Primal Vigor MTG Card


Primal Vigor accelerates gameplay, enhancing creature tokens and counters for a formidable presence. Though beneficial, its five-mana cost requires careful consideration within deck building. Versatile and meta-relevant, it’s a compelling addition for token and counter strategies.
Card setsReleased in 5 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityRare
TypeEnchantment

Text of card

If one or more tokens would be put onto the battlefield, twice that many of those tokens are put onto the battlefield instead. If one or more +1/+1 counters would be placed on a creature, twice that many +1/+1 counters are placed on that creature instead.


Cards like Primal Vigor

Primal Vigor is a dynamic staple for any deck focusing on +1/+1 counters and token strategies in Magic: The Gathering. When we look at Doubling Season, a card that’s often compared with Primal Vigor, we notice Doubling Season has a slight edge as it also doubles the counters on planeswalkers. Yet, Primal Vigor comes at a lower price point, both in mana cost and market value which can be an important factor for many players.

Parallel Lives is another card that resonates with Primal Vigor’s token-doubling feature, though it lacks the ability to amplify counters on creatures. This makes Primal Vigor more versatile in decks that aim to exploit both mechanics. Then there’s Anointed Procession, which specifically caters to token multiplication but only within white or white-combination decks unlike the broader usability of Primal Vigor being in green.

Comparing these alternatives highlights Primal Vigor’s comprehensive enhancement to creature presence on the board. Its capacity to intensify various gameplay strategies, while being more accessible, cements its role in creature- and token-focused decks in Magic: The Gathering.

Doubling Season - MTG Card versions
Parallel Lives - MTG Card versions
Anointed Procession - MTG Card versions
Doubling Season - MTG Card versions
Parallel Lives - MTG Card versions
Anointed Procession - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Primal Vigor by color, type and mana cost

Tornado - MTG Card versions
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Centaur Glade - MTG Card versions
Honden of Life's Web - MTG Card versions
Perilous Forays - MTG Card versions
Hibernation's End - MTG Card versions
Verdant Embrace - MTG Card versions
Flourishing Defenses - MTG Card versions
Gigantiform - MTG Card versions
Vastwood Zendikon - MTG Card versions
Asceticism - MTG Card versions
Gutter Grime - MTG Card versions
Lost in the Woods - MTG Card versions
Tornado - MTG Card versions
Nature's Revolt - MTG Card versions
Midsummer Revel - MTG Card versions
Saproling Burst - MTG Card versions
Verdant Succession - MTG Card versions
Unnatural Growth - MTG Card versions
Glorious Sunrise - MTG Card versions
Paradox Zone - MTG Card versions
Doubling Season - MTG Card versions
Centaur Glade - MTG Card versions
Honden of Life's Web - MTG Card versions
Perilous Forays - MTG Card versions
Hibernation's End - MTG Card versions
Verdant Embrace - MTG Card versions
Flourishing Defenses - MTG Card versions
Gigantiform - MTG Card versions
Vastwood Zendikon - MTG Card versions
Asceticism - MTG Card versions
Gutter Grime - MTG Card versions
Lost in the Woods - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

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

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Four-color ZooFour-color Zoo GladiatorSword and Sandals Showdown: AM Week 08 2024

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Primal Vigor not only amplifies your own creature and token generation strategies but also affects each player on the board. This doubles the value of all your token and +1/+1 counter placements, tipping the scale towards overwhelming card quality on your side of the battlefield.

Resource Acceleration: With Primal Vigor in play, any effect that creates tokens or adds counters does so twice over. This effectively speeds up your ability to develop a formidable presence on the board, leading to faster and more efficient utilization of your resources.

Instant Speed: Although Primal Vigor itself is not an instant, the card magnifies the potency of your instant speed spells and effects that involve tokens and counters. Creating instantly doubled tokens during the end step before your turn can quickly turn the tides in your favor.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Though Primal Vigor doesn’t directly require a discard, its presence can potentially lead to hand depletion. By accelerating the production of creature tokens or +1/+1 counters, players might empty their hands sooner, pressuring them to draw more cards to keep the advantage which can be challenging in decks not focused on card draw.

