Crib Swap MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 9 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityUncommon
TypeTribal Instant — Shapeshifter
Abilities Changeling

Key Takeaways

  1. Exchanging creatures for tokens with Crib Swap can indirectly create card advantage and disrupt plays.
  2. Instant speed allows for flexible responses, making Crib Swap a valuable control tool in matches.
  3. The card’s utility may be offset by its mana cost and the token it grants to opponents.

Text of card

Changeling (This card is every creature type at all times.) Remove target creature from the game. Its controller puts a 1/1 colorless Shapeshifter creature token with changeling into play.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Exchanging an opponent’s creature for a token effectively removes a potential threat from the board, giving you an edge. Although Crib Swap doesn’t let you draw cards directly, its ability to disrupt an opponent’s strategy can be considered a form of indirect card advantage.

Resource Acceleration: While Crib Swap doesn’t produce mana or tokens, it offers a different kind of acceleration — tempo. By removing a key creature at a pivotal moment, you can accelerate your pace in the game, putting you ahead of your opponent in terms of board presence.

Instant Speed: The ability to use Crib Swap at instant speed provides the flexibility to respond to threats on the fly. This gives you the power to halt an opponent’s aggressive play or combo sequence, making it a versatile tool for controlling the pace of the match.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: For the Crib Swap MTG card, there isn’t a direct discard requirement from your hand, but the card does entail a sort of ‘discard’ as it exiles a creature. This removal can potentially backfire as it allows your opponent to search for a basic land card putting them ahead on mana.

Specific Mana Cost: Crib Swap demands one white mana, making it less accessible for decks that are not white-based. Its mana cost necessitates a commitment to white mana sources, which might not always align with a player’s deck strategy.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Despite its utility in exiling a creature, Crib Swap’s three-mana cost could be considered high considering other removal options in the game. Within the same range, there are spells that might provide additional benefits or affect multiple targets, offering more flexibility and efficiency on the battlefield.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Crib Swap offers flexibility by serving as an instant-speed removal that can disrupt your opponent’s strategy. It seamlessly integrates into decks heavy on tribal synergies, notably those using changelings or running a Shapeshifter theme.

Combo Potential: This card can act as a key piece in combos, especially in decks that capitalize on exile effects or require creature removal to trigger specific conditions.

Meta-Relevance: With creature-heavy decks often dominating the play environment, Crib Swap provides a quick answer to problematic creatures, potentially swinging the game in your favor.


How to beat

Crib Swap is a unique removal spell in the world of Magic the Gathering. Unlike other straightforward kill spells, Crib Swap exiles a creature and replaces it with a 1/1 colorless Shapeshifter token, which can potentially leave your opponent with some board presence. This exchange can sometimes work to your advantage, making Crib Swap a double-edged sword within gameplay.

To effectively combat the impact of Crib Swap, consider the value of your creatures. High-value targets on your side become less appealing when the consequence is merely a 1/1 token in their stead. Therefore, utilizing creatures with enter the battlefield or leave the battlefield effects can mitigate the downside substantially. You could also leverage the situation by holding onto instant-speed removal or bounce spells, ready to respond to the creation of the token. This can ensure that your opponent does not gain any advantage from the Shapeshifter they receive.

Another strategy to undermine Crib Swap’s effectiveness lies in deck construction. By incorporating cards that benefit from or even encourage creatures entering the graveyard, you turn Crib Swap’s exile effect into a less-than-ideal move for your opponent. Ultimately, understanding and predicting the timing and targets of Crib Swap can turn this seemingly detrimental spell into a manageable, if not advantageous, situation.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering MTG gameplay is an art, and including versatile cards like Crib Swap in your deck can turn the tides to your favor. If you’re keen on controlling the board and maintaining tempo, Crib Swap’s instant-speed exile power should not be overlooked. Its unique ability to replace a potential threat with a mere token is a tactical advantage that can fit seamlessly into many strategies. For enthusiasts who savor nuanced play and seek to refine their deck building skills, we encourage you to explore the potential of Crib Swap further. Navigate the complexities of creature removal and enhance your playing experience with our in-depth insights. Dive deeper into the strategic world of MTG with us, and let’s optimize your deck together for your next victorious match.


Cards like Crib Swap

Crib Swap is an intriguing option in Magic: The Gathering for players who need efficient creature removal. This spell can be compared to Unmake, another instant with the ability to exile a creature without targeting. While Crib Swap leaves a 1/1 creature token behind, Unmake offers no compensation to the opponent, making it a cleaner but more expensive solution.

Path to Exile stands as another comparable card, offering a swift and low-cost way to deal with threats by exiling them. However, unlike Crib Swap, Path to Exile provides the opponent with a land advantage, which may or may not be a more considerable downside compared to a token creature. Oblivion Ring also serves a similar purpose by exiling any nonland permanent. It’s more versatile than Crib Swap but at the risk of being temporary if the enchantment is removed.

In summary, Crib Swap has its niche as a removal card that offers a unique balance between cost, effect, and the slight disadvantage of giving an opponent a token creature. It’s a solid choice in decks that can benefit from its specific blend of traits.

Unmake - MTG Card versions
Path to Exile - MTG Card versions
Oblivion Ring - MTG Card versions
Unmake - Eventide (EVE)
Path to Exile - Wizards Play Network 2009 (PWP09)
Oblivion Ring - Lorwyn (LRW)

Cards similar to Crib Swap by color, type and mana cost

Bound in Silence - MTG Card versions
Bound in Silence - Time Spiral Remastered (TSR)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Crib Swap MTG card by a specific set like Lorwyn and Commander 2015, 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 Crib Swap and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Crib Swap Magic the Gathering card was released in 8 different sets between 2007-10-12 and 2022-06-10. Illustrated by Brandon Dorman.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12007-10-12LorwynLRW 112003normalblackBrandon Dorman
22015-11-13Commander 2015C15 652015normalblackBrandon Dorman
32018-06-08Commander Anthology Volume IICM2 222015normalblackBrandon Dorman
42018-08-09Commander 2018C18 652015normalblackBrandon Dorman
52019-11-07Mystery BoosterMB1 652015normalblackBrandon Dorman
62020-08-07Double Masters2XM 122015normalblackBrandon Dorman
72020-09-26The ListPLST C18-652015normalblackBrandon Dorman
82020-09-26The ListPLST LRW-112003normalblackBrandon Dorman
92022-06-10Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's GateCLB 6902015normalblackBrandon Dorman

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Crib Swap has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

Rules and information

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

DateText
2020-08-07 Changeling applies in all zones, not just the battlefield.
2020-08-07 If the target creature is an illegal target by the time Crib Swap tries to resolve, the spell won't resolve. No player will create a Shapeshifter token.
2020-08-07 Tribal is a card type (like creature or instant), not a supertype (like legendary).

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