Even the Odds MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Instant |
| Released | 2007-05-04 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Future Sight |
| Set code | FUT |
| Number | 6 |
| Frame | 2003 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Shishizaru |
Key Takeaways
- Grants card advantage by generating multiple blockers without using hand resources.
- Instant speed allows for reactive plays and strategic board state enhancement.
- Can be restrictive for multicolor decks due to specific mana requirements.
Text of card
Play Even the Odds only if you control fewer creatures than each opponent. Put three 1/1 white Soldier creature tokens into play.
"They who fall singing the battle hymn of Benalia go not unavenged." —Adom Capashen, Benalish commander
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Even the Odds is revered for its potential to swing a match favorably by generating unexpected blockers. It doesn’t simply add creatures to your side; it matches the number of creatures you control to those controlled by your opponent, often generating multiple creature tokens in one swift move, granting you a form of card advantage as you increase your army without depleting your hand.
Resource Acceleration: While Even the Odds doesn’t directly produce mana or tokens that can be used for mana, it does effectively accelerate your board presence without spending resources on individual creature spells. This card economizes your mana and card spending, allowing you to allocate those assets elsewhere, thereby indirectly contributing to acceleration of your resources.
Instant Speed: The instant speed of Even the Odds permits dynamic play choices. You can wait until the end of your opponent’s turn to cast it, keeping mana available for other responses and catching your opponent off guard. It provides the adaptability to respond to threats immediately or to enhance your board state right before your turn to secure a stronger offensive position.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Even the Odds requires a player to be facing an opponent with more creatures on the battlefield. This can be an unwelcome prerequisite when your deck’s strategy doesn’t align with falling behind on board presence.
Specific Mana Cost: Necessitating both white and green mana, Even the Odds can be restrictive for multicolor decks, often demanding a well-tuned mana base to be cast consistently.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Costing three mana, including one white and one green, it’s a significant investment for an effect that is conditional and only adds a single 4/4 white Knight creature token into play. Other cards at this cost can offer more consistent and flexible benefits.
Reasons to Include Even the Odds in Your Collection
Versatility: Even the Odds is a unique spell that allows players to catch up when they’re behind. This card can seamlessly integrate into decks that aim to stabilize the board and thrive in situations where opponents have a clear creature advantage.
Combo Potential: This card’s ability to summon creatures can be paired with various effects that trigger upon creatures entering the battlefield. It can be a clever addition to decks focusing on such synergies and a surprise element that can turn the tides of a game.
Meta-Relevance: In a metagame dominated by aggressive strategies, Even the Odds serves as a counteracting tool. It provides defensive value against swarm strategies and ensures you remain competitive even when opponents try to flood the board early on.
How to Beat Even the Odds
Even the Odds is a unique card in Magic: The Gathering, often seen as a balancing tool in matchups. It enables players who are behind on creature count to quickly catch up by putting tokens onto the battlefield. What sets this card apart is its conditional nature – it can only be cast if an opponent controls more creatures than you, which can both be a limitation and a strategic element to consider.
Effectively addressing Even the Odds requires an approach that minimizes the impact of surprise blockers or the sudden swing in board presence. One strategy is maintaining creature parity; by not overextending on the board and keeping creature counts close, you limit the opportunities for your opponent to take advantage of this card. Another tactic is holding up removal or board wipes for when the opponent has committed to casting Even the Odds, ensuring you can swiftly answer any tokens they create.
Ultimately, recognizing when the card could be played and strategically controlling the pace and creature count of the game is crucial. A well-timed response or preventative playstyle can mitigate the potentially game-changing effects of Even the Odds and maintain the balance in your favor.
Cards like Even the Odds
Even the Odds is an interesting tactical play within Magic: The Gathering, sharing space with similar surprise defensive cards. Like Even the Odds, cards such as Batwing Brume offer players a way to circumvent combat phases that are overwhelmingly tilted against them. While Batwing Brume deals damage to the opponent based on attacking creatures, Even the Odds provides a more tangible defense by bringing creatures onto the battlefield.
Moments of respite can be found with Dawn Charm as well, which while versatile, allows for a prevention of all combat damage that would be dealt at instant speed, similar to the emergency defensive capabilities of Even the Odds. However, Dawn Charm doesn’t change board presence like Even the Odds, which actually bolsters your side with soldiers. On the other hand, Master’s Call also creates creature tokens but without the requirement of facing more creatures than the number of cards you control – offering more consistent token generation albeit with less surprise factor.
In essence, Even the Odds stands out with its specific conditions, providing an unexpected swing in board advantage during moments when you are outnumbered, anchoring its unique position within the pantheon of Magic: The Gathering surprise maneuvers.
Cards similar to Even the Odds by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Even the Odds MTG card by a specific set like Future Sight, 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 Even the Odds 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
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Even the Odds 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 Even the Odds 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 | It doesn’t matter how many creatures you control as Even the Odds resolves. |
