Quick Answer

Seize the Initiative is a common Instant from SOM (SOM) costing {W}. Current price: $0.05 USD. Legal in Modern. Legal in Commander.

Seize the Initiative MTG card

Seize the Initiative

Instant

Card Text

Target creature gets +1/+1 and gains first strike until end of turn.

The time between spotting a leonin shikari and feeling its claws is just time enough to draw your last breath.

Card Stats

common CMC: 1.0 SOM SOM 🎨 Steve Argyle

Market Prices

TCGPlayer
$0.05
Normal
Buy
TCGPlayer
$0.35
Foil
Buy
Card Kingdom
$0.35
Normal
Buy
Card Kingdom
$0.49
Foil
Buy
Cardmarket
€0.04
Normal
Buy
Cardmarket
€0.21
Foil
Buy
Prices updated: 2025-12-08

Format Legality

Commander Legal
Duel Legal
Legacy Legal
Modern Legal
Oathbreaker Legal
Pauper Legal
Paupercommander Legal
Penny Legal
Predh Legal
Vintage Legal

Similar Cards

Community Stats

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Decks Using This Card
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Often Played With

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Seize the Initiative? Basics

Seize the Initiative is a Instant card from the Magic: The Gathering trading card game.

Its ability reads: "Target creature gets +1/+1 and gains first strike until end of turn."

How much mana does Seize the Initiative cost to cast? Basics

Seize the Initiative has a mana cost of {W}, which equals 1.0 total mana (converted mana cost/mana value).

It requires W mana to cast.

What does mana cost mean in Magic: The Gathering? Basics

Mana cost is the amount and type of mana required to cast a spell in Magic: The Gathering.

Seize the Initiative's mana cost of {W} means you need to pay that much mana from your lands or other sources.

Colored symbols (W=White, U=Blue, B=Black, R=Red, G=Green) must be paid with that specific color, while numbers can be paid with any color.

What is converted mana cost (CMC) or mana value? Basics

Converted mana cost (now officially called "mana value") is the total amount of mana in a card's mana cost, regardless of color.

Seize the Initiative has a mana value of 1.0. This is important for effects that care about a spell's total cost, like cascade or cards that say "mana value 3 or less."

What is oracle text? Basics

Oracle text is the official, current rules text for a Magic card as maintained by Wizards of the Coast. It supersedes any printed text on older cards.

Seize the Initiative's current oracle text is: "Target creature gets +1/+1 and gains first strike until end of turn."

What is the current price of Seize the Initiative? Pricing

The current market price for Seize the Initiative is approximately $0.05 USD on TCGPlayer.

A foil copy costs approximately $0.35 USD.

On Cardmarket (Europe), it's approximately €0.04 EUR.

Where can I buy Seize the Initiative? Pricing

You can purchase Seize the Initiative from major MTG retailers including:

Prices vary by condition and printing. Check multiple sellers to find the best price.

What is the difference between normal and foil cards? Pricing

Foil cards have a shiny, holographic finish that makes them more collectible. They are functionally identical to normal cards but typically cost more due to their rarity and visual appeal.

Seize the Initiative normal: $0.05 | foil: $0.35

Is Seize the Initiative legal in Standard? Legality

Format legality information for Seize the Initiative in Standard is not available.

Standard is a rotating format that only allows cards from the most recent sets.

Is Seize the Initiative legal in Modern? Legality

Seize the Initiative is Legal in Modern format.

Modern includes all cards printed in a standard-legal set from 8th Edition forward.

Is Seize the Initiative legal in Commander (EDH)? Legality

Seize the Initiative is Legal in Commander (EDH) format.

Commander is a casual multiplayer format where you build a 100-card singleton deck around a legendary creature.

Is Seize the Initiative legal in Pioneer? Legality

Format legality information for Seize the Initiative in Pioneer is not available.

Pioneer is a non-rotating format that includes all standard-legal sets from Return to Ravnica forward.

Is Seize the Initiative legal in Legacy? Legality

Seize the Initiative is Legal in Legacy format.

Legacy allows almost all cards ever printed, with a substantial ban list for balance.

Is Seize the Initiative legal in Vintage? Legality

Seize the Initiative is Legal in Vintage format.

Vintage is the most permissive format, allowing almost all cards with only a minimal ban list. Some powerful cards are "Restricted" (limited to 1 copy).

Is Seize the Initiative legal in Pauper? Legality

Seize the Initiative is Legal in Pauper format.

Pauper only allows cards that have been printed at common rarity in a paper or online set.

What is format legality in MTG? Legality

Format legality indicates which official MTG formats allow a card to be played:

  • Legal: Card is allowed in the format
  • Banned: Card is prohibited from play
  • Restricted: Limited to 1 copy (Vintage only)
  • Not Legal: Card was never part of that format's card pool

Different formats have different banned lists based on power level and game balance.

What set is Seize the Initiative from? Details

This printing of Seize the Initiative is from SOM (SOM), with collector number 20.

Seize the Initiative may also appear in other MTG sets with different art or special treatments.

What is Seize the Initiative's rarity? Details

Seize the Initiative is a common card in SOM.

Card rarity affects both availability and price. From rarest to most common: Mythic Rare → Rare → Uncommon → Common.

Who illustrated Seize the Initiative? Details

Seize the Initiative was illustrated by Steve Argyle.

Magic: The Gathering features artwork from hundreds of talented artists, and many cards have been reprinted with new art over the years.

💬 Card Discussion

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