Fleeting Image MTG Card
1999-02-15 - Number 31
2001-04-11 - Number 74★
2001-04-11 - Number 74
2003-07-28 - Number 79★
2003-07-28 - Number 79
2005-07-29 - Number 78★
2005-07-29 - Number 78
| Card sets | Released in 7 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Illusion |
| Abilities | Flying |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Text of card
Flying o1oo U Return Fleeting Image to owner's hand.
Horas swore off drinking, but after meeting the creature a second time he decided he'd better start again.
Cards like Fleeting Image
Fleeting Image offers a unique presence on the battlefield, much like its ethereal art suggests. As a creature with the rare ability to return to its owner’s hand at will, it’s worth comparing to other evasive creatures in MTG. Aetherling, whilst mana-heavier, also wields the power to blink out of harm’s way and features a suite of other abilities enhancing its combat potential.
Another counterpart to consider is the spellstutter sprite, which brings along its own form of control through its ability to counter spells upon entry to the fray. While the sprite doesn’t share the same self-preservation trait, it holds a disruptive edge in a spell-heavy match-up. Then there’s Mistbind Clique, with its flash ability and potent “champion a Faerie” ability. It lacks the repetitive evasion of Fleeting Image but compensates with a strong tempo swing.
Ultimately, Fleeting Image stands out among blue creatures designed to outmaneuver and frustrate opponents with its simple, yet effective, method of avoiding threats. It exemplifies strategic depth and adaptability, hallmarks of blue’s slice of the MTG color pie.
Cards similar to Fleeting Image by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: One of the interesting attributes of Fleeting Image is its potential in a card advantage strategy. Although it doesn’t draw cards directly, its recurring threat enables you to press your opponent repeatedly without losing board presence. This forces your adversary to dedicate resources to removing it, often at a loss, hence indirectly contributing to card advantage over time.
Resource Acceleration: While Fleeting Image itself isn’t a direct source of resource acceleration, its frequent evasion of removal spells saves you mana. Instead of casting a creature each turn, you can invest in other aspects of your game plan, potentially speeding up your strategy.
Instant Speed: The ability to return Fleeting Image to your hand at instant speed offers significant flexibility. This trait allows you to wait until the last possible moment to decide whether to dodge a removal or not, keeping mana open for other instant-speed interactions and catching opponents off guard.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: For Fleeting Image, players must have another blue card in hand to make full use of its ability to return to hand, which can be a setback when hand size is depleted.
Specific Mana Cost: This card demands blue mana for both casting and activating its ability. This makes it less flexible, being more suited to mono-blue or blue-heavy decks, potentially excluding it from a wider range of deck builds.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: The three total mana needed to put Fleeting Image onto the battlefield may be seen as costly considering its delicate 2/1 stats. The mana could potentially be channeled into more impactful plays within that stage of the game.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Fleeting Image offers a unique ability to dodge targeted spells or abilities by returning it to its owner’s hand. This characteristic allows it to adapt to various in-game situations and makes it a tricky card for your opponents to deal with, enhancing its role in decks that focus on evasion or unexpected plays.
Combo Potential: With its return-to-hand ability, Fleeting Image can be used in combination with enter-the-battlefield effects or abilities that trigger when a creature leaves the battlefield. Its nature enables cunning players to exploit these synergies turn after turn, thus opening up a plethora of strategic possibilities.
Meta-Relevance: In a game environment saturated with spot removals and targeted effects, Fleeting Image becomes increasingly valuable. It thrives in a meta where resilience and recurring threats are key, providing players with a persistent presence on the board that’s difficult for opponents to permanently deal with.
How to beat
Fleeting Image serves as a unique element in the Magic: The Gathering roster, standing out with its elusive nature. This creature’s ability to return to its owner’s hand at a moment’s notice creates a challenge for opponents who rely on targeted removal or enchantments to maintain control. When facing this card, it’s crucial to think strategically—it’s immune to the more straightforward elimination tactics that other creatures succumb to.
To effectively counter Fleeting Image, players often resort to using spells or abilities that don’t require direct targeting, such as those that change the rules of engagement. Board wipes like Wrath of God can remove it without the need for targeting, circumventing its slippery escape mechanism. Additionally, imposing costs for returning creatures to hand, with cards like Lavinia of the Tenth, can stifle its evasive tactics, while continuous effects like Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobite can weaken it passively. Striking a balance between playing around it and forcing your opponent to expend resources unnecessarily can turn the tide in your favor.
Understanding the subtleties of how to nullify Fleeting Image’s advantages is crucial for maintaining upper hand during games, making it less of a fleeting frustration and more of a manageable challenge on the battlefield.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Fleeting Image MTG card by a specific set like Urza's Legacy and Seventh Edition, 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 Fleeting Image 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
Printings
The Fleeting Image Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 1999-02-15 and 2005-07-29. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1999-02-15 | Urza's Legacy | ULG | 31 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Scott M. Fischer | |
| 2 | 2001-04-11 | Seventh Edition | 7ED | 74★ | 1997 | Normal | Black | Dave Dorman | |
| 3 | 2001-04-11 | Seventh Edition | 7ED | 74 | 1997 | Normal | White | Dave Dorman | |
| 4 | 2003-07-28 | Eighth Edition | 8ED | 79★ | 2003 | Normal | Black | Dave Dorman | |
| 5 | 2003-07-28 | Eighth Edition | 8ED | 79 | 2003 | Normal | White | Dave Dorman | |
| 6 | 2005-07-29 | Ninth Edition | 9ED | 78★ | 2003 | Normal | Black | Dave Dorman | |
| 7 | 2005-07-29 | Ninth Edition | 9ED | 78 | 2003 | Normal | White | Dave Dorman |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Fleeting Image has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |