Illusionary Mask MTG Card
1993-08-05 - Number 249
1993-10-04 - Number 250
1993-12-01 - Number 250
1993-12-10 - Number 250
1993-12-10 - Number 250
2009-09-07 - Number 197
2010-11-08 - Number A114
2022-11-28 - Number 543
2022-11-28 - Number 246
| Card sets | Released in 9 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Artifact |
Text of card
oo X You can summon a creature face down so opponent doesn't know what it is. The X cost can be any amount of mana, even 0; it serves to hide the true casting cost of the creature, which you still have to spend. As soon as a face-down creature receives damage, deals damage, or is tapped, you must turn it face up.
Cards like Illusionary Mask
The Illusionary Mask card presents an intriguing facet to creature deployment strategies in MTG. Functioning analogously to Phyrexian Dreadnought, it allows you to put a creature onto the battlefield face-down, circumventing its casting cost. Conversely, Phyrexian Dreadnought boasts a massive 12/12 stat line for a single mana but demands a steep sacrifice of creatures totaling 12 power or explores avenues like Stifle to negate this downside. Illusionary Mask offers tactical flexibility, though it requires precise mana payment corresponding to the creature’s cost you aim to play face-down.
Exploring further, we notice Morphling as a kin card, known for its versatile adaptation in combat and abilities. Illusionary Mask shares this concept of versatility and unpredictability, albeit in how creatures enter the battlefield rather than their in-game adjustments. Additionally, Tezzeret the Seeker emerges as a linkage in utility. While not directly akin in function, Tezzeret enables fetching artifacts like Illusionary Mask, enhancing artifact-based synergies.
Ultimately, Illusionary Mask carves itself a niche within artifact utilities in MTG, renowned for its unique facade it brings to the game. It stands out in a class of its own, offering players the ability to strategize with an element of surprise.
Cards similar to Illusionary Mask by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Illusionary Mask has the capability to conceal your creatures’ identities, making it harder for your opponent to anticipate your moves and strategize effectively. This surprise element can lead to a significant advantage for players who can capitalize on the unpredictability it generates.
Resource Acceleration: By paying only {X}, you can put any creature from your hand onto the battlefield face down. This effectively allows you to manage your resources more efficiently, as the spent mana can be tailored to the situation rather than being tied to the creature’s actual casting cost.
Instant Speed: The power of Illusionary Mask lies in its ability to be activated at instant speed. This means that during any phase of your opponent’s turn, you can deploy a threat without giving away what it is, maintaining both pressure and the element of surprise.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One of the drawbacks of Illusionary Mask is that it often entails a discard mechanism to effectively utilize its ability. This can set a player back if they’re running low on cards, essentially forcing them to choose between playing a creature and maintaining hand advantage.
Specific Mana Cost: The Mask requires a precise investment of mana to both play and activate its ability. While it’s colorless and can fit into any deck, the necessity to pay exact mana makes its activation less flexible, particularly in multi-colored decks that may have complex mana requirements elsewhere.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: For an older card, Illusionary Mask has a relatively steep cost, especially given the power level of contemporary options available. Deploying it and utilizing its function efficiently requires a significant mana investment which could otherwise be allocated to more impactful plays on the board.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Illusionary Mask allows players to put creatures onto the battlefield face down, introducing surprise elements into their game strategy. This flexibility ensures it can be incorporated into a variety of deck archetypes that favor the element of surprise or protective tactics.
Combo Potential: The Mask has combo potential with cards that have powerful enter-the-battlefield effects or when paired with creatures that benefit from not being targeted until they are revealed. This can create unexpected game states and advantageous interactions.
Meta-Relevance: As the MTG landscape evolves, having reactive cards like Illusionary Mask can adapt to various opponents. Its ability to discreetly deploy threats keeps opponents guessing, maintaining relevance in diverse meta environments.
How to beat
The Illusionary Mask from Magic the Gathering is a unique artifact with the capacity to surprise opponents by hiding your creatures. Unlike similar elements in MTG, the Mask allows you to pay a variable mana cost and put a creature into play face-down. This tactic can turn the tide during gameplay by unveiling the creature at the opportune moment to block or to unleash a surprise attack.
