Sword of Forge and FrontierHow it works & interactions with other cards

What It Does

This Equipment grants the equipped creature +2/+2 and protection from red and from green. This protection means the creature cannot be blocked by red or green creatures, targeted by red or green spells or abilities, and all damage dealt to it by red or green sources is prevented. Furthermore, whenever the creature deals combat damage to a player, you exile the top two cards of your library to play them later and gain the ability to play an extra land.

How It Resolves Step by Step

First, the creature must deal combat damage to a player, which triggers the ability. Once the ability resolves, you exile the top two cards of your library and are granted permission to play them until the end of the turn. Simultaneously, you gain a static allowance to play one additional land this turn. Note that you must still pay the mana costs for any spells cast this way and follow all timing restrictions (such as casting sorceries only during your main phase).

Common Mistakes

A frequent misunderstanding involves the timing of playing lands. If the creature deals damage on an opponent's turn—perhaps via a card that allows it to block and deal damage as if it were attacking—you cannot play a land during that opponent's turn, as the rules of Magic only allow land plays during your own turn. Additionally, remember that the additional land play is cumulative; if you hit a player twice in one turn, you could play three lands total (your normal one plus two bonuses).

When to Play It

Sword of Forge and Frontier is most effective when your opponent relies on red or green creatures for defense, such as Goblins or Elves. It is also an excellent tool for decks that need to find specific pieces or increase their mana production, as it effectively 'draws' two cards and ramps you forward every time it successfully connects.

Interaction examples

Accelerating Your Mana

Arcane Signet

After your creature deals combat damage, you exile the top two cards, one of which is Arcane Signet. Because you have the mana available, you may cast the Arcane Signet immediately from exile, providing you with more mana for future turns.

Speeding Up the Attack

Swiftfoot Boots

You can equip Swiftfoot Boots to a creature to give it Haste, allowing it to attack the same turn it enters the battlefield. Once it attacks and deals damage while also carrying Sword of Forge and Frontier, you trigger the exile ability, potentially finding more Equipment or creatures to cast with your extra land drop.