Jalira, Master Polymorphist MTG Card


Jalira provides card advantage by transforming creatures into more impactful ones during the game. Activating Jalira’s ability at instant speed can surprise opponents and alter game outcomes. Despite a mana intensive cost, Jalira’s potential for game-changing plays is significant.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityRare
TypeLegendary Creature — Human Wizard
Power 2
Toughness 2

Text of card

, , Sacrifice another creature: Reveal cards from the top of your library until you reveal a nonlegendary creature card. Put that card onto the battlefield and the rest on the bottom of your library in a random order.

"You can become anything if I just put my mind to it."


Cards like Jalira, Master Polymorphist

Jalira, Master Polymorphist is a unique figure among blue creature cards in Magic: The Gathering. With a similarity to Proteus Staff, which also allows players to exchange creatures on the battlefield, Jalira restricts the targets to non-token creatures, thus ensuring a more controlled choice from one’s library. Unlike Proteus Staff, Jalira’s ability is not indiscriminate, creating opportunities for strategic selections.

Daring Apprentice shares the trait of being a blue wizard, but Jalira stands out with her polymorphing power, while Daring Apprentice provides a form of protection by countering spells. Synthesizer, another card that emboldens creative play, offers card advantage but lacks the direct board impact of Jalira. It’s the transformative potential of Jalira that sets her apart, enabling the summoning of potentially game-ending creatures.

The essence of Jalira’s impact lies in the reshaping of the battlefield to the player’s advantage. Her polymorphing ability is what differentiates her and makes her a strategic asset in creature-heavy blue decks within Magic: The Gathering, showcasing her as a card that transcends simple comparison and carves a niche all her own.

Proteus Staff - MTG Card versions
Daring Apprentice - MTG Card versions
Proteus Staff - MTG Card versions
Daring Apprentice - MTG Card versions

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Phantom Monster - MTG Card versions
Wall of Vapor - MTG Card versions
Screeching Drake - MTG Card versions
Tradewind Rider - MTG Card versions
Archivist - MTG Card versions
Extravagant Spirit - MTG Card versions
Thieving Magpie - MTG Card versions
Inga Rune-Eyes - MTG Card versions
Sakashima of a Thousand Faces - MTG Card versions
Laboratory Drudge - MTG Card versions
Undercover Operative - MTG Card versions
Archmage Emeritus - MTG Card versions
Hisoka, Minamo Sensei - MTG Card versions
Johnny, Combo Player - MTG Card versions
Dream Prowler - MTG Card versions
Clone - MTG Card versions
Cytoplast Manipulator - MTG Card versions
Crookclaw Transmuter - MTG Card versions
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Card Pros

Card Advantage: Jalira, Master Polymorphist provides a significant edge in card utility. With her ability to sacrifice a creature and then reveal cards from the top of your library until a nonlegendary creature card is revealed, you can put a potentially game-changing creature into play, effectively sifting through your deck for the right tools at the right moment.

Resource Acceleration: Although not directly providing mana acceleration, Jalira’s polymorphing ability acts as a resource accelerant by enabling you to bypass the traditional mana costs of high-powered creatures. This can lead to a substantial board presence much earlier than usual, giving you a decisive tempo boost.

Instant Speed: While Jalira’s ability is not an instant itself, it can be activated at instant speed since it’s a activated ability that doesn’t have a tap symbol. This flexibility allows for strategic end-of-turn transformations, catching opponents off guard and setting up favorable conditions for your next turn.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Jalira, Master Polymorphist necessitates the sacrifice of another creature as part of its activation cost. This can be detrimental when you can’t afford to lose a creature or are running low on creatures in play.

Specific Mana Cost: Her ability cost requires one blue mana specifically, which can restrict her to mono-blue or two-color decks that can reliably produce blue mana.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Jalira comes with a four-mana cost–three generic and one blue–which is a substantial investment, especially considering that activating her ability also requires additional mana. This may slow down your gameplay, as there are alternative creature-based strategies that could be executed with a lower mana investment.


Reasons to Include Jalira, Master Polymorphist in Your Collection

Versatility: Jalira, Master Polymorphist offers a unique role in blue deck-building strategies. Her ability to transform non-legendary creatures into potentially more powerful ones adds an element of surprise and adaptability against opponents.

Combo Potential: She excels in decks that are loaded with creatures possessing enter-the-battlefield effects or abilities that trigger upon death. Players can repeatedly capitalize on these interactions to turn the tide of the game in their favor.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where creature-based strategies dominate, Jalira provides a crafty answer. She can bypass your opponent’s counterspells and removal, giving you a steadfast way to keep your board presence impactful.


How to beat

Jalira, Master Polymorphist is a unique card in MTG, offering players the ability to shift the battlefield in their favor by transforming creatures. This blue card is known for swapping out a non-legendary creature for a potentially more powerful one from the deck. Understanding the mechanics of Jalira can be key to turning the tide against her. To counteract Jalira’s ability, consider removal spells or abilities that can target her before she uses her polymorphing power. Additionally, strategies that limit the ability to sacrifice creatures, such as cards with the keyword “Cannot be sacrificed,” can effectively neutralize the advantage Jalira provides.

Moreover, instant-speed removals or flash creatures can disrupt the tempo of a Jalira-focused strategy, particularly if you remove the creature targeted for her ability in response. This leaves your opponent with a tapped Jalira and a fizzled ability. Cards with hexproof or shroud also complicate matters for Jalira players as they seek the right creature to target. In essence, the best method to ‘beat’ Jalira, Master Polymorphist involves preventive measures, strategic removals, and introducing elements of disruption to hinder her from altering the creature dynamics on the board.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Jalira, Master Polymorphist MTG card by a specific set like Magic 2015 and Masters 25, 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 Jalira, Master Polymorphist and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Jalira, Master Polymorphist Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2014-07-18 and 2018-03-16. Illustrated by Steve Prescott.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12014-07-18Magic 2015M15 642015NormalBlackSteve Prescott
22018-03-16Masters 25A25 632015NormalBlackSteve Prescott

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Jalira, Master Polymorphist has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2018-03-16 If your library has no nonlegendary creature cards in it, you’ll reveal all the cards in your library, then put them in a random order. Although this is not technically shuffling your library, no player is allowed to know the order of those cards and you will randomize the cards in your deck.