Eye for an Eye MTG Card

Turns critical damage against the opponent, potentially altering the outcome of the game. Instant speed provides flexibility and can catch an opponent off-guard during their turn. Limited to decks with white mana, and a steep mana cost may restrict its usage.

Arabian Nights (ARN)
1993-12-17 - Number 4

Eye for an Eye - Foreign Black Border (FBB)

Foreign Black Border (FBB)
1994-04-01 - Number 18

Revised Edition (3ED)
1994-04-01 - Number 18

Eye for an Eye - Summer Magic / Edgar (SUM)

Summer Magic / Edgar (SUM)
1994-06-21 - Number 18

Eye for an Eye - Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border (4BB)

Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border (4BB)
1995-04-01 - Number 25

Fourth Edition (4ED)
1995-04-01 - Number 25

Fifth Edition (5ED)
1997-03-24 - Number 30

Eye for an Eye - Masters Edition IV (ME4)

Masters Edition IV (ME4)
2011-01-10 - Number 12

Card sets	Released in 8 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Instant

Text of card

Can be cast only when a creature or spell does damage to you. Eye for an Eye does an equal amount of damage to the controller of that creature or spell. If some spell or effect reduces the amount of damage you receive, it does not reduce the damage dealt by Eye for an Eye.

Cards like Eye for an Eye

Eye for an Eye stands as a classic reactionary tool in Magic: The Gathering, hailing from the earlier sets of the game. It mirrors effects found in cards like Reverse Damage, which also offers a way to negate damage dealt and turn the tables on opponents. Eye for an Eye is unique in its striking ability to not just prevent, but to reflect the damage back to the caster, potentially causing a dramatic shift in the game’s flow.

Another akin card is Reflect Damage, which transfers harm to a different target, providing a strategic edge in combat scenarios. While Eye for an Eye reacts immediately, inflicting equal retaliation, Reflect Damage allows the flexibility to redirect the impact, adding subtlety to the defensive play. Additionally, there’s Comeuppance, a newer addition that can counter not just one, but multiple sources of damage in a turn, though it requires more mana investment and deft timing to maximize its potential.

In essence, Eye for an Eye holds its ground in a niche of defensive spells that provide an aggressive twist. Its straightforward use and the psychological advantage it carries ensures its place in the arsenal of players favoring reactive strategies in Magic: The Gathering.

Cards similar to Eye for an Eye by color, type and mana cost

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Eye for an Eye can effectively nullify a critical play by an opponent, making it a high-impact reactionary tool. Although it doesn’t directly provide card draw, it can safeguard your resources on the board, which indirectly contributes to maintaining card parity.

Resource Acceleration: While Eye for an Eye doesn’t directly accelerate your mana resources, it levels the playing field by potentially eliminating a major resource threat from an opponent. This balance can give you the upper hand and enable a faster route to deploying your strategy effectively.

Instant Speed: Eye for an Eye’s instant speed offers significant strategic flexibility. This ability allows you to respond to your opponent’s actions in real-time, potentially deterring an essential attack or turning the tide of damage in your favor during their turn. The surprise element can be a game-changer in tight situations, providing a decisive counterplay when it matters most.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: A significant downside to playing Eye for an Eye is that it doesn’t involve a discard process, thus yielding no card advantage. Unlike some reactive spells that replace themselves in hand, Eye for an Eye solely relies on trading resource-for-resource, which can lead to diminished hand size and options.

Specific Mana Cost: Eye for an Eye demands a strict white mana cost, necessitating two white mana symbols. This requirement may restrict its inclusion to mono-white or heavily white-focused decks, potentially excluding it from more diverse mana bases or multicolored deck strategies where mana flexibility is key.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost often considered steep for reactive spells, Eye for an Eye can be viewed as expensive, especially when compared to other low-cost removal or damage prevention options in the game. This cost places it at a disadvantage when speed and efficiency are paramount, and players may opt for cheaper alternatives to maximize their mana usage each turn.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Eye for an Eye offers a unique reactive capability that can be a deterrent against heavy-hitting creatures and spells. Its place in sideboards allows it to adapt to various matchups.

Combo Potential: This card provides a surprising twist during combat or in response to direct damage spells. It works well with strategies that involve life total manipulation, turning an opponent’s strengths against them.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where aggressive strategies are prevalent, Eye for an Eye can shift the tide of the game, making it a practical inclusion against decks that rely on dealing massive damage in a single turn.

How to Beat Eye for an Eye

Eye for an Eye is an intriguing reactive card in the world of Magic: The Gathering. It brings a unique approach to game dynamics by turning an opponent’s damage back on them. Understanding the intricacies of this card is key to overcoming it. To effectively counter it, one must consider timing and predict potential plays, as it’s often used as a surprise during combat or in response to direct damage spells.

When dealing with Eye for an Eye, it’s critical to manage your own spells and abilities cautiously. Playing around it might involve holding back on lethal strikes until you can ensure that your opponent doesn’t have the mana available to cast it or until you can ensure that the card can’t affect the battle’s outcome. Additionally, counterspells are your friends here, providing a straightforward solution to negate it before the effect takes place. Smart play and foresight can make Eye for an Eye a less threatening tool in your adversary’s arsenal.

Conclusively, while the card can serve as a significant tempo swing, knowing when to be aggressive and when to hold back can make all the difference. Recognize the windows of opportunity where Eye for an Eye is less effective and seize control of the game with strategic planning and patience.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Eye for an Eye MTG card by a specific set like Arabian Nights and Foreign Black Border, 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 Eye for an Eye and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Eye for an Eye Magic the Gathering card was released in 8 different sets between 1993-12-17 and 2011-01-10. Illustrated by Mark Poole.

#	Released	Name	Code	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	1993-12-17	Arabian Nights	ARN	4	1993	Normal	Black	Mark Poole
2	1994-04-01	Foreign Black Border	FBB	18	1993	Normal	Black	Mark Poole
3	1994-04-01	Revised Edition	3ED	18	1993	Normal	White	Mark Poole
4	1994-06-21	Summer Magic / Edgar	SUM	18	1993	Normal	White	Mark Poole
5	1995-04-01	Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border	4BB	25	1993	Normal	Black	Mark Poole
6	1995-04-01	Fourth Edition	4ED	25	1993	Normal	White	Mark Poole
7	1997-03-24	Fifth Edition	5ED	30	1997	Normal	White	Mark Poole
8	2011-01-10	Masters Edition IV	ME4	12	1997	Normal	Black	Mark Poole

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Eye for an Eye has restrictions

Format	Legality
Oldschool	Legal
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Premodern	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal
Penny	Legal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Eye for an Eye 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	Eye for an Eye must resolve before damage would be dealt to you in order to affect that damage.
2009-02-01	The damage dealt to you is still being dealt by the original source. The damage dealt to the other player is being dealt by Eye for an Eye.