Lead by Example MTG Card


Buffing two creatures simultaneously with Lead by Example can create a dominant board and turn combat tides. Instant speed allows for strategic use, surprising opponents and potentially disrupting their tactics. The card’s specific mana needs and higher cost may limit its utility compared to similar options.
Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityCommon
TypeInstant
Abilities Support

Text of card

Support 2. (Put a +1/+1 counter on each of up to two target creatures.)

Gideon and Nissa carved a path through the Eldrazi swarm, and their Zendikari allies charged into the fray behind them.


Cards like Lead by Example

Lead by Example shines in the set of support cards available to players in Magic: The Gathering. It shares the battlefield with other cards like Strength of the Tajuru that also empower creatures. However, Lead by Example is straightforward in its approach, providing a +1/+1 counter to a pair of creatures with its low-cost inclusive of any color of mana. Strength of the Tajuru scales with mana input, potentially buffing numerous creatures but at a higher cost.

Another kin in function is Inspiring Roar, which also blankets your creatures with +1/+1 counters, albeit it affects all creatures you control. Despite its more extensive impact, Inspiring Roar cannot match the instant speed of Lead by Example, which can be a tactical advantage during combat phases. Yet another peer is Together Forever, offering recurrent value in reassigning counters among creatures as the game progresses, while Lead by Example is a one-time event with immediate effect.

Evaluating the options, Lead by Example holds a valuable position in the repertoire of bolstering spells in MTG. Its immediate, flexible, and cost-effective boost can be crucial in early aggression or mid-game skirmishes, anchoring its place as a reliable combat trick.

Strength of the Tajuru - MTG Card versions
Inspiring Roar - MTG Card versions
Together Forever - MTG Card versions
Strength of the Tajuru - MTG Card versions
Inspiring Roar - MTG Card versions
Together Forever - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Lead by Example offers the potential to tip creature combat in your favor, effectively bolstering two of your creatures. The simultaneous enhancement of multiple creatures can create a more formidable board presence, equating to a more pronounced impact than a single card might suggest.

Resource Acceleration: Improving your creatures’ stats may lead to a quicker victory, taking pressure off your mana resources in longer games. By facilitating more efficient trades or attacks, the card helps maintain an advantageous state without additional investment.

Instant Speed: The flexibility of casting Lead by Example at instant speed during combat or at the end of your opponent’s turn can surprise the adversary, potentially disrupting their strategies. This reactive use of the card can shift the balance of power suddenly, often forcing opponents to reevaluate their tactics.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One of the downsides to Lead by Example is its reliance on having another card to discard. If your hand is nearly empty, this requirement can hinder your overall strategy and limit your ability to maintain card advantage on the battlefield.

Specific Mana Cost: Lead by Example comes with a specific mana cost that necessitates both green and white mana to play. This constraint means it can’t be easily slotted into decks that don’t run these colors, reducing its flexibility and potentially its overall utility in a varied meta.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: For a buffing card, Lead by Example’s mana cost is on the higher side, especially when compared to other combat trick options available. While it does offer a potentially powerful effect, players may find other cards at a lower cost that achieve similar, or even better, results, which makes it a less than optimal choice for decks focusing on efficiency.


Reasons to Include Lead by Example in Your Collection

Versatility: Lead by Example is a flexible card that can be included in several deck archetypes. Its ability to distribute +1/+1 counters among creatures not only strengthens your board presence but also works well in counter-centric decks.

Combo Potential: This card can significantly enhance strategies that thrive on +1/+1 counters. Combine it with proliferate mechanics or cards like Hardened Scales to magnify its impact and orchestrate powerful synergy on the battlefield.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where creature strategies are prevalent, Lead by Example can be a game-changer. It helps creatures outclass rivals in combat and can tip the scales in your favor during critical turns. Its low mana cost also means it fits seamlessly into the curve of aggressive and mid-range decks.


How to Beat Lead by Example in MTG

Confronting the Lead by Example card in MTG can pose a challenge due to its ability to bolster the strength of creatures on the battlefield. This instant card shines in going wide strategies where it effectively doubles the impact by buffing not one, but two creatures, potentially overturning the tide of combat in the caster’s favor.

To counteract Lead by Example, timing is critical. One effective approach is to disrupt your opponent’s plays with removal spells before they are able to capitalize on the buff Lead by Example provides. Instant speed removal such as Path to Exile or Fatal Push can be played in response to the spell, negating its effects before they come to fruition.

Additionally, utilizing counter spells such as Counterspell or Mana Leak could ensure that Lead by Example never resolves, preempting the threat altogether. It’s also prudent to manage the battlefield and keep the opponent’s creature count low, reducing the impact of their combat tricks. Cards that offer board sweepers like Wrath of God will help maintain control against strategies relying on creature synergies enhanced by spells like Lead by Example.

Ultimately, staying proactive and controlling the flow of the game with smart removal and counters can dismantle the advantage Lead by Example aims to create, ensuring your opponent’s plans don’t lead to your defeat.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Lead by Example MTG card by a specific set like Oath of the Gatewatch and Battlebond, 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 Lead by Example and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Lead by Example Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2016-01-22 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by Johannes Voss.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12016-01-22Oath of the GatewatchOGW 1342015NormalBlackJohannes Voss
22018-06-08BattlebondBBD 2052015NormalBlackJohannes Voss
32019-11-07Mystery BoosterMB1 12582015NormalBlackJohannes Voss
42020-09-26The ListPLST BBD-2052015NormalBlackJohannes Voss

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Lead by Example has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2016-01-22 If a spell with support has other abilities that target creatures, those abilities and the support ability can target the same creature.
2016-01-22 Support can target a creature you don’t control.
2016-01-22 You can’t put more than one +1/+1 counter on any one target using the support action.