Blink MTG Card
Text of card
(As this Saga enters and after your draw step, add a lore counter. Sacrifice after IV.) I, III — Choose target creature. Its owner shuffles it into their library, then investigates. (They create a Clue token.) II, IV — Create a 2/2 black Alien Angel artifact creature token with first strike, vigilance, and "Whenever an opponent casts a creature spell, this permanent isn't a creature until end of turn."
Cards like Blink
The concept of instant-speed interaction cards like Blink in Magic: The Gathering adds a layer of depth to gameplay. Blink effects allow players to temporarily exile a creature or permanent, only to have it return to the battlefield, often reaping the benefits of enter-the-battlefield triggers again. Ghostly Flicker can be cast at a similar three mana cost, but flickers two targets instead of one, which can potentially double the value if the conditions are right.
Talking about versatility, cards like Ephemerate also share the spotlight, providing a rebound effect that allows for a repeated action in the next turn. While it comes at a lower initial investment of just one white mana, the recurring effect can set up powerful plays over consecutive turns. Then there’s Cloudshift, a single mana spell that offers a similar effect to Blink but lacks the ability to hit non-creature permanents, restricting its versatility somewhat.
In essence, while weighing out the utility and flexibility in comparison to its counterparts, Blink stands out for its ability to target any type of permanent, which can be a strategic advantage in numerous game scenarios.
Cards similar to Blink by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Blink spells in MTG often let you exile and return a creature or permanent to the battlefield. This can trigger enter-the-battlefield effects again, thereby giving players additional value and card interactions, which can effectively pull them ahead in the game.
Resource Acceleration: By reusing certain permanents with blink effects, players can untap lands or generate additional tokens. This allows for a form of resource acceleration that can fast-track a winning strategy or make more mana available for pivotal turns.
Instant Speed: The potency of blink cards increases with the ability to use them at instant speed. This flexibility lets players make surprise plays, save a crucial creature from removal, or synergize unexpected combos during an opponent’s turn, keeping adversaries on their toes.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Some blink cards demand that you discard another card to trigger the effect. It’s a trade-off which can empty your hand quickly and leave you at a disadvantage if you’re not prepared to refill your hand with other means.
Specific Mana Cost: Blink abilities often require a precise mix of mana colors, especially white and blue. If you’re operating a multicolored deck that doesn’t lean heavily on these colors, including such specific blink cards might strain your mana base, limiting the overall consistency of your deck’s performance.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: When it comes to blink cards, you might find yourself paying a premium mana cost for an instant or sorcery that only affects a single creature or permanent. In some instances, the mana investment can be quite steep compared to other actions you could be taking in the game, such as deploying more threats or setting up defenses.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Blink cards are a staple due to their ability to adapt to various playing styles. They can create defense opportunities, save creatures from removal, or simply refresh enter-the-battlefield effects.
Combo Potential: These cards can be the lynchpin in sophisticated combo decks, enabling infinite enter-the-battlefield triggers or other synergistic effects that can abruptly turn the game in your favor.
Meta-Relevance: In a constantly evolving meta, blink cards maintain their value by countering numerous strategies and allowing players to react and interact on a different level, often leaving opponents scrambling to adjust.
How to beat
Blink effects in MTG can prove to be both versatile and troublesome, with their ability to dodge removal, reuse enter-the-battlefield triggers, or save a creature from combat. Understanding the nuances of a Blink MTG card is essential when strategizing against it. To effectively counter these cards, consider using instant-speed removal when the creature is being targeted by its blink effect. This timing reduces the effectiveness of the blink, as the creature won’t return to the battlefield.
Additionally, employing graveyard disruption can mitigate the consequences of blink-focused strategies. Watch out for cards that trigger upon entering the battlefield or leaving it, and manage these key cards proactively to prevent your opponent from gaining the upper hand. By prioritizing threats and disrupting your opponent’s tempo, you can carefully dismantle a blink-based strategy. This approach requires constant awareness and quick responses but can shift the game in your favor as Blink effects rely heavily on timing and board presence to be successful.
Anticipating and reacting to blink strategies can present a challenge, but with the right tools and mindset, you can overcome the tricks and traps these cards offer to their wielder, keeping control of the game pace and preventing your adversary from exploiting their full potential.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Blink MTG card by a specific set like Doctor Who and Doctor Who, 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 Blink 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 Blink Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2023-10-13 and 2023-10-13. Illustrated by Colin Boyer.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2023-10-13 | Doctor Who | WHO | 116 | 2015 | Saga | Black | Colin Boyer | |
| 2 | 2023-10-13 | Doctor Who | WHO | 721 | 2015 | Saga | Black | Colin Boyer |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Blink has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Blink card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2023-10-13 | As the triggered ability of the Alien Angel token resolves, it continues to be an artifact but will stop being both an Alien and an Angel until it becomes a creature again. |
| 2023-10-13 | If an opponent casts a creature spell with flash while the token is attacking or blocking, the token is removed from combat because it stops being a creature. However, any creatures that it was blocking are still considered blocked. |
| 2023-10-13 | People often assume that Sagas are a strict progression from top to bottom, but actually, from a non-linear, non-subjective viewpoint, it's more like a big ball of wibbly wobbly, timey-wimey . . . stuff. That is, the rules support chapter abilities that appear to be out of order, like those on Blink. The first ability triggers when the first and third lore counters are added. The last ability triggers when the second and fourth lore counters are placed on it. |
Guide to Vigilance card ability
In the strategic universe of Magic: The Gathering (MTG), the vigilance ability stands out as a powerful tool for players. This potent keyword allows creatures to attack without tapping, keeping them ready and alert to defend against incoming threats. It represents a perfect balance between aggression and defense, offering a dynamic approach to gameplay. Lets dive deeper into how vigilance shapes the battlefield.