Force of VigorHow it works & interactions with other cards

Natural Destruction at Any Time

Force of Vigor allows you to destroy up to two target artifacts and/or enchantments. Because it says "up to two," you can choose zero, one, or two targets as you cast the spell. This makes it incredibly versatile, allowing you to wipe out a single problematic piece or clear two different targets belonging to different players in a multiplayer game.

The Alternative Cost Mechanics

To cast Force of Vigor without paying its mana cost, two conditions must be met: it must not be your turn, and you must exile a green card from your hand. This is an alternative cost. If you choose this path, you still follow all other timing rules for an instant. Note that you cannot use other alternative costs, such as 'casting without paying its mana cost' from other effects, in conjunction with this ability.

Resolution Step-by-Step

First, you announce the spell and choose your targets (up to two artifacts or enchantments). Second, you choose whether to pay the mana cost of {2}{G}{G} or exile a green card from your hand if it is an opponent's turn. Once the spell resolves, all chosen targets that are still legal are destroyed simultaneously. If a target becomes illegal (for example, it gains Hexproof), the remaining legal target is still destroyed.

Strategic Considerations

A common mistake is trying to exile Force of Vigor itself to pay for its own alternative cost; this is not possible as the card must be on the stack to be cast, and you must exile a green card remaining in your hand. When deciding when to play it, remember that using the alternative cost results in a two-for-two trade in terms of card parity (you lose Force of Vigor and the exiled card to destroy two enemy permanents).

Interaction examples

Multi-Target Removal

If your opponent controls two powerful enchantments, you can cast Force of Vigor targeting both. Even if one is sacrificed in response, the other will still be destroyed upon resolution.

Pitching for Free Interaction

Return of the Wildspeaker

On an opponent's turn, you can cast Force of Vigor by exiling Return of the Wildspeaker from your hand. This allows you to destroy two artifacts without spending any mana, keeping your lands untapped for other spells like Beast Within.

Managing Your Resources

Beast Within

If you have both cards in hand, you might choose to cast Force of Vigor for its mana cost during your own turn to save your other green cards. Later, on the opponent's turn, you can use Beast Within to destroy a creature, as Force of Vigor cannot target creatures.