The Essence of Green Mana and Natural Order
In the vast and ever-evolving multiverse of Magic: The Gathering, certain cards stand out as cornerstones, shaping entire strategies and defining eras. One such card is Natural Order, a green enchantment that allows players to summon powerful creatures onto the battlefield ahead of schedule, turning the tide of battle in an instant. This article delves into the mechanics, strategies, and impact of Natural Order in MTG, exploring why it remains a pivotal card for any player looking to harness the raw power of green mana.
Green mana, in the world of Magic, represents growth, nature, and the untamed force of the wild. Green decks are often known for their ability to ramp up their mana production quickly, allowing them to cast expensive spells and deploy large creatures earlier than their opponents. At the heart of many of these strategies lies the humble yet incredibly powerful Natural Order.
Natural Order, printed in *Tempest*, is an instant-speed spell with a simple but profound effect. For the cost of one green mana and the sacrifice of a green creature, you can put a creature card from your library with equal or greater mana value onto the battlefield. This ability to essentially “cheat” a large creature into play is what makes Natural Order so incredibly valuable.
Understanding the true potency of this card necessitates exploring both its limitations and possibilities. The instantaneous nature of Natural Order is critical, as it allows for surprise plays and can be used in response to threats. Furthermore, the sacrifice of a green creature is a necessary cost, one that can be mitigated through careful deckbuilding and strategic decision-making.
Unpacking the Mechanics
Let’s break down the specifics of Natural Order:
The card’s mana cost is one green mana, making it readily accessible in most green decks. The card type is a sorcery. The first line is the cost “Sacrifice a green creature.” This is where the core of the card resides. It’s important to remember that you must control a green creature to sacrifice it, and this sacrifice is part of the casting cost.
The second line, the effect, is “Put a creature card from your library with mana value equal to or greater than the sacrificed creature onto the battlefield.” Here, the real power lies. You get to bypass the casting cost of the creature card you select. The mana value restriction means you can get very creative with the types of creatures you’ll be bringing into play.
The Instant Speed component is important. Having the ability to cast this spell at any time, even during your opponent’s turn, brings with it many advantages. It allows for instant-speed responses and unexpected moves that can often catch your opponent off guard.
Strategic Synergies: Sacrifices and Summoned Creatures
The strategic heart of using Natural Order comes down to two key considerations: which green creature to sacrifice and which creature to bring into play.
For the sacrificed creatures, the choice often depends on the deck’s overall game plan. In the early game, mana-producing creatures, known as mana dorks are ideal sacrifices. Cards like Birds of Paradise or Arbor Elf are excellent choices. You effectively trade a small amount of early-game mana production for a massive threat on the board. Dryad Arbor also works well here, being both a land and a creature, providing an extra layer of flexibility and can allow you to sneakily set up an easy Natural Order play on your opponent’s end step.
For the summoned creatures, the options are extensive. The creature you select, and its cost, will greatly impact the effectiveness of Natural Order.
Craterhoof Behemoth is an excellent choice, as this card has a strong effect, and having this out on the board can quickly turn the tide in your favor.
Progenitus, with its powerful defensive capabilities and resilience, is a great choice to deploy in most strategies.
Vorinclex, Voice of Hunger is a powerhouse that can accelerate your mana production while crippling your opponent’s.
Natural Order in Different Formats
Natural Order’s impact varies across the diverse formats of MTG.
In Legacy, Natural Order is a crucial card in various combo and midrange strategies. The speed and efficiency of Natural Order allow for powerful creature combinations. In Food Chain decks, for example, Natural Order becomes the backbone for a combo that allows for infinite mana and creature generation.
In Vintage, the card has also seen play, as it can be used to quickly put powerful creatures onto the battlefield, but it is not as prevalent as in other formats.
Commander decks frequently incorporate Natural Order. The ability to cheat out a huge threat in the multiplayer environment is incredibly valuable.
In Modern, Natural Order sees less competitive play. The format’s speed and efficiency, coupled with more readily available removal, make it challenging to establish a viable strategy around the card.
Deckbuilding Considerations for Natural Order
Building a deck around Natural Order requires careful consideration of the following:
- **Creature Selection:** Select a range of creatures to sacrifice and bring into play. The sacrifice targets should either have a low mana cost or offer some other value. Consider the costs of your final targets for balance.
- **Color Choices:** While Natural Order is primarily a green card, incorporating other colors can significantly enhance your strategy. Colors such as white, blue, and red can all enhance your strategy.
- **Synergy:** Choose cards that play well with Natural Order. Mana dorks help to ramp up your mana production. Tutors can find Natural Order. Draw spells allow you to find your key pieces. Protection spells can safeguard your creatures from removal.
- **Countering the Card:** Prepare for the inevitable. Counterspells can prevent you from casting Natural Order. Removal spells like Swords to Plowshares or Path to Exile can destroy your target.
Weighing the Pros and Cons
Like any card in Magic: The Gathering, Natural Order has its strengths and weaknesses.
- **Advantages:**
- **Tempo:** Allows you to play large creatures earlier than your opponents.
- **Card Advantage:** Offers card advantage by putting a large creature on the board.
- **Flexibility:** Instant speed allows you to respond to threats or exploit opportunities.
- **Disadvantages:**
- **Resource Intensive:** Requires sacrificing a creature.
- **Vulnerability:** Vulnerable to counterspells and removal.
- **Situational:** Sometimes becomes a dead card if you don’t have the right pieces.
In Conclusion: The Enduring Legacy of Natural Order
Natural Order continues to be a cornerstone of green ramp strategies in MTG. Its ability to cheat powerful creatures onto the battlefield is a game-changer.
Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or a new player, experimenting with Natural Order in your decks can lead to exhilarating victories. Consider building a deck around this powerful card and unleash the potential of green mana to its fullest.
The best part about Natural Order is that it’s very flexible, and allows for many different archetypes of decks to exist, and all of them are fun to play.
Do you like green decks, and want to try out Natural Order? There are many different decks that you can try. Decks like Food Chain are a great place to start.
