Smell Fear, card number 638 from the 2021 Jumpstart: Historic Horizons expansion in Magic: The Gathering. This common Sorcery offers powerful proliferate effects and combat manipulation.
2021 • Magic: The Gathering • Jumpstart: Historic Horizons
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Smell Fear is a distinct Sorcery card from the 2021 Jumpstart: Historic Horizons expansion in Magic: The Gathering, identified by card number 638. As a green mana card with a mana value of 2, it serves as a flexible tool for players looking to manipulate the board state through counter accumulation and forced combat interactions. The card is printed with the J21 set code, marking its place within this Jumpstart product designed to offer fresh gameplay experiences. The card’s design allows for two primary strategic applications. First, it triggers a proliferate effect, enabling the player to choose any number of permanents and/or players that already have counters. For each chosen target, the player adds one additional counter of each kind already present. This mechanic is particularly valuable for strategies that rely on token generation, +1/+1 counters, or charge counters, allowing for exponential growth without spending additional mana. Second, Smell Fear provides a targeted combat option by forcing a creature you control to fight up to one target creature you don't control. This ability can be used to eliminate key threats, trade favorably, or simply remove an obstacle without committing to a full attack phase. Collectors and players alike appreciate the dual nature of this card, which bridges resource acceleration and direct interaction. The versatility of proliferating multiple targets makes it a staple in decks focused on board presence, while its ability to force fights offers a unique form of control that doesn't rely on removal spells. Whether you are building a new deck or adding depth to an existing collection, this card represents a solid addition to the green mana pool. For those interested in the broader context of Magic: The Gathering collecting, the Jumpstart releases have become significant milestones in the game's history. They demonstrate the adaptability of the format and the creativity of its design team. Smell Fear stands out not just for its mechanical utility, but for its role in a set that redefined how players approach deck construction and gameplay variety.
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The catalog profile below summarizes the card identity, featured subject, and notable collectible traits.
The core identity of the card within the set.
The subject, team, league, and sport context tied to this card.
Featured
Smell Fear
Game
Magic: The Gathering
Rarity, print treatment, and game-specific stats for this card.
Common
Cristi Balanescu
Card Stock
English
{1}{G}
Sorcery
G
Abilities, attacks, oracle text, and flavor text printed on the card.
Proliferate. (Choose any number of permanents and/or players, then give each another counter of each kind already there.) Target creature you control fights up to one target creature you don't control.
FAQ
Proliferate allows a player to choose any number of permanents and/or players that already have one or more counters. For each chosen target, the player puts another counter of each kind already there on that permanent or player. This mechanic is powerful for accelerating token-based or counter-heavy strategies.
Smell Fear is a Sorcery that offers two options: proliferate counters on multiple targets or force one of your creatures to fight a creature controlled by an opponent. It is commonly used to boost existing board presence or to remove a threatening creature without using traditional removal spells.
Smell Fear appears in the Jumpstart: Historic Horizons set, which was released in 2021. It carries the card number 638 and the set code J21, identifying it as a common card within that specific Jumpstart product.
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