Fortify MTG Card
2006-10-06 - Number 19
2013-07-19 - Number 19
2015-05-22 - Number 17
2019-11-07 - Number 114
2020-07-17 - Number 105
2020-08-07 - Number 17
2021-03-19 - Number 18
2020-09-26 - Number MM2-17
| Card sets | Released in 8 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Instant |
Key Takeaways
- Fortify enhances board presence, crucial for securing long-term MTG gameplay success.
- Instant speed casting of Fortify adds surprise and flexibility during combat.
- Despite its versatility, Fortify’s discard requirement and mana specificity can pose deckbuilding challenges.
Text of card
Choose one Creatures you control get +2/+0 until end of turn; or creatures you control get +0/+2 until end of turn.
"Where metal is tainted and wood is scarce, we are best armed by faith." —Tavalus, acolyte of Korlis
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Fortify provides the strategic upper hand by reinforcing your creatures during combat, potentially leading to advantageous trades or preventing crucial losses. This can translate to maintaining board presence which is key for long-term success in the game.
Resource Acceleration: While Fortify itself doesn’t directly accelerate resources, it efficiently utilizes the mana you have available. By spending a relatively low amount of mana, you can effectively save your creatures and avoid having to invest more mana in future turns to replace them.
Instant Speed: The ability to cast Fortify at instant speed cannot be overstated. It allows you to surprise an opponent during combat, turning the tide in your favor. This flexibility is a major asset, giving you the power to adapt to dynamic situations during the game and utilize your mana efficiently.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One downside to playing Fortify in your deck is the mandatory need to discard a card. This can hinder your hand advantage, particularly when you’re already trailing behind in card resources. It’s essential to weigh the benefits against the potential cost of diminishing your hand.
Specific Mana Cost: Fortify demands a defined composition of mana to cast, specifically one white mana (W) in its cost. This requirement can restrict the card’s integration into multicolored decks and can be less manageable for decks that don’t consistently produce white mana.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that could be considered steep for its effect, Fortify may not always be the most economical choice. There are alternative cards in MTG that can strengthen your creatures with a lower mana investment, potentially leading to more efficient play sequences and better use of your mana resources during a game.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Fortify can be a flexible addition to any deck that aims to protect and enhance its creatures. With the ability to bolster your offense or defense at a critical moment, it has the adaptability to swing the tide of battle in your favor.
Combo Potential: This card shows promise when combined with strategies that capitalize on sudden power boosts or need to survive an unexpected onslaught. It could perfectly complement decks centered around creature synergies or surprise tactics.
Meta-Relevance: In a game state that emphasizes combat and board presence, Fortify can play a pivotal role. Particularly within aggressive or creature-heavy metas, being able to fortify your creatures at a moment’s notice can provide a significant edge over the competition.
How to beat
Fortify is a unique card in MTG that offers players the ability to strengthen their creatures temporarily. Understanding this card’s versatility in either boosting attack or defense is crucial when considering your strategy against it. To beat Fortify, players should focus on maintaining removal spells or abilities that can be activated at instant speed, allowing them to react to Fortify’s buff before damage is dealt or to disrupt the combat phase.
Building a board presence with creatures that have deathtouch or power that can withstand the fortification bonus can deter an opponent from using Fortify to their advantage. In addition, utilizing counterspells to prevent Fortify from resolving or playing enchantments that limit combat abilities can effectively neutralize its potential impact on the game.
Key is to recognize Fortify’s dual utility and prepare for both scenarios. Careful observation of the opponent’s mana availability and creature movements can give insights into when they might cast Fortify. Be ready to act in that critical window, and your chances of maintaining control of the game against a Fortify play rise significantly.
Cards like Fortify
Fortify is an interesting choice for players looking to boost their creature’s strength during combat in Magic: The Gathering. It’s somewhat akin to cards like Inspired Charge, which also grants a power and toughness increase to your creatures. Nonetheless, Fortify stands out by offering the versatility of two distinct modes—one for offense and one for defense—during your turn.
Comparatively, there’s Make a Stand, which provides a similar power increase and also grants indestructible until end of turn but at a higher mana cost. While it lacks Fortify’s defensive option, the added protection from destruction effects can be invaluable in certain situations. Another card to consider is Charge, which is more mana-efficient but offers a smaller power boost than Fortify and lacks the modal flexibility.
Each of these cards caters to different strategic needs in a player’s arsenal. When looking for combat tricks in Magic: The Gathering, Fortify’s dual-mode functionality gives it a unique position, allowing players to adapt it according to the specific demands of each combat scenario they face.
Cards similar to Fortify by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Fortify MTG card by a specific set like Time Spiral and Magic 2014, 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 Fortify 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 Fortify Magic the Gathering card was released in 8 different sets between 2006-10-06 and 2021-03-19. Illustrated by Christopher Moeller.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2006-10-06 | Time Spiral | TSP | 19 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Christopher Moeller | |
| 2 | 2013-07-19 | Magic 2014 | M14 | 19 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Christopher Moeller | |
| 3 | 2015-05-22 | Modern Masters 2015 | MM2 | 17 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Christopher Moeller | |
| 4 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 114 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Christopher Moeller | |
| 5 | 2020-07-17 | Jumpstart | JMP | 105 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Christopher Moeller | |
| 6 | 2020-08-07 | Double Masters | 2XM | 17 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Christopher Moeller | |
| 7 | The List | PLST | MM2-17 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Christopher Moeller | ||
| 8 | 2021-03-19 | Time Spiral Remastered | TSR | 18 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Christopher Moeller |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Fortify has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Fortify card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2013-07-01 | Creatures that come under your control after Fortify resolves won't get the chosen bonus. |
| 2013-07-01 | You choose the mode as you cast Fortify, not as it resolves. |
