Disappearing Act MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Instant |
| Released | 2016-09-30 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Kaladesh |
| Set code | KLD |
| Number | 43 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Anthony Palumbo |
Text of card
As an additional cost to cast Disappearing Act, return a permanent you control to its owner's hand. Counter target spell.
"Baral took my family from me back then. I'd do anything to face him now." —Chandra Nalaar
Cards like Disappearing Act
Disappearing Act holds a unique place in the strategic tapestry of Magic: The Gathering. This spell echoes the functionality of cards like Essence Flux, which also allows for a creature to dodge spells or leave the battlefield momentarily. However, Disappearing Act notably includes a trade-off: the player must return a permanent they control to their hand to cast this spell. Essence Flux lacks this return-to-hand requirement but does not provide the card draw that Disappearing Act offers upon resolution.
When we look towards cards like Unsummon, we observe ease of use due to its lower casting cost, rapidly returning a creature to its owner’s hand. However, it misses out on the card draw Disappearing Act provides, potentially making it less advantageous in the long run. Then there is Venser, Shaper Savant—a versatile pick that combines the benefits of returning spells or creatures while offering a body on the board. It, too, lacks the card draw but compensates with its creature form.
Despite the similarities, Disappearing Act’s blend of defensive tactics and card advantage gives it an edge in situations where resourcefulness is key. Within the versatile world of Magic: The Gathering, this makes Disappearing Act a compelling choice for decks that value flexibility and card economy.
Cards similar to Disappearing Act by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: When Disappearing Act is used to its fullest, it can result in gaining a card over your opponent. Bouncing your own permanent with an enter-the-battlefield effect back to your hand means you can play it again for value, while denying your opponent their own board presence.
Resource Acceleration: While not directly increasing resources, Disappearing Act can indirectly accelerate your game plan. By returning a high-value permanent to your hand, you can redeploy it for its benefits, effectively getting more from the same card.
Instant Speed: The ability to cast Disappearing Act at instant speed provides flexibility in gameplay. You get to decide whether to disrupt an opponent’s end-of-turn plans or wait to see if they commit a more pressing threat to the board, allowing for optimal timing and strategic depth.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Disappearing Act requires the player to return a permanent they control back to their hand, which could set back their board presence and overall game plan.
Specific Mana Cost: This card demands a blue mana cost, thereby potentially restricting its seamless inclusion in multicolored decks or those that don’t focus on blue mana resources.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With its combined mana value, players may find Disappearing Act on the pricier side for a counter effect, especially when compared to other counter spells in the game that may cost less and offer similar or additional benefits without necessitating a return of a permanent as part of its cost.
Reasons to Include Disappearing Act in Your Collection
Versatility: Disappearing Act offers dual functionalities as both a counter and means to return a permanent to your hand, which can be crucial for protecting your key pieces or reusing enter-the-battlefield effects.
Combo Potential: This card opens up opportunities for combos by allowing you to reuse your own permanents with beneficial enter-the-battlefield triggers or to save them from removal while disrupting your opponent’s plays.
Meta-Relevance: In metagames heavy on stack-based interactions or where countering key spells can swing the game, Disappearing Act can play a pivotal role. Its ability to impact the board while countering makes it relevant in diverse play environments.
How to beat
Disappearing Act is a unique countermeasure in the Magic: The Gathering arsenal. It requires careful timing and strategy to outmaneuver. Unlike traditional counterspells that outright nullify a spell, Disappearing Act also necessitates the return of a permanent you control to your hand. This resetting of the board state can work to your advantage or detriment, depending on the permanents at play.
When confronting Disappearing Act, it’s essential to bait this spell out early or when your opponent’s return cost is high. Deploying non-critical spells or those with beneficial enter-the-battlefield effects can lure out Disappearing Act and render its secondary effect a boon for you instead. Also, keeping instantaneous removal or bounce spells can stop your opponent from capitalizing on their returned permanents, neutralizing the temporary setback. This way, Disappearing Act becomes less of a surprise and more of a strategic footnote in your route to victory.
Ultimately, predicting and playing around your opponent’s Disappearing Act by manipulating the timing and value of permanents on the board can swing the game in your favor, minimizing its impact and maximizing your position in the duel.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Disappearing Act MTG card by a specific set like Kaladesh, 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 Disappearing Act 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
See MTG Products
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Disappearing Act has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |