Introduction
Food Chain, a seemingly innocuous enchantment from *Mercadian Masques*, has become a linchpin in some of Magic: The Gathering’s most explosive and complex combo decks. What was once a fringe card, relegated to binder fodder, has since evolved into a format-defining engine, particularly in the realm of Commander and Legacy. Its deceptively simple text belies a world of intricate synergies and game-ending possibilities. This article will explore the depths of Food Chain, examining its origins, mechanics, strategies, and its enduring impact on the Magic: The Gathering landscape.
The Essence of Food Chain Explained
At its heart, Food Chain is a green enchantment with a mana cost of two generic and one green. Its ability is activated and reads: “Exile a creature you control: Add X mana of any one color, where X is 1 plus the exiled creature’s mana value. You may spend this mana only to cast creature spells.” The limitation is clear: the mana generated can *only* be used to cast creature spells. This restriction is what initially relegated the card to obscurity. Why would anyone want to generate mana that could only be used for creatures? The answer, as many seasoned players discovered, lies in the ability to break the symmetry of this restriction. The ability to exile creatures and reuse them to cast creatures for free has an innate value that combo players adore.
From Obscurity to Powerhouse: A Historical Overview
When *Mercadian Masques* was first released, Food Chain was met with lukewarm reception. Players were understandably skeptical. The limitation of only being able to cast creature spells with the generated mana seemed overly restrictive. Initial uses were likely clumsy, involving small creatures to generate incremental mana advantages, never truly realizing the potential. The card was primarily overlooked. However, the beauty of Magic: The Gathering lies in its emergent complexity.
Key Discoveries and Synergies
The turning point for Food Chain came with the discovery of key synergies and the realization that the exile clause could be bypassed or exploited. This pivotal moment involved identifying creatures that circumvented the casting restriction and allowed for infinite mana generation. Creatures such as Misthollow Griffin and Eternal Scourge that could be cast from exile, were vital to the rise of Food Chain. With these creatures, mana could be generated through Food Chain, used to recast them from exile, and repeated infinitely. This mana can then be funneled into winning the game with another creature with a cast trigger.
Evolution Over Time
Over the years, Food Chain decks have evolved, adapting to shifting metagames and the ever-expanding card pool. New creatures, new tutors, and new strategies have breathed fresh life into the archetype, ensuring its continued relevance. Format bans of certain Commanders have had a knock-on effect, as some popular Food Chain generals were removed from play. However, the core engine remains, and new variations continue to emerge.
The Art of the Chain: Strategy and Gameplay
Building a successful Food Chain deck requires careful consideration and strategic deckbuilding. Key components are a stable mana base, creatures that synergize effectively with Food Chain, ways to reliably find Food Chain, and methods of protecting the combo from disruption.
Core Components
The ability to find Food Chain is essential. Tutors, such as Demonic Tutor, Vampiric Tutor, and Green Sun’s Zenith, are vital for reliably finding the enchantment. Mana ramp, in the form of mana dorks, mana rocks, and land-searching spells, is also crucial for casting Food Chain as early as possible. Once Food Chain is in play, protection becomes the priority. Counterspells, such as Force of Will and Swan Song, and cards that provide hexproof or shroud to your creatures, are essential for shielding the combo from disruption.
Typical Win Conditions
The ultimate goal of a Food Chain deck is to generate infinite mana and then convert that mana into a win. This often involves utilizing infinite mana sinks. Cards such as Staff of Domination can be used to draw your entire deck, after which you can win using whatever cards you draw. Other win conditions include cards that trigger when a creature is cast, such as Reservoir, which deals damage for each mana spent to cast a creature.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Despite its power, Food Chain decks have inherent strengths and weaknesses. The primary strength lies in its explosive combo potential. When uninterrupted, Food Chain decks can win quickly and decisively. They also possess a degree of resilience, often capable of rebuilding after disruption, thanks to redundant pieces and strong card advantage. However, Food Chain decks are vulnerable to disruption. Targeted removal spells that eliminate key creatures can cripple the combo. Counterspells can prevent Food Chain or crucial creatures from resolving. Stax effects, which slow down the opponent’s ability to assemble the combo, can be particularly effective. Graveyard hate can also be effective by preventing you from exiling creatures from your graveyard.
Playing Against Food Chain
Defending against Food Chain requires a proactive approach. Counterspells are effective at stopping Food Chain or the creatures that form the engine. Targeted removal can disrupt the combo by eliminating key creatures. Stax effects, such as Rule of Law or Thalia, Guardian of Thraben, can slow down the Food Chain player’s ability to assemble the combo. Graveyard hate cards, such as Rest in Peace or Leyline of the Void, can prevent Food Chain shenanigans.
Food Chain Across Formats
Food Chain has found a home in various Magic: The Gathering formats, each with its own nuances and challenges. In Commander, the format where Food Chain sees the most play, it has become a staple in various decks, ranging from casual to highly competitive. Several Commanders synergize exceptionally well with Food Chain. Generals like Prossh, Skyraider of Kher, and Najeela, the Blade-Blossom, are prime examples of Commanders that can leverage Food Chain to devastating effect. However, it is important to be mindful of the social contract in Commander. While Food Chain can be a powerful and exciting engine, it can also be frustrating for opponents in more casual settings. Discussing power levels and expectations with your playgroup is always recommended.
Commander (EDH)
In Commander, Food Chain sees the most play, and it has become a staple in various decks, ranging from casual to highly competitive.
Legacy
Food Chain also sees play in Legacy, a non-rotating format known for its speed and power. In Legacy, Food Chain decks are often built around the creature, Squee, the Immortal. Legacy Food Chain decks are highly competitive, capable of generating infinite mana and winning quickly. The strength of Legacy Food Chain lies in its speed, consistency, and resilience.
Other Formats
While Food Chain is primarily associated with Commander and Legacy, it can occasionally appear in other formats, although its presence is generally less pronounced. cEDH is also a popular format for Food Chain decks, as the card allows for explosive turns.
Notable Combinations and Archetypes
Several deck archetypes have emerged around Food Chain. Some decks focus on generating infinite mana and then winning the game with a large Finale of Devastation. Others aim to create infinite creature tokens, overwhelming the opponent with a massive army.
What the Future Holds for Food Chain
The future of Food Chain remains bright. As new sets are released, there is always the potential for new cards to emerge that either synergize with or counter Food Chain. New creatures that can be cast from exile could breathe fresh life into the strategy. Conversely, new hate cards could make it more challenging to assemble the combo.
Conclusion
Food Chain has cemented its place in Magic: The Gathering history as a powerful and influential combo piece. Its unique mechanics, explosive potential, and enduring popularity have ensured its continued relevance in various formats. It stands as a testament to the complexity and emergent gameplay that make Magic: The Gathering such a captivating and enduring game.
Ultimately, Food Chain is more than just a card; it’s a testament to the creative potential within Magic: The Gathering. It is a challenge to deck builders and players alike, forcing them to think outside the box and explore the boundaries of what is possible. Will Food Chain continue to dominate the competitive landscape, or will new strategies emerge to dethrone it? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: Food Chain will continue to be a force to be reckoned with in the world of Magic: The Gathering.
