Assault Formation MTG Card


Assault Formation transforms high-toughness creatures into potent attackers, shifting traditional MTG combat dynamics. Instant speed activation for Assault Formation adds surprise attack capabilities, leveraging both defense and offense. Deploying this card requires careful hand management due to its discard activation cost, creating strategic depth.
Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityRare
TypeEnchantment

Text of card

Each creature you control assigns combat damage equal to its toughness rather than its power. : Target creature with defender can attack this turn as though it didn't have defender. : Creatures you control get +0/+1 until end of turn.


Cards like Assault Formation

Assault Formation is an intriguing card within the MTG realm that invites players to shift their strategy by utilizing creatures’ toughness instead of their power to deal combat damage. Comparable to Doran, the Siege Tower, both cards flip the traditional combat calculations on their heads. However, Assault Formation stands out with its variable mana costs, allowing you to manipulate both attack and defense, something Doran’s static ability doesn’t offer.

In the same strategic space, we also find High Alert. This enchantment again allows your creatures to assign combat damage using their toughness. Unlike Assault Formation, High Alert offers an untap ability but lacks the flexibility to boost toughness at instant speed. Another kindred spirit in the toughness-as-power mechanic is Belligerent Brontodon, which mimics this alternative damage calculation but is confined to a creature — limiting the widespread impact that enchantments like Assault Formation can have on a game.

Evaluating these cards side by side, Assault Formation offers a unique mix of versatility and control over the battlefield, enabling a distinctive angle of play that can take opponents by surprise. Its adaptability and the potential to activate its abilities multiple times a turn makes it a worthy consideration for decks focusing on toughness.

Doran, the Siege Tower - MTG Card versions
High Alert - MTG Card versions
Belligerent Brontodon - MTG Card versions
Doran, the Siege Tower - MTG Card versions
High Alert - MTG Card versions
Belligerent Brontodon - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Assault Formation by color, type and mana cost

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Mark of Sakiko - MTG Card versions
Aspect of Wolf - MTG Card versions
Regeneration - MTG Card versions
Lifeforce - MTG Card versions
Gaea's Touch - MTG Card versions
Night Soil - MTG Card versions
Sylvan Library - MTG Card versions
Primal Rage - MTG Card versions
Survival of the Fittest - MTG Card versions
Crosswinds - MTG Card versions
Fortitude - MTG Card versions
Tranquil Grove - MTG Card versions
Treetop Bracers - MTG Card versions
Root Cage - MTG Card versions
Elfhame Sanctuary - MTG Card versions
Compost - MTG Card versions
Thoughtleech - MTG Card versions
Weaver of Harmony - MTG Card versions
Shigeki, Jukai Visionary - MTG Card versions
Fertile Ground - MTG Card versions
Mark of Sakiko - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Assault Formation. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
UGUG PioneerPioneer League 2024-03-09
Simic AggroSimic Aggro PioneerNRG Series $10,000 Showdown - Chicagoland, Illinois (Pioneer)
Naya ComboNaya Combo Legacy2023 NA Legacy Champs

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Assault Formation enables players to utilize the toughness of creatures as a resource for dealing damage, effectively turning defensive units into formidable attackers. This can lead to an overwhelming board presence, often giving you a numerical edge over the opponent. It also opens up card interactions that can draw cards based on creatures’ toughness, indirectly contributing to card advantage.

Resource Acceleration: Not directly involved with traditional mana ramping, Assault Formation instead accelerates your board’s potential by allowing even the lowest-cost, high-toughness creatures to become viable threats. This efficient use of resources can outpace an opponent’s development, pressuring their life total early in the game.

Instant Speed: While Assault Formation itself is not an instant, it permits you to use creatures with high toughness as blockers and then, with its activated ability, turn them into attackers at instant speed during your turn. This flexibility can catch an opponent off-guard, potentially turning the tide of the battle by maximizing the utility of your creatures both defensively and offensively.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One drawback of utilizing Assault Formation in your deck is the necessity to discard a card to activate its ability that allows creatures you control to assign combat damage equal to their toughness rather than their power. The discard could be problematic if your hand is already depleted.

Specific Mana Cost: Assault Formation has a specific mana cost that includes green, which means it slots primarily into green decks or those that can accommodate green mana. This can potentially limit deck-building options for players not running green or multicolored mana bases.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With an initial casting cost plus additional mana required to fully utilize its abilities, Assault Formation may be less mana efficient compared to other cards that boost creature power or provide defensive bonuses. This can be a significant factor, especially in faster-paced games where mana economy is crucial.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Assault Formation is a dynamic inclusion in any deck that focuses on toughness rather than power, turning defensive stalwarts into formidable attackers.

Combo Potential: This card synergizes well with high-toughness creatures, potentially unlocking game-winning combinations by allowing for unexpected damage output.

Meta-Relevance: With its unique ability to shift the combat dynamic, Assault Formation can catch opponents off guard in a meta that’s heavy on creature-based strategies.


How to beat

Assault Formation is a unique card that turns the usual combat calculations upside down by allowing creatures to deal damage with their toughness rather than their power. To effectively counter this strategy, removing or disabling Assault Formation is key. Cards that can destroy or exile enchantments, such as Naturalize or Disenchant, are traditional answers. Control decks can benefit greatly from counterspells like Cancel or Negate that prevent Assault Formation from hitting the battlefield in the first place.

Additionally, since the deck relies heavily on having creatures with high toughness, board wipes like Wrath of God or Damnation can prove devastating. It’s also worth considering that without Assault Formation, many of these creatures become less threatening, so creature removal spells remain valuable. Removing key defensive creatures can cripple an opponent’s strategy. Ultimately, maintaining the ability to disrupt and clear the board can turn the tides against an Assault Formation-centric deck.


BurnMana Recommendations

Dive deeper into the world of MTG with Assault Formation and redefine your gameplay. Embrace the shift from power to toughness, creating unexpected lines of attack that can astonish your opponents. Understanding the balance of strengths and weaknesses of this card brings a new layer to strategic deck-building. As you continue to build and fine-tune your collection, consider the value of synergy, the meta game, and niche strategies that can elevate your MTG experience. For more insights, deck-building tips, and ways to outmaneuver your opponents using Assault Formation, join us and enhance your MTG prowess.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Assault Formation MTG card by a specific set like Dragons of Tarkir and Iconic Masters, 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 Assault Formation and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Assault Formation Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2015-03-27 and 2020-07-17. Illustrated by Kieran Yanner.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12015-03-27Dragons of TarkirDTK 1732015NormalBlackKieran Yanner
22017-11-17Iconic MastersIMA 1552015NormalBlackKieran Yanner
32020-07-17JumpstartJMP 3782015NormalBlackKieran Yanner
42020-09-26The ListPLST IMA-1552015NormalBlackKieran Yanner

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Assault Formation has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
BrawlLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Assault Formation card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2017-11-17 Assault Formation’s first ability doesn’t actually change any creature’s power. It changes only the amount of combat damage it assigns. All other rules and effects that check power or toughness use the real values. For example, Hunt the Weak won’t cause a creature to fight with its toughness.
2017-11-17 For example, a 2/3 creature will assign 3 combat damage rather than 2.