Inevitable Betrayal MTG Card
2021-06-18 - Number 390
2021-06-18 - Number 446
2021-06-18 - Number 47
2021-06-19 - Number 47s
2002-06-24 - Number 91239
| Card sets | Released in 5 setsSee all |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Sorcery |
| Abilities | Suspend |
Text of card
Suspend 3— (Rather than cast this card from your hand, pay and exile it with three time counters on it. At the beginning of your upkeep, remove a time counter. When the last is removed, cast it without paying its mana cost.) Search target opponent's library for a creature card and put that card onto the battlefield under your control. Then that player shuffles.
Cards like Inevitable Betrayal
Inevitable Betrayal is a unique card that serves as an intriguing comparison point among Magic: The Gathering’s array of game-changing spells. It fits into a niche category of cards with the suspend ability, somewhat akin to the infamous Ancestral Vision, which bypasses mana cost for a powerful effect after a delay. What makes Inevitable Betrayal stand out is its capacity to directly steal an opponent’s creature, offering a massive shift in board presence.
This card also draws parallels to the likes of Bribery, another potent spell allowing you to choose a creature from an opponent’s deck to put onto the battlefield under your control. However, Inevitable Betrayal allows for this impact without paying the creature’s mana cost upfront, thanks to its suspend mechanic. Then there’s Gonti, Lord of Luxury, which similarly lets you cast one of an opponent’s cards, but it doesn’t grant the same level of selection nor the potential for immediate board impact.
Even so, Inevitable Betrayal delivers a distinct strategic advantage by postponing its effect, which can lead to unexpected reversals and highlight a player’s foresight in timing. Exploring this spell within the MTG universe reveals its unique position to simultaneously disrupt and empower strategies on the battlefield.
Cards similar to Inevitable Betrayal by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Inevitable Betrayal. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Beanstalk Control | Legacy | Beanstalk Control | Legacy Preliminary 2024-03-29 |
 | Bant Control | Modern | Bant Control | Modern Preliminary 2024-03-12 (1) |
 | Electro Rhinos | Modern | Electro Rhinos | Modern Preliminary 2024-03-11 (1) |
 | Crashing Footfalls | Modern | Crashing Footfalls | Modern Preliminary 2024-01-03 (1) |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Inevitable Betrayal provides a unique twist on card advantage as it allows you to not only draw a card but potentially pluck the most compelling threat from an opponent’s deck. This ability can seriously disrupt your opponent’s strategy and give you a significant edge.
Resource Acceleration: As part of the “Suspend” mechanic, this card can be cast ahead of time for a cheaper mana investment, effectively smoothing out your curve and allowing you to allocate resources more efficiently in earlier turns. Upon resolution, you gain control of an opponent’s creature, which can swing the balance of resources in your favor.
Instant Speed: The fact that Inevitable Betrayal can be cast at instant speed, once its suspend period is over, offers an incredible amount of strategic flexibility. You can wait for the most opportune moment to take the best creature your opponent plays, which often leads to dramatic shifts in the game state at pivotal moments.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Inevitable Betrayal comes with the caveat of needing to pitch another card from your hand. This mandate can be taxing, especially in situations where each card in hand is vital for your strategy or when you’re already behind on card advantage.
Specific Mana Cost: This spell isn’t color-flexible, demanding three blue mana, which may strain mana bases not heavily invested in blue. This requirement could deter the inclusion of Inevitable Betrayal in decks with a more diverse color palette or those relying on a tight mana curve.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a suspend cost that’s not insignificant, Inevitable Betrayal might seem less appealing when compared to other blue spells or theft options that don’t necessitate a three-turn setup. In the fast-paced, ever-evolving game state of MTG, the cost and time investment need to be carefully weighed against potential immediate alternatives.
Reasons to Include Inevitable Betrayal in Your Collection
Versatility: Inevitable Betrayal is a flexible card that can be slotted into various decks. Its Suspend mechanic allows for strategic planning, letting you set up for a powerful turn in the future.
Combo Potential: This card can be a game-changer in the right combo. Its ability to steal an opponent’s creature at no immediate mana cost can turn the tides by not only improving your board state but by disrupting your opponent’s plans.
Meta-Relevance: In matches where large, game-ending creatures are common, Inevitable Betrayal shines. It can pinch hit as a crucial removal tool or provide a significant threat from your opponent’s deck, adapting well to various metagame shifts.
How to beat Inevitable Betrayal
Inevitable Betrayal is a suspenseful card that can turn the tides of any Magic: The Gathering game by allowing a deep delve into an opponent’s library to cast one of their spells without paying the mana cost. Unlike straightforward removal or direct damage spells, overcoming this treacherous card requires a bit more finesse and strategic planning.
The key to beating Inevitable Betrayal is maintaining a robust hand and a well-thought-out deck composition. Having counterspells ready can thwart the suspend mechanic before the betrayal unfolds. Strategies that focus on hand disruption can effectively strip this threat from your opponent’s grip before it even suspends. Additionally, employing instant speed removal or sacrifice effects in response to the suspend trigger helps ensure that you’re not left at a disadvantage when the card resolves.
