Into the Time Vortex MTG Card


Into the Time Vortex enables card advantage and resource acceleration, enhancing control over the game’s flow. Its demand for a discard and specific mana can limit hand options and deck compatibility, respectively. Its unique ability to manipulate time counters makes it a strategic addition to any MTG collection.
Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityRare
TypeSorcery
Abilities Cascade,Rebound

Text of card

Cascade (When you cast this spell, exile cards from the top of your library until you exile a nonland card that costs less. You may cast it without paying its mana cost. Put the exiled cards on the bottom in a random order.) Rebound (If you cast this spell from your hand, exile it as it resolves. At the beginning of your next upkeep, you may cast this card from exile without paying its mana cost.)


Cards like Into the Time Vortex

Into the Time Vortex introduces a new dimension of temporal manipulation to Magic: The Gathering. It shares a kinship with Time Warp, a classic that enables players to take an extra turn. However, Into the Time Vortex adds a nuanced twist with its additional condition to keep the magic flowing. It’s not just about the extra turn; it’s about playing the long game.

Temporal Mastery is another card that parallels Into the Time Vortex with its extra turn capability. Mastery earns its keep by potentially costing less due to its Miracle keyword, but it lacks the recurring nature that Into the Time Vortex can provide under the right circumstances. Then, there’s Capture of Jingzhou, also granting an additional turn, sporting a similar mana cost but without any modern set legality or recursion benefits.

Assessing the echelon of turn-based sorceries in Magic: The Gathering, Into the Time Vortex finds its niche. It’s not just the raw power of an extra turn but the strategic depth it offers throughs its conditions and potential for repeated use that adds layers to gameplay and makes it a card worth considering in time-manipulating decks.

Time Warp - MTG Card versions
Temporal Mastery - MTG Card versions
Capture of Jingzhou - MTG Card versions
Time Warp - MTG Card versions
Temporal Mastery - MTG Card versions
Capture of Jingzhou - MTG Card versions

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Mogg Infestation - MTG Card versions
Jagged Lightning - MTG Card versions
Lava Axe - MTG Card versions
Burning Fields - MTG Card versions
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Shower of Coals - MTG Card versions
Torrent of Fire - MTG Card versions
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Card Pros

Card Advantage: Into the Time Vortex provides a significant edge by allowing a player to potentially eliminate an opponent’s threat while simultaneously drawing a card. This can lead to an advantageous position, bolstering the player’s hand and options on subsequent turns.

Resource Acceleration: Besides its primary function, this spell can contribute to resource acceleration by untapping up to two lands. This feature helps players stay ahead in the mana game, paving the way for casting additional spells or leaving mana open for potential responses during the opponent’s phase.

Instant Speed: The flexibility of casting Into the Time Vortex at instant speed is a massive boon. It enables strategic players to navigate complex game states by responding swiftly to opponent’s actions. Whether it’s disrupting a well-timed play or providing a surprise block by untapping a creature, the timing of this card can pivot the tide of a match.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Into the Time Vortex demands a discard from your hand to activate its potent ability. This can put you at a disadvantage, especially when your hand is nearing emptiness, limiting your ability to maintain card advantage.

Specific Mana Cost: To cast this card, you’ll need a precise combination of mana, including blue, which ties you down to decks that can produce this color reliably. Decks not running blue will find this card incompatible.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Requiring a sizeable investment of four mana, Into the Time Vortex may strain your resources. This is significant, as there are alternative spells in Magic that could allow you to delve into temporal magic at a lower cost, potentially freeing up mana for other spells and abilities in the same turn.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: “Into the Time Vortex” offers adaptability across various deck archetypes as it can manipulate time counters, enabling strategies that need fine-tuned control over suspended cards.

Combo Potential: This card works seamlessly with time counter mechanics to leverage powerful plays and synergizes with cards designed to capitalize on manipulating time within the game.

Meta-Relevance: Given its unique ability to interact with the speed of the game, “Into the Time Vortex” aligns well with decks that thrive in a meta where timing and pace control can dictate the victor.


How to beat

Delving into the realm of time manipulation, Into the Time Vortex emerges in Magic: The Gathering as a formidable card capable of altering the tide of the game. To effectively counter this powerful play, understanding and prediction become key. It’s essentially about predicting when an opponent might cast this potent spell and having a response ready. Holding up countermagic can be crucial, as cards like Dovin’s Veto or Negate can negate the spell before its effects can take root.

Additionally, if Into the Time Vortex is part of a combo or a key piece in your opponent’s strategy, disruption tactics can dismantle their plan. Hand disruption spells like Thoughtseize or Duress, remove it before it’s ever cast, further ensuring control over the game’s pace. Furthermore, if Into the Time Vortex makes it onto the battlefield, having a removal or bounce spell handy ensures you can deal with any threats it may have placed in suspended animation, leaving your opponent with fewer resources and setting you up for victory.

It’s paramount for players to remain vigilant and maintain a mix of preventive and reactive strategies while considering the deck’s strengths and adapting to the dynamic game environment. Successfully doing so can neutralize the advantage Into the Time Vortex offers, keeping you one step ahead in the match.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Into the Time Vortex MTG card by a specific set like Doctor Who and Doctor Who, 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 Into the Time Vortex and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Into the Time Vortex Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2023-10-13 and 2023-10-13. Illustrated by Kekai Kotaki.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12023-10-13Doctor WhoWHO 6932015NormalBlackKekai Kotaki
22023-10-13Doctor WhoWHO 9782015NormalBlackKekai Kotaki
32023-10-13Doctor WhoWHO 882015NormalBlackKekai Kotaki
42023-10-13Doctor WhoWHO 3872015NormalBlackKekai Kotaki

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Into the Time Vortex has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Into the Time Vortex card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2023-10-13 A spell's mana value is determined only by its mana cost. Ignore any alternative costs, additional costs, cost increases, or cost reductions.
2023-10-13 Cascade triggers when you cast the spell, meaning that it resolves before that spell. If you end up casting the exiled card, it will go on the stack above the spell with cascade.
2023-10-13 Due to a 2021 rules change to cascade, not only do you stop exiling cards if you exile a nonland card with lesser mana value than the spell with cascade, but the resulting spell you cast must also have lesser mana value. Previously, in cases where a card's mana value differed from the resulting spell, such as with some modal double-faced cards or cards with an Adventure, you could cast a spell with a higher mana value than the exiled card.
2023-10-13 If a spell with cascade is countered, the cascade ability will still resolve normally.
2023-10-13 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.
2023-10-13 If you cast a card "without paying its mana cost," 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 to cast the card.
2023-10-13 The mana value of a split card is determined by the combined mana cost of its two halves. If cascade allows you to cast a split card, you may cast either half but not both halves (unless the card has fuse).
2023-10-13 When the cascade ability resolves, you must exile cards. The only optional part of the ability is whether or not you cast the last card exiled.
2023-10-13 You exile the cards face up. All players will be able to see them.