that sweeps it off the board immediately or a broader ‘destroy all creatures’ effect that can reset the playing field, ensuring you have the right card to counteract the Living Totem’s entrance is paramount.

Counterspells also play a crucial role, providing a proactive approach by preventing the Living Totem from hitting the board in the first place. Additionally, cards with reach or flying can serve as an excellent defense, giving you the upper hand as you block and remove the totem from combat scenarios. By integrating these strategies into your game plan, you can turn the tide against the Living Totem and maintain dominance in your MTG battles.