Finally, keeping pressure on your opponent’s life total and their board state can limit the effectiveness of Inevitable Betrayal. If they’re too busy dealing with on-board threats, they might not have the luxury to suspend and wait. By cultivating a proactive game plan and remaining aware of potential threats, you can navigate around the dangers of Inevitable Betrayal and secure your victory in the intricate dance of Magic: The Gathering.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Inevitable Betrayal MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Modern Horizons 2, 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 Inevitable Betrayal and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
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- MTG Mint Card
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Printings
The Inevitable Betrayal Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2021-06-18 and 2021-06-19. Illustrated by Franz Vohwinkel.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Magic Online Promos | PRM | 91239 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Franz Vohwinkel | ||
| 2 | 2021-06-18 | Modern Horizons 2 | MH2 | 390 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Franz Vohwinkel | |
| 3 | 2021-06-18 | Modern Horizons 2 | MH2 | 446 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Franz Vohwinkel | |
| 4 | 2021-06-18 | Modern Horizons 2 | MH2 | 47 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Franz Vohwinkel | |
| 5 | 2021-06-19 | Modern Horizons 2 Promos | PMH2 | 47s | 2015 | Normal | Black | Franz Vohwinkel |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Inevitable Betrayal has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Inevitable Betrayal card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2021-06-18 | A card with no mana cost can't be cast normally; you'll need a way to cast it for an alternative cost or without paying its mana cost, such as by suspending it. |
| 2021-06-18 | As the second triggered ability resolves, you must cast the card if able. You must do so even if it requires targets and the only legal targets are ones that you really don't want to target. Timing permissions based on the card's type are ignored. |
| 2021-06-18 | Cards exiled with suspend are exiled face up. |
| 2021-06-18 | Exiling a card with suspend isn't casting that card. This action doesn't use the stack and can't be responded to. |
| 2021-06-18 | If a card with no mana cost is given an alternative cost equal to its mana cost (by Snapcaster Mage, for example), that cost cannot be paid and the card cannot be cast this way. |
| 2021-06-18 | If an effect refers to a “suspended card,” that means a card that (1) has suspend, (2) is in exile, and (3) has one or more time counters on it. |
| 2021-06-18 | If the card has in its mana cost, you must choose 0 as the value of X when casting it without paying its mana cost. |
| 2021-06-18 | If the first triggered ability of suspend (the one that removes time counters) is countered, no time counter is removed. The ability will trigger again at the beginning of the card's owner's next upkeep. |
| 2021-06-18 | If the second triggered ability is countered, the card can't be cast. It remains exiled with no time counters on it, and it's no longer suspended. |
| 2021-06-18 | If the spell requires any targets, those targets are chosen when the spell is finally cast, not when it's exiled. |
| 2021-06-18 | If you can't cast the card, perhaps because there are no legal targets available, it remains exiled with no time counters on it, and it's no longer suspended. |
| 2021-06-18 | If you cast a card “without paying its mana cost,” such as with suspend, you can't choose to cast it for any alternative costs. You can, however, pay additional costs. If the card has any mandatory additional costs, you must pay those if you want to cast the card. |
| 2021-06-18 | Suspend is a keyword that represents three abilities. The first is a static ability that allows you to exile the card from your hand with the specified number of time counters (the number before the dash) on it by paying its suspend cost (listed after the dash). The second is a triggered ability that removes a time counter from the suspended card at the beginning of each of your upkeeps. The third is a triggered ability that causes you to cast the card when the last time counter is removed. If you cast a creature spell this way, it gains haste until you lose control of that creature (or, in rare cases, you lose control of the creature spell while it's on the stack). |
| 2021-06-18 | The mana value of a spell cast without paying its mana cost is determined by its mana cost, even though that cost wasn't paid. |
| 2021-06-18 | When the last time counter is removed, the second triggered ability of suspend (the one that lets you cast the card) triggers. It doesn't matter why the last time counter was removed or what effect removed it. |
| 2021-06-18 | You are never forced to activate mana abilities to pay costs, so if there is a mandatory additional mana cost (such as from Thalia, Guardian of Thraben), you can decline to activate mana abilities to pay for it and hence fail to cast the suspended card, leaving it in exile. |
| 2021-06-18 | You can exile a card in your hand using suspend any time you could cast that card. Consider its card type, any effects that modify when you could cast it (such as flash) and any other effects that stop you from casting it (such as from Meddling Mage's ability) to determine if and when you can do this. Whether you could actually complete all steps in casting the card is irrelevant. For example, you can exile a card with suspend that has no mana cost or that requires a target even if no legal targets are available at that time. |
| 2021-06-18 | You may fail to find a creature card in your opponent's library. This may be because they don't have any creature cards, or it may be because you simply don't like any of the creature cards they do have. |