Deceiver of Form MTG Card


Massively changes gameplay by creating copies of powerful creatures during combat, leveraging board presence. Its synergy with instant-speed spells offers players crucial in-game adaptability and surprise tactics. Excels in creature-centric metagames, providing a dynamic edge by frequently shifting combat dynamics.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost7
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Eldrazi
Power 8
Toughness 8

Text of card

( represents colorless mana.) At the beginning of combat on your turn, reveal the top card of your library. If a creature card is revealed this way, you may have creatures you control other than Deceiver of Form become copies of that card until end of turn. You may put that card on the bottom of your library.


Cards like Deceiver of Form

Deceiver of Form presents a unique position amidst creature cards in MTG with its ability to manipulate combat and take on the forms of other creatures. Comparable in effect to cards like Mirrorpool, which can copy creatures for a one-time powerful interaction, Deceiver of Form continuously offers the potential for new dynamics each combat phase. While Mirrorpool targets single creatures and requires a sacrifice, Deceiver of Form can alter an entire board’s worth of creatures and does not require such a direct cost.

Other cards like Soul Foundry and Mimic Vat also echo Deceiver of Form’s theme of copying creatures. Soul Foundry imprints a creature card and permits you to create copies at will, though for a specific mana cost each time. Mimic Vat exiles creatures that die and offers you tokens that copy them temporarily, changing with each new dying creature. These cards require more setup and situational awareness than Deceiver of Form, which takes advantage of the top card of your library each turn.

When considering the spectrum of clone and copy effects in MTG, Deceiver of Form offers an ongoing impact and versatility that is rare, providing strategic depth and the thrill of unpredictability in each combat round, situating it as a card with a unique niche.

Mirrorpool - MTG Card versions
Soul Foundry - MTG Card versions
Mimic Vat - MTG Card versions
Mirrorpool - MTG Card versions
Soul Foundry - MTG Card versions
Mimic Vat - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Deceiver of Form has the capability to significantly alter the battlefield by potentially transforming numerous creatures into copies of the most powerful creature you control, multiplying your threats and giving you an edge over your opponent.

Resource Acceleration: While Deceiver of Form itself doesn’t directly accelerate resources, having it on the field can lead to efficient utilization of your creatures. It transforms your board presence into potentially more valuable assets, providing a form of virtual resource acceleration through enhanced creature utility.

Instant Speed: Though Deceiver of Form’s transformative ability triggers during the combat phase, smart play can set up instant-speed synergies. By utilizing instant-speed library manipulation or creature gimmicks before the ability resolves, you give yourself the flexibility to adapt to the state of the game and orchestrate powerful, game-shifting plays.


Card Cons

Specific Mana Cost: Deceiver of Form demands a precise combination of mana to cast—six colorless and one generic—making it potentially cumbersome for decks not heavily focused on ramp or devoted to colorless mana production.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a hefty seven mana to get this creature onto the battlefield, players may find themselves at a tempo disadvantage, particularly as faster-paced decks can develop their board state and apply pressure more quickly.

Discard Requirement: While Deceiver of Form itself does not require a discard, its synergy with cards that enable its ability might necessitate discarding, which could deplete a player’s hand and leave them vulnerable to disruption or aggression from opponents.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Deceiver of Form’s ability to become any creature in your library for a turn places it right in the heart of creative and adaptive strategies. It can adapt to numerous board states, offering flexibility whether you need defense or a key offensive piece.

Combo Potential: This creature provides avenues for impressive combos, allowing you to exploit powerful creature effects across your entire board. It meshes particularly well with cards that have enter-the-battlefield abilities or powerful static effects.

Meta-Relevance: In metas where creature-based strategies dominate, Deceiver of Form can provide a significant edge. Its potential to swiftly transform battlefield dynamics makes it a card well worth considering for your arsenal as trends evolve.


How to Beat Deceiver of Form

Deceiver of Form, a creature from the Oath of the Gatewatch expansion, stands as a unique card in MTG with its ability to transform your creatures during combat. Facing Deceiver of Form requires strategic maneuvers, as its power lies in the unpredictable change it brings to the battlefield each turn.

One effective method to counter this colossal creature is through removal spells that can target it before the combat phase, such as Path to Exile or Fatal Push, depending on its power. Spot removal takes care of Deceiver of Form before its ability can trigger, preventing any altered attacks your opponent might be planning.

Additionally, board wipes are immensely useful against a Deceiver of Form-led strategy. Board-clearing spells, like Supreme Verdict or Wrath of God, can reset the battlefield, rendering the Deceiver’s ability moot, as there would be no creatures left for it to transform. Ensuring your deck has answers to big threats is beneficial in maintaining control and ultimately overcoming the tricks and deceptions that Deceiver of Form brings to the game of MTG.


BurnMana Recommendations

The strategic depths of MTG are vast, and Deceiver of Form is a card that exquisitely underscores this complexity. With the power to dynamically shift the face of the battlefield, it introduces a crafty twist to every combat phase. Savvy players know that incorporating such versatile cards can lead to unpredictable and exciting victories. If you’re keen on developing strategies that keep your opponents guessing, or you’re looking to amplify your deck’s adaptability, taking a closer look at Deceiver of Form can be greatly advantageous. Dive deeper into its potential and discover more ways to outwit your opponents with us.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Deceiver of Form MTG card by a specific set like Oath of the Gatewatch and Oath of the Gatewatch Promos, 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 Deceiver of Form and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Deceiver of Form Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2016-01-22 and 2016-01-22. Illustrated by Viktor Titov.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12016-01-22Oath of the GatewatchOGW 12015NormalBlackViktor Titov
22016-01-22Oath of the Gatewatch PromosPOGW 1s2015NormalBlackViktor Titov

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Deceiver of Form has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2016-01-22 Any noncopy effects that affected a creature you control, including ones that modified its power and/or toughness, will continue to apply.
2016-01-22 If a creature you control becomes a copy of the revealed creature card, it’s neither entering nor leaving the battlefield. Any enters-the-battlefield or leaves-the-battlefield abilities won’t trigger.
2016-01-22 If applicable, creatures you control copy the printed values of the revealed creature card. They will retain any counters they had on them. Any Auras and/or Equipment that were attached with them will remain so.
2016-01-22 You may put the card on the bottom of your library in any of the possible scenarios that could occur with this card. It doesn’t matter whether the card is a creature card or not. If it is a creature card, it doesn’t matter whether you chose to have the copy effect apply.