Olivia, Mobilized for War MTG Card


Provides card advantage through transforming discarded cards into immediate vampire threats on the board. Accelerates tempo, granting haste to new creatures, bypassing the usual one-turn waiting period. Presents an instant-speed-like impact, enabling hasty attacks and applying immediate pressure on opponents.
Card setsReleased in 6 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityMythic
TypeLegendary Creature — Vampire Knight
Abilities Flying
Power 3
Toughness 3

Text of card

Flying Whenever another creature enters the battlefield under your control, you may discard a card. If you do, put a +1/+1 counter on that creature, it gains haste until end of turn, and it becomes a Vampire in addition to its other types.


Cards like Olivia, Mobilized for War

Olivia Mobilized for War, a formidable legendary creature from Magic: The Gathering, enhances your gameplay with its unique abilities. A similar card within the vampire archetype is Drana, Liberator of Malakir. Like Olivia, Drana also affects the combat phase, granting your attacking creatures additional power. However, Olivia stands out by offering you the option to discard a card, which can trigger madness or provide a +1/+1 counter and haste to a creature entering the battlefield under your control.

Another card that shares the ability to empower creatures is Stromkirk Captain. While providing a +1/+1 bonus and first strike to your other vampires, Stromkirk Captain lacks the dynamic discard mechanic and immediate impact on newly cast creatures that Olivia grants. Yet another is Falkenrath Aristocrat, which similarly capitalizes on sacrificing creatures for personal gain, but does so in a more defensive manner compared to Olivia’s aggressive buffing strategy.

Ultimately, Olivia Mobilized for War commands a unique position in MTG due to her capacity to quickly escalate threats and synergize with the madness mechanic, distinguishing her from other aggressive vampire options in the game’s vast card pool.

Drana, Liberator of Malakir - MTG Card versions
Stromkirk Captain - MTG Card versions
Falkenrath Aristocrat - MTG Card versions
Drana, Liberator of Malakir - MTG Card versions
Stromkirk Captain - MTG Card versions
Falkenrath Aristocrat - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Olivia, Mobilized for War by color, type and mana cost

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Pestilent Kathari - MTG Card versions
Shambling Remains - MTG Card versions
Sedge Troll - MTG Card versions
Shauku's Minion - MTG Card versions
Army Ants - MTG Card versions
Pyre Zombie - MTG Card versions
Vicious Kavu - MTG Card versions
Hooded Kavu - MTG Card versions
Lava Zombie - MTG Card versions
Sarcatog - MTG Card versions
Anathemancer - MTG Card versions
Avatar of Discord - MTG Card versions
Vial Smasher the Fierce - MTG Card versions
Cryptborn Horror - MTG Card versions
Lyzolda, the Blood Witch - MTG Card versions
Rakdos Augermage - MTG Card versions
Rakdos Ickspitter - MTG Card versions
Jagged Poppet - MTG Card versions
Sedge Sliver - MTG Card versions
Ashenmoor Gouger - MTG Card versions
Pestilent Kathari - MTG Card versions
Shambling Remains - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Olivia, Mobilized for War. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Rakdos VampiresRakdos Vampires PioneerRakdos VampiresPeasant Pioneer Showdown - A Josh and Pat's MTG Bazaar Sponsored Event

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Olivia Mobilized for War offers inherent card advantage through its ability to discard a card and subsequently replace it by transforming the discarded card into a powerful vampire with haste. This conversion can tilt the field in your favor by keeping a steady flow of threats on the board.

Resource Acceleration: While Olivia doesn’t directly accelerate your mana resources, her ability to give haste to newly cast creatures can be seen as a form of tempo acceleration. This bypasses the need for creatures to wait a turn before being able to attack, effectively speeding up your game plan.

Instant Speed: Although Olivia operates at sorcery speed, her quick effect on the board state resembles an instant speed interaction. By enabling haste, she allows any creature you play to act immediately, catching opponents off guard and applying pressure right when the creature hits the battlefield.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Olivia Mobilized for War asks you to discard a card each time you want to utilize her ability. This can put you at a disadvantage by reducing the number of options available in your hand, especially during the later stages of the game when each card’s strategic value could be crucial.

