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Flower // Flourish and the Rise of Selesnya Midrange
In the ever-evolving dance of midrange MTG, a single card can tilt the pace from grindy attrition to decisive tempo. Flower // Flourish, a split card from Guilds of Ravnica, leans into a classic Selesnya philosophy: value, efficiency, and a big board that asks pesky questions of your opponent. On the surface, it’s a two-face spell—one half that tutors out a basic Forest or Plains, and a second half that pumps your army when the moment calls. But in practice, this MDFC (multiple-face card) gives you two distinct lines of play, each strengthening a midrange shell in different matchups. 🧙♂️🔥
Two faces, two paths to value
The first face, Flower, costs {G/W} and offers a clean tutor: search your library for a basic Forest or Plains, reveal it, put it into your hand, then shuffle. That is the quintessential fix for mana and color-screw problems in a GW or Selesnya-heavy deck. In a midrange archetype—think GW with a lean toward token generation and anthem effects—that fetch can be the difference between dropping a crucial 4-drop on curve or staring at a dead draw. The Selesnya watermark on the card signals a world where early fetches support not just mana, but the timing of your bigger plans. 🌱 The Flourish face, a separate spell for {4}{G}{W}, is your board-presence amplifier. Creatures you control get +2/+2 until end of turn, which can salvage a stalled board, push through an aggressive attack, or open a window to lethal damage with a few robust creatures. This isn’t a once-a-game swing—paired with a healthy board state, Flourish can turn a modest army into a roaring menace in a single turn. It’s the kind of temporary buff that makes your opponent overextend, offering a chance to swing back with interest on the next turn. 💎
Strategic timing in a midrange shell
Midrange decks crave flexible plays that scale with the game. Flower // Flourish offers that scale in two moments: fix and fire. Early on, Flower helps you fix color and ramp into your critical plays, especially if your curve includes big finishers or multiple synergy engines. In late game scenarios, Flourish capitalizes on the board you’ve built—it's a little "free upgrade" that often converts a strong board into a crushing assault. The real strength is how seamlessly you can weave these two paths into a single game plan without sacrificing consistency. 🧙♂️⚔️
Deckbuilding tips: making space for both value and tempo
- Lean into dual-lands and mana-fixing that support green and white—think fetches, duals, and signposts that accelerate your ability to cast both halves when you want them.
- Incorporate token producers and anthem effects to maximize Flourish’s punch. Cards that generate multiple creatures or boost your team amplify the impact of a single Flourish swing.
- Balance your curve so Flower’s tutor can fetch a Plains or Forest in the early turns, while Flourish can be held for a turn when you’re ready to hit with a bigger board. This keeps you from over-relying on one mode and protects against non-ideal draws.
- Consider interaction-heavy sides for control matchups. Flower’s fetch line helps you hit just the right color for your answers, while Flourish can surprise a control opponent with a sudden, mass-board buff.
Commander and casual play: synergy beyond the curve
In Commander, Flower // Flourish shines as a flexible Voltron-like engine for Selesnya-led boards. The ability to tutor for Plains or Forest taps into the deck’s token generation and aura of communal strength. The Flourish half provides a moment of explosive power, enabling a crowded board to push through blockers or reseat the tone of a late-game confrontation. EDH lovers can revel in the flavor of a guild that champions unity and growth, while also appreciating the tactical knot that a two-face spell can tie around a game. 🎲
Flavor, art, and collectibility
Graphically, Dmitry Burmak’s work on Flower // Flourish captures the leafy vitality of Selesnya. The card’s split-face design mirrors the guild’s dual focus on forest and plains, growth and guardianship. As an uncommon from Guilds of Ravnica, it sits nicely in a cube or a collection—accessible enough to pull for a tasty combo, rare enough to feel special in your binder. For collectors, the card’s foil versions and appearance in multiple formats add a gloss of value, though the real appeal is in how often you find it in practice, delivering both a tutor and a timely buff when your board needs it most. 🔥💎
Practical tips for midrange success
When you’re aiming to optimize the Flower // Flourish effect in midrange, think of it as a two-step toolkit. First, guarantee you hit your mana requirements with Flower, letting you smooth out the early game so you can deploy your main creatures on time. Then, timing Flourish for a decisive end step or mid-combat swing can flip competitive games in your favor. Pair this approach with resilient threats, efficient removal, and card draw that keeps your hand full. The result is a midrange deck that feels both stubborn and suddenly threatening—like a growing forest turning into a wall of thorns for your opponents. 🌿🔥
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As you fine-tune your midrange builds, Flower // Flourish stands out as a thoughtful nod to the old-school Selesnya virtues—steady value, community-driven strength, and a little bit of tempo magic when you need it most. 🧙♂️💚
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