mtg reading the card explains the card | A Magic: The Gathering Comprehension Test Reading the Card: Explaining Magic:

Alpha Edition Black Border Magic the Gathering Cards 7

1) Banned In France Long ago in the early days of Magic , Wizards of the Coast made their first banned and restricted list

Now, the card at least gives you that bit of value regardless of whether you control other creatures or not

Composer of Spring Eidolon of Blossoms Eutropia the Twice-Favored Forgeborn Oreads Goldenhide Ox Humbler of Mortals Nessian Wanderer Nexus Wardens Nylea's Colossus Nyx Oakheart Dryads Protean Thaumaturge Sage of Mysteries Setessan Champion Setessan Skirmisher Shoal Kraken Strength from the Fallen Thassa's Devourer Triton Waverider Whitewater Naiads

Paying that one-time cost protects you against any number of future harms, and you get to choose when you pay it instead of needing to always have mana ready in case your opponent acts

2005-06-01 Pithing Needle affects cards regardless of what zone theyre in