Summoning Sickness Mtg

Vonbon Hill

2 min read

·

04-12-2024

1

0

Share

Summoning sickness. The bane of many a new Magic: The Gathering player, and a frustrating mechanic for even experienced veterans. Understanding this rule is crucial to building effective decks and winning games. This guide breaks down everything you need to know about summoning sickness in MTG.

What is Summoning Sickness?

Summoning sickness is a game rule that prevents newly summoned creatures from attacking during the turn they enter the battlefield. This applies to most creatures, and it's a key element of gameplay strategy. It forces players to think strategically about their creature deployment and attack plans.

The Exceptions: When Creatures Can Attack Immediately

While the general rule applies, there are some exceptions. Certain creatures or abilities ignore summoning sickness. These include:

• Haste: Creatures with the haste ability can attack the turn they enter the battlefield. This ability is often found on powerful creatures, making them particularly threatening. Look for keywords like "Haste" in a creature's text box.

• Abilities that Grant Haste: Some abilities grant haste, either temporarily or permanently. Careful reading of card text is vital to identifying these exceptions.

Strategic Implications of Summoning Sickness

Summoning sickness is more than just a rule; it's a strategic element that profoundly impacts gameplay. Here's how:

• Tempo: Understanding summoning sickness allows players to manage tempo effectively. A well-timed creature play can disrupt an opponent's strategy, while a poorly-timed play can leave you vulnerable.

• Defensive Plays: Summoning sickness can be leveraged defensively. Playing a creature to block an opponent's attacker, even if that creature can't attack this turn, can still be a powerful defensive move.

• Deckbuilding: Knowing about summoning sickness influences deck building. Decks that rely heavily on aggressive strategies might include more creatures with haste, while control decks might focus on creatures that provide utility without needing to attack immediately.

Mastering Summoning Sickness: Tips and Tricks

• Read Carefully: Pay close attention to creature card text. Look for abilities like haste, or those that might grant haste.

• Plan Ahead: Anticipate your opponent's plays and plan accordingly. Consider both offensive and defensive uses of your creatures.

• Utilize Mana Efficiently: Don't waste mana on summoning creatures that can't immediately contribute to your offensive strategy.

• Learn Your Opponent's Deck: If you know what creatures your opponent is likely to play, you can better anticipate their strategy and counteract their plays.

Understanding summoning sickness is essential to becoming a successful Magic: The Gathering player. By understanding its rules and implications, you'll be able to build stronger decks, make more informed plays, and ultimately win more games.