Force of Savagery MTG Card
2007-05-04 - Number 126
2020-09-26 - Number FUT-126
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Elemental |
| Abilities | Trample |
| Power | 8 |
| Toughness | 0 |
Key Takeaways
- Deter opponents and manipulate resources by leveraging Force of Savagery’s intimidating power in strategic interactions.
- Enable rapid board development by pairing with mechanics that boost its zero toughness, circumventing normal mana curves.
- Though risky with immediate discard potential, its inclusion can create powerful combos and meta-relevant plays.
Text of card
Trample
"Life cannot be created and then abandoned. It must be nurtured and fed so that it may express its ripened might." —Freyalise
Card Pros
Card Advantage: While Force of Savagery doesn’t directly allow you to draw cards, its sheer presence can be a deterrent, affecting the way opponents utilize their resources. When combined with effects that benefit from high-powered creatures, it can indirectly contribute to gaining card advantage through synergistic interactions.
Resource Acceleration: This card doesn’t directly contribute to resource acceleration in the traditional sense of ramping mana. However, when paired with life-gain or sacrifice mechanics, it can facilitate explosive plays that can far outpace the typical mana curve, accelerating your board presence significantly.
Instant Speed: Force of Savagery itself is not an instant, but its interactions with flash creatures or spells that can cheat creatures onto the battlefield can mimic instant speed dynamics. This can catch opponents off guard, creating opportunities for favorable combat exchanges or surprise blockers.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Force of Savagery presents a unique challenge upon entering the battlefield with zero toughness, effectively discarding itself if there is no immediate way to increase its toughness, potentially wasting your turn.
Specific Mana Cost: Playing Force of Savagery requires a commitment to green mana, demanding three green sources. This can be restrictive and might not fit seamlessly into multi-color deck strategies.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although its power is immense, the cost of three green mana for an 8/0 creature is high, especially considering the immediate risk of it dying without support. Other creatures or spells might provide more stability and versatility for the same or lower mana investment.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Force of Savagery may seem like a peculiar choice at first glance considering it has zero toughness, but it shines in decks that exploit counters and battlefield effects. Its instant board presence can be pivotal in strategies needing a large creature immediately.
Combo Potential: With the right setup, such as cards that increase toughness or provide counters upon entry, this card quickly becomes a formidable threat. Its synergy with cards like “Bioshift” or “Twilight Shepherd” creates unexpected yet powerful combos.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where surprise blockers or swift, heavy strikers are key, Force of Savagery can serve as a lethal surprise. Its ability to instantly hit the field through effects like “Flash” can disrupt opponent’s tactics. Plus, its tribal affiliations with Elementals or Giants could be leveraged in relevant meta decks.
How to beat
Confronting Force of Savagery in the MTG universe requires strategic finesse due to its unique characteristics. As a creature that enters the battlefield with 0 toughness, it’s usually susceptible to immediate demise unless buttressed by external effects. To outmaneuver this green creature, consider keeping enchantment removal spells like Naturalize on hand to dismantle any anthems or buffs your opponent might use for sustain.
Moreover, you can employ creatures with “enters the battlefield” effects or instant spells that reduce toughness, such as Dead Weight or Grasp of Darkness, which can readily address the Force of Savagery without the need for it to be boosted first. It’s also wise to monitor mana availability, as a savvy player may leverage the Force as a combo piece. Playing reactively and capitalizing on the fleeting window of vulnerability can swiftly negate its potential threat.
In essence, overcoming the threat of Force of Savagery revolves around anticipation and calculated disruption, ensuring that any augmentations to its survival are swiftly neutralized, transforming a formidable force into a fleeting memory on the battlefield.
Cards like Force of Savagery
Force of Savagery springs into battle with an intriguing mechanic: it has a power of 8 but its toughness is 0, making it a unique creature in Magic: The Gathering. Instantly, one might draw parallels with cards like Ball Lightning, a creature with a significant power, trample, and haste that is destined to be sacrificed at the beginning of the end step. Force of Savagery doesn’t have haste but can remain on the field if its toughness is increased. In the realm of high-power creatures, Phantom Nishoba also comes to mind, entering with seven counters that can make it a resilient threat over time, whereas Force of Savagery relies on external means to survive.
Phyrexian Dreadnought is another mighty creature with a power of 12 but demands a sacrifice of creatures with total power 12 or greater when it comes into play. In comparison, Force of Savagery requires no such sacrifice but faces the hurdle of maintaining its existence past the initial summon. The appeal lies in quickly bolstering its toughness through spells or abilities.
Overall, when exploring these cards, Force of Savagery certainly finds its position among high-risk, high-reward creatures within Magic: The Gathering, inviting innovative strategies to exploit its full potential.
Cards similar to Force of Savagery by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Force of Savagery MTG card by a specific set like Future Sight 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 Force of Savagery 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 Force of Savagery Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2007-05-04 and 2007-05-04. Illustrated by Dan Scott.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2007-05-04 | Future Sight | FUT | 126 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Dan Scott | |
| 2 | The List | PLST | FUT-126 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Dan Scott |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Force of Savagery 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 Force of Savagery 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 | Yes, Force of Savagery has 0 toughness. It will be put into its owner’s graveyard as a state-based action immediately upon entering the battlefield unless an effect puts it onto the battlefield with a counter on it (such as Chorus of the Conclave would) or a static ability boosts its toughness (such as Glorious Anthem would). A triggered or activated ability that boosts toughness won’t have its effect fast enough to save it. |
