Bala Ged Recovery // Bala Ged Sanctuary MTG Card


Provides card advantage by recovering important spells or creatures from your graveyard. Its land aspect accelerates resources, smoothing out mana curves and gameplay. Fetches instants from the graveyard, indirectly enhancing instant-speed responses.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityUncommon
TypeSorcery

Text of card

Return target card from your graveyard to your hand.

"Always have a backup plan." —Doral, Bala Ged guide


Cards like Bala Ged Recovery // Bala Ged Sanctuary

Bala Ged Recovery offers a unique twist within the realm of card retrieval options in Magic: The Gathering. It shares some similarities with Regrowth, another classic card that also returns a card from the graveyard to its owner’s hand. What sets Bala Ged Recovery apart is its versatility. While Regrowth is purely a spell, Bala Ged Recovery can alternatively be played as a land, thanks to its modal double-faced card design, providing strategic flexibility depending on the game state.

Eternal Witness is a further comparison. This creature-based solution performs a similar function, fetching cards from the graveyard while leaving a body on the battlefield to block or attack. However, Bala Ged Recovery being a spell and land offers more secrecy and surprise compared to a creature which can be seen on the board. Lastly, there’s also Wildest Dreams, which can bring back multiple cards at a scalable cost but lacks the land utilitarian aspect Bala Ged Recovery brings to the table.

Ultimately, Bala Ged Recovery holds its own as a highly adaptable recovery card within Magic: The Gathering, bringing strategic depth and tactical advantage through its dual nature. This modal flexibility makes it a standout choice for decks that value both resource retrieval and land count optimization.

Regrowth - MTG Card versions
Eternal Witness - MTG Card versions
Wildest Dreams - MTG Card versions
Regrowth - MTG Card versions
Eternal Witness - MTG Card versions
Wildest Dreams - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Bala Ged Recovery // Bala Ged Sanctuary by color, type and mana cost

Ice Storm - MTG Card versions
Tranquility - MTG Card versions
Essence Filter - MTG Card versions
Renewal - MTG Card versions
Seeds of Innocence - MTG Card versions
Fallow Earth - MTG Card versions
Untamed Wilds - MTG Card versions
Wing Snare - MTG Card versions
Squall - MTG Card versions
Deep Reconnaissance - MTG Card versions
Far Wanderings - MTG Card versions
Long Rest - MTG Card versions
Rosethorn Acolyte // Seasonal Ritual - MTG Card versions
Cultivate - MTG Card versions
Lovestruck Beast // Heart's Desire - MTG Card versions
Nissa's Pilgrimage - MTG Card versions
Recollect - MTG Card versions
Deconstruct - MTG Card versions
Kodama's Reach - MTG Card versions
Stomp and Howl - MTG Card versions
Ice Storm - MTG Card versions
Tranquility - MTG Card versions
Essence Filter - MTG Card versions
Renewal - MTG Card versions
Seeds of Innocence - MTG Card versions
Fallow Earth - MTG Card versions
Untamed Wilds - MTG Card versions
Wing Snare - MTG Card versions
Squall - MTG Card versions
Deep Reconnaissance - MTG Card versions
Far Wanderings - MTG Card versions
Long Rest - MTG Card versions
Rosethorn Acolyte // Seasonal Ritual - MTG Card versions
Cultivate - MTG Card versions
Lovestruck Beast // Heart's Desire - MTG Card versions
Nissa's Pilgrimage - MTG Card versions
Recollect - MTG Card versions
Deconstruct - MTG Card versions
Kodama's Reach - MTG Card versions
Stomp and Howl - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Bala Ged Recovery ensures you’re never at a loss, permitting you to reclaim a card from your graveyard, thus doubling the utility of your most impactful spells or creatures.

Resource Acceleration: As a modal double-faced card, its back side, Bala Ged Sanctuary, can be played as a land, speeding up your mana availability and ensuring your gameplay remains fluid.

Instant Speed: While not castable at instant speed itself, this card can retrieve powerful instants from your graveyard, therefore indirectly boosting your ability to respond during your opponent’s turn.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Unlike other modal double-faced cards, when casting Bala Ged Recovery, players do not have the option to discard it as a land for an alternative effect; therefore, you’re always committed to fulfilling its mana cost to utilize its benefits.

Specific Mana Cost: Requiring specifically green mana constrains its flexibility, making Bala Ged Recovery a less versatile choice in multi-colored decks that may require mana from various sources.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: At three mana, including two generic and one green, its retrieval effect comes at a premium when compared to cheaper alternatives that can return cards from the graveyard to your hand, potentially setting you back in the early game.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Bala Ged Recovery offers exceptional flexibility by serving as both a land and a spell. Its ability to return a card from your graveyard to your hand means it can adapt to various in-game situations, fitting into numerous deck archetypes that value recursion.

