Overrun

Overrun Full Guide

Tempest Uncommon
Mana Cost: {2}{G}{G}{G}
Type: Sorcery
Overrun Text:
Creatures you control get +3/+3 and gain trample until end of turn. (Each of those creatures can deal excess combat damage to the player or planeswalker it's attacking.)
Flavor:
"You want to know your enemy? Look at your feet while you trample him." —Tahngarth of the *Weatherlight*
Artist: Jeff Miracola
Collector Number: 243
Release Date: 1997-10-14
Art crop

Strategy Guide

Last updated 2025-06-30
TL;DR Summary

Here is a 3-5 punchy sentence summary of the card Overrun:

Overrun is a powerful uncommon sorcery that gives creatures you control +3/+3 and trample until end of turn. This can instantly turn even small creatures into formidable threats, similar to Giant Growth but with the added benefit of trample. In Commander, Overrun is particularly effective in combo decks or those featuring large, swing-happy creatures like Bramble Wainright. With a moderate mana cost and no real drawbacks, Overrun can be played at any point in the game to gain a significant advantage. It's an excellent addition to any green-heavy deck looking for a boost in power.

Card Mechanics & Interactions

Overrun

This uncommon sorcery from the tmp set is a classic example of a powerful, yet situational, card. On its face, it seems straightforward: for 5 mana, you get to buff all your creatures by 3 power and toughness, granting them trample until end of turn.

Mana Cost and Sorcery Speed

Overrun has a significant mana cost, requiring 5 mana (2 green plus 3 additional green). As a sorcery, it will resolve at the beginning of the next upkeep step if it's cast on the stack. This means that any creatures you control when Overrun resolves will receive its benefits.

Keyword Abilities and Effects

Overrun grants two keyword abilities to your creatures: Power/Toughness Increase (+3/+3) and Trample. The power and toughness increase is self-explanatory, but the trample ability requires clarification. Creatures with trample can deal excess combat damage to the player or planeswalker they're attacking.

Stack and Battlefield

When Overrun resolves:

  1. The creatures you control are buffed by 3 power and toughness.
  2. They gain the trample ability until end of turn.

It's essential to note that Overrun only affects creatures you control at the time it resolves. Creatures that enter the battlefield after Overrun has resolved won't receive its benefits.

Edge Cases and Interactions

  • Multiple Copies: If you have multiple copies of Overrun on the stack, each will resolve separately, granting its effects to your creatures.
  • Sacrifice Tokens: If you have tokens or other creatures that sacrifice themselves (e.g., Kurkesh, Onakke Ancient) and are affected by Overrun's trample ability, they can still deal excess damage even though they no longer exist on the battlefield.
  • Triggered Abilities: Creatures with triggered abilities (e.g., Sylvan Caryatid) might have their abilities trigger due to Overrun's effects. However, these triggers will resolve before the next upkeep step, so be cautious when combining Overrun with cards that interact with triggered abilities.

Commander-Specific Quirks

In Commander formats, Overrun can be a game-changer in green-heavy decks. Its ability to buff and grant trample to all your creatures makes it an excellent choice for aggressive strategies or combo decks. Be mindful of its mana cost and ensure you have sufficient green sources to cast it.

Keep in mind that Overrun's effects only last until end of turn, so plan accordingly. Consider using cards like Mox Opal or Chrome Mox to accelerate your mana development and take full advantage of Overrun's potential.

Strategic Applications

Overrun is a potent sorcery that can swing games in favor of its controller. Its ability to grant trample to creatures on the battlefield makes it particularly useful in green decks that emphasize creature-based aggression.

In Commander formats, Overrun finds a home in aggressive green strategies like Jhoira of the Ghitelman or Griselbrand. These decks often feature low-toughness, high-power creatures that can take advantage of trample to deal massive damage. The additional +3/+3 boost provided by Overrun amplifies these creatures' impact and makes them formidable opponents.

Green-red Commander decks with Tibalt, the Fiend-Blooded or Meren of Clan Nel Toth as their commander also benefit from Overrun's abilities. These decks typically feature more expensive, higher-power creatures that can take advantage of trample and gain significant value from Overrun's buff.

In competitive Modern formats, Overrun sees play in green-based aggro decks like Golgari Aggro. This deck archetype relies on low-toughness creatures with powerful Trample triggers, which Overrun amplifies. The sorcery also helps these decks deal with opposing creatures and planeswalkers by increasing their toughness.

In casual settings, Overrun is often included in green-based commander decks that emphasize aggressive playstyles. Decks featuring Griselbrand or Jhoira of the Ghitelman as their commander are common, as they provide a foundation for aggressive strategies that benefit from Overrun's abilities.

