Illusionist's Gambit MTG Card


Illusionist’s Gambit excels in deterring attacks and tactically redirecting enemy creatures during combat. Useful for indirect resource acceleration, it can unexpectedly shift combat dynamics to your favor. Its instant speed nature lets players respond with surprise, potentially turning the tables on opponents.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityRare
TypeInstant

Text of card

Cast Illusionist's Gambit only during the declare blockers step on an opponent's turn. Remove all attacking creatures from combat and untap them. After this phase, there is an additional combat phase. Each of those creatures attacks that combat if able. They can't attack you or a planeswalker you control that combat.


Cards like Illusionist's Gambit

Illusionist’s Gambit is an intriguing tactical card in the strategy landscape of Magic: The Gathering. Its closest relatives in terms of gameplay are cards like Reins of Power and Aetherize. Illusionist’s Gambit stands out by diverting all attack targets when an opponent has declared an all-out assault on you, offering a unique form of crowd control. Reins of Power, while switching control of creatures until end of turn, doesn’t offer the same ambush turnaround as Illusionist’s Gambit which can completely disrupt an opponent’s strategy.

Then, there’s Aetherize, a card that forces attacking creatures back to the owner’s hand, clearing the battlefield but not redirecting the attack like Illusionist’s Gambit does. Aetherize can reset board positioning but lacks the immediate counter-offensive potential. Furthermore, Illusionist’s Gambit can be a game-changer in multiplayer matches, creating unexpected alliances and combat math that can turn the tide to your advantage.

When weighing the options for defensive maneuvers, Illusionist’s Gambit provides a unique spin on combat tricks. Its ability to surprise opponents and redirect their aggression can be a potent tool in the right deck, making it an interesting choice for players looking to weave a layer of deception into their strategies.

Reins of Power - MTG Card versions
Aetherize - MTG Card versions
Reins of Power - MTG Card versions
Aetherize - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Illusionist's Gambit by color, type and mana cost

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Discombobulate - MTG Card versions
Deflection - MTG Card versions
Ray of Command - MTG Card versions
Inspiration - MTG Card versions
Turnabout - MTG Card versions
Quash - MTG Card versions
Foil - MTG Card versions
Thwart - MTG Card versions
Repel - MTG Card versions
Plagiarize - MTG Card versions
Fact or Fiction - MTG Card versions
Cryptic Command - MTG Card versions
Urza's Command - MTG Card versions
Wheel and Deal - MTG Card versions
Gifts Ungiven - MTG Card versions
Fold into Aether - MTG Card versions
Part the Veil - MTG Card versions
Surging Aether - MTG Card versions
Careful Consideration - MTG Card versions
Gifts Given - MTG Card versions
Discombobulate - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Illusionist’s Gambit offers a unique strategic edge, effectively functioning as a deterrent against enemy attacks. By redirecting an opponent’s assault, this card can prevent considerable damage to your life total and protect your valuable creatures on the board. While it does not directly draw cards, it helps retain the ones in play, preserving your in-game resources.

Resource Acceleration: Though it doesn’t produce mana or tokens, Illusionist’s Gambit can serve as a form of indirect resource acceleration. By compelling your opponents to commit their creatures to an unplanned attack phase, you can plan your next move without the immediate threat of those creatures. This unexpected shift can leave your adversaries overextended and vulnerable, giving you the upper hand in subsequent turns.

Instant Speed: The instant speed nature of Illusionist’s Gambit provides an element of surprise and flexibility. This allows you to wait until the most opportune moment during an opponent’s combat phase to disrupt their tactics. By playing it at the right time, you not only foil a potentially damaging attack but also set the stage for a counter-attack, all while keeping your mana options open during your turn.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Although not applicable to Illusionist’s Gambit itself, it’s essential for players to be aware of the potential need to discard other cards from their hand to make room for its high-cost demands or for complying with maximum hand size rules after its usage.

Specific Mana Cost: This card requires both blue mana and colorless mana to play. Its specific mana cost can pose a challenge for multi-colored decks that may struggle with producing the necessary blue mana consistently.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of four mana, including two blue, Illusionist’s Gambit’s investment is significant. Players may find this a steep price, especially when more mana-efficient options that disrupt opponents or protect themselves might be available.


Reasons to Include Illusionist’s Gambit in Your Collection

Versatility: Illusionist’s Gambit shines in its ability to adapt to various situations on the battlefield. As a card that can redirect an opponent’s assault, it fits snugly into decks that need that extra turn to maneuver or set up pivotal plays.

Combo Potential: This card is a combo enabler, allowing you to disrupt opponent strategies while setting up your own. It can be a cornerstone in decks that seek to exploit end-of-turn mechanics or that benefit from surprise counterattacks.

Meta-Relevance: Given its nature to throw opponents off course, Illusionist’s Gambit holds its ground in a meta heavy with aggressive strategies. It’s a silver bullet against combat-centric decks, ensuring its relevancy in a diverse array of game environments.


How to Beat

Illusionist’s Gambit is a unique card in MTG with the ability to turn the tide of combat unexpectedly. It forces attacking creatures to be redirected towards another player, which makes it a fantastic tool in multiplayer formats. To effectively counteract this card, there are a few strategies one can adopt. Firstly, including versatile removal spells or abilities that can target spells on the stack is pivotal. Cards like Counterspell or Dispel can negate Illusionist’s Gambit before it ever has a chance to reshape the battlefield.

Another approach is to limit the number of attacking creatures when playing against a deck that might be running Illusionist’s Gambit. By doing so, you minimize the impact of their redirection effect. Additionally, taking note of the mana available to your opponent can be crucial; Illusionist’s Gambit requires four mana to be played, so monitoring opponent’s mana pool will give you a good indication of when they have the capability to cast it.

Understanding the intricacies of combat and knowing when to commit to attacks can be the difference between a win and loss when Illusionist’s Gambit is at play. Adapt your strategy, maintain situational awareness, and this card’s twist won’t catch you off guard.


BurnMana Recommendations

Illusionist’s Gambit is a fascinating card that bends the usual flow of combat in MTG to your favor. This card is valuable in a pinch for disrupting your opponent’s attack and for setting the stage for future plays. Reliable in multiplayer settings, it can neutralize aggressive strategies and allow you clever ways to direct the game’s momentum. As you seek to enhance your collection and gameplay, consider adding Illusionist’s Gambit for its unique ability to change the dynamics on the battlefield. Explore more strategic depth and discover new combinations to fortify your deck’s defensive capabilities.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Illusionist's Gambit MTG card by a specific set like Commander 2013 and Wilds of Eldraine Commander, 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 Illusionist's Gambit and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Illusionist's Gambit Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2013-11-01 and 2023-09-08. Illustrated by Zoltan Boros.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12013-11-01Commander 2013C13 472003NormalBlackZoltan Boros
22023-09-08Wilds of Eldraine CommanderWOC 972015NormalBlackZoltan Boros

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Illusionist's Gambit has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2013-10-17 Creatures that didn't attack during the combat phase when Illusionist's Gambit resolved aren't required to attack in the additional combat phase, although they may. Those creatures can attack you or a planeswalker you control.
2013-10-17 If there's a cost associated with having a creature attack, the player isn't forced to pay that cost, so it doesn't have to attack.
2013-10-17 If, during a player's declare attackers step, a creature is tapped, is affected by a spell or ability that says it can't attack, or hasn't been under that player's control continuously since the turn began (and doesn't have haste), then it doesn't attack.