Unsummon MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 33 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityCommon
TypeInstant

Key Takeaways

  1. Unsummon can disrupt opponents by reversing their plays and saving mana for your key moves.
  2. Its instant speed offers surprise plays and tactical control, pivotal in any MTG match.
  3. With a versatile and low-cost profile, Unsummon is a staple for tempo-focused blue decks.

Text of card

Return creature to owner's hand; enchantments on creature are CARD ed. Unsummon cannot be played during the damage-dealing phase of an attack.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: While Unsummon doesn’t directly allow you to draw cards, it disrupts your opponent’s board presence, effectively setting them back and indirectly contributing to your card advantage. By returning a critical creature to their hand, you can negate their previous turn’s play or remove a blocker or attacker, altering the course of the game in your favor.

Resource Acceleration: Unsummon isn’t a resource acceleration tool per se. Nonetheless, it provides tactical flexibility by freeing up your mana in subsequent turns. By bouncing a creature back to the opponent’s hand, you can save mana on not having to deal with an immediate threat. This allows you to optimize mana usage and develop your own board without interruption.

Instant Speed: Unsummon’s real strength lies in its instant speed, facilitating reactive play and unexpected combat tricks. You can cast Unsummon during your opponent’s turn or in response to an opponent activating an ability, catching them off-guard and potentially turning the tide of combat in your favor. This versatile timing makes Unsummon a staple in control strategies that thrive on keeping the opponent at bay while building towards a win condition.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Unlike some other bounce spells, Unsummon doesn’t require the player to discard a card, which makes it a straightforward and resource-efficient option. It simply returns the target creature to its owner’s hand without additional sacrifices.

Specific Mana Cost: Unsummon has a low and specific mana cost, requiring only one blue mana to cast. This can be both an advantage and a limitation. It’s easy to include in decks with a heavy blue mana base but might not fit as seamlessly into multicolored or color-specific decks that don’t allocate many resources for blue mana.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of a single blue mana, Unsummon is actually among the lower end of the mana spectrum for its effect. Many bounce spells or creature removal cards may require more mana or additional costs, making Unsummon a cost-effective choice especially in tempo-focused blue decks that aim to disrupt the opponent’s board presence quickly and efficiently.


Reasons to Include Unsummon in Your Collection

Versatility: Unsummon is incredibly flexible, allowing players to return creatures to their owner’s hand. This feature is useful across various deck types and scenarios, from saving your creatures from removal to disrupting your opponent’s board presence.

Combo Potential: For decks that thrive on casting spells or triggering enter-the-battlefield effects, Unsummon adds an extra layer of synergy. It can be a part of intricate combos that recycle beneficial creature effects or simply pave the way for a winning strike.

Meta-Relevance: In a fast-paced environment where tempo plays can swing games, the ability to remove a key creature from the field, even temporarily, can be pivotal. Unsummon keeps you one step ahead, dealing efficiently with threats or keeping opponents off-balance.


How to beat

Unsummon is a classic Magic: The Gathering card that allows players to return a creature to its owner’s hand. While this may at first glance seem disadvantageous to the caster, its true power is in its versatility. It can be used to disrupt opponent strategies, save your own creatures from destruction, or simply to reuse enter-the-battlefield effects. The key to outplaying Unsummon lies in timing and resource management.

To effectively counter this card, consider when your opponent might be holding up mana for it. Play creatures that offer value even if they are returned to your hand, or use cards that can’t be targeted by spells like Unsummon. Another strategy is to bait out the Unsummon early, or force your opponent to waste it on a less critical creature. Don’t overextend by committing too many creatures to the board if you suspect an Unsummon, that way you’re not set back significantly if they use it.

All in all, facing an Unsummon requires a mix of forecasting your opponent’s moves and adjusting your playstyle to either avoid its effectiveness or minimize its impact on your overall strategy. Understanding the versatility and weaknesses of Unsummon will guide you to maneuver against opponents who rely on this card.


BurnMana Recommendations

With insights into the strengths and versatility of Unsummon in your arsenal, harnessing the full potential of this card is just within your grip. Embrace the strategic advantages it brings—whether it’s resetting the board, enabling combo plays, or outmaneuvering your opponents through clever timing. As you build and refine your MTG deck, consider how Unsummon could shift the dynamics in your favor. Ready to delve deeper into the art of disruption and control? Continue your MTG journey with us and unlock advanced play techniques and comprehensive card analysis to elevate your game to the next level!


Cards like Unsummon

Unsummon is a staple spell in Magic: The Gathering for players looking to control the pace of the game. This simple yet powerful card allows you to return target creature to its owner’s hand for one blue mana. In the realm of similar spells, we find Boomerang, which takes Unsummon’s concept a step forward by permitting any nonland permanent to be returned to its owner’s hand, not just creatures. However, Boomerang requires two mana, one of which must be blue.

Another comparison is with Vapor Snag, which also costs one blue mana to return a creature to its owner’s hand, but with the added effect of dealing 1 damage to that creature’s controller. This subtle addition can sometimes sway a match by chipping away at an opponent’s life total. On the other hand, Unsummon’s advantage lies in its lower cost without any additional effects, allowing for straightforward and efficient gameplay.

When looking at Echoing Truth, we note its unique ability to target not just a single creature but all permanents with the same name, which can be particularly devastating against token strategies or decks that rely on duplicate permanents. While it costs two mana, the potential impact on a game can be much larger.

