Back for Seconds MTG Card


Back for Seconds grants card advantage, reviving creatures to outnumber and outplay opponents during matches. Its instant speed allows flexible plays, adding surprise elements and tactical advantages against adversaries. Requires specific mana and can have a high activation cost, necessitating deliberate deck inclusion decisions.
Back for Seconds - Wilds of Eldraine
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityUncommon
TypeSorcery
Abilities Bargain
Released2023-09-08
Set symbol
Set nameWilds of Eldraine
Set codeWOE
Number80
Frame2015
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byJulia Metzger

Text of card

Bargain (You may sacrifice an artifact, enchantment, or token as you cast this spell.) Return up to two target creature cards from your graveyard to your hand. If this spell was bargained, you may put one of those cards with mana value 4 or less onto the battlefield instead of putting it into your hand.


Cards like Back for Seconds

Back for Seconds is an exciting entrant in the realm of reanimation spells of Magic: The Gathering. This card can be likened to Unburial Rites, which has a similar mechanic of returning a creature card from the graveyard to the battlefield. Yet, Back for Seconds distinguishes itself with a unique twist – it allows the returned creature to fight another creature an opponent controls. Unburial Rites, in contrast, lacks this interactive feature.

Another card worth mentioning is Rise from the Grave. Though it has a shared reanimate theme, the cost is higher, and it doesn’t offer the additional combat phase as Back for Seconds does. Similarly, Zombify, despite having the reanimation functionality, falls short due to the lack of an instant battle trait possessed by Back for Seconds.

Therefore, when compared to the alternatives, Back for Seconds reveals its intrinsic value, giving players an immediate combat advantage. This puts it in a favorable position amongst other reanimation spells in Magic: The Gathering, making it an exceptional addition to any deck that takes advantage of creature cards in the graveyard.

Unburial Rites - MTG Card versions
Rise from the Grave - MTG Card versions
Zombify - MTG Card versions
Unburial Rites - MTG Card versions
Rise from the Grave - MTG Card versions
Zombify - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Back for Seconds by color, type and mana cost

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Demonic Attorney - MTG Card versions
Jovial Evil - MTG Card versions
Inquisition - MTG Card versions
Infernal Contract - MTG Card versions
Touch of Death - MTG Card versions
Call from the Grave - MTG Card versions
Wicked Pact - MTG Card versions
Nature's Ruin - MTG Card versions
Buried Alive - MTG Card versions
Choking Sands - MTG Card versions
Brush with Death - MTG Card versions
Perish - MTG Card versions
Stupor - MTG Card versions
Coercion - MTG Card versions
Hand of Death - MTG Card versions
Grim Tutor - MTG Card versions
Forced March - MTG Card versions
Soul Burn - MTG Card versions
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Decks using this card

MTG decks using Back for Seconds. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Rakdos ScamRakdos Scam ModernRakdos ScamModern Challenge 64 2024-04-14 (1)
Rakdos AnvilRakdos Anvil PioneerRakdos Artifact SacrificeReCQ - Pioneer - SCG CON Philadelphia - Sunday - 1:00 pm (Bronze)
Sultai MidrangeSultai Midrange StandardSultai MidrangeSupported by Rebound standard Supported by Rakuten Books
Golgari MidrangeGolgari Midrange StandardMono-Black MidrangeJapan Standard Cup: Murders at Karlov Manor
Rakdos AggroRakdos Aggro StandardRakdos MidrangeJapan Standard Cup: Murders at Karlov Manor
Rakdos MidrangeRakdos Midrange StandardRakdos MidrangeJapan Standard Cup: Murders at Karlov Manor
Golgari ControlGolgari Control GladiatorGladiator Games: We're Back
Esper MidrangeEsper Midrange StandardEsper MidrangeCommunity Turnier 4/2023
Jund MidrangeJund Midrange StandardJund Midrange2023Players Convention Aichi 2023 Standard Open

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Utilizing Back for Seconds in gameplay opens up a significant advantage for you over your opponents. Bringing back a creature from your graveyard not only refills your hand but also roots out potential threats from the opponent’s end. This card advantage makes Back for Seconds a useful resource in most game stages.

Resource Acceleration: The unique aspect of Back for Seconds is its ability to speed up the game. It instantly brings a creature card back onto the battlefield, providing an unexpected resource acceleration. Use this to your advantage to change the game tempo and catch your opponent off-guard.

