Disperse MTG Card

Disperse indirectly leads to card advantage, disrupting opponent’s tempo and plans efficiently. Its instant speed and flexibility make it valuable for both offense and defense. Requires strategic play to maximize impact and avoid self-tempo loss.
Card setsReleased in 6 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityCommon
TypeInstant

Text of card

Return target nonland permanent to its owner's hand.

Gryffid scowled at the sky. A perfect day for the hunt tainted by clouds. He wished them gone. High above, the clouds looked down, scowled, and made a wish of their own.

Cards like Disperse

Disperse holds its own among the roster of instant-speed bounce spells in Magic: The Gathering. Its straightforward effect allows players to return target nonland permanent to its owner’s hand, mirroring the simplicity of cards like Unsummon. While Unsummon is limited to creatures and comes at a lower cost of one blue mana, Disperse offers greater flexibility by targeting any nonland permanent for just one additional mana.

Expanding the comparison, another card in this niche is Boomerang. This card matches Disperse’s versatility by also targeting any nonland permanent but adds to the mix the potential to return lands, disrupting opponents’ mana base. Nevertheless, Boomerang bears a more restrictive double blue mana cost. Into the Roil extends this concept further, allowing the kicker cost to draw a card if mana allows, providing utility beyond mere bouncing.

All in all, Disperse fits snugly into Magic: The Gathering’s suite of instant-speed bounce spells, providing a balanced cost-to-effect ratio. Its versatility in choosing targets makes it a tactical tool in various decks, ensuring that it remains a staple for reactive strategies and adaptable gameplay.

Unsummon - MTG Card versions
Boomerang - MTG Card versions
Into the Roil - MTG Card versions
Unsummon - MTG Card versions
Boomerang - MTG Card versions
Into the Roil - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Disperse. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Izzet ControlIzzet Control LegacyCharlotte Legacy League Season 4 Week 12

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Although Disperse itself doesn’t directly allow you to draw cards, it indirectly contributes to card advantage by bouncing an opponent’s card back to their hand. This can circumvent your opponent’s strategies and mitigate their tempo, especially if they’ve invested multiple resources into the now-returned permanent.

Resource Acceleration: Disperse efficiently handles problematic nonland permanents, which can help maintain or even accelerate your own resources. By removing an opponent’s threat at instant speed, you retain the pace of the game, potentially saving resources you would have used on a more expensive removal.

Instant Speed: As an instant, Disperse gives you the flexibility to respond to your opponent’s actions. You can disrupt their plays during their turn or use Disperse to protect your own permanents from removal or unfavorable combat situations. This adaptability is key in any game situation.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Disperse does not require discarding as a cost, being forced to return a card to hand can sometimes feel akin to discarding, especially if you’re putting your own tempo at risk or have no other plays.

Specific Mana Cost: Needing one blue mana can restrict its immediate use in multicolored decks, especially if they are mana-starved or the mana base isn’t perfectly tuned.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: For two mana, Disperse only offers a temporary solution, possibly setting up opponents for more advantageous plays in later turns. Alternative cards in that mana range might provide a more permanent answer or an additional effect.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Disperse is a card that can seamlessly slide into various blue decks, offering a straightforward yet powerful way to return a nonland permanent to its owner’s hand, making it a useful tool in any player’s arsenal for disrupting opponents’ strategies.

Combo Potential: This instant can initiate game-changing combos or be an integral part of complex interactions. The ability to bounce your own permanents opens up avenues for reusing enter-the-battlefield effects or saving a valuable piece from removal.

Meta-Relevance: In game environments where permanents with powerful effects dominate, Disperse provides a cost-effective answer. It’s especially relevant when dealing with indestructible or heavily buffed creatures, offering a solution when other forms of removal might fail.

How to Beat Disperse

Disperse serves as a versatile utility spell in Magic: The Gathering, mainly because it can target any nonland permanent, returning it to its owner’s hand. This flexibility can be challenging when you face it, as it disrupts your strategy by bouncing creatures, enchantments, or artifacts at inopportune moments. To effectively overcome this card, it’s critical to play around its limitations.

One approach is to bait out the Disperse with less critical spells or creatures. You can then follow up with more impactful plays once Disperse has been used. Another strategy is to prioritize permanents with enter-the-battlefield effects. These will still provide value even if returned to your hand. Additionally, consider utilizing spells and abilities that can be activated from your hand or that benefit from being there, reducing the disadvantage of Disperse.

Mindful resource management and anticipation of timing can also empower you to outmaneuver Disperse. Execute spells at the end of the opponent’s turn or during your main phase when they’re tapped out. By tracking their available mana and predicting when Disperse might come into play, you can maintain control over the game’s flow and diminish the card’s impact. In essence, your dexterity in outpacing and outsmarting Disperse could be the key to claiming victory in your Magic: The Gathering matchups.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Disperse MTG card by a specific set like Morningtide and Scars of Mirrodin, 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 Disperse and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Disperse Magic the Gathering card was released in 6 different sets between 2008-02-01 and 2018-07-13. Illustrated by 3 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12008-02-01MorningtideMOR 312003NormalBlackSteve Ellis
22010-10-01Scars of MirrodinSOM 312003NormalBlackAdrian Smith
32013-07-19Magic 2014M14 512003NormalBlackSteve Ellis
42015-07-17Magic OriginsORI 542015NormalBlackRyan Yee
52016-04-08Welcome Deck 2016W16 52015NormalBlackRyan Yee
62018-07-13Core Set 2019M19 502015NormalBlackRyan Yee

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Disperse has restrictions

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