Combo Potential: This card shines in setups keen on maximizing spell synergies or graveyard mechanics. As a modal double-faced card, it easily slots into combinations that exploit either land drops or the retrieval of key pieces to execute game-winning plays.

Meta-Relevance: Given that current game trends often involve versatile and resilient strategies, Bala Ged Recovery holds its ground as a meta-relevant card. It allows players to recover from removal-heavy matches or extend their resources in long, grindy games, thereby maintaining pace with prevalent deck styles.


How to beat

Bala Ged Recovery has been a notable player in Magic: The Gathering as a versatile spell that prompts tactical play. It allows the return of a card from a player’s graveyard to their hand, adding a layer of resilience to decks. However, opponents can strategically dismantle this advantage. Engaging in graveyard disruption is key. Cards like Tormod’s Crypt can nullify Bala Ged Recovery by purging a graveyard before the spell is cast. Another effective tactic is countering land-based strategies since Bala Ged Recovery doubles as a land with its modal double-faced card nature. Land destruction or control elements, such as Field of Ruin or Ghost Quarter, can limit its utility.

Anticipation and timing play crucial roles. Players can observe patterns in their opponent’s play, predicting when Bala Ged Recovery might be cast. With this insight, they can hold onto removal or counter spells specifically to negate its effect. Lastly, pressure is an ally. By maintaining an aggressive stance and keeping the opponent’s life total low, they may not have the luxury of spending a turn to recast a card from their graveyard, thus minimizing Bala Ged Recovery’s impact on the game.


BurnMana Recommendations

Exploring the depth of MTG with cards like Bala Ged Recovery can significantly enhance your gameplay experience. Its dual role as a spell and land offers strategic flexibility, allowing you to maintain momentum even in tight spots. Mastering the intricacies of versatile cards is an art that can lead to more consistent performance in matches. If you’re eager to deepen your understanding of modal double-faced cards and optimize your deck’s efficiency, we encourage you to discover further insights and advanced tactics with us. Dive into a trove of resources tailored for players committed to evolving their MTG prowess. Let’s unlock new levels of play together!


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Bala Ged Recovery // Bala Ged Sanctuary MTG card by a specific set like Zendikar Rising and From Cute to Brute, 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 Bala Ged Recovery // Bala Ged Sanctuary and other MTG cards:

TCGPlayerBUY NOW
BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See MTG Products

Printings

The Bala Ged Recovery // Bala Ged Sanctuary Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2020-09-25 and 2023-05-08. Illustrated by Lucas Staniec.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12020-09-25Zendikar RisingZNR 1802015Modal DFCBlackLucas Staniec
22023-05-08From Cute to BrutePCTB 242015Modal DFCBlackLucas Staniec

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Bala Ged Recovery // Bala Ged Sanctuary has restrictions

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

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2020-09-25 A modal double-faced card can’t be transformed or be put onto the battlefield transformed. Ignore any instruction to transform a modal double-faced card or to put one onto the battlefield transformed.
2020-09-25 If an effect allows you to play a land or cast a spell from among a group of cards, you may play or cast a modal double-faced card with any face that fits the criteria of that effect.
2020-09-25 If an effect allows you to play a specific modal double-faced card, you may cast it as a spell or play it as a land, as determined by which face you choose to play. If an effect allows you to cast (rather than “play”) a specific modal double-faced card, you can’t play it as a land.
2020-09-25 If an effect instructs a player to choose a card name, the name of either face may be chosen. If that effect or a linked ability refers to a spell with the chosen name being cast and/or a land with the chosen name being played, it considers only the chosen name, not the other face’s name.
2020-09-25 If an effect puts a double-faced card onto the battlefield, it enters with its front face up. If that front face can’t be put onto the battlefield, it doesn’t enter the battlefield.
2020-09-25 In the Commander variant, a double-faced card’s color identity is determined by the mana costs and mana symbols in the rules text of both faces combined. If either face has a color indicator or basic land type, those are also considered.
2020-09-25 The mana value of a modal double-faced card is based on the characteristics of the face that’s being considered. On the stack and battlefield, consider whichever face is up. In all other zones, consider only the front face. This is different than how the mana value of a transforming double-faced card is determined.
2020-09-25 There is a single triangle icon in the top left corner of the front face. There is a double triangle icon in the top left corner of the back face.
2020-09-25 To determine whether it is legal to play a modal double-faced card, consider only the characteristics of the face you’re playing and ignore the other face’s characteristics.