Hostility

Description

Hostility, designated as card number 158 in the 2015 Commander set (C15), stands as a significant piece of Magic: The Gathering history for players seeking aggressive red strategies. This card is classified as a Rare and belongs to the Creature — Elemental Incarnation type, requiring a mana cost of three generic and three red mana to cast. With a mana value of six, it commands the board with a formidable 6/6 power and toughness, immediately impacting games due to its haste ability. Unlike standard creatures, Hostility functions as an Elemental Incarnation, allowing it to be cast as a creature while also serving as a planeswalker source for its associated color identity. This dual nature provides flexibility in deck construction, appealing to commanders who utilize red mana pools. The card's rules text offers a complex strategic layer. When spells you control would deal damage to an opponent, Hostility prevents that damage. For every point of damage prevented, you create a 3/1 red Elemental Shaman creature token with haste. This mechanic encourages players to engage in combat, turning defensive prevention into an offensive surge of tokens. Furthermore, the card includes a unique graveyard interaction: when Hostility is put into a graveyard from anywhere, it is shuffled back into its owner's library. This ensures the card remains accessible within the game loop, reducing the risk of permanent loss and maintaining board presence over multiple turns. Collectors of Magic: The Gathering trading cards often seek out Hostility not just for its gameplay utility, but for its place within the Commander format's evolution. Whether building a deck around a specific commander or simply appreciating the intricate design of Elemental Incarnations, Hostility remains a notable entry in the Commander library. Its ability to generate tokens and return itself from the graveyard makes it a versatile tool for any red-based strategy.