Evasive Action MTG Card
2001-06-04 - Number 23
2010-03-19 - Number 50
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Instant |
| Abilities | Domain |
Text of card
Counter target spell unless its controller pays o1 for each basic land type among lands you control.
Effective use of terrain is a lesson good commanders learn quickly.
Cards like Evasive Action
Evasive Action joins the roster of modal counter spells in Magic: The Gathering with a flexibility that makes it unique. A close cousin within the counter-spell family is Counterspell itself–iconic for its straightforward nature of simply needing two blue mana to negate any spell. Where Evasive Action diverges is its domain mechanic, which calculates the mana cost based on the number of basic land types amongst lands you control, thus potentially costing less or more.
Another spell worth mentioning is Mana Leak, which also disrupts opponents’ plays. For a mere two mana, it can counter any spell unless its caster pays an additional three mana. While Evasive Action’s cost fluctuates, Mana Leak is constant, albeit more easily overcome in the later game stages. Then there’s Dromar’s Charm, offering not only a counter spell option similar to Evasive Action but also two other modes of operation, thereby broadening tactical possibilities. However, its strict color requirement can hinder its inclusion in multicolor decks.
Assessing their strategic use and versatility, Evasive Action demands a more nuanced approach to deck building but can become remarkably powerful in a well-constructed multicolor deck, offering a counterplay that adapts as the game progresses.
Cards similar to Evasive Action by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Evasive Action offers the potential to disrupt your opponent’s strategy, acting as a hand extension that prevents them from gaining the upper hand. It provides you with an opportunity to negate pivotal spells, thereby maintaining your advantageous position.
Resource Acceleration: This card’s adaptability scales with the number of lands you control, which means as the game progresses, your ability to hinder your opponent’s moves accelerates. It rewards decks with a diverse mana base and can be a pivotal play that leads to swinging the game’s momentum in your favor.
Instant Speed: The speed of this spell is crucial, allowing you to act swiftly and unexpectedly. With the ability to cast Evasive Action at instant speed, you can protect your strategy without compromising your own turn, keeping your opponent guessing and on the defensive. This attribute integrates seamlessly into control decks that focus on counter play and strategy disruption.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While utilizing Evasive Action can help counter key spells, it comes with the condition that you need to have a land card in hand to discard. This can be particularly limiting when your hand is depleted and you’re forced to make tough decisions regarding resource management.
Specific Mana Cost: Evasive Action’s mana cost requires both blue and generic mana, making it less flexible compared to mono-colored counterspells. Decks not heavily invested in blue might find it challenging to consistently meet the casting requirements.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost that is significant for its effect, Evasive Action may not always be the most mana-efficient choice in a deck. Players could find alternative counter spells or protection methods that offer similar benefits without the steep mana investment.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Evasive Action adds a dynamic layer of defense to many deck builds by adapting its power based on the variety of lands you control. Its adaptability makes it suitable for multi-colored decks to efficiently counter threats.
Combo Potential: This card’s counter ability enhances strategies focused on controlling the game tempo. It operates smoothly within decks that manipulate the land base to maximize the card’s effect, thus being a key piece in complex control combos.
Meta-Relevance: With numerous decks in the current competitive scene relying on crucial non-creature spells, Evasive Action serves as a relevant tool for disruption. It’s particularly effective in formats where an extensive variety of lands are played, ensuring its staying power in diverse metagames.
How to beat
Evasive Action is a versatile counter spell in MTG renowned for its adaptability in games with multiple lands. Functioning similarly to cards such as Mana Leak, Evasive Action adds a twist – the counter ability escalates in potency with the diversity of your lands. Unlike Mana Leak, which requires a flat payment to negate its effect, Evasive Action becomes increasingly difficult to outmaneuver as a player’s landbase grows. This makes Evasive Action particularly potent in multi-colored decks that can capitalize on a wide range of land types.
To effectively counter Evasive Action, players should consider strategies that rely less on high-value single spells and more on a diverse array of low-cost plays. Land destruction or restriction can also hamstring the power of Evasive Action by cutting down on the land types under an opponent’s control. Moreover, baiting out the counter spell with less critical spells before forging ahead with your game-winning plays, can be the key to navigating around its defenses. With a mindful approach to spell sequencing and a keen eye on land count, overcoming the hurdle posed by Evasive Action is a plausible feat.
The dynamic nature of Evasive Action presents a unique challenge, but with strategic plays and an understanding of your opponent’s land capabilities, its advantages can be mitigated, paving the way for your victory.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Evasive Action MTG card by a specific set like Apocalypse and Duel Decks: Phyrexia vs. the Coalition, 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 Evasive Action and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
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- MTG Mint Card
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- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
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Printings
The Evasive Action Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2001-06-04 and 2010-03-19. Illustrated by Brian Snõddy.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2001-06-04 | Apocalypse | APC | 23 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Brian Snõddy | |
| 2 | 2010-03-19 | Duel Decks: Phyrexia vs. the Coalition | DDE | 50 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Brian Snõddy |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Evasive Action has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Evasive Action card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2009-02-01 | A number of nonbasic lands have basic land types. Domain abilities don’t count the number of lands you control — they count the number of basic land types among lands you control, even if that means checking the same land twice. For example, if you control a Tundra, an Overgrown Tomb, and a Madblind Mountain, you’ll have a Plains, Island, Swamp, Mountain, and Forest among the lands you control. Your domain abilities will be maxed out. |
| 2009-02-01 | How many lands you control of a particular basic land type is irrelevant to a domain ability, as long as that number is greater than zero. As far as domain is concerned, ten Forests is the same as one Forest. |
| 2009-02-01 | To determine the number of basic land types among lands you control, look at the lands you have on the battlefield and ask yourself whether the subtypes Plains, Island, Swamp, Mountain, and Forest appear within that group. The number of times you say yes (topping out at five) tells you how powerful your domain abilities will be. |