Foul Play MTG Card
2021-09-24 - Number 101
2022-01-28 - Number 101
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Sorcery |
| Abilities | Investigate |
Key Takeaways
- Combines creature removal with card draw for dynamic control and resource advantage.
- Managed costs aid strategy without sacrificing momentum or board presence.
- Instants like Foul Play provide surprise plays, pivotal in tight matches.
Text of card
Destroy target creature with power 2 or less. Investigate. (Create a Clue token. It's an artifact with ", Sacrifice this artifact: Draw a card.")
The evidence was overwhelming. Tovolar's howlpack was getting bolder, smarter, and stronger.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: In the complex tapestry of MTG, Foul Play shines by potentially removing an opponent’s threat while simultaneously drawing you a card. This exchange tips the scales in your favor, as you effectively deal with a problem while replenishing your hand, often crucial for sustaining momentum during a match.
Resource Acceleration: Though not directly related to mana, Foul Play’s cost efficiency enables you to dispatch creatures without overcommitting resources. Priced modestly, it aligns well with a strategy aiming to deploy multiple spells in a turn or to set up for future plays without falling behind on board presence.
Instant Speed: The adaptability offered by instant speed spells is invaluable, and Foul Play is no exception. It allows you to navigate the battlefield on your terms, dealing with emerging threats reactively. Waiting until just the right moment to cast it can disrupt your opponent’s strategy and maintain the element of surprise, a crucial factor in any match.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Foul Play demands players to discard another card, potentially depleting their hand and reducing strategic options. This can be especially cumbersome when gripping crucial late-game pieces.
Specific Mana Cost: Sporting a single black mana in its cost, Foul Play may not seamlessly fit into multicolor decks, potentially hampering deck-building flexibility and mana base consistency.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: The three mana investment for Foul Play’s effect might feel steep alongside alternatives that disrupt opponents at a lower cost, providing a pause for players considering its role in their decks.
Reasons to Include Foul Play in Your Collection
Versatility: Foul Play is a nimble addition to your deck that can adapt to a wide range of situations. Whether you’re dealing with early threats or combating creatures with potent abilities, this card provides a straightforward answer without overcommitting resources.
Combo Potential: The card not only exiles a creature with power 2 or less but also lets you investigate. This opens up opportunities for synergy with clues and artifact-related mechanics, amplifying your strategy with additional layers of play.
Meta-Relevance: With the shifting landscape of competitive play, a card like Foul Play which efficiently deals with early game threats can be crucial in maintaining board control. Its inclusion can give you the edge you need when facing off against aggro and tempo decks that rely on establishing a strong board presence quickly.
How to beat
Foul Play is a nifty piece in the puzzle of creature control strategies within the complex world of Magic: The Gathering. Cast at a mere two mana, it offers an efficient option for dealing with early game creatures. However, what truly catches the attention is its Adventurous mechanic, allowing you to play the card as a sorcery to destroy a creature with no counters on it and draw a card. Sleight of hand indeed! But the card’s power is not without limits.
To effectively counter Foul Play, one should consider populating the battlefield with creatures that consistently accumulate counters, such as those synergizing with the +1/+1 counter mechanic or creatures that naturally enter the battlefield with counters. Such strategies reduce the card’s potential by rendering its condition unfulfillable. Additionally, giving your creatures hexproof or indestructible through spells or abilities shields them from becoming the tragic stars of Foul Play’s mischievous act.
Bearing in mind these tactics, one can continue to build out their board without fear of an untimely demise of their creatures. Remember, adaptability and thoughtful play are key in overcoming the cunning tricks that opponents may have up their sleeve in Magic: The Gathering.
Cards like Foul Play
Foul Play from Magic: The Gathering intriguingly stands out in the realm of removal spells. This card shares common ground with other spells such as Cast Down, which also allows a swift removal of creatures. Yet, Foul Play differentiates itself with the added utility of Investigate, granting the player a clue token that can be used later to draw a card. Unlike Cast Down, Foul Play has the dual advantage of creature control and potential card advantage.
Examining Doom Blade, another spell from the vast array of removals, we notice it costs the same but is limited to non-black creatures. While Doom Blade does not offer any additional benefits, Foul Play provides a resourceful edge. Go for the Throat serves a similar role at the same mana cost but is restricted to non-artifact creatures. Foul Play’s versatility shines through here by not having such limitations and moreover, allowing the player to delve deeper into their library with the clue token.
Assessing the versatility and extra benefits that come with Foul Play, it’s clear that amongst its peers, it offers a unique blend of direct creature control along with potential for card advantage, positioning it as a multipurpose tool for players in Magic: The Gathering.
Cards similar to Foul Play by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Foul Play MTG card by a specific set like Innistrad: Midnight Hunt and Innistrad: Double Feature, 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 Foul Play and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- 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
See MTG Products
Printings
The Foul Play Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2021-09-24 and 2022-01-28. Illustrated by Campbell White.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2021-09-24 | Innistrad: Midnight Hunt | MID | 101 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Campbell White | |
| 2 | 2022-01-28 | Innistrad: Double Feature | DBL | 101 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Campbell White |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Foul Play has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Future | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
