Dramatic Reversal MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityCommon
TypeInstant

Key Takeaways

  1. Untaps multiple nonland permanents, setting up additional turns and maximizing board capabilities.
  2. Accelerates resources, allowing multiple spells per turn and quickly developing board presence.
  3. As an instant, it counters opponents’ strategies and maintains momentum effectively.

Text of card

Untap all nonland permanents you control.

"Nobody asked you to butt in, Jace. But thanks." —Chandra Nalaar


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Dramatic Reversal can effortlessly untap all nonland permanents you control, including mana-producing artifacts, potentially netting significant card utility and operational flexibility. This can set you up to use abilities an additional time each turn, maximizing the value of your cards on the battlefield.

Resource Acceleration: By untapping artifacts or creatures that generate mana, Dramatic Reversal serves as a resource accelerator. This can lead to casting multiple spells in a single turn or generating a formidable board presence faster, giving you a leading edge in resource management.

Instant Speed: As an instant, Dramatic Reversal gifts you the versatility of reacting to the evolving game state. Deploy it during your opponent’s end step to refresh your resources, or use it in response to spells or abilities to disrupt your opponent’s strategy, and maintain the momentum in your favor.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Even though Dramatic Reversal doesn’t ask players to discard, the need to have a nonland permanent with a tap ability to benefit from its untap feature can be comparable to a resource requirement that may not always be met.

Specific Mana Cost: Dramatic Reversal’s casting cost requires both generic and blue mana, which ties it specifically to decks that can generate blue mana—potentially limiting its integration into multicolored decks or those that don’t focus on blue mana.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Costing two mana might seem efficient, but in decks that aim to combo off rapidly, every mana point counts. In such scenarios, players might opt for other cards that would contribute more significantly to their game plan at a lower cost.


Reasons to Include Dramatic Reversal in Your Collection

Versatility: Dramatic Reversal has a broad application across various deck archetypes. Its ability to untap all nonland permanents you control can provide an instant refresh on mana sources like mana dorks or rocks, offering a burst of resources at critical moments.

Combo Potential: This card shines in combinations, particularly with mana generators sporting the tap ability. Pairing it with cards like “Isochron Scepter” can create an infinite mana loop, powering up a multitude of strategies and paving the way for game-winning plays.

Meta-Relevance: In game formats where sudden tempo swings and combo setups are crucial, Dramatic Reversal ensures you stay ahead. Its place in the current meta is solidified as it can disrupt the opponent’s rhythm and tip the scales in your favor at a moment’s notice.


How to beat

Dramatic Reversal is a unique instant in the world of Magic: The Gathering, known primarily for its ability to untap all nonland permanents you control. This powerful effect can be especially potent in decks that rely on artifacts or creatures with tap abilities. Being able to reuse these abilities within a single turn creates significant advantages, often leading to win conditions in combination with cards like Isochron Scepter.

Countering this spell is the most direct way to stop its game-changing impact. Instant-speed disruption like Counterspell, Disallow, or Negate can be pivotal in preventing your opponent from achieving an infinite combo or overwhelming board state. Another strategy is to remove the key permanents that your opponent aims to untap, thereby reducing the effectiveness of Dramatic Reversal. Instant-speed removal spells or abilities that can disrupt your opponent’s game plan before they cast Dramatic Reversal are essential. It’s also wise to maintain pressure and limit their available resources, making it harder for them to capitalize on the untap effect dramatically.

Ultimately, understanding when to disrupt your opponent’s strategy is just as important as the spells you choose to include in your deck. Staying one step ahead can ensure that Dramatic Reversal doesn’t lead to your downfall.


BurnMana Recommendations

If you’re fascinated by the tactical depth that MTG brings to the table, then Dramatic Reversal deserves a spot in your collection. This card extends the boundaries of play through untapping mechanics, resource acceleration, and instant-speed response to in-game shifts. It’s not just about the raw power but also about the seamless integration into various strategies that can tip the gaming scales. Enhance your deck’s capability to execute unforeseen combos and maintain momentum by incorporating this key card. Curious about elevating your gameplay? Discover more about optimizing your deck and harnessing the full power of MTG’s synergistic spells with us.


Cards like Dramatic Reversal

Dramatic Reversal is a card that intrigues many MTG players for its ability to untap all nonland permanents you control. This instant spell shares similarities with cards like Unwind, which also untaps lands and has a cost of three mana. Though Unwind counters a spell whereas Dramatic Reversal strictly focuses on the untapping mechanic. Its true potential is realized when combined with cards holding mana abilities like mana rocks or creatures like Llanowar Elves.

Turnabout is another card that echoes the untapping functionality, giving you the choice to untap artifacts, creatures, or lands. While Turnabout is versatile, it comes with a higher casting cost. This makes Dramatic Reversal stand out as a more accessible and combo-enabling option in many formats. When paired with mana-generating permanents such as Isochron Scepter, it enables the potential for infinite mana which could turn the tide of any game in your favor.

Ultimately, Dramatic Reversal’s low casting cost coupled with its instantaneous play and combo-enabling nature makes it a unique and valuable piece in any player’s arsenal, particularly for those aiming to utilize untapping synergies to their maximum effect.

Unwind - Dominaria (DOM)
Turnabout - Urza's Saga (USG)
Isochron Scepter - Mirrodin (MRD)
Llanowar Elves - Limited Edition Alpha (LEA)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Dramatic Reversal MTG card by a specific set like Kaladesh and Game Night 2019, 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 Dramatic Reversal and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Dramatic Reversal Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2016-09-30 and 2019-12-02. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12016-09-30KaladeshKLD 442015normalblackEric Deschamps
22019-11-15Game Night 2019GN2 202015normalblackEric Deschamps
32019-12-02Secret Lair DropSLD 10832015normalblackVolta Creation

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Dramatic Reversal has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal

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