Justiciar's Portal MTG Card


Flicker capabilities enable repeated triggering of enter-the-battlefield effects for strategic board control. Instant speed casting allows surprise defensive moves and opportunistic plays during combat. Despite some mana cost considerations, Justiciar’s Portal enhances deck versatility and combat prowess.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityCommon
TypeInstant

Text of card

Exile target creature you control, then return that card to the battlefield under its owner's control. It gains first strike until end of turn.

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Understanding Justiciar’s Portal

Justiciar’s Portal is an intriguing instant in the realm of protective spells for creatures. It renders a creature on the battlefield temporarily untouchable by whisking it away and then returning it to the fray. This instantaneous relocation not only ensures the safety of your valued creature but also has the potential to renew its enter-the-battlefield abilities.

Cards like Justiciar's Portal

Justiciar’s Portal shares akin features with a suite of flicker spells in MTG. Cards like Cloudshift resonate with a similar purpose, providing a swift safeguard for creatures whilst resetting their abilities. However, Cloudshift is more mana-efficient costing only one white mana, while Justiciar’s Portal requires one more and an additional colorless mana. Ghostly Flicker extends the concept further by targeting two permanents, but bumps the cost up and sits at sorcery speed. Momentary Blink offers a recursive aspect with flashback, granting a second usage, which Justiciar’s Portal lacks. Yet, Portal carves its niche with the added layer of granting first strike upon return, enhancing combat strategies in a way other flicker spells do not.

Each spell carries a distinct advantage and assessing their utility depends on the deck’s design and strategic requirements. Justiciar’s Portal, with its combat tweak, offers a unique tool in the flicker spell repertoire within MTG, especially in scenarios where combat interactions are pivotal.

Cloudshift - MTG Card versions
Ghostly Flicker - MTG Card versions
Momentary Blink - MTG Card versions
Cloudshift - MTG Card versions
Ghostly Flicker - MTG Card versions
Momentary Blink - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Justiciar’s Portal enables you to re-trigger enter the battlefield effects of your creatures. This could lead to drawing cards, controlling the board, or generating additional resources. By utilizing the flicker effect, you maintain the number of cards in play and potentially disrupt opponent strategies.

Resource Acceleration: While Justiciar’s Portal itself doesn’t directly accelerate resources, it can indirectly contribute to ramping by protecting your key creatures that facilitate mana growth. Safely reusing creatures that search for lands or produce mana can ensure your resources keep flowing.

Instant Speed: This card can be cast at instant speed, which provides a flexible response to threats, especially during combat or in response to removal. It can save your creature from an opponent’s spell, create surprise blockers, or simply adjust your battlefield positioning at the last second during a match.


Card Cons

Specific Mana Cost: Justiciar’s Portal demands a precise blend of mana, a single white and one of any other color, which can be a limiting factor when it is not accommodated within the deck’s mana base.

Discard Requirement: While Justiciar’s Portal itself does not require you to discard, it does necessitate a permanent to be on the battlefield. This can be burdensome if you’re short on board presence or if the game demands you to maintain a full hand.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Despite its low absolute mana cost, within its effect category—flickering—Justiciar’s Portal’s two mana investment might be considered high when compared to other options that provide additional value or lower costs.


Reasons to Include Justiciar’s Portal in Your Collection

Versatility: Justiciar’s Portal offers a unique advantage by allowing players to remove a creature from harm’s way while also triggering enter-the-battlefield effects. This flexibility makes it an asset in various deck builds, from controlling the board to protecting key creatures.

Combo Potential: This card excels in decks that focus on enter-the-battlefield triggers. By reusing these effects, it can create powerful combinations that can turn the tide of the game in your favor.

Meta-Relevance: In an environment rife with targeted removal or in matchups where combat tricks can decide the winner, Justiciar’s Portal provides a timely response. It’s an effective tool to outmaneuver opponents and maximize the utility of your creatures.


How to beat

Justiciar’s Portal is an intriguing instant in MTG that allows players to exile a creature they control and then return that creature to the battlefield under their control. It’s a deft way to save a valuable creature from an opponent’s removal spell or to reuse enter-the-battlefield (ETB) abilities. So, how do you counter this trick? The key lies in timing and control.

One effective strategy is to target the creature with instant-speed removal in response to Justiciar’s Portal being cast. This can be achieved through spells that can’t be thwarted by simply exiling the creature, such as those causing sacrifice or with the split second ability. This ensures that the opponent’s creature does not dodge the removal. Additionally, countering Justiciar’s Portal directly with a counterspell ensures it never resolves, preventing any shenanigans from unfolding.

Moreover, employing graveyard disruption can restrict the benefits of repeated ETB abilities. Utilizing cards that exile or disrupt the opponent’s graveyard can negate advantages they might be seeking when playing creatures with potent ETB effects. Through careful observation and strategic counterplays, a player can overcome the craftiness of Justiciar’s Portal and maintain control over the game’s state.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering MTG takes more than just knowing your cards; it’s about strategic plays and utilizing your deck’s unique abilities. Justiciar’s Portal is a gem for savvy players, offering instant-speed protection and ETB trigger manipulation. But remember, the card’s true potential is unlocked when seamlessly integrated with a deck’s overarching strategy. Whether you’re looking to finesse your combat moves or safeguard your valuable creatures, this card can elevate your game. Keen on refining your tactics and gaining a competitive edge? Dive deeper with us into understanding the synergies and meta strategies that make Justiciar’s Portal a worthy addition to your collection.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Justiciar's Portal MTG card by a specific set like Ravnica Allegiance and Jumpstart 2022, 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 Justiciar's Portal and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Justiciar's Portal Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2019-01-25 and 2022-12-02. Illustrated by Micah Epstein.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12019-01-25Ravnica AllegianceRNA 132015NormalBlackMicah Epstein
22022-12-02Jumpstart 2022J22 2022015NormalBlackMicah Epstein

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Justiciar's Portal has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2019-01-25 If a token is exiled this way, it will cease to exist and won’t return to the battlefield.
2019-01-25 Once the exiled creature returns, it’s considered a new object with no relation to the object that it was. Auras attached to the exiled creature will be put into their owners’ graveyards. Equipment attached to the exiled creature will become unattached and remain on the battlefield. Any counters on the exiled creature will cease to exist.
2019-01-25 The creature returns untapped unless another effect causes it to enter the battlefield tapped.
2019-01-25 The returned card won’t be the target of any spells or abilities that targeted it before. Spells that don’t target, such as Kaya’s Wrath, may still affect it.