Graceful Reprieve MTG Card


Grants creatures a second chance on the battlefield, preserving your game’s momentum. Instant speed play offers flexibility and disrupts opponents’ strategy. Requires a creature on board, and may strain mana in multicolor decks.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityUncommon
TypeInstant

Text of card

When target creature is put into a graveyard this turn, return that card to play under its owner's control.

"In my moment of death, I had a vision of the world, dark and unwelcoming. I wanted to hide in the deepest meander, but the light pulled me back."


Cards like Graceful Reprieve

Graceful Reprieve is a unique card within the Magic: The Gathering arsenal, offering a form of creature protection not commonly found within other spells. It bears some resemblance to cards like Unbreakable Formation, which also aims to safeguard creatures, except Graceful Reprieve works on an individual basis and triggers upon the creature’s demise. This detail provides a strategic advantage, allowing for a surprise element during gameplay.

Comparatively, we see features akin to Graceful Reprieve in Rescue from the Underworld. Both permit a creature’s return to the battlefield; however, Rescue from the Underworld operates at a higher mana cost and with a delayed return, making Graceful Reprieve a faster alternative. Then there’s Cloudshift, enabling instant protection and repositioning of creatures, though it doesn’t provide the same advantage of retriggering enter-the-battlefield abilities that Graceful Reprieve potentially does when the creature returns from the graveyard.

To wrap it up, Graceful Reprieve holds a noteworthy position among creature protection cards in Magic: The Gathering. Its ability to immediately bring back creatures after they’re destroyed, and at a lower mana cost, grants players an unanticipated edge in protecting key assets during a match.

Unbreakable Formation - MTG Card versions
Rescue from the Underworld - MTG Card versions
Cloudshift - MTG Card versions
Unbreakable Formation - MTG Card versions
Rescue from the Underworld - MTG Card versions
Cloudshift - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Graceful Reprieve can effectively provide a second life to one of your important creatures. When a key creature is targeted for removal, this card can immediately bring it back to the battlefield, potentially saving a valuable asset and ensuring that you don’t lose your momentum on the board.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly providing mana or treasure, the true acceleration Graceful Reprieve offers is the preservation of resources already invested into your creatures. Instead of spending additional mana to recast creatures from your hand, you’re essentially gaining ‘free’ re-entry to the battlefield for a creature that would otherwise be lost.

Instant Speed: The ability to cast Graceful Reprieve at instant speed adds a layer of flexibility and unpredictability to your game. It allows you to creatively navigate around your opponent’s actions on their turn, making it more difficult for them to strategically remove your threats without considering the possibility of an immediate return.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Graceful Reprieve mandates that you have a creature on the battlefield to target, which can be problematic if you’re facing removal-heavy decks and your board is clear.

Specific Mana Cost: Requiring both white mana and generic mana, Graceful Reprieve can be difficult to slot into multi-colored decks, potentially causing mana base complications.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Priced at two and a white mana, this card may compete for the three-mana slot with other impactful permanents or spells, which could lead to sub-optimal tempo in certain scenarios.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Graceful Reprieve provides a unique form of creature protection that can be utilized in a variety of decks. Its ability to return target creature to the battlefield when it dies offers a safeguard against removal spells and can discourage opponents from targeting your key creatures.

Combo Potential: This card has inherent synergy with creatures that have enter-the-battlefield or leave-the-battlefield effects. Pairing Graceful Reprieve with such creatures can create powerful interactions and unexpected plays that can swing the game in your favor.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta with heavy creature-based strategies or board wipes, Graceful Reprieve’s ability to immediately bring back a pivotal creature makes it a card worth considering. It strategically supports your board presence and can provide a surprise element against an unprepared opponent.


How to beat

Graceful Reprieve offers a unique way to cheat death in the game of Magic: The Gathering. A single white and two colorless mana can save creatures from an untimely demise, but savvy players know there are strategies to counteract this enchanting spell. When facing an opponent who utilizes Graceful Reprieve, it’s crucial to anticipate and plan. Timing is everything; removing the creature before the spell resolves can disrupt your opponent’s plans. Keep in mind, instant-speed removal spells like Path to Exile or the multifunctional Assassin’s Trophy provide flexibility and can be cast in response to Graceful Reprieve, ensuring that the creature doesn’t come back from the graveyard.

Another effective approach is to leverage graveyard hate cards such as Rest in Peace. This not only neutralizes the immediate threat of Graceful Reprieve but also hinders any recurring graveyard strategies your opponent may deploy. In addition, countering the spell with blues’ numerous counterspells can nip the problem in the bud entirely. These tactics, when executed correctly, ensure you maintain control and ultimately emerge victorious against the Graceful Reprieve’s temporary safeguard.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Graceful Reprieve MTG card by a specific set like Morningtide and Modern Masters 2017, 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 Graceful Reprieve and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Graceful Reprieve Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2008-02-01 and 2017-03-17. Illustrated by William O'Connor.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12008-02-01MorningtideMOR 112003NormalBlackWilliam O'Connor
22017-03-17Modern Masters 2017MM3 82015NormalBlackWilliam O'Connor

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Graceful Reprieve has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Graceful Reprieve card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2017-03-14 Graceful Reprieve can target a token creature, but since tokens cease to exist after they leave the battlefield, it won’t be returned to the battlefield.
2017-03-14 Graceful Reprieve’s effect works only once. If the targeted creature leaves the battlefield and is then returned to the battlefield, it’s considered to be a new creature. If that new creature is put into a graveyard, it won’t come back a second time.