Analyzing these cards side by side demonstrates that Unsummon holds a valued place in MTG due to its cost-effectiveness and utility, especially in decks that leverage tempo to gain the upper hand.

Boomerang - MTG Card versions
Vapor Snag - MTG Card versions
Echoing Truth - MTG Card versions
Boomerang - Legends (LEG)
Vapor Snag - New Phyrexia (NPH)
Echoing Truth - Darksteel (DST)

Cards similar to Unsummon by color, type and mana cost

Ancestral Recall - MTG Card versions
Jump - MTG Card versions
Sleight of Mind - MTG Card versions
Twiddle - MTG Card versions
Siren's Call - MTG Card versions
Power Sink - MTG Card versions
Blue Elemental Blast - MTG Card versions
Spell Blast - MTG Card versions
Magical Hack - MTG Card versions
Riptide - MTG Card versions
Winter's Chill - MTG Card versions
Mind Bend - MTG Card versions
Denied! - MTG Card versions
Hydroblast - MTG Card versions
Whispers of the Muse - MTG Card versions
Ertai's Trickery - MTG Card versions
Force Spike - MTG Card versions
Opt - MTG Card versions
Envelop - MTG Card versions
Brainstorm - MTG Card versions
Ancestral Recall - Vintage Championship (OVNT)
Jump - Magic 2010 (M10)
Sleight of Mind - 30th Anniversary Edition (30A)
Twiddle - Fifth Edition (5ED)
Siren's Call - Collectors' Edition (CED)
Power Sink - 30th Anniversary Edition (30A)
Blue Elemental Blast - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Spell Blast - 30th Anniversary Edition (30A)
Magical Hack - Intl. Collectors' Edition (CEI)
Riptide - The Dark (DRK)
Winter's Chill - Ice Age (ICE)
Mind Bend - Tenth Edition (10E)
Denied! - Unglued (UGL)
Hydroblast - Eternal Masters (EMA)
Whispers of the Muse - World Championship Decks 1998 (WC98)
Ertai's Trickery - Planeshift (PLS)
Force Spike - Seventh Edition (7ED)
Opt - Jumpstart 2022 (J22)
Envelop - Judgment (JUD)
Brainstorm - Warhammer 40,000 Commander (40K)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Unsummon MTG card by a specific set like Limited Edition Alpha and Limited Edition Beta, 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 Unsummon and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Unsummon Magic the Gathering card was released in 29 different sets between 1993-08-05 and 2022-11-28. Illustrated by 4 different artists.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11993-08-05Limited Edition AlphaLEA 861993normalblackDouglas Shuler
21993-10-04Limited Edition BetaLEB 871993normalblackDouglas Shuler
31993-12-01Unlimited Edition2ED 871993normalwhiteDouglas Shuler
41993-12-10Collectors' EditionCED 871993normalblackDouglas Shuler
51993-12-10Intl. Collectors' EditionCEI 871993normalblackDouglas Shuler
61994-04-01Revised Edition3ED 871993normalwhiteDouglas Shuler
71994-04-01Foreign Black BorderFBB 871993normalblackDouglas Shuler
81994-06-21Summer Magic / EdgarSUM 871993normalwhiteDouglas Shuler
91995-04-01Fourth Edition4ED 1111993normalwhiteDouglas Shuler
101995-04-01Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border4BB 1111993normalblackDouglas Shuler
111996-07-01Rivals Quick Start SetRQS 131993normalwhiteDouglas Shuler
121996-12-31Introductory Two-Player SetITP 141993normalwhiteDouglas Shuler
131997-03-24Fifth Edition5ED 1321997normalwhiteDouglas Shuler
141999-04-21Classic Sixth Edition6ED 1031997normalwhiteDouglas Shuler
152001-04-11Seventh Edition7ED 1081997normalwhiteRon Spencer
162001-04-11Seventh Edition7ED 108★1997normalblackRon Spencer
172003-07-28Eighth Edition8ED 1122003normalwhiteRon Spencer
182003-07-28Eighth Edition8ED 112★2003normalblackRon Spencer
192003-08-07World Championship Decks 2003WC03 dh1122003normalgoldRon Spencer
202003-08-07World Championship Decks 2003WC03 dh112sb2003normalgoldRon Spencer
212007-07-13Tenth Edition10E 1222003normalblackRon Spencer
222009-02-06ConfluxCON 372003normalblackIzzy
232009-07-17Magic 2010M10 792003normalblackIzzy
242010-06-04Duels of the PlaneswalkersDPA 172003normalblackIzzy
252010-07-16Magic 2011M11 782003normalblackIzzy
262011-07-15Magic 2012M12 792003normalblackIzzy
272012-07-13Magic 2013M13 752003normalblackIzzy
282017-07-14Hour of DevastationHOU 542015normalblackNils Hamm
292017-11-24Explorers of IxalanE02 132015normalblackIzzy
302019-07-12Core Set 2020M20 782015normalblackIzzy
312020-08-13Arena Beginner SetANB 362015normalblackIzzy
322022-11-2830th Anniversary Edition30A 3831997normalblackDouglas Shuler
332022-11-2830th Anniversary Edition30A 862015normalblackDouglas Shuler

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Unsummon has restrictions

FormatLegality
OldschoolLegal
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
AlchemyLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
PauperLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

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