Illusion MTG Card
2009-10-02 - Number 4
2013-06-07 - Number 4
2017-09-29 - Number 2
2019-01-25 - Number 2
2019-06-14 - Number 5
2020-09-25 - Number 6
2020-11-20 - Number 17
2021-07-23 - Number 3
2024-06-14 - Number 6
2017-12-27 - Number 3
| Card sets | Released in 10 setsSee all |
| Type | Token Creature — Illusion |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Cards like Illusion
Diving into the ethereal world of Illusion creatures in MTG, one cannot help but draw comparisons to Mirage Mirror. Although it isn’t a creature, this artifact adeptly mimics any on-field card at instant speed, capturing the essence of Illusion’s ever-shifting nature. Illusion cards, identified by their often fragile but impactful presence, such as Phantasmal Bear, offer a low cost, formidable power dynamic at the risk of easy removal with targeted spells.
Equally noteworthy is Lord of the Unreal, offering a protective shield to the delicate Illusion creatures, enhancing their survivability — an asset not shared with general artifact mimicry. Moreover, the adaptive Copy Enchantment mirrors the Illusion’s versatility in enchantment form, allowing strategists to duplicate key enchantments, much like Illusions replicate creature strengths. It operates in the vein of adaptive strategies akin to the Illusion-type cards.
In summary, while Illusion cards in MTG carry the specific risk of pointed counterplay, their low-cost, high-impact gameplay anchors them as a quintessential choice within the milieu of transformative, elusive magic. Whether you’re wielding the fleeting might of an Illusion or leveraging the adaptability of enchantments and artifacts, each adds a layer of cunning unpredictability to the battlefield.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Illusion cards often enable players to deceive opponents and subtly alter the battlefield scenario. They can generate additional card draw, mimic other formidable creatures in play, or simply provide flexible options to manipulate the course of the match, leading to a strategic edge.
Resource Acceleration: Certain Illusion spells or creature abilities offer the chance to untap lands or artifacts, giving players unexpected bursts of mana. This acceleration can turn the tide by allowing for larger, game-changing spells to be cast ahead of schedule, keeping pressure on the adversary.
Instant Speed: Many Illusion spells can be cast at instant speed, offering the flexibility to react to an opponent’s moves. This timely intervention can save key creatures from removal, create blockers unexpectedly, or surprise an opponent with a sudden combat trick, potentially disrupting their strategy and maintaining board control.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Many Illusion cards in Magic the Gathering demand that players discard another card to either cast or activate abilities. This can hinder your game plan, especially if you’re running out of cards in hand or relying on a tight synergy between cards in your deck.
Specific Mana Cost: Illusions often require a strict devotion to blue mana. This can sometimes restrict deck building, confining these magical apparitions to mono-blue or two-color decks, and making it challenging for players who wish to incorporate Illusions into more diverse mana bases.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Certain Illusion cards come with a heftier mana cost compared to other creatures of a similar power level. These higher costs can set back tempo, leaving players waiting an extra turn or two to deploy their strategies, potentially allowing opponents to gain the upper hand.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Illusion cards in MTG are known for their flexibility across various playstyles. They can easily slip into control or tempo decks, giving players the ability to create early board presence or craft deceptive strategies that bewilder opponents.
Combo Potential: These cards often synergize with spells that capitalize on creature types, allowing for powerful interactions and dynamic plays. Pairing with lords that boost specific creature stats or leveraging spell effects that rely on creature counts can amplify your game plan.
Meta-Relevance: Given MTG’s shifting landscape, Illusion creatures can play a crucial role. In an environment where board control and deceiving appearances are key, Illusions provide utility and can adapt to disrupt popular strategies, keeping your deck competitive in a changing meta.
How to beat
The concept of Illusion creatures in MTG brings a unique set of challenges and opportunities. Many Illusion cards have impressive abilities and stats for their mana cost, making them powerful contenders in battles. However, the common weak spot found among Illusion creatures is their vulnerability to being targeted by spells or abilities. Once targeted, they’re often destroyed as a part of their inherent drawback, mirroring the fragile nature of illusions in a mystical sense.
To gain the upper hand, it’s advised to include removal spells or abilities in your deck that can easily target enemy creatures. By simply casting a spell that targets an Illusion, you can neutralize these threats without investing many resources. Direct damage spells, bounce spells, and even abilities that simply require targeting a creature can turn the tide of the game against an Illusion-based strategy. It’s also prudent to maintain a diverse pool of threats in case your opponent anticipates your targeting strategy.
Understanding the strength and fragility of Illusion MTG cards can be the key to either utilizing them effectively in your own deck or expertly dismantling an opponent’s Illusion-based tactics. The balance of building a flexible strategy while readying your arsenal for counterplays makes the game both challenging and exciting.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Illusion MTG card by a specific set like Zendikar and Modern Masters, 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 Illusion 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 Illusion Magic the Gathering card was released in 10 different sets between 2009-10-02 and 2024-06-14. Illustrated by 6 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2009-10-02 | Zendikar | ZEN | 4 | 2003 | Token | Black | Cyril Van Der Haegen | |
| 2 | 2013-06-07 | Modern Masters | MMA | 4 | 2003 | Token | Black | Véronique Meignaud | |
| 3 | 2017-09-29 | Ixalan | XLN | 2 | 2015 | Token | Black | Noah Bradley | |
| 4 | Friday Night Magic 2018 | F18 | 3 | 2015 | Double Faced Token | Black | Noah Bradley | ||
| 5 | 2019-01-25 | Ravnica Allegiance | RNA | 2 | 2015 | Token | Black | Kev Walker | |
| 6 | 2019-06-14 | Modern Horizons | MH1 | 5 | 2015 | Token | Black | Véronique Meignaud | |
| 7 | 2020-09-25 | Zendikar Rising | ZNR | 6 | 2015 | Token | Black | Jason A. Engle | |
| 8 | 2020-11-20 | Commander Legends | CMR | 17 | 2015 | Token | Black | Véronique Meignaud | |
| 9 | 2021-07-23 | Forgotten Realms Commander | AFC | 3 | 2015 | Token | Black | Ilse Gort | |
| 10 | 2024-06-14 | Modern Horizons 3 Commander | M3C | 6 | 2015 | Token | Black | Jason A. Engle |