Illusionary Forces MTG Card
1995-06-03 - Number 75
2007-09-10 - Number 38
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Illusion |
| Abilities | Cumulative upkeep,Flying |
| Power | 4 |
| Toughness | 4 |
Text of card
Flying Cumulative Upkeep: o U
"This school was founded in secret, operates in secret, and exists for the teaching of secrets. Those who would alter reality must first escape it." —Gerda Äagesdotter, Archmage of the Unseen
Cards like Illusionary Forces
Illusionary Forces joins the roster of creatures in Magic: The Gathering with its own unique playstyle that emphasizes evasion. This card bears resemblance to other creatures such as Phantom Warrior, which is also unblockable. However, the distinct requirement for Illusionary Forces, which calls for a card to be discarded each upkeep, is not present in Phantom Warrior’s design, making it a more stable option for players who prefer a less demanding board presence.
Another card worth mentioning is Mistcloak Herald, a creature with the same unblockability but at a significantly lower cost, allowing for quicker gameplay deployment. However, Mistcloak Herald lacks the power stat of Illusionary Forces, making it less of a threat on the board. We also have the Spectral Sailor, a card that while it can be blocked, offers the flexibility of drawing a card and has flash, allowing players to cast it at any time, creating battleground surprises and strategic depth.
Overall, each card serves a tactical niche in player decks. While Illusionary Forces can be high-maintenance with its upkeep cost, its substantive power makes it a formidable force, especially in environments where consistent damage is key to victory strategies.
Cards similar to Illusionary Forces by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Illusionary Forces is a compelling choice for those looking to maintain pressure while keeping their hand replenished. Due to its nature, this card can create a significant presence on the board, compelling opponents to respond, potentially leading to a favorable trade in resources.
Resource Acceleration: Though not directly offering traditional mana acceleration, Illusionary Forces can indirectly promote resource efficiency. By providing a formidable flying creature early in the game, it allows players to focus their mana and other resources on further developing their board state or disrupting their opponent’s plays.
Instant Speed: While Illusionary Forces itself does not benefit from instant speed, its presence encourages a playstyle that can capitalize on responsive cards. Being able to deploy threats that must be answered allows players to hold back instant-speed interactions, creating a dynamic and unpredictable game for the opponent, opening the door for well-timed counterspells or removals during their turn.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Illusionary Forces necessitates a constant card sacrifice, with a requirement to discard a card each turn to keep it on the battlefield. This can hinder your hand advantage over time, potentially leaving you at a strategic deficit.
Specific Mana Cost: This card demands a rigorous mana composition, needing both blue and generic mana, which can limit its integration, particularly in multi-colored decks that may struggle with mana consistency.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting and upkeep cost that may be seen as elevated, there are alternatives within the same mana range that do not exact such a steep ongoing price for maintaining a presence on the field. These alternatives could prove more cost-effective in the long run, impacting deck performance.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Illusionary Forces is a card that can seamlessly integrate into blue-based tempo decks or strategies that capitalize on flying creatures. Its consistent damage output makes it a reliable threat in the skies.
Combo Potential: Thanks to its Illusion trait, this card works well with any synergies that involve sacrificing creatures for greater effects, or with abilities that capitalize on creatures entering or leaving the field.
Meta-Relevance: In metas where flying creatures are less contested, Illusionary Forces can serve as a formidable airborne presence, circumventing many ground-based defenses and asserting pressure on the opponent’s life total.
How to beat
Illusionary Forces is an intriguing creature card that challenges MTG players with its unique combination of flying and cumulative upkeep. Its strength lies in the ability to consistently deal damage from the air, bypassing many ground-based defenses. However, the cumulative upkeep cost means that it can become increasingly taxing for its controller to maintain on the battlefield as the game progresses.
Handling Illusionary Forces usually involves a strategy of patience and resource management. Since it requires the commitment of additional mana each turn, pressuring the opponent’s mana base can make it difficult for them to pay the upkeep, potentially forcing them to sacrifice the creature. Additionally, removing the creature with instant-speed spells before the upkeep triggers can be a cost-effective solution, ensuring that the upkeep cost becomes a burden for your opponent rather than an ongoing threat.
In essence, when facing Illusionary Forces, the key is in disrupting the opponent’s tempo and exploiting the upkeep cost. By forcing tough decisions and efficiently managing your removal spells, you can neutralize the advantage that Illusionary Forces offers and take control of the aerial battlefield in your MTG matches.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Illusionary Forces MTG card by a specific set like Ice Age and Masters 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 Illusionary Forces 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 Illusionary Forces Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1995-06-03 and 2007-09-10. Illustrated by Justin Hampton.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1995-06-03 | Ice Age | ICE | 75 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Justin Hampton | |
| 2 | 2007-09-10 | Masters Edition | ME1 | 38 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Justin Hampton |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Illusionary Forces has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Illusionary Forces card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2008-10-01 | Paying cumulative upkeep is always optional. If it’s not paid, the permanent with cumulative upkeep is sacrificed. Partial payments of the total cumulative upkeep cost can’t be made. For example, if a permanent with “cumulative upkeep ” has three age counters on it when its cumulative upkeep ability triggers, it gets another age counter and then its controller chooses to either pay or sacrifice the permanent. |