Instant Speed: The icing on the cake is that Back for Seconds operates at instant speed. This flexibility means you can play this card even during your opponent’s turn, making it that much harder for them to predict and counter your moves. Keep your options open, and make smart use of this instant speed card to surprise your opponents.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Back for Seconds card asks you to discard an extra card for the additional cost. This proves unfavorable if your hand is already running thin and can turn the tide of the game against you if not properly strategized.

Specific Mana Cost: This card comes with a specific mana requirement. It requires black and green mana which could restrict its application to only certain decks. Therefore, integrating it into your gameplay necessitates specific deck construction, making it a bit inflexible.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Back for Seconds indeed packs a punch, but its six mana cost for activation is a little steep. There are more economical options for players looking for similar effects with lower cost penalties. Thus, despite its potential, it can be sidelined in favor of less demanding cards.


Reasons to Include Back for Seconds in Your Collection

Versatility: With abilities that apply both offensively and defensively, Back for Seconds is a unique addition that fits into a multitude of deck builds. The card’s functionality lies not just in its damage potential, but also in its ability to reanimate a creature from the graveyard, thereby allowing for repeatable strategies.

Combo Potential: Its ability to reanimate a creature and initiate fights creates numerous combo possibilities, with the potential for repetitive loop effects. Combining this card with creatures having ‘enters the battlefield’ or ‘dies’ abilities can generate additional value, enabling unique playstyles.

Meta-Relevance: Given the current trend of Elder Dragon Highlander (EDH) and formats where recursion and reanimation are commonly used strategies, the strategic importance of Back for Seconds is high. This gives players a beneficial tool in various meta environments.


How to beat

Back for Seconds is a truly intriguing card from the Magic: The Gathering set. Immediately, it draws parallels to cards like Animate Dead or Necromancy, known for their powers of resurrection. What sets Back for Seconds apart though, is its accompanying untap and fight mechanic. This can turn the tide of a match when employed strategically, but also creates a blueprint for its downfall.

To effectively counter Back for Seconds, it is paramount to note the timing of its deployment. Usually, it is brought into play during the final stages of the game to reinstate a heavy hitter. Cards like Tormod’s Crypt, Relic of Progenitus, or Extirpate can be used to target and remove key creatures from the graveyard, deflating its imminent threat.

Another tactic would involve keeping a few instant removal spells like Path to Exile and Swords to Plowshares. These will eliminate the resurrected creature post-reanimation. The key is to outpace the spell and neutralize every resurrected creature that it brings forth. Back for Seconds is certainly a potent card in Magic: The Gathering, yet with the right strategies and timely interventions, one can successfully keep it in check.


BurnMana Recommendations

Exploring the synergy and tactics around the card Back for Seconds can give you an advantage in your MTG matches. This card demonstrates substantial potential when utilized in decks crafted around graveyard strategies. Its ability to reanimate with an added fight mechanic adds utility and surprise, enhancing both offensive and defensive capabilities. For those keen on harnessing the power of Back for Seconds, it’s crucial to consider its mana demands, the cost-benefit in terms of deck space, and the opportunities for it within the current meta. Discover extensive strategy guides, in-depth analysis, and expert advice on integrating Back for Seconds into your arsenal. Enhance your gameplay by learning more on how to leverage this card’s capabilities to the fullest.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Back for Seconds MTG card by a specific set like Wilds of Eldraine, 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 Back for Seconds and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Back for Seconds has restrictions

FormatLegality
StandardLegal
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
AlchemyLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
FutureLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
BrawlLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2023-09-01 Bargain means “As an additional cost to cast this spell, you may sacrifice an artifact, enchantment, or token.”
2023-09-01 Bargain represents an optional additional cost. A spell cast with that additional cost paid is “bargained.”
2023-09-01 If you bargain this spell, you can still choose not to put one of the cards onto the battlefield, even if at least one is eligible.
2023-09-01 If you copy a bargained spell, the copy is also bargained. If a card or token enters the battlefield as a copy of a permanent that’s already on the battlefield, the new permanent isn’t bargained, even if the original was.
2023-09-01 Some instant and sorcery spells require additional targets if they’re bargained. You ignore those targeting requirements if those spells aren’t bargained, and you can’t bargain those spells unless you can choose the appropriate targets. On the other hand, you can bargain a permanent spell even if you won’t be able to choose targets for an enters-the-battlefield ability of that permanent once the spell resolves.
2023-09-01 You may sacrifice only one artifact, enchantment, or token to pay a spell’s bargain cost.