Overrun can also find a home in niche builds like Mardu Aggro. This deck archetype combines elements of red and white with green to create an aggressive strategy focused on dealing direct damage. Overrun provides a significant boost to these decks' creatures, making them more formidable opponents.

Overall, Overrun is a valuable addition to any Commander or Modern deck that prioritizes aggressive playstyles and creature-based aggression.

Advanced Techniques

Overrun's ability to give creatures +3/+3 and trample is potent in its own right, but it becomes even more formidable when paired with other cards that amplify or manipulate creature power and toughness. Consider running it alongside Grenzo, Dungeon Warden, which allows you to sacrifice your creatures to generate card advantage. When Overrun triggers, the sacrificed creatures' power and toughness are added to their controller's pool, creating a snowball effect where more creatures become bigger and harder to kill.

Another synergy to explore is with Bolas's Citadel or Chandra, Torch of Defiance, which both provide additional mana to support casting expensive spells like Overrun. When combined with Rampant Growth, Fertile Ground, or other instant-speed ramp effects, you can accelerate your mana development and cast Overrun more frequently.

In a more aggressive build, pairing Overrun with Avacyn, Angel of Hope or Serra Avatar can create an unstoppable force on the battlefield. These creatures already have respectable power and toughness, but when augmented by Overrun's effects, they become nearly unkillable. Even if an opponent manages to remove one or both creatures from combat, the remaining creature can still deal devastating damage thanks to trample.

The trample keyword is often overlooked in favor of more dramatic abilities, but it can be a game-changer in certain situations. For example, when paired with Dreg Mangler or other high-toughness creatures, you can use Overrun's trample to force opponents to make difficult choices between blocking and taking damage.

In terms of rules tricks, keep in mind that Overrun's effects only last until the end of turn, so you can't use it to create an unstoppable army that remains on the board indefinitely. However, this also means you can reuse the card multiple times in a single game by casting it repeatedly during your turns.

Common Mistakes

Mistakes to Avoid with Overrun

When playing Overrun, players often overlook the timing of its trigger. This sorcery has a significant impact on the board state, making it crucial to consider when to play it.

  • Playing too early: Casting Overrun before your opponent's creatures have attacked can lead to a situation where your own creatures are boosted, but they haven't had a chance to deal damage yet. Consider waiting for an opportune moment, such as after the combat phase has begun.
  • Misunderstanding trample: Players sometimes forget that creatures with trample can continue to deal excess damage even if their opponent's life total is reduced to zero. This can lead to unexpected (and often unwanted) damage calculations.

Poor Synergies

While Overrun is a powerful card, its effects are not as versatile as some players might assume. Be cautious when combining it with cards that don't complement its abilities.

  • Using trample on small creatures: Boosting small creatures with Overrun can be counterproductive if they're unable to deal meaningful damage even after gaining trample.
  • Overlooking other +3/+3 effects: When paired with other cards that grant a +3/+3 boost, such as Sylvan Caryatid, the net effect of Overrun might not be as significant as anticipated.

Timing Considerations

When deciding when to play Overrun, consider the following:

Good Timing Bad Timing
Opponent's creatures have attacked Boost your creatures after they've had a chance to deal damage. Waste an opportunity to enhance your creatures before combat begins.
Your creatures are small Use Overrun to make them more formidable in combat. Boosting insignificant creatures can be counterproductive.

Keep these considerations in mind when playing Overrun, and you'll be better equipped to maximize its potential benefits.

Conclusion

Overrun is a potent sorcery that can significantly alter the course of combat. In Commander, its ability to bestow +3/+3 power and trample onto all controlled creatures until end of turn makes it a valuable addition for green-based decks.

Its versatility stems from the fact that any creature with Overrun's boon can become an aggressive threat, particularly when paired with cards like Giant Growth, Lingering Souls, or Kithkin Zilbrod to give them an initial boost. This synergy allows for a quick and decisive strike at opponents before they have a chance to react.

However, Overrun is less effective in more static metagames where creatures are the primary threat. It also becomes less impactful if your deck relies heavily on one or two powerful creatures that can outpace the added power and trample from Overrun. In such cases, its inclusion might be better left to a more dynamic and flexible build.

In decks centered around aggressive token generation or swarm strategies, Overrun is best used as a finishing move, creating an unstoppable force once the board has been set up with creatures like Goblin Piledriver, Stromkirk Noble, or Sylvan Caryatid.

Deckbuilding & Synergies

Building Around Overrun

Overrun is a potent sorcery that can significantly alter the battlefield. To maximize its impact, build decks that emphasize green's creature advantage and synergies.

Commanders and Color Identities

Overrun excels in aggro-oriented green decks, particularly those centered around Sylvan Caryatid, Elvish Mystic, or Llanowar Elves. These commanders provide a steady stream of low-cost creatures to take advantage of Overrun's scaling.

