Crack in Time MTG Card


It grants card advantage, allowing players to strategize and optimize their plays. Speeds up play with resource acceleration but demands specific mana and a discard. While costly, it offers combo potential and situational strategic flexibility.
Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityRare
TypeEnchantment
Abilities Vanishing

Text of card

Vanishing 3 (This enchantment enters the battlefield with three time counters on it. At the beginning of your upkeep, remove a time counter from it. When the last is removed, sacrifice it.) When Crack in Time enters the battlefield and at the beginning of your precombat main phase, exile target creature an opponent controls until Crack in Time leaves the battlefield.


Cards like Crack in Time

Crack in Time is a distinct choice for MTG players seeking temporal advantage. It stands shoulder to shoulder with Time Warp, a classic that permits another turn but demands a steeper mana investment. Crack in Time, in contrast, is subtler, often used to undo a single phase or combat. It doesn’t grant the full-turn prowess of Time Warp, yet it allows for nuanced strategies that can be just as influential on the game’s outcome.

In the realm of phase manipulation, we encounter Teferi’s Time Twist. This card similarly disrupts the flow of time by phasing out a creature and bringing it back with a plus-one counter. Although it doesn’t affect the turn order as directly as Crack in Time, it serves a protective role and grants a buff in the process. Then there’s Savor the Moment, offering a complete extra turn but with the limitation of not untapping permanents. It’s less versatile than Crack in Time, which can be more surgical in its application.

Evaluating these options, Crack in Time stands out in MTG metagames where precision can edge out raw power. Its ability to disrupt at critical moments provides a different kind of control, which can be a determining factor in many games.

Time Warp - MTG Card versions
Teferi's Time Twist - MTG Card versions
Savor the Moment - MTG Card versions
Time Warp - MTG Card versions
Teferi's Time Twist - MTG Card versions
Savor the Moment - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Crack in Time by color, type and mana cost

Castle - MTG Card versions
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Conversion - MTG Card versions
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Diversionary Tactics - MTG Card versions
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Teleportation Circle - MTG Card versions
Hallowed Haunting - MTG Card versions
Proper Burial - MTG Card versions
Armored Ascension - MTG Card versions
Light from Within - MTG Card versions
Castle - MTG Card versions
Karma - MTG Card versions
Conversion - MTG Card versions
Angelic Voices - MTG Card versions
Seeker - MTG Card versions
Drought - MTG Card versions
Justice - MTG Card versions
Divine Transformation - MTG Card versions
Field of Souls - MTG Card versions
Opal Titan - MTG Card versions
Ivory Mask - MTG Card versions
Parallax Wave - MTG Card versions
Worship - MTG Card versions
Diversionary Tactics - MTG Card versions
Moat - MTG Card versions
Teleportation Circle - MTG Card versions
Hallowed Haunting - MTG Card versions
Proper Burial - MTG Card versions
Armored Ascension - MTG Card versions
Light from Within - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Crack in Time ensures a solid card advantage by allowing a look at the top four cards of your library, providing options to find exactly what you need in critical game moments.

Resource Acceleration: Beyond card selection, this spell can put you ahead by skipping your next draw step to fast forward your play, enabling quicker access to your key cards and strategic plays.

Instant Speed: The ability to play Crack in Time at instant speed offers strategic flexibility during the game, letting you react to opponents’ moves or optimize your turn structure for maximum impact.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: In order to cast Crack in Time, players must fulfill a discard requirement. This can lead to a significant disadvantage, primarily when your hand is already depleted, or when every card in hand is crucial for your strategy.

Specific Mana Cost: Crack in Time demands a specific combination of mana colors to be cast. Its necessity for blue mana restricts the decks it can easily slip into, potentially excluding it from a variety of deck archetypes not aligned with blue’s capabilities.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Considering its effects, the mana cost for Crack in Time is on the higher end. For decks focusing on efficiency and speed, the four mana required could be seen as a hefty investment, especially when alternatives may provide similar outcomes at a lower cost.


Reasons to Include Crack in Time in Your Collection

Versatility: Crack in Time offers flexibility for various deck archetypes, as it provides both a way to manipulate time counters and a versatile interaction with the stack, allowing you to tailor your approach based on the game’s state.

Combo Potential: This card can set off a cascade of actions in the right combo-centric deck, potentially exploiting mechanics that sync with taking extra turns or delaying opponents’ spells.

Meta-Relevance: In an environment where timing is crucial, and matches are often decided by key turns, incorporating Crack in Time can provide the strategic edge needed to outpace opponents in competitive play.


How to beat

Confronting a card like Crack in Time can be a strategic challenge for seasoned Magic: The Gathering players. This card operates by targeting a single permanent, effectively removing it from the current game round and causing its controller to skip their next turn. Such a powerful effect can turn the tides against you if you’re not prepared.

To counter this disruptive spell, consider incorporating instant-speed removal or counterspells into your deck. Cards like Negate or Dovin’s Veto can be key in preventing Crack in Time from resolving. Furthermore, playing permanents with hexproof or protection from blue can safeguard your critical assets from being targeted by such time-bending magic.

Adaptability is paramount in MTG, and by anticipating your opponent’s moves, you equip yourself with the means to maintain control of the game. Staying ahead of Crack in Time involves a mix of preemptive measures and responsive tactics. It may not be easy, but with the right strategy, you can mitigate the impact of this potent card and keep your opponents in check.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Crack in Time MTG card by a specific set like Doctor Who and Doctor Who, there are several reliable options to consider. One of the primary sources is your local game store, where you can often find booster packs, individual cards, and preconstructed decks from current and some past sets. They often offer the added benefit of a community where you can trade with other players.

For a broader inventory, particularly of older sets, online marketplaces like TCGPlayer, Card Kingdom and Card Market offer extensive selections and allow you to search for cards from specific sets. Larger e-commerce platforms like eBay and Amazon also have listings from various sellers, which can be a good place to look for sealed product and rare finds.

Additionally, Magic’s official site often has a store locator and retailer lists for finding Wizards of the Coast licensed products. Remember to check for authenticity and the condition of the cards when purchasing, especially from individual sellers on larger marketplaces.

Below is a list of some store websites where you can buy the Crack in Time and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Crack in Time Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2023-10-13 and 2023-10-13. Illustrated by Eliz Roxs.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12023-10-13Doctor WhoWHO 3362015NormalBlackEliz Roxs
22023-10-13Doctor WhoWHO 162015NormalBlackEliz Roxs
32023-10-13Doctor WhoWHO 6212015NormalBlackEliz Roxs
42023-10-13Doctor WhoWHO 9272015NormalBlackEliz Roxs

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Crack in Time has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Crack in Time card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2023-10-13 If Crack in Time leaves the battlefield before its triggered ability resolves, the target creature won't be exiled.