Specific Mana Cost: Primal Vigor’s cost is set specifically at one green and four generic mana. This cost is significant because it can be restrictive for multicolored decks that might struggle with consistent green mana sources, especially in the early game where color fixing is critical.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The five total mana needed to bring Primal Vigor into play can be considered high. In a game where tempo and early board presence are crucial, expending five mana in a single go without an immediate impact on the board state can put a player at a disadvantage against more aggressive strategies.


Reasons to Include Primal Vigor in Your Collection

Versatility: Primal Vigor is a dynamic card that complements a variety of deck types, particularly those that involve +1/+1 counters or token strategies. It’s a boost for any deck that thrives on doubling effects and can be a game-changer in commander or casual play.

Combo Potential: This card can be the cornerstone of combo decks that aim to flood the board with tokens or amass huge creatures. By doubling the number of tokens and counters, the opportunities to interact with other synergistic effects in your deck increase exponentially, making it a powerful catalyst for your winning combos.

Meta-Relevance: Given the shifting tides of the MTG meta, Primal Vigor holds its ground by providing a significant advantage in games that might otherwise drag on. Its impact on board state and ability to tilt the game in your favor makes it a valuable asset in an environment rich with token and +1/+1 counter strategies.


How to beat Primal Vigor

Grappling with Primal Vigor on the battlefield can be a thrilling challenge for adept players of Magic: The Gathering. This enchantment doubles the might of any counter and token strategies, setting the stage for your opponents to quickly overrun you with an ever-growing army of creatures or an insurmountable buff to a pivotal character. To counteract this explosive potential, key strategies involve incorporating enchantment removal cards such as Naturalize or Return to Nature into your deck, ensuring you can remove Primal Vigor before it cascades out of control.

Timing is everything. Deploying your removal in response to Primal Vigor’s entry can minimize its impact. If it’s too late and the enchantment is already nurturing your opponent’s board state, consider using board wipes—think Wrath of God or Damnation—that can reset the playing field. Alternatively, tech cards like Solemnity can effectively negate the benefits of Primal Vigor without removing it, providing a more subtle solution to this exponential threat, and ensuring that your opponent’s advantages don’t leave you in the dust.

Ultimately, when facing down Primal Vigor, it’s about being proactive, packing your deck with versatile answers, and knowing when to pivot your tactics, turning a risky situation into a powerful opportunity to claim victory.


BurnMana Recommendations

Understanding Primal Vigor’s strengths and limitations is key to optimizing your MTG strategy. This card is a force multiplier in the right deck, capable of propelling you ahead with token and counter proliferation. But it demands finesse, a keen eye for timing, and consideration of its impact on gameplay. We encourage you to harness its potential and also study its counters to remain adaptable against opponents. Whether it’s tweaking your deck or seeking new additions, knowledge gives you the edge. To delve deeper into the strategic uses of Primal Vigor, as well as other synergy-rich cards, join us for compelling insights that could shape your next victorious match.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Primal Vigor MTG card by a specific set like Commander 2013 and Secret Lair Drop, 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 Primal Vigor and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Primal Vigor Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2013-11-01 and 2023-09-08. Illustrated by 3 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12013-11-01Commander 2013C13 1622003NormalBlackMatt Stewart
22019-12-02Secret Lair DropSLD 3142015NormalBorderlessTyler Walpole
32020-09-26The ListPLST C13-1622003NormalBlackMatt Stewart
42023-09-08Wilds of Eldraine Art SeriesAWOE 742015Art seriesBorderlessMaël Ollivier-Henry
52023-09-08Wilds of Eldraine: Enchanting TalesWOT 592015NormalBorderlessMaël Ollivier-Henry

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Primal Vigor has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
CommanderLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
GladiatorLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2013-10-17 If there are two Primal Vigors on the battlefield, the number of tokens or +1/+1 counters is four times the original number. If there are three on the battlefield, the number of tokens or +1/+1 counters is eight times the original number, and so on.
2013-10-17 It doesn’t matter who controls the tokens or the creature that the +1/+1 counters are being placed on.
2013-10-17 Primal Vigor affects permanents that “enter the battlefield with” a certain number of counters. For example, if a creature would normally enter the battlefield with three +1/+1 counters on it, it will enter with six +1/+1 counters on it.