  • For aggressive playstyles, consider pairing Overrun with:
    • Sylvan Caryatid (a classic green aggro commander)
    • Elvish Mystic (provides card draw and accelerates mana development)
    • Llanowar Elves (unlocks early game creature advantage)

Themes

Overrun's ability to buff creatures and grant trample makes it an excellent fit for decks focused on:

  • Trample Stacks: Overrun can be the key to unlocking a powerful, high-impact attack.
  • Brewer's Triggers: Creatures that benefit from increased power or toughness will see significant gains with Overrun.

Engines

To amplify Overrun's effects, incorporate cards that enhance creature advantage and trample synergies. Some examples include:

  • Kemba, Kha Regent (grants trample to creatures)
  • Zurgo Bellstriker (a powerful, trample- granting commander)

Synergy Cards

Some synergy-heavy cards pair well with Overrun:

  • Fertile Ground (a green spell that grows creatures)
  • Bribery (grants a +1/+1 counter to creatures)
  • Rampant Growth (a powerful, trample-granting card draw spell)

When combining these cards, consider the following:

Card Pair Description
Overrun + Kemba, Kha Regent Trample- granting commander with a built-in way to apply Overrun's effects.
Overrun + Sylvan Caryatid A classic green aggro combo that gets even more aggressive with Overrun.

Combo Notes

While Overrun is an excellent standalone spell, it excels in combination with other cards that enhance creature advantage and trample synergies.

Format Roles

Overrun is a versatile and impactful sorcery in Commander and other formats. Its effects can be particularly beneficial in green-based tribal decks that rely on creature advantage.

Commander

In Commander, Overrun can significantly boost the power of creatures on the battlefield, making it an attractive addition to token-generating strategies or those centered around powerful creatures like Avacyn, Angel of Hope or Craterhoard Giant. However, its effectiveness is heavily dependent on the presence of multiple large creatures.

The sorcery's ability to grant trample and +3/+3 power boosts can make it a game-changer in situations where attacking with larger creatures is key. When paired with cards like Llanowar Elves or Fyndhorn Elves, which ramp up mana quickly, Overrun can rapidly accelerate the development of a strong board presence.

Casual Play

In casual play, Overrun's simplicity and potency make it an excellent fit for players looking to introduce themselves to more aggressive, creature-based strategies. It is straightforward and easy to integrate into most green decks, making it accessible even for newer players.

Format Impact

Format Competitive? Casual?
Commander Competitive in tribal or token-generating decks Ideal for casual play with its straightforward effects

Other Formats

Overrun is also playable in other formats like Modern and Pioneer, although it may not be as impactful due to the prevalence of more efficient removal spells and lower creature counts.

Price

  • EUR: 0.44
  • Tix: 0.04
  • USD: 0.62

Its relatively affordable price point makes Overrun an attractive option for those looking to bolster their green decks with a powerful, albeit situational, card.

Conclusion Notes

While its effectiveness is highly dependent on the specific game conditions and deck strategy, Overrun remains a valuable addition to green-based Commander decks and casual play. Its price is relatively low compared to other impactful cards in Magic: The Gathering.

Key Scenarios

Overrun in Commander Politics

In multiplayer Commander games, Overrun can be a game-changing card when played at the right moment. Its ability to boost creatures by +3/+3 and grant them trample can quickly swing the board in favor of its controller.

  • Token swarm: When paired with token-generating cards like Sylvan Caryatid or Boros Guildgate, Overrun can turn a small army into an unstoppable force.
  • Beating down: In games where creatures are trading blows, Overrun's trample ability ensures that the controller's creatures will deal excess damage to the opponent.

However, Overrun's impact is reduced in situations where creatures are not the primary focus of the game. For example:

  • Control matchups: When facing control decks with removal spells like Abrupt Decay or Swords to Plowshares, it may be challenging to maintain a large creature presence on the board.
  • Stax-heavy games: In games dominated by Stax-like cards that create a high density of enchantments and artifacts, Overrun's ability might not have as significant an impact.

Overrun in Competitive Matchups

In competitive 1v1 or 2v2 matches, Overrun can be a valuable addition to the deck. Its ability to disrupt the opponent's plans by increasing the power of creatures on the board can be particularly effective against:

  • Aggro decks: When facing aggressive decks that rely heavily on low-toughness creatures, Overrun can quickly neutralize their advantage.
  • Midrange strategies: In games where both players have a mix of creatures and removal spells, Overrun's ability to boost its own creatures can tip the balance in favor of its controller.

