Broken Visage MTG Card
1995-10-01 - Number 43
1997-03-24 - Number 149
2008-09-22 - Number 81
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Instant |
Text of card
Bury target non-artifact attacking creature and put a Shadow token into play. Treat this token as a black creature with power and toughness equal to the power and toughness of that attacking creature. Bury Shadow token at end of turn.
Cards like Broken Visage
Broken Visage stands out in the realm of MTG defensive enchantments, akin to cards such as Propaganda or Ghostly Prison. All three cards offer a means of protection; however, Broken Visage focuses on destroying attacking creatures instead of preventing attacks outright. Unlike Propaganda and Ghostly Prison, which require opponents to pay mana to attack you, Broken Visage waits until the attack occurs and then punishes the aggressor by turning their power against them.
Another card reminiscent of Broken Visage’s effect is No Mercy. Like Broken Visage, No Mercy eliminates creatures that dare to strike your life total. Despite the similarity, No Mercy disincentivizes attackers continuously without the need for mana investment during each combat, while Broken Visage awaits the right moment to cast, thus requiring strategic mana management.
Ultimately, Broken Visage offers MTG players a unique defensive option that balances out mana expenditure with the utility of removing threats. It doesn’t prevent the attack but retaliates effectively, making it a potent card in decks that can afford to wait and respond to enemy tactics.
Cards similar to Broken Visage by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Broken Visage can help players who find themselves struggling against creature-heavy decks. Its ability to target any creature in a graveyard and create a token copy not only applies pressure on opponents but has the added benefit of potentially providing your deck with abilities or creature types it may lack.
Resource Acceleration: The token generated by Broken Visage introduces an unanticipated dynamic on the battlefield, potentially accelerating your game plan. If the resurrected creature has abilities related to ramp or mana production, this could significantly benefit your resource acceleration.
Instant Speed: The power of being able to act at instant speed cannot be overstated. Broken Visage offers tactical flexibility, allowing players to wait until the end of an opponent’s turn to make a calculated decision. This can disrupt the opponent’s strategy and makes it easier to maintain the element of surprise in your plays.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Playing Broken Visage can be a setback since it necessitates discarding a card. For players whose hands are already depleted, this can further strain their ability to respond to opponents’ threats or sustain their own strategies.
Specific Mana Cost: This card’s casting cost includes Black mana, which commits it to a certain color scheme. Players with multicolored decks might find the inclusion challenging, as it requires a dedicated mana base to consistently play.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a more significant mana investment than some other removal or creature-based strategies, Broken Visage might not be the most mana-efficient option available. Players might consider alternative cards that provide similar or greater effects for the same or lower mana cost.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Broken Visage can be integrated into a diverse array of deck types. Its ability to address formidable creatures across the battlefield makes it a handy tool in many situations.
Combo Potential: The card synergizes well with strategies that capitalize on graveyard play, allowing players to retrieve creatures and set up for unexpected turns.
Meta-Relevance: Given the prevalence of creature-heavy decks in many formats, Broken Visage can find its significance in disrupting opponent’s plans, keeping your board state more secure.
How to beat
The Broken Visage MTG card introduces a level of complexity to gameplay, acting as a situational removal and reanimation spell rolled into one. Overcoming this card requires strategic and anticipatory plays. Firstly, managing your graveyard becomes crucial. Cards like Rest in Peace or Relic of Progenitus, which can exile graveyards, can stifle the reanimation aspect of Broken Visage. Swift removal of creatures such as Swords to Plowshares is equally essential to ensure that Broken Visage doesn’t find targets.
In a similar context, safeguarding your valuable creatures with hexproof or shroud abilities prevents them from becoming targets of this or similar spells. Another consideration is the use of counterspells. Cards such as Negate or Counterspell can interrupt the casting of Broken Visage, negating its effect entirely. Moreover, playing creatures with undying or persist also offers resilience against such spells that aim to destroy and resurrect creatures.
In sum, while Broken Visage can pose a tricky threat, its effectiveness is largely dependent on the battlefield and graveyard conditions. With precise graveyard management, protective measures for creatures, and timely counterspells, players can effectively neutralize the impact of Broken Visage in the game.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Broken Visage MTG card by a specific set like Homelands and Fifth Edition, 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 Broken Visage 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 Broken Visage Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 1995-10-01 and 2008-09-22. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1995-10-01 | Homelands | HML | 43 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Mike Kimble | |
| 2 | 1997-03-24 | Fifth Edition | 5ED | 149 | 1997 | Normal | White | Margaret Organ-Kean | |
| 3 | 2008-09-22 | Masters Edition II | ME2 | 81 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Mike Kimble |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Broken Visage has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Broken Visage 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 | The token creature enters the battlefield under your control regardless of who controlled the targeted creature. |
| 2008-10-01 | The Spirit token has the power and toughness of the attacking creature as it last existed on the battlefield. |