To counter the strategic advantage of the Illusionary Mask, it is critical to have control elements or abilities that reveal hidden information. Cards with the “reveal” mechanic or those that force your opponent to play with their hand exposed can diminish the Mask’s effectiveness. Artifact removal spells are invaluable too, enabling you to dispose of the Mask before it becomes too much of a threat. Keeping an eye on the types of mana your opponent is using to activate the Illusionary Mask can also give hints to what might be lurking behind its veil, allowing you to plan accordingly for potential creatures.
In essence, adaptation and anticipation are key when facing the Illusionary Mask. By employing disruption tactics and staying vigilant, you can navigate around the surprises it holds and maintain the upper hand in your games of MTG.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Illusionary Mask MTG card by a specific set like Limited Edition Alpha and Limited Edition Beta, 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 Mask 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 Mask Magic the Gathering card was released in 8 different sets between 1993-08-05 and 2022-11-28. Illustrated by Amy Weber.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1993-08-05 | Limited Edition Alpha | LEA | 249 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Amy Weber | |
| 2 | 1993-10-04 | Limited Edition Beta | LEB | 250 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Amy Weber | |
| 3 | 1993-12-01 | Unlimited Edition | 2ED | 250 | 1993 | Normal | White | Amy Weber | |
| 4 | 1993-12-10 | Intl. Collectors' Edition | CEI | 250 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Amy Weber | |
| 5 | 1993-12-10 | Collectors' Edition | CED | 250 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Amy Weber | |
| 6 | 2009-09-07 | Masters Edition III | ME3 | 197 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Amy Weber | |
| 7 | 2010-11-08 | Magic Online Theme Decks | TD0 | A114 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Amy Weber | |
| 8 | 2022-11-28 | 30th Anniversary Edition | 30A | 543 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Amy Weber | |
| 9 | 2022-11-28 | 30th Anniversary Edition | 30A | 246 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Amy Weber |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Illusionary Mask has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Oldschool | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Illusionary Mask card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2004-10-04 | Only the controller of the face down creature can look at it. |
| 2004-10-04 | The creature enters the battlefield face down, so none of its “enters the battlefield” abilities will trigger or have any effect. Also none of its “As this enters the battlefield” abilities apply. |
| 2004-10-04 | The creature’s “enters the battlefield” abilities (and any other abilities relating to the creature entering the battlefield) do not trigger when it turns face up. |
| 2009-10-01 | Both the amount and types of mana you spend on are taken into account while you’re choosing a creature card from your hand. For example, if you spent on , you can choose a creature card with mana cost , , , or {W/U}{W/U}, among other possibilities, but not one that costs or one that costs . |
| 2009-10-01 | If you use the ability to cast a creature card face down, you must keep track of the amount and types of mana you spent on . If that creature spell is moved from the stack to anywhere other than the battlefield, the resulting creature leaves the battlefield, or the game ends, the face-down card is revealed. If its mana cost couldn’t be paid by some amount of, or all of, the mana you spent on , all applicable penalties for casting a card illegally are assessed. |
| 2009-10-01 | Illusionary Mask’s ability will continue to apply to creatures cast face down with it, even if Illusionary Mask has left the battlefield. |
| 2009-10-01 | The effect that turns it face-up is a replacement effect. It doesn’t use the stack and can’t be responded to. |
| 2009-10-01 | While the creature card is face down, it’s a 2/2 creature with no name, mana cost, color, creature type, abilities, or expansion symbol. Since it has no mana cost, its converted mana cost is 0. |
| 2009-10-01 | You actually cast the card face-down, much as when playing a spell with Morph. It can be responded to and countered. |
| 2009-10-01 | You can turn a face-down permanent face up if it would have morph while face up. This applies to creatures you cast face down as a result of Illusionary Mask’s effect. The rest of Illusionary Mask’s effect applies to it as well. |
| 2009-10-01 | You may look at a face-down spell or permanent you control at any time. |
| 2009-10-01 | You may not turn a face-down spell face up. You may not turn a face-down permanent face up unless it would have morph while face up or an effect specifically allows you to turn it face up. Illusionary Mask’s ability has you turn a face-down creature face up if it would assign damage, deal damage, be dealt damage, or become tapped, but not for any other reason. For example, if you use Illusionary Mask’s ability to cast a black creature face down, you can’t turn it face up just because it’s being targeted by Terror. |