common potions in mtg

2 min read 23-01-2025

Magic: The Gathering (MTG) boasts a vast and ever-evolving card pool. While creatures and spells dominate the battlefield, enchantments play a crucial supporting role. Among these, "potions" – cards with effects reminiscent of alchemical concoctions – offer unique strategic opportunities. This article explores some of the most common and impactful potion-like enchantments in MTG's history, categorized for easier understanding.

Understanding "Potion" Enchantments in MTG

Before diving into specific examples, let's clarify what we mean by "potion" enchantments. We're not referring to a specific card type or mechanic. Instead, we're looking at enchantments that grant temporary or ongoing benefits, often impacting a single creature or player, much like a magical potion might. These effects frequently involve buffs, debuffs, or one-time powerful effects.

Types of Common Potion Enchantments

Here's a breakdown of common "potion" enchantment categories, with examples:

Aura Buffs:

These enchantments attach to a creature, providing a temporary or permanent bonus.

Examples: Many auras exist, offering various buffs like increased power/toughness (+1/+1 counters), protection from specific colors or types, or even abilities like flying or trample. Rancor is a classic example that grants +2/+0 and trample. Giant Growth is a more temporary buff that adds +3/+3 until end of turn. While not strictly enchantments, they operate similarly to a potion's effect.

Temporary Stat Boosts:

These enchantments provide a short-term power or toughness increase, often lasting only until the end of the turn.

Examples: Cards like Giant Growth and Might of Old Krosa fit this category. These provide significant immediate power, making them ideal for pushing through damage or winning a crucial combat.

Hexproof/Protection Auras:

These enchantments protect your creatures from specific types of removal spells or effects.

Examples: Protection from X auras (where X represents a color) prevent damage or removal from that color. Hexproof protects your creature from targeted spells and abilities.

One-Shot Effects:

These enchantments provide a powerful single-use ability, often sacrificing themselves afterward. These cards are less about ongoing buffs and more about immediate game impact.

Examples: While fewer cards precisely fit this, some enchantments trigger a potent effect upon entering the battlefield and then leave play.

Auras with Persistent Effects:

These enchantments attach to a creature and provide a continuous benefit that lasts until the creature or the enchantment is removed from play.

Examples: Cards like Unflinching Courage that provides both a bonus and a crucial ability. It shows that sometimes a buff can come with more than just a power and/or toughness increase.

Strategic Considerations when Using "Potion" Enchantments

Evasion: Consider enchantments that grant abilities like flying or hexproof to protect your buffed creatures.
Timing: Use temporary boosts strategically, focusing on key combat steps or crucial moments.
Removal: Be mindful of opponent's removal spells that can destroy your enchantments.
Creature Choice: Select creatures that will maximize the benefits of your chosen enchantment.

Conclusion

"Potion" enchantments, while not a formally defined category in MTG, represent a diverse and impactful group of cards. Understanding their types and strategic implications is crucial for any aspiring brewer. By strategically incorporating these enchantments into your deck, you can dramatically shift the balance of power on the battlefield, creating powerful and surprisingly effective strategies. Mastering their use is key to unlocking new levels of success in your games!