Bifurcate MTG Card


Bifurcate grants card advantage by copying essential instants or sorceries, doubling strategic plays. Instant speed allows for real-time play adjustments and surprise moves in MTG matches. The card’s mana specificity and discard requirement highlight its strategic use considerations.
Bifurcate - Mercadian Masques
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityRare
TypeSorcery
Released1999-10-04
Set symbol
Set nameMercadian Masques
Set codeMMQ
Number230
Frame1997
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byJohn Matson

Text of card

Search your library for a copy of target creature card in play and put that card into play. Then shuffle your library.


Cards like Bifurcate

Bifurcate is a unique piece in the intricate puzzle of card advantage and selection strategies. Its parallels can be drawn to the likes of Fork, which allows the copying of instant and sorcery spells. Fork, however, offers more instantaneous control as it can target any such spells, not just your own. This scope difference grants Fork versatility, albeit at the same mana cost as Bifurcate.

Moving on to another comparable card, Twincast stands out for its ability to duplicate another player’s instant or sorcery but differs as it’s set at a lower cost of two blue mana. While it doesn’t copy your enhancements, its broader application cannot be overlooked. Lastly, we touch upon Reiterate which not only copies any instant or sorcery spell but also features buyback, allowing you to reuse it. Its flexibility and reusability make it a formidable alternative, though for a higher initial investment compared to Bifurcate.

In essence, while Bifurcate holds its own within the realm of card duplication, other options exist that adapt flexibly to different game plans, each with their own set of trade-offs and strategic implications.

Fork - MTG Card versions
Twincast - MTG Card versions
Reiterate - MTG Card versions
Fork - MTG Card versions
Twincast - MTG Card versions
Reiterate - MTG Card versions

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Taste of Paradise - MTG Card versions
Splendid Genesis - MTG Card versions
Unyaro Bee Sting - MTG Card versions
Natural Balance - MTG Card versions
Elven Cache - MTG Card versions
Creeping Mold - MTG Card versions
Bee Sting - MTG Card versions
Rejuvenate - MTG Card versions
Titania's Boon - MTG Card versions
Splinter - MTG Card versions
Pack Hunt - MTG Card versions
Reverent Silence - MTG Card versions
Nature's Resurgence - MTG Card versions
Invigorating Falls - MTG Card versions
Natural Order - MTG Card versions
Scapeshift - MTG Card versions
Explosive Vegetation - MTG Card versions
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Card Pros

Card Advantage: Bifurcate offers a unique ability to copy target instant or sorcery spell, effectively doubling the impact of your key plays and increasing your overall card impact without drawing additional cards.

Resource Acceleration: By copying mana-generating spells, Bifurcate has the potential to significantly accelerate your resources, propelling you ahead in the race for board dominance.

Instant Speed: Bifurcate’s instant speed flexibility allows players to adapt to the ever-changing battlefield, creating surprise advantages or disrupting opponent strategies at critical moments.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Bifurcate demands that you toss another card from your hand into the graveyard to activate its ability. This is risky when your hand is already dwindling, and you’re clutching onto key pieces for your strategy. Making the difficult decision to discard can sometimes backfire, paving the way for your opponent’s advantage.

Specific Mana Cost: The casting cost of Bifurcate is not just any mana—it requires two green mana. This specificity can be restrictive, as it necessitates a dedicated green mana base. Decks that don’t heavily feature forests or green mana sources could struggle to play Bifurcate when needed, affecting its versatility across various deck types.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Clocking in at four mana total, including the two required green, Bifurcate sits at a higher tier on the mana cost scale for its effect. When considering the breadth of options available, there are alternatives that might achieve similar outcomes for a lesser mana investment, granting competitors the chance to maintain tempo while you’re potentially left a step behind.


Reasons to Include Bifurcate in Your Collection

Versatility: Bifurcate is a unique card that seamlessly adapts to numerous deck archetypes. Its ability to copy spells positions it as a flexible tool in decks that rely on critical spell interactions.

Combo Potential: The card’s splitting ability enables a variety of combo avenues, potentially doubling the impact of key spells that could turn the tide in a game. This quality makes it a favorite among players who enjoy crafting intricate and potentially game-winning combinations.

Meta-Relevance: The fluctuating nature of the MTG landscape means adaptability is key. In metas where reactive plays and spell-slinging are predominant, Bifurcate’s capacity to duplicate powerful spells makes it a strategic addition to any player’s collection.


How to beat

Bifurcate can be a tricky card to tackle in your MTG matches due to its ability to create sudden advantages by copying powerful spells. Confronting Bifurcate often means maintaining a strategy that limits your opponent’s targets. This includes leveraging removal spells to minimize the number of viable creatures on the battlefield or prioritizing the use of instants and abilities during your opponent’s end step to reduce the window for Bifurcate’s impact. Additionally, counter spells serve as a direct and effective method to deny Bifurcate altogether, preserving your position and leaving your adversary’s plans thwarted.

Playing around Bifurcate also involves being mindful of your own spell casting, as the copied spells could amplify any effects not only beneficial to the caster. Waiting to play your most potent spells until after Bifurcate is dealt with, or when you have protection like counterspell backup, can be critical. Keeping track of the mana your opponent has available can be a telltale sign of when they might be aiming to cast Bifurcate, giving you a cue to hold back or prepare your disruption. Staying one step ahead is key to mitigating Bifurcate’s potentially game-changing effect.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Bifurcate MTG card by a specific set like Mercadian Masques, 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 Bifurcate and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Bifurcate has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2004-10-04 Because the “search” requires you to find a card with certain characteristics, you don’t have to find the card if you don’t want to.