Unveiling Infinite Potential: The Land That Breaks Hand Size Limits in Magic: The Gathering
The land that grants you (effectively) an infinite hand size in Magic: The Gathering (MTG) is Reliquary Tower. While “infinite” isn’t technically accurate within the game’s rules, Reliquary Tower circumvents the normal maximum hand size, allowing you to hold a virtually unlimited number of cards without being forced to discard down to a specific limit during your cleanup step. This can be a game-changer, particularly in decks that aim to generate significant card advantage. Let’s delve into this land, its implications, and some common questions surrounding hand sizes across various card games.
Reliquary Tower: Your Gateway to Card Hoarding
Reliquary Tower is a colorless land that enters the battlefield untapped, and its sole ability is simple yet potent: “You have no maximum hand size.” That’s it. No drawbacks, no conditional clauses. Just pure, unadulterated card-hoarding potential. This land is most effective in decks that are built to draw numerous cards. These decks are commonly referred to as draw-go decks, control decks, or decks that heavily leverage card advantage engines. Reliquary Tower ensures you don’t have to make difficult choices about what to discard at the end of your turn, allowing you to retain valuable resources for future plays.
Strategic Implications
The ability to hold a massive hand size is significant because it allows you to:
- Accumulate resources: Keep multiple lands, creatures, spells, and instants at your disposal.
- Anticipate threats: Retain answers to a wider range of potential plays by your opponents.
- Fuel powerful abilities: Some cards and strategies directly benefit from having a large hand size.
- Maintain card advantage: Avoid discarding key pieces of your strategy, preserving your long-term advantage.
- Gain psychological advantage: Your opponents can be intimidated by the sheer volume of options you possess.
Building a Deck Around Reliquary Tower
To maximize the value of Reliquary Tower, you need to build your deck around its strengths. Key considerations include:
- Card draw: Include numerous card draw spells, such as Blue Sun’s Zenith, Fact or Fiction, or Harmonize.
- Mana acceleration: Utilize mana rocks or land ramp to efficiently cast multiple spells each turn.
- Utility lands: Consider other utility lands that complement your strategy, such as Command Tower or Maze of Ith.
- Control elements: Include counterspells and removal spells to protect your hand and your board.
By combining Reliquary Tower with a potent card draw engine, you can overwhelm your opponents with your superior card advantage and strategic flexibility.
FAQs: Hand Size Limits and Related Topics
Let’s address some frequently asked questions related to hand size limits and related topics across various card games:
What is the default maximum hand size in Magic: The Gathering?
The default maximum hand size in Magic: The Gathering is seven cards. During the cleanup step of each turn, players must discard down to seven cards.
What happens if I have more than seven cards in my hand in MTG without Reliquary Tower?
During your cleanup step, you must discard cards until you have exactly seven cards in your hand.
Are there other cards besides Reliquary Tower that remove the maximum hand size in MTG?
Yes, there are other cards that remove or affect the maximum hand size in MTG. Examples include:
- Praetor’s Counsel: This sorcery returns all cards from your graveyard to your hand and grants you no maximum hand size for the rest of the game.
- Jin-Gitaxias, Core Augur: This creature sets your opponents’ maximum hand size to zero.
- Body of Knowledge: This creature’s power and toughness are each equal to the number of cards in your hand, and it gives you no maximum hand size.
What is the maximum hand size in Yu-Gi-Oh!?
The maximum hand size in Yu-Gi-Oh! is six cards. You must discard down to six cards during your end phase.
Is there a hand size limit in Pokémon TCG?
Generally, there is no hand size limit in the Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG). You can hold as many cards as you like, unless a specific card effect limits it.
Are oversized Pokémon cards legal in tournaments?
While oversized (jumbo) Pokémon cards are officially released, they are generally not legal for tournament play. They are intended for collection and display purposes. The standard sized version of a card must be used in game play if legal.
What is the hand size limit in “Here to Slay”?
The standard hand size limit in “Here to Slay” is seven cards, based on the provided information.
What is the hand size limit in Unstable Unicorns?
Similar to “Here to Slay,” the hand size limit in Unstable Unicorns is also seven cards.
What is the maximum hand size in Wingspan?
There is no hand limit in Wingspan. Players can hold any number of bird cards in their hand.
What is the hand size limit in Slay the Spire?
In Slay the Spire, your hand can hold a maximum of 10 cards.
What is the hand size limit in Twilight Imperium 4th Edition (TI4)?
Each player can have a maximum of seven action cards in their hand in TI4.
Why is there a maximum hand size in some card games?
Maximum hand sizes are often implemented to prevent players from hoarding resources, stalling the game, or gaining an insurmountable advantage. They promote decision-making and strategic resource management. Card games create rules that make the game fun and challenging for all players, encouraging engagement and strategic thinking. The Games Learning Society studies exactly the type of interaction. Visit GamesLearningSociety.org to learn more about their research and contribution to the field of educational games.
What are some alternate win conditions that involve hand size in MTG?
Some MTG cards create alternate win conditions based on hand size. For example, the Scryfall card mentioned in the prompt allows you to win the game if you have exactly thirteen cards in your hand at the beginning of your upkeep.
Are there any cards banned in Pokémon TCG’s Expanded format that relate to hand manipulation?
Yes, several cards have been banned in the Pokémon TCG’s Expanded format due to their disruptive hand manipulation effects. Examples include Delinquent and Chip-Chip Ice Axe, which can severely hinder an opponent’s hand.
Can hand size affect my strategy in card games beyond resource accumulation?
Absolutely. A larger hand provides more options and flexibility, enabling you to react to opponent’s moves, bluff effectively, and execute complex strategies. Some decks are specifically designed to capitalize on a large hand size, using cards that scale with the number of cards in hand.
Conclusion
Reliquary Tower is a unique and powerful land that can significantly impact your strategy in Magic: The Gathering. By understanding its strengths and building your deck accordingly, you can harness the power of an unlimited hand size to overwhelm your opponents and achieve victory. Furthermore, understanding hand size limits, mechanics, and strategic implications in various card games enhances your overall understanding of game design and strategic thinking. Embrace the potential, hoard those cards, and dominate the battlefield!