Illusionary Servant MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Illusion |
| Abilities | Flying |
| Released | 2009-07-17 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Magic 2010 |
| Set code | M10 |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 4 |
| Number | 57 |
| Frame | 2003 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Dave Kendall |
Text of card
Flying When Illusionary Servant becomes the target of a spell or ability, sacrifice it.
"Illusion is a handy but fragile medium. Use it only in a pinch, or against the dim-witted." —Jace Beleren
Cards like Illusionary Servant
The Illusionary Servant offers an interesting dynamic in the realm of Magic: The Gathering creature cards. Not unlike the Phantasmal Bear, which boasts similar conditional durability due to its vulnerability to target spells or abilities, the Illusionary Servant comes with a strength-meets-fragility trade-off. When it comes to power, the Servant edges out the Bear, contributing a forceful 3/4 presence on the battlefield compared to the Bear’s modest 2/2 stance. However, both succumb instantly to being targeted, reflecting the delicate nature of illusions in MTG.
Another comparison arises with Krovikan Mist, which also hails from the illusion creature type. This creature adjusts its power and toughness in line with the number of illusions under your command, offering potentially greater strength than the Illusionary Servant. However, the lack of guarantee around its scalability can make it less reliable in the early game. Moreover, unlike the Illusionary Servant’s static power/toughness metrics, the Mist’s dependence on other illusions makes it more vulnerable to fluctuation and removals that can affect board dominance.
Considering these elements, the Illusionary Servant is a formidable addition for players who value high power and toughness for cost efficiency, despite the intrinsic brittle nature of illusions in MTG gameplay.
Cards similar to Illusionary Servant by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Navigating the intricate tides of magic and power, Illusionary Servant subtly contributes to your hand by posing a threat that must be answered. This card maintains pressure on your opponent, often compelling them to waste removal spells or strategies to deal with it, thus indirectly contributing to your card advantage over the course of a game.
Resource Acceleration: While Illusionary Servant itself doesn’t accelerate resources in the traditional sense, its presence can lead to a faster game state. By deploying a 3/4 flying creature early in the game, you place a significant threat on the board, which may force your opponent to divert resources towards it, hence accelerating the resource strain on them rather than on you.
Instant Speed: The key to maintaining dominance in MTG is adaptability, and Illusionary Servant complements this by demanding answers at any time. Even though it is not an instant-speed spell itself, the card synergizes well with instant-speed plays that can protect it or remove threats that force it to leave the battlefield, enabling you to keep your momentum and maintain strategic flexibility.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Illusionary Servant necessitates an immediate sacrifice when targeted by spells or abilities. This drawback requires careful play, as it can lead to an unexpected loss of board presence, leaving you vulnerable.
Specific Mana Cost: Tapping into blue mana sources, its casting cost can be restrictive for multicolored decks optimizing mana efficiency. Thus, it fits best within mono-blue structures, where its true potential can be unlocked.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Priced at three mana, it may overshadow the 3/4 flyer’s prowess. While its stats are solid, other creatures offer more resilience or additional abilities, presenting more value for the mana invested.
Reasons to Include Illusionary Servant in Your Collection
Versatility: Illusionary Servant has the flexibility to be slotted into various blue-based decks. Its proficiency in evasion makes it a fitting choice for strategies focusing on direct attacks while avoiding enemy creatures.
Combo Potential: This card pairs well with mechanics that protect illusions, or benefit from creatures entering or leaving the battlefield, amplifying intricate game plans. Its synergy with flicker effects can also be a cornerstone for combo-oriented decks.
Meta-Relevance: In an environment filled with targeted removal, Illusionary Servant might not seem like a natural fit. However, its relevance can spike in metas where combat tricks and blanket protection spells are prevalent, allowing it to remain a formidable threat on the board.
How to beat
When facing off against Illusionary Servant in your MTG matches, it’s crucial to understand the card’s strengths and potential weaknesses. This blue creature’s abilities make it a formidable presence, primarily due to its evasive flying attribute. Additionally, its power and toughness of 3/4 make it capable of withstanding common damage-based removal spells.
However, its susceptibility lies in its very nature as an illusion; the requirement that it must be sacrificed if targeted by a spell or ability gives you an avenue to force its demise. Tactical use of spells that can target Illusionary Servant, even benign effects from your own cards, can trigger this self-destruct mechanism. Moreover, considering its three-mana cost, there’s an opportunity cost for your opponent, as their mana investment can be negated with your smart play. Adeptly managing your spells and focusing on disrupting your opponent’s strategy will reliably keep Illusionary Servant in check.
Ultimately, by leveraging targeted spells judiciously and maintaining control over the tempo of the game, you can diminish the impact of Illusionary Servant, maintaining your competitive edge in the duel.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Illusionary Servant MTG card by a specific set like Magic 2010, 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 Servant 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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Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Illusionary Servant has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Illusionary Servant card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2009-10-01 | If Illusionary Servant becomes the target of a spell or ability, Illusionary Servant’s ability triggers and is put on the stack on top of that spell or ability. Illusionary Servant’s ability will resolve (causing it to be sacrificed) first. Unless the spell or ability has another target, it will then be countered when it tries to resolve for having no legal targets. |