Specific Mana Cost: Featuring a casting cost that requires one black and one red mana in addition to other mana, this card demands a specific mana base. Players not running a Black-Red deck or lacking the mana fixing capabilities may find it difficult to integrate Olivia into their strategy effectively.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana, including one black and one red, it is considered moderately high for a creature that offers an ability dependent on further discards. There are other creatures and spells in the same mana range that provide immediate impact or carry abilities that don’t necessitate additional card sacrifices.


Reasons to Include Olivia Mobilized for War in Your Collection

Versatility: Olivia Mobilized for War adds flexibility to your gameplay, acting as a powerful enabler in decks focused on aggressive strategies and the vampire archetype. The ability to give creatures haste allows for immediate board impact, which can be decisive in many matches.

Combo Potential: This card shines within combo setups due to its capability to discard another card, triggering madness or graveyard strategies effectively. Olivia’s ability to bolster creatures with +1/+1 counters and haste can turn any ordinary creature into an immediate threat.

Meta-Relevance: Given the ever-shifting landscape of the meta, having a card that can adapt and offer various advantages is crucial. Olivia Mobilized for War can be particularly potent against control decks that may struggle to deal with swift and recurring threats, thus securing her place in decks that aim to outpace and outmaneuver slower, more methodical play styles.


How to beat

Olivia Mobilized for War marks her presence in the battlefield with the ability to empower your creatures as they enter the fray. This powerful vampire knight can turn the tide by giving your creatures haste and a +1/+1 counter, provided you discard a card. This can create an aggressive and hard-to-counter strategy for those using her to her full potential.

Strategies to dismantle this threat focus on timing and control. Utilizing instant-speed removal when she hits the board ensures that your opponent’s plan to buff their forces can be disrupted. Cards like Path to Exile and Fatal Push can effectively remove Olivia before she can augment her allies. Moreover, board wipes such as Wrath of God or Damnation are potent tools against a horde of enhanced creatures.

With a keen understanding of when to strike and managing your resources effectively, you can navigate around the challenges she presents. Thoughtful discard choices are crucial, leaving your opponent’s well-laid plans in disarray. Thus, while Olivia Mobilized for War has the potential to be a formidable adversary, with strategic foresight, she can be rendered less of a threat to your victory.


BurnMana Recommendations

Utilizing Olivia Mobilized for War in your MTG arsenal introduces a dynamic blend of aggression and strategy, rewarding shrewd planning and the ability to adapt swiftly in battle. Her multifaceted abilities enable a playstyle that’s both proactive and punishing for the unprepared adversary. As you push boundaries with your Black-Red decks, embracing the vampiric swiftness Olivia provides could be your key to success. Our invitation stands to all those hungry for knowledge—immerse yourself further in the MTG universe with us. Learn more about decking building, refine your strategy, and solidify your collection. Charge into your next bout with confidence fully equipped to dominate the competition.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Olivia, Mobilized for War MTG card by a specific set like Shadows over Innistrad Promos and Shadows over Innistrad, 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 Olivia, Mobilized for War and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Olivia, Mobilized for War Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2016-04-08 and 2023-03-21. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12016-04-08Shadows over Innistrad PromosPSOI 248s2015NormalBlackEric Deschamps
22016-04-08Shadows over InnistradSOI 2482015NormalBlackEric Deschamps
32019-12-02Secret Lair DropSLD 6992015NormalBlackLivia Prima
42019-12-02Secret Lair DropSLD 4922015NormalBlackLivia Prima
52020-09-26The ListPLST SOI-2482015NormalBlackEric Deschamps
62023-03-21Shadows over Innistrad RemasteredSIR 2392015NormalBlackEric Deschamps

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Olivia, Mobilized for War has restrictions

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

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2016-04-08 If the entering creature leaves the battlefield before the triggered ability of Olivia, Mobilized for War resolves, you may still discard a card. The rest of the ability has no effect.
2016-04-08 If you discard a card, the creature only gains haste until end of turn, but the +1/+1 counter and Vampire subtype remain indefinitely.
2016-04-08 You decide whether to discard a card as the triggered ability of Olivia, Mobilized for War resolves. If you do, the rest of the ability’s effects happen before any player may take actions.