Illusion // Reality MTG Card
2001-06-04 - Number 129
2023-01-13 - Number 213
2020-09-26 - Number APC-129
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Instant |
Text of card
Destroy target artifact.
Cards like Illusion // Reality
Illusion // Reality presents an intriguing choice for players in Magic: The Gathering, serving as a flexible piece in decks that can manipulate game states effectively. It has a duality akin to the card Dismember // Reminisce. While Dismember // Reminisce lets players either weaken a creature or reminisce to return a card from the graveyard to hand, Illusion // Reality allows for both creature creation and enchantment destruction. What sets Illusion // Reality apart is its ability to pivot between being proactive with creating a creature token and reactive by removing enchantments that may be hindering your strategy.
Comparatively, Peel from Reality offers the utility of temporarily removing creatures from the battlefield but unlike Illusion // Reality, it doesn’t provide the versatility of destroying enchantments. Moreover, the creation of an Illusion token by Illusion // Reality can supply a blocker or an attacker when necessary, which Peel from Reality lacks. On the other side, Qasali Pridemage provides a similar enchantment removal capability but lacks the option to generate a creature token, evidencing the unique position of Illusion // Reality in players’ arsenals.
In summary, Illusion // Reality holds a unique standing by merging the advantages of token generation with the utility of enchantment removal. Its dual nature resonates well with the tactical diversity and strategic depth that define the compelling gameplay of Magic: The Gathering.
Cards similar to Illusion // Reality by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Illusion // Reality offers a versatile approach to maintaining card flow in the game. By playing Illusion, you get the chance to replicate key creatures critical to your board state, essentially doubling your threats without expending additional cards from your hand.
Resource Acceleration: The Reality side can act as a formidable catalyst, transforming a minor asset into a major threat. When the board is right, converting a small creature into a larger force can change the tide of the game, leading to increased pressure against your opponent and the potential for accelerated victory.
Instant Speed: The ability to cast either Illusion or Reality at instant speed grants players the tactical advantage of adaptability. Cast Illusion to surprise your opponent with an unexpected blocker or duplicate threat during combat, or cast Reality to swiftly upgrade a creature in response to game conditions, all on your opponent’s turn.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Illusion // Reality demands that you discard a card to utilize its full potential. In high-pressure situations, this could force you to deplete your hand, leaving you vulnerable to your opponent’s strategies.
Specific Mana Cost: This card requires a precise combination of blue and green mana to be cast, which might not seamlessly align with every deck’s mana base. This can result in the card being a dead draw in non-compatible decks, hindering its flexibility.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: The combined mana cost for both halves of Illusion // Reality is steep compared to other cards that provide similar effects. This can slow down your game plan as you are required to invest more resources over time to reap its benefits.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Illusion // Reality brings a flexible approach to gameplay by offering two different effects in one card. Illusion lends itself to protection strategies, keeping pivotal creatures safe, while Reality provides disruption, bouncing problematic permanents to their owner’s hand.
Combo Potential: With its unique split card design, Illusion // Reality can serve as two combo pieces within a single card slot. Use Illusion to safeguard a key combo creature, or deploy Reality to clear the way for your combo to resolve.
Meta-Relevance: As the meta shifts and adapts, having a card that can address a wide range of scenarios is essential. Whether it’s protecting your threats from removal or resetting an opponent’s board progress, Illusion // Reality responds adeptly to various meta trends.
How to beat
Illusion // Reality is a versatile card in the world of MTG, offering the duality of either creating illusive creature tokens or fetching a land card directly into play. The flexibility of this split card provides an edge to players with strategies that benefit from either creature proliferation or land acceleration. To effectively counter this multifaceted card, targeting the timing of its use is key.
Since Illusion creates tokens, mass removal spells like Wrath of God can clear the board, negating the advantage of such creatures. On the flip side of the card, when Reality is played to fetch a land, counterplay measures can include land destruction or counterspells like Cancel, to disrupt your opponent’s mana curve and strategy. Prioritizing the disruption of your opponent’s plays requires a keen sense of their deck strategy. Thus, to nullify Illusion // Reality, prepare board wipes for creature tokens and inclusion of counterspells or land interaction to handle geomancy.
In the intricate dance of counters and plays in MTG, understanding the nuances of competing strategies is crucial. By preemptively aligning your deck with responses to both halves of Illusion // Reality, you take proactive steps to seize victory from the cusp of this card’s dual potential.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Illusion // Reality MTG card by a specific set like Apocalypse and The List, 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 // Reality 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
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Printings
The Illusion // Reality Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2001-06-04 and 2023-01-13. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2001-06-04 | Apocalypse | APC | 129 | 1997 | Split | Black | David Martin | |
| 2 | The List | PLST | APC-129 | 1997 | Split | Black | John Avon | ||
| 3 | 2023-01-13 | Dominaria Remastered | DMR | 213 | 2015 | Split | Black | David Martin |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Illusion // Reality has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |