Day // Night MTG Card
2021-09-24 - Number 19
2021-11-19 - Number 21
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Type | Card |
| Abilities | Transform |
Text of card
(If it becomes day or night or if a daybound permanent enters the battlefield, track day/night for the rest of the game.) As it becomes day, transform all nightbound permanents. If a player casts no spells during their own turn, it becomes night next turn.
Cards like Day // Night
The Day // Night mechanic in Magic: The Gathering provides a unique twist to gameplay, especially when compared to other transformative cards. Cards like Werewolf Pack Leader share the transformative aspect, converting from a creature into a more powerful state under specific conditions. However, they differ significantly from the daybound and nightbound rules that dictate the Day // Night cycle’s transformation. Unlike the Pack Leader, the Day // Night change happens across the whole battlefield and affects all relevant cards.
Then there’s the comparison to the archetypal transforming cards like Delver of Secrets. Delver flips under a solitary condition, revealing an instant or sorcery card on the controller’s upkeep. In contrast, the Day // Night cycle requires a broader consideration of the game’s flow, such as the number of spells played by players, creating a more dynamic and strategic environment. Cards bearing the daybound and nightbound labels synchronize with each other, amplifying the complexity and interactive gameplay.
When observing the Day // Night cards, their impact on the board state and strategic depth become apparent. This mechanic advances Magic: The Gathering by offering a collective group of cards that thrive not just on individual conditions but on the shared rhythm of day and night, enhancing both the challenge and the immersion of each game.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Day // Night cards in MTG present a unique mechanic that often grants you access to two spells in one card. Playing a card with this feature ensures that you get the most out of each card slot in your deck, maximizing the potential to outpace opponents in terms of resources.
Resource Acceleration: Some Day // Night cards facilitate resource acceleration by transforming under specific conditions. This can lead to a change in the way resources are generated or used, often tipping the scale in your favor as the game progresses from day to night or vice versa.
Instant Speed: The flexibility of casting certain Day // Night cards at instant speed provides a strategic edge. This allows you to react to the changing game state or opponent’s actions efficiently, maintaining the element of surprise and making it difficult for your opponents to predict your next move.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Cards operational in the day or night mechanics often require the player to discard as part of their effect. This prerequisite can sometimes pose a challenge, especially when a player’s hand is already depleted from previous turns. Losing valuable cards can be a significant setback and can give an opponent the upper hand.
Specific Mana Cost: Day and night cards are color-coded and demand specific mana types aligned with their intrinsic themes—often tied to white for day and black or blue for night. This requirement can restrict deck-building flexibility and may not seamlessly integrate into multi-color decks that do not focus on the required mana colors.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: The transformative aspect of day and night cards brings a unique dynamic to gameplay, but it comes at a price. Many of these cards have a high mana cost when considering the balance between their day and night states. As a result, players might find themselves in situations where the cards are too mana-intensive compared to other options that could provide similar or better strategic advantages for less investment.
Reasons to Include Day // Night in Your Collection
Versatility: Day // Night cards adapt to the changing game conditions, offering two modes of play that provide flexibility depending on the time mechanic. This dual nature allows them to integrate seamlessly into various deck archetypes, enhancing gameplay and deck building strategies.
Combo Potential: These cards excel in synergizing with strategies that alternate between day and night, or those that capitalize on the specific bonuses each period bestows. Their transformative nature can be the catalyst for powerful interactions and surprising turns.
Meta-Relevance: Given their inherent adaptability, Day // Night cards can be particularly effective in formats where the tempo shifts frequently, aligning well with decks designed to outpace and outmaneuver opponents in a fluctuating meta.
How to beat
Day // Night cards introduce a dynamic shift in any MTG game, alternating between two distinct sets of abilities depending on the time in the game—day or night. To gain the upper hand against these versatile cards, the key lies in controlling the tempo. By managing the number of spells you cast and knowing when to play them, you can influence whether it’s day or night, thereby limiting the effectiveness of your opponent’s Day // Night cards.
Maintain a proactive stance by casting at least two spells during your own turn to shift from night to day, reducing the power of the Night-bound abilities. Conversely, if it’s advantageous for you, you could opt to strategically pass a turn without casting spells to transition into night. This flexibility is crucial in countering the dual nature of such cards. Playing cards that allow you to manipulate your or your opponent’s hand size at the end of the turn can also help maintain control over the Day // Night mechanic, undercutting the alternating benefits these cards bring to the table.
Ultimately, outmaneuvering Day // Night cards comes down to strategic spellcasting and leveraging the timing to your benefit, ensuring that the cyclical power of these mechanics works for rather than against you.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Day // Night MTG card by a specific set like Innistrad: Midnight Hunt and Innistrad: Crimson Vow, 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 Day // Night 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 Day // Night Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2021-09-24 and 2021-11-19. Illustrated by Johan Grenier.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2021-09-24 | Innistrad: Midnight Hunt | MID | 19 | 2015 | Double Faced Token | Black | Johan Grenier | |
| 2 | 2021-11-19 | Innistrad: Crimson Vow | VOW | 21 | 2015 | Double Faced Token | Black | Johan Grenier |