Deception MTG Card

Deception yields card advantage and can disrupt an opponent’s rhythm while bolstering your position. Effective at instant speed, it allows for surprise and precise interaction with the game state. It does, however, carry risks such as hand depletion and sometimes an inefficient mana cost.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Common
Type	Sorcery
Released	1999-05-01
Set symbol
Set name	Portal Three Kingdoms
Set code	PTK
Number	73
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	White
Illustred by	Wang Feng

Text of card

Your opponent chooses and discards two cards from his or her hand. (If your opponent has only one card, he or she discards it.)

Believing they wrote the forged letter that had been stolen from Zhou Yu, Cao Cao rashly executed his two best admirals for treason.

Cards like Deception

In the realm of strategic plays within Magic: The Gathering, Deception presents itself as a thought-provoking and cunning option. Comparable to cards such as Infiltrate, it empowers creatures to slip past defenses undetected. Deception takes things further by not only providing unblockable status but also granting bonus power, thus surprising an opponent with unexpected strength.

Looking at another ally in the art of subterfuge, we encounter Telling Time. This card offers the guidance to sculpt the next draws, though Deception provides direct and quantifiable board advantage which Telling Time lacks. Furthermore, consider the dynamics with Veil of Secrecy. It shares the concept of making a creature unblockable for a turn, but also gives protection from creatures, adding an extra layer of complexity and defense.

In essence, Deception carves out its niche in Magic: The Gathering as a multifaceted tool. It not only ensures your creatures can assail an opponent unimpeded but also sharpens their lethality, making it a formidable addition to any strategic game plan that values both stealth and power.

Cards similar to Deception by color, type and mana cost

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Deception cards in MTG often provide a pathway to disrupting your opponent’s hand or battlefield while simultaneously benefitting your own position. Accessing additional cards or forcing your adversary to lose them can be a significant advantage.

Resource Acceleration: Many deception-themed cards serve the dual purpose of delaying your opponent while also escalating your own resources. This could manifest as additional mana or other in-game benefits that can be leveraged for a quicker strategic play or a decisive power shift.

Instant Speed: The ability to cast such spells at instant speed is what sets deception cards apart. It means you can make decisive plays at critical moments. Acting during your opponent’s end step or after they’ve committed actions can often catch them off-guard, allowing you to dictate the pace and flow of play with precise timing.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Deception requires a card discard from your hand to activate its effect. This can be a setback when your hand size is already diminished or the card quality is high, making the discard a tough decision.

Specific Mana Cost: This card’s activation is limited by a specific mana combination in its cost. This could potentially hinder its inclusion in multicolored decks that may not consistently generate the required types of mana.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Its effect, in relation to its mana cost, may be deemed inefficient when compared to other cards in the same category. Players might find that allocating that much mana for Deception’s ability restricts gameplay or hinders tempo, especially in a fast-paced duel where every mana point is crucial for maintaining board presence.

Reasons to Include Deception in Your Collection

Versatility: Deception serves as a multifunctional tool in various deck builds, adept at misleading opponents and protecting your strategy. Its ability to disrupt opponent plays while setting up your own makes it a valuable asset in matches.

Combo Potential: This card’s capacity to seamlessly integrate into and enable combo setups is noteworthy. By cleverly misdirecting your opponent, you can pave the way for game-winning combinations without raising suspicion until the perfect moment.

Meta-Relevance: In an ever-shifting competitive scene, Deception maintains relevance by offering a counter to prevailing tactics and being a formidable surprise element against unwary adversaries, keeping your deck one step ahead.

How to beat

Deception is one of those cards in Magic: The Gathering that can truly turn the tables if left unchecked. It’s a tool often used to twist games in the wielder’s favor, using trickery and illusion to gain control. To counter Deception effectively, you’ll want to focus on a strategy that promotes transparency and minimizes the surprise factor it can bring to the match.

One approach is to utilize spells or abilities that allow you to look at an opponent’s hand, thus reducing the impact of hidden threats. Having foresight into your opponent’s potential plays can cripple Deception’s potency. Additionally, running cards that can’t be countered or that protect your own plays from being targeted will also aid in sustaining a firm grip on the game’s progress.

Lastly, investing in a reliable sideboard that can adapt to control and trickery-based decks will give you a significant edge. Cards that strip away your opponent’s options or that allow you to recover crucial pieces from your graveyard can swing momentum back in your favor, undermining the advantage that Deception seeks to provide.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Deception MTG card by a specific set like Portal Three Kingdoms, 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 Deception and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Deception has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal