Blink of an Eye MTG Card


Grants control by bouncing nonland permanents and drawing cards if kicked, disrupting opponent strategies. Limited to blue or multicolor decks, the kicker option can deplete resources if not managed well. Essential in responsive gameplay, helps maintain card advantage and navigate the evolving meta.
Blink of an Eye - Dominaria
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityCommon
TypeInstant
Abilities Kicker
Released2018-04-27
Set symbol
Set nameDominaria
Set codeDOM
Number46
Frame2015
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byIgor Kieryluk

Text of card

Kicker (You may pay an additional as you cast this spell.) Return target nonland permanent to its owner's hand. If this spell was kicked, draw a card.


Cards like Blink of an Eye

Blink of an Eye adds a twist to the versatile line-up of instant bounce effects in Magic: The Gathering. Its nearest cousin is Unsummon, sharing the ability to return a single target creature to its owner’s hand. While both are instant-speed interactions, Blink of an Eye’s kicker mechanic allows it to draw a card if additional mana is invested, giving it an edge in terms of card advantage over the more straightforward Unsummon.

Into the Roil serves as another analogous card, nearly mirroring Blink of an Eye in functionality with its own kicker option, yet both are distinguished by their respective mana costs and ability to target nonland permanents, offering a wider range of disruption. Alternatively, consider Disperse, which also returns nonland permanents but lacks the kicker card draw flexibility, positioning Blink of an Eye as a go-to for decks that prioritize maintaining hand size while dealing with threats.

Gauging the strategic impact of these similar cards, Blink of an Eye shines through with its combination of tempo control and the potential bonus of card drawing, striking a balance between immediate board impact and longer-term resource gain.

Unsummon - MTG Card versions
Into the Roil - MTG Card versions
Disperse - MTG Card versions
Unsummon - MTG Card versions
Into the Roil - MTG Card versions
Disperse - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Blink of an Eye by color, type and mana cost

Counterspell - MTG Card versions
Hurkyl's Recall - MTG Card versions
Hypnotic Sprite // Mesmeric Glare - MTG Card versions
Lat-Nam's Legacy - MTG Card versions
Flash - MTG Card versions
Boomerang - MTG Card versions
Rebound - MTG Card versions
Memory Lapse - MTG Card versions
Hoodwink - MTG Card versions
Tidal Bore - MTG Card versions
Accumulated Knowledge - MTG Card versions
Aether Burst - MTG Card versions
Impulse - MTG Card versions
Cyclonic Rift - MTG Card versions
Thassa's Intervention - MTG Card versions
Metamorphose - MTG Card versions
Echoing Truth - MTG Card versions
Early Frost - MTG Card versions
Mana Leak - MTG Card versions
Remand - MTG Card versions
Counterspell - MTG Card versions
Hurkyl's Recall - MTG Card versions
Hypnotic Sprite // Mesmeric Glare - MTG Card versions
Lat-Nam's Legacy - MTG Card versions
Flash - MTG Card versions
Boomerang - MTG Card versions
Rebound - MTG Card versions
Memory Lapse - MTG Card versions
Hoodwink - MTG Card versions
Tidal Bore - MTG Card versions
Accumulated Knowledge - MTG Card versions
Aether Burst - MTG Card versions
Impulse - MTG Card versions
Cyclonic Rift - MTG Card versions
Thassa's Intervention - MTG Card versions
Metamorphose - MTG Card versions
Echoing Truth - MTG Card versions
Early Frost - MTG Card versions
Mana Leak - MTG Card versions
Remand - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Blink of an Eye. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Temur TempoTemur Tempo GladiatorGladiator Proving Grounds: Week 12 2024
Bant ControlBant Control GladiatorGladiator Proving Grounds: Week 11 2024
DecklistDecklist Free formSet Roulette Feburary 2024

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Blink of an Eye gives you the opportunity to return a nonland permanent to its owner’s hand while also offering the possibility to draw a card if kicked. This can disrupt your opponent’s strategy while refilling your hand.

Resource Acceleration: Although not directly providing mana or treasures, Blink of an Eye can effectively save mana by resetting mana dorks or undoing the casting of expensive spells. This temporary setback for your opponent can accelerate your board state by comparison.

Instant Speed: The versatility of being an instant is a significant asset. It allows strategic plays during your opponent’s turn or at the end of their turn, keeping your options open while you potentially counter spells or drop creatures without tapping out.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Though Blink of an Eye does not have a direct discard requirement, using its kicker option means potentially using more cards from your hand to achieve its full effect. This can leave you at a disadvantage by reducing your hand size, particularly if you’re countering an opponent’s card that is already taxing your resources.

Specific Mana Cost: As a blue card, Blink of an Eye requires blue mana in its casting cost. This specificity can restrict deck-building flexibility as it necessitates a sufficient number of blue mana sources, thereby limiting the card’s usability exclusively to blue or multicolored decks that can support the color requirement.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: For its base effect, Blink of an Eye’s cost is moderate. However, in order to take advantage of the kicker mechanic and draw a card, you need to invest an additional two mana. At four mana total for the enhanced effect, some players might find it costly compared to other blue instant spells that can offer more immediate board impact or card advantage at a lower mana investment.


Reasons to Include Blink of an Eye in Your Collection

Versatility: Blink of an Eye offers flexibility to control the battlefield across various gameplay situations. It can be used to disrupt opponent tempo or protect your own key cards from removal, making it adaptable to different deck builds.

Combo Potential: This card can work wonders in combination with permanents that benefit from being returned to hand or triggering enter-the-battlefield effects again. Its ability to kick for an additional cost also provides the benefit of card draw, enabling further combo plays.

Meta-Relevance: As the meta shifts, control strategies often emerge that require precise timing and effective use of resources. Blink of an Eye can be a crucial part of a toolkit for responding to an ever-changing competitive landscape, providing an edge when dealing with threats or exploiting windows of opportunity.


How to beat

Blink of an Eye is an intriguing instant in Magic: The Gathering that can disrupt opponents by returning target nonland permanents to their owner’s hand. Facing this card requires a strategic approach to ensure your crucial permanents are not easily bounced back. It’s essential to bait out this spell with less important cards before committing your key permanents on the board. Timing plays a crucial role in outmaneuvering Blink of an Eye. By playing your important spells in a main phase when your opponent might be tapped out or unable to use the card effectively, you reduce the risk of disruption.

Clever use of counter spells or abilities that grant your permanents hexproof can also neutralize the threat posed by Blink of an Eye. Additionally, building up a board presence with a multitude of less critical permanents can dilute the impact of this bounce spell. Keep an eye out for the kicker cost since it allows the opponent to draw a card. In summary, careful planning, strategic setup, and making the spell less profitable for the opponent are key to overcoming the challenges presented by Blink of an Eye in the game.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering the nuances of MTG is a testament to strategic acumen and adaptability. Blink of an Eye exemplifies such versatility, giving players the power to disrupt opponents and draw at crucial moments. Its flexible nature can serve as a lynchpin in decks designed for nuanced control or surprise tempo swings. As the MTG landscape evolves, including Blink of an Eye in your arsenal can prove invaluable. Lean into the dynamic environment of MTG, harness the benefits of this card, and let it supercharge your gameplay strategies. Dive deeper with us and refine your collection for peak performance in every duel.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Blink of an Eye MTG card by a specific set like Dominaria, 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 of an Eye and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Blink of an Eye has restrictions

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

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2018-04-27 If the target nonland permanent is an illegal target by the time Blink of an Eye tries to resolve, the spell doesn’t resolve. You won’t draw a card if it was kicked.