Captivating Gyre MTG Card


Captivating Gyre - Core Set 2020
Mana cost
Converted mana cost6
RarityUncommon
TypeSorcery
Released2019-07-12
Set symbol
Set nameCore Set 2020
Set codeM20
Number51
Frame2015
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred byAnthony Palumbo

Key Takeaways

  1. Capable of dramatically altering the board state, it can turn the tide of a match.
  2. High mana cost demands careful deck construction and mana base consideration.
  3. Despite limitations, its strategic use in control decks can be game-changing.

Text of card

Return up to three target creatures to their owners' hands.

"That's enough of that." —Atemsis, All-Seeing


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Casting Captivating Gyre not only allows you to disrupt multiple targets but also strategically positions your hand by drawing you into new options and potentially better plays. This aspect of the card keeps you ahead in the tug-of-war for control over the board.

Resource Acceleration: While Captivating Gyre itself doesn’t directly accelerate resources, the tempo swing it can provide by resetting an opponent’s board state can indirectly speed up your own game plan. By sending multiple creatures back to your opponent’s hand, you can pave the way for a faster victory.

Instant Speed: Although Captivating Gyre is a sorcery, its impact on the game is akin to that of an instant-speed board wipe in terms of the potential shift in momentum. Being able to untap with a clear path to victory aligns with the instant speed mentality of keeping the pressure on your opponent with unexpected plays.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Playing Captivating Gyre involves a discard mechanism which can deplete your hand, posing a risk if you’re already struggling with card advantage.

Specific Mana Cost: This enchantment commands a specific geared mana cost, demanding a solid base in blue mana which can challenge deck flexibility, especially in multicolored builds.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Sporting a somewhat lofty mana cost for its effect, Captivating Gyre might lag behind in the race against cards with similar effects but more modest mana requirements.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Captivating Gyre provides a sweeping effect that resets the battlefield by returning creatures to their owners’ hands. This flexibility makes it a useful addition in control decks and a strategic piece in tempo plays.

Combo Potential: When paired with cards that capitalize on casting multiple spells in a turn or benefit from bouncing creatures back to hand, Captivating Gyre can become a linchpin in an intricate combo chain.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where board presence is crucial, the ability to disrupt your opponent’s board development with Captivating Gyre can tilt the game in your favor, making it a valuable asset in your collection.


How to beat

The Captivating Gyre card presents a unique challenge with its ability to return up to three target creatures to their owner’s hand. To effectively counter this spell, consider playing cards that grant hexproof to your creatures, such as Lazotep Plating, which can prevent them from becoming targets in the first place. Another strategy is to utilize low-cost creatures or those with beneficial enter-the-battlefield effects. This turns Captivating Gyre’s tempo advantage into a less disruptive force, as your creatures can be replayed swiftly or even provide you with an added benefit when they return to your hand.

Moreover, adopting a control-oriented gameplay with counterspells like Negate or Dovin’s Veto to stop Captivating Gyre from resolving is a solid approach. Last but not least, including instant speed removals or flash creatures can help maintain board presence even if some of your creatures get bounced back to your hand. In summary, while Captivating Gyre can swing the momentum, a well-adjusted strategy with the right cards can mitigate its impact and keep you in command of the game.


Cards like Captivating Gyre

Captivating Gyre serves as a unique piece in the arsenal of control strategies within MTG. Its closest relatives in the game are those that help manage the battlefield by resetting the positions of multiple creatures. Engulf the Shore is a parallel card that bounces creatures to their owners’ hands based on the number of Islands you control, which, unlike Captivating Gyre, could be limited by your land base.

Another similar spell is Cyclonic Rift, one of the most powerful in the blue mage’s toolkit. Though it has a higher mana cost, especially when overloaded, it offers the flexibility to be cast at instant speed and can affect all nonland permanents, not just creatures. Captivating Gyre, while confined to sorcery speed and only targeting creatures, comes with a less prohibitive mana cost and can be unleashed earlier in the game.

Furthermore, River’s Rebuke is a noteworthy comparison, capable of bouncing all nonland permanents of just one player, giving it a broader reach against your opponent’s board compared to Captivating Gyre, which is limited to only creatures but can affect all opponents in multiplayer games.

Each of these cards presents differing strategic advantages, but Captivating Gyre holds its ground with the ability to disrupt multiple opponents in a single swoop, an enticing option for players looking to control the pace of the game.

Engulf the Shore - MTG Card versions
Cyclonic Rift - MTG Card versions
River's Rebuke - MTG Card versions
Engulf the Shore - Shadows over Innistrad Promos (PSOI)
Cyclonic Rift - Return to Ravnica (RTR)
River's Rebuke - Ixalan Promos (PXLN)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Captivating Gyre MTG card by a specific set like Core Set 2020, 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 Captivating Gyre and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Captivating Gyre has restrictions

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

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