Animate Spell MTG Card
Text of card
Flash Enchant instant or sorcery spell on the stack When CARDNAME becomes attached to an instant or sorcery, put that card onto the battlefield under its owner's control. It's a creature in addition to its other types with power and toughness each equal to its converted mana cost. When CARDNAME leaves the battlefield, enchanted card's owner sacrifices it unless they cast it.
Cards like Animate Spell
Animate Spell emerges as an intriguing option for players who enjoy bringing their spells to life in the world of Magic: The Gathering. This card draws a subtle comparison with the likes of Animate Artifact, which also transforms noncreature permanents into animated creatures. Yet, Animate Spell introduces a unique twist by applying its effect on instants or sorceries in the graveyard, granting them a second life as creatures.
Another card worth comparing is Dance of the Manse, striking for its ability to animate multiple artifact and enchantment cards at once. While Animate Spell focuses on a single card resurrection, Dance of the Manse broadens the field of impact, potentially altering the entire board state. However, Dance of the Manse lacks the precision and targeted nature of Animate Spell. Finally, we have March of the Machines, which instantly animates all artifacts, dramatically altering the landscape of the game. Yet it does not offer the same controlled reusability of individual spells that Animate Spell does.
Ultimately, each card serves a unique purpose within Magic: The Gathering, but for those seeking to reanimate that key instant or sorcery, Animate Spell carves its own niche with finesse and strategic depth.
Cards similar to Animate Spell by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Animate Spell cards often enable players to draw additional cards, or directly turn noncreature cards into creatures, effectively giving a player more options and presence on the battlefield without losing hand resources.
Resource Acceleration: These spells can transform excess lands or nonessential artifacts and enchantments into threats, thereby accelerating one’s in-game resources and presence. This conversion can be pivotal in overwhelming opponents or turning the tide in tight matches.
Instant Speed: Many Animate Spell cards can be cast at instant speed, allowing for strategic flexibility. Players can catch opponents off-guard by turning an innocuous permanent into a creature during combat or at the end of an opponent’s turn, thereby optimizing the element of surprise and tactical responses.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Animate spells in the game of Magic the Gathering often necessitate discarding a card. This additional cost can be a strategic setback, especially when your hand is running low on cards, as it decreases your options and potential plays on subsequent turns.
Specific Mana Cost: Animate spells typically require a precise combination of mana colors which may not always align with your deck’s mana base. This specificity can restrict the versatility of the card, forcing you to either adjust your deck to accommodate it or risk the chance of it becoming a dead draw during crucial moments in the game.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Bringing a creature to life through animate spells often comes with a heavy mana investment. In comparison to other spells or creatures that could be played for the same amount, the cost of an animate spell might not be as cost-effective, potentially putting you at a tempo disadvantage against opponents who are utilizing more mana-efficient strategies.
Reasons to Include Animate Spell in Your Collection
Versatility: Animate Spell is a unique addition that can adapt to multiple playstyles. Its ability to turn noncreature spells into creatures means it can find a place in various deck archetypes that value flexibility on the battlefield.
Combo Potential: This card opens up creative avenues for synergy with other spells and permanents. By giving your instants or sorceries a form on the board, Animate Spell enhances strategies focused on spell casting and can unexpectedly turn the tides during combat.
Meta-Relevance: Given its unique mechanics, Animate Spell can be particularly effective in environments where spell-based decks are prominent. It slots into the current meta by providing a new angle of attack and defense, catching opponents off guard who might not be prepared for spells turning into attacking creatures.
How to beat
Animate Spell is a unique card with the ability to turn sorceries and instants into creatures on the battlefield. This feature provides players not just with a chance to recast their magic but also with a sizable presence during the game. To counter this, focusing on instant-speed removal spells is key. Swift elimination of the creature before it can impact the board is crucial. Cards like Murder or Path to Exile are excellent examples that can efficiently handle the creatures produced by Animate Spell.
Another strategy is to deploy counterspells when Animate Spell is cast. By denying the spell’s resolution, you prevent its effects entirely. Negate or Dovin’s Veto are prime tools for this tactic. Interruption when the opponent commits mana to animate a spell can tilt the tempo in your favor. Lastly, having access to mass removal or board wipes like Wrath of God or Damnation could reset the playing field, thereby reducing the value gained from Animate Spell investments.
Effective planning and tactical removal of Animate Spell’s threats can disarm this trick up the player’s sleeve, keeping you a step ahead in the game.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Animate Spell MTG card by a specific set like Mystery Booster Playtest Cards 2019 and Mystery Booster Playtest Cards 2021, 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 Animate Spell and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
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Printings
The Animate Spell Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2019-11-07 and 2021-08-20. Illustrated by Alli Steele.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster Playtest Cards 2019 | CMB1 | 16 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Alli Steele | |
| 2 | 2021-08-20 | Mystery Booster Playtest Cards 2021 | CMB2 | 16 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Alli Steele |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Animate Spell card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2019-11-12 | Animate Spell loses “enchant instant or sorcery spell on the stack” and gains “enchant permanent put onto the battlefield with Animate Spell” before becoming attached to that creature. It doesn’t say that on the card, but we’ll figure it out later. |
| 2019-11-12 | If the creature leaves the battlefield before or at the same time as Animate Spell, it can’t be cast. |
| 2019-11-12 | Use the mana value of the spell to determine the power and toughness of the creature it becomes. For a spell with in its mana cost, use the value chosen for X to determine its mana value. |
| 2019-11-12 | While resolving Animate Spell’s last ability, the spell is cast from the battlefield. As it moves to the stack, it stops being a creature. Its controller must pay its costs if they wish to cast it. |
Guide to Flash card ability
Explore the dynamic Flash ability in Magic: The Gathering (MTG), a feature that allows you to cast spells at lightning speed, often leaving your opponents reeling and your strategy several steps ahead. This versatile ability can turn the tide of a game, providing the element of surprise and tactical advantage. It places a premium on timing and foresight, transforming an ordinary deck into a formidable arsenal of instant threats and responses.