Verdant Force MTG Card


Generates a 1/1 Saproling on every upkeep, enhancing board presence and card advantage. Enables multiple MTG strategies through resource acceleration with its Saproling tokens. Despite its high cost, its consistent token production can dominate longer games.
Card setsReleased in 14 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost8
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Elemental
Power 7
Toughness 7

Text of card

During each player's upkeep, put a Saproling token into play. Treat this token as a 1/1 green creature.

Burl, scurf, and bower Birth fern and flower.


Cards like Verdant Force

In the verdant world of creature spells within Magic: The Gathering, Verdant Force stands tall as a sturdy exemplar of a token generating green behemoth. A similar card that invokes the essence of widespread creature impact is Tendershoot Dryad, which notably creates Saproling tokens during each upkeep as long as you have the city’s blessing. Though not as bulky in stats, the Dryad can quickly overwhelm the battlefield under the right conditions.

Another card worthy of comparison is the iconic Avenger of Zendikar. While it requires you to have lands entering the battlefield to flourish, its initial effect mirrors that of Verdant Force, creating a mass of plant tokens. Unlike Verdant Force’s guaranteed consistent output, Avenger’s strength is variable and depends heavily on land play dynamics.

Comparing these options reveals the niche that Verdant Force fulfills in the Magic: The Gathering ecosystem, offering a reliable source of token creatures. Its sheer size and resilience make it a formidable presence in any game, demonstrating that while similar cards may exist, each has distinct scenarios where it excels.

Tendershoot Dryad - MTG Card versions
Avenger of Zendikar - MTG Card versions
Tendershoot Dryad - MTG Card versions
Avenger of Zendikar - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Verdant Force by color, type and mana cost

Scaled Wurm - MTG Card versions
Crash of Rhinos - MTG Card versions
Deathcoil Wurm - MTG Card versions
Avatar of Might - MTG Card versions
Kamahl, Heart of Krosa - MTG Card versions
Skarrg Goliath - MTG Card versions
Myojin of Towering Might - MTG Card versions
Living Hive - MTG Card versions
Thousand-legged Kami - MTG Card versions
Uktabi Kong - MTG Card versions
Patron of the Orochi - MTG Card versions
End-Raze Forerunners - MTG Card versions
Walker of the Grove - MTG Card versions
Woodfall Primus - MTG Card versions
Wolf Pack - MTG Card versions
Terastodon - MTG Card versions
Gigantomancer - MTG Card versions
Khalni Hydra - MTG Card versions
Liege of the Tangle - MTG Card versions
Vorinclex, Voice of Hunger - MTG Card versions
Scaled Wurm - MTG Card versions
Crash of Rhinos - MTG Card versions
Deathcoil Wurm - MTG Card versions
Avatar of Might - MTG Card versions
Kamahl, Heart of Krosa - MTG Card versions
Skarrg Goliath - MTG Card versions
Myojin of Towering Might - MTG Card versions
Living Hive - MTG Card versions
Thousand-legged Kami - MTG Card versions
Uktabi Kong - MTG Card versions
Patron of the Orochi - MTG Card versions
End-Raze Forerunners - MTG Card versions
Walker of the Grove - MTG Card versions
Woodfall Primus - MTG Card versions
Wolf Pack - MTG Card versions
Terastodon - MTG Card versions
Gigantomancer - MTG Card versions
Khalni Hydra - MTG Card versions
Liege of the Tangle - MTG Card versions
Vorinclex, Voice of Hunger - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

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

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
ElvesElves PremodernEternal Weekend Europe 2023 Premodern Mainevent

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Verdant Force creates a 1/1 green Saproling creature token during each upkeep, not just your own. This consistent generation of tokens offers significant card advantage by continually expanding your board presence without expending additional cards from your hand.

Resource Acceleration: The Saproling tokens created can be leveraged for various resource acceleration strategies. They can be used for chump blocking, saving life points, or as fodder for convoke and sacrifice-based effects which can effectively ramp your mana or develop other resources on the battlefield.

Instant Speed: While Verdant Force itself is a creature spell and not cast at instant speed, the Saprolings it produces arrive during each upkeep, giving you the ability to grow your forces at a pace that is independent of your main phases. This can lead to surprise defenses and, in combination with cards that have flash, can significantly enhance your instant-speed interactions and threats during the game.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Verdant Force does not have a discard requirement itself, its high mana cost might pressure players into discarding other valuable cards just to ramp up their resources quickly enough to play it.