In contrast, Overrun may struggle against:

  • Control decks: As mentioned earlier, control decks with removal spells or counterspells can make it difficult to maintain a large creature presence.
  • Flying-heavy decks: When facing opponents with a high number of flying creatures, Overrun's trample ability might not be as effective.
History & Meta

Overrun's History

Overrun, a powerful sorcery from tmp, has been making waves in the Magic community. This 5-mana uncommon spell is a creature-buffing powerhouse that gives creatures +3/+3 and trample until end of turn.

  • Printings: Overrun has appeared in several sets over the years, including tmp (no official print name provided).
  • Reprints: While not as frequently reprinted as some other cards, Overrun has seen a few iterations, including a reprint in the Commander 2019 set.
  • Tournament Presence: Overrun is a staple in various commander formats, particularly in green-heavy decks. Its ability to quickly swing games in favor of its controller makes it a sought-after inclusion.
  • EDHREC Stats:
    • EDHREC Rank: #24 (Green)
    • Average Price: $0.45
    • EDHREC Count: 1,143 ( Commander only)

Iconic Decks:

  • The Rolling Renegades: This popular Commander deck features Overrun as a key component, taking advantage of its ability to quickly overwhelm opponents.
  • Golgari Grave-Tithe: Another well-known Commander deck that includes Overrun, this build excels at controlling the board and dealing massive damage.

Overrun's versatility in various green decks has cemented its place in many players' collections. Its ability to impact games dramatically makes it a reliable choice for aggressive strategies.

Flavor & Lore

In the vast expanse of the Zendikar plane, where ancient secrets slumber beneath the surface and nature's fury can be both beautiful and deadly, Overrun takes its place among the most potent manifestations of the land's unforgiving power.

This uncommon sorcery from the tmp set represents a turning point in the delicate balance between life and death. By tapping into the primal forces that govern Zendikar, Overrun unleashes a torrent of growth and strength upon creatures under one's control. The +3/+3 boost to both power and toughness allows these beasts to overcome even the most formidable foes, their trample ability granting them the freedom to pursue enemies relentlessly.

This is no fleeting respite; the effects of Overrun linger until the end of the turn, giving commanders a window to unleash devastating combinations. Imagine unleashing a horde of rampaging 4/5s, each capable of shrugging off even the most concerted attacks due to their trample prowess. The cumulative effect can be overwhelming: an Elvish Piper, empowered by Overrun's temporary buff and trample ability, becomes nearly unkillable.

For players familiar with Zendikar's lore, Overrun echoes the plane's own natural cycles of life and death. Zendikari creatures are known for their resilience in the face of adversity, often thriving in environments others would find inhospitable. By channeling this aspect of the land's essence, Overrun encapsulates the idea that even in the most dire circumstances, nature's power can be harnessed to turn the tide in one's favor.

Commanders skilled in utilizing Overrun effectively must understand how it interacts with their existing creature base. For example, pairing it with a card like Fertile Ground could create an unstoppable juggernaut of green creatures, their +3/+3 boost from Overrun compounded by the additional power granted by the land itself.

Through its incorporation into a well-rounded deck, Overrun stands as a potent testament to Zendikar's enduring influence on the battlefield.

Budget/Alternatives

Budget Breakdown: Overrun

Overrun is an uncommon sorcery from the tmp set, costing 5 mana to cast ({2}{G}{G}{G}). Its impact on gameplay is substantial, granting creatures +3/+3 and trample until end of turn.

Price Points

  • The card's USD price is $0.62.
  • It's available for as low as $0.04 in Tix, making it relatively affordable.
  • Overrun can be a valuable addition to budget decks, especially those focused on green creatures.

Reprint Status

Overrun has been reprinted several times across various sets, including Urza's Saga, Mercadian Masques, and others. Its reprint history is well-established, which contributes to its accessible price point.

Similar Options in Commander

For budget-friendly options that offer similar effects, consider the following:

  • Verdant Force: This uncommon sorcery from Lorwyn costs 2 mana and grants creatures +3/+3 until end of turn.
  • Mother Bear: An uncommon creature from Onslaught costs 2 mana and gives a 4/4 trampler until end of turn when its owner casts a spell during their main phase.
  • Primeval Force: A common sorcery from Urza's Saga grants creatures +1/+1 and trample until end of turn, costing only 1 mana.

Budget-Friendly Green Stompy Decks

For Commander players looking to create a green stompy deck on a budget:

  • Use Verdant Force or Mother Bear as the centerpiece, granting large creatures +3/+3 and trample.
  • Incorporate smaller creatures like Llanowar Elves, Fertilid, or Elvish Mystic to accelerate mana development.
  • Add ramp spells like Cultivate, Kodama's Reach, or Explore to ensure consistent access to 5-mana sorceries like Overrun.