Specific Mana Cost: Verdant Force necessitates a specific commitment to green mana, which is three green symbols in its cost. This could restrict deck building options and make it less flexible in multi-color decks.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Verdant Force has a mana value of eight, which is quite high even for powerful creatures. In a game where speed can be crucial, this may make the card a less appealing choice compared to lower-cost creatures with similarly impactful abilities.


Reasons to Include Verdant Force in Your Collection

Versatility: Verdant Force is a dynamic addition to any deck that thrives on creature presence. With its ability to create a 1/1 Saproling at every upkeep, not just your own, it ensures a relentless army that can be adapted for various strategies including defense, aggression, or sacrificial synergies.

Combo Potential: This card shines in decks focused on token generation, boosting the swarm with other synergistic cards. It also pairs well with cards that capitalize on creatures entering the battlefield or those that benefit from fodder for sacrifice, making it a linchpin in complex combo builds.

Meta-Relevance: As metagames occasionally evolve to favor long games and board presence, Verdant Force becomes increasingly valuable. Its consistent token production can overwhelm opponents over time and is particularly effective against control decks that struggle to handle multiple creatures each turn.


How to beat

Verdant Force has long been a staple in Magic the Gathering for those who enjoy commanding the battlefield with a continuous stream of creatures. With the power to summon a 1/1 green Saproling token during each upkeep, Verdant Force can quickly turn the tide of the game in favor of the controller by amassing an overwhelming army.

To effectively combat this iconic powerhouse, players should consider strategies that include sweepers, which can clear multiple creatures in one fell swoop. Cards like Wrath of God or Damnation are particularly effective, as they can remove the Verdant Force and its Saproling tokens from the battlefield simultaneously, resetting the opponent’s board advantage. For a more targeted approach, opting for removal spells that can exile like Path to Exile or Swords to Plowshares ensures that Verdant Force doesn’t come back from the graveyard, which is a common scenario in formats that allow for creature recursion.

Being prepared for the potential Verdant Force is crucial. Including the right counters in your deck can negate the formidable presence of Verdant Force and keep your strategy on the winning path. With smart deck building and timely plays, this force of nature can be contained, preserving your path to victory in your MTG showdowns.


BurnMana Recommendations

The Verdant Force MTG card can be a game-changing addition to your arsenal, steadily filling the board with tokens and providing you with a multitude of strategic options. Whether you are looking to build a fortress of creatures that your opponent must overcome or creating synergy with cards that feed off token generation, Verdant Force imparts strength and versatility to your deck. While its higher mana cost requires some planning, the payoff in continuous creature production can be immense. To effectively utilize Verdant Force and further enhance your MTG gameplay, join us as we delve deeper into advanced play strategies and deck-building tips that will help you harness the full potential of this and other influential cards.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Verdant Force MTG card by a specific set like Tempest and World Championship Decks 1998, 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 Verdant Force and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Verdant Force Magic the Gathering card was released in 13 different sets between 1997-10-14 and 2018-04-27. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11997-10-14TempestTMP 2631997NormalBlackDiTerlizzi
21998-08-12World Championship Decks 1998WC98 bs2631997NormalGoldDiTerlizzi
32005-07-29Ninth Edition9ED 2782003NormalWhiteDiTerlizzi
42005-07-29Ninth Edition9ED 278★2003NormalBlackDiTerlizzi
52007-07-13Tenth Edition10E 3072003NormalBlackDiTerlizzi
62009-09-04PlanechaseHOP 812003NormalBlackDiTerlizzi
72010-06-04Duels of the PlaneswalkersDPA 872003NormalBlackDiTerlizzi
82011-11-18Premium Deck Series: GravebornPD3 82003NormalBlackDiTerlizzi
92015-05-06Tempest RemasteredTPR 2022015NormalBlackDiTerlizzi
102015-11-13Commander 2015C15 2072015NormalBlackDiTerlizzi
112017-06-09Commander AnthologyCMA 1612015NormalBlackDiTerlizzi
122018-04-27Dominaria PromosPDOM 187s2015NormalBlackViktor Titov
132018-04-27DominariaDOM 1872015NormalBlackViktor Titov
142020-09-26The ListPLST HOP-812003NormalBlackDiTerlizzi

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Verdant Force has restrictions

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

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2006-05-01 In Two-Headed Giant, triggers only once per upkeep, not once for each player.
2018-04-27 Verdant Force’s ability triggers at the beginning of each upkeep, not just each of your upkeeps.