Visions of Duplicity MTG Card
2021-09-24 - Number 71
2021-09-24 - Number 33
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Sorcery |
| Abilities | Flashback |
Key Takeaways
- Offers control of the game by swapping creatures, aligning with blue’s strategic identity.
- Instant speed usage confers flexibility, disrupting opponents’ plans unpredictably.
- Requires careful play as mana cost and card loss can be significant drawbacks.
Text of card
Exchange control of two target creatures you don't control. Flashback . This spell costs less to cast this way, where X is the greatest mana value of a commander you own on the battlefield or in the command zone.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Visions of Duplicity can be a game-changer by offering you control of an opponent’s creature while lending them one of lesser value, ensuring you gain the upper hand in battlefield presence.
Resource Acceleration: By strategically selecting which creature to exchange, you can accelerate your board state to a more advantageous position, outpacing your opponent and setting yourself up for future turns.
Instant Speed: The ability to cast Visions of Duplicity at instant speed gives you the flexibility to disrupt an opponent’s plans during their turn, or even in response to combat, making it a versatile tool for maintaining control of the game’s pace.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Visions of Duplicity demands that you part with another card from your hand to even get the spell off the ground. In situations where your hand is already scarce, this can further strain your gameplay and force difficult decisions.
Specific Mana Requirement: The casting cost for Visions of Duplicity is locked into blue mana. This specificity can pose a hurdle in multicolored decks that might struggle with mana consistency, thereby reducing the card’s flexibility across different deck types.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that isn’t exactly on the low end, Visions of Duplicity can be a bit cumbersome, especially when you consider the pace of the game and alternative spells that can be cast for less. Players might find other cards that accomplish similar goals without the hefty mana investment.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Visions of Duplicity is a flexible addition to any deck that thrives on misdirection and control. Its ability to exchange control of two target creatures not only disrupts your opponents but can temporarily benefit your own board state as well.
Combo Potential: This card shines when paired with creatures that have enter-the-battlefield effects or when used to trade away creatures you’ve already gained value from. It opens opportunities for creative and potentially game-ending synergies.
Meta-Relevance: Given the popularity of creature-based strategies in various formats, the capacity to turn the tide by swapping key pieces can be a serious advantage. Plus, it’s a smart play against decks that rely on a single powerful creature to dominate the game.
How to beat
Visions of Duplicity offers a unique twist within the realm of exchange spells in Magic: The Gathering. This card allows players to temporarily swap control of two target creatures they don’t control, injecting unpredictability into the match and potentially disrupting opponents’ strategies. To navigate against Visions of Duplicity, it is essential to recognize the importance of timing and control.
One reliable strategy is to limit the number of valuable creatures on the battlefield. If Visions of Duplicity is expected, playing fewer creatures with high impact can reduce the efficacy of such exchange spells. Another tactic is to maintain instant-speed removal or bounce spells in hand, ready to respond to the exchange. By removing one of the targeted creatures in response, the spell will fizzle due to lack of targets, thus nullifying the effect entirely.
Lastly, employing hexproof or shroud to protect valuable creatures ensures they remain out of your opponent’s temporary reach. This not only hinders Visions of Duplicity’s implementation but also preserves your board state. In essence, thoughtful play and control of the board can effectively diminish the impact of this tricky exchange spell on the game.
Cards like Visions of Duplicity
Visions of Duplicity carves its niche in the realm of trickery and control within Magic: The Gathering. It bears a resemblance in effect to cards such as Sower of Temptation, granting the ability to gain control of opponents’ creatures. However, Visions of Duplicity adds a layer of complexity by offering an exchange of two creatures for turns, requiring both strategic timing and finesse. Sower of Temptation, though formidable, doesn’t facilitate this two-way exchange.
Another comparable card is Control Magic, a classic that straightforwardly takes command of a creature for as long as it remains on the field. While Control Magic offers a more enduring advantage, with Visions of Duplicity’s temporary swap, you may capitalize on two different creatures’ abilities in a single move – a potential for game-changing plays. Meanwhile, Switcheroo closely mirrors Visions of Duplicity’s exchange effect, yet it notably lacks the option to return the creatures to their original owners, missing the temporary alliance’s strategic depth.
Juxtaposing Visions of Duplicity with similar MTG cards illuminates its unique position. The card’s distinctive temporary creature exchange can be a pivotal play, providing a clever tactician with the means to tilt the battlefield in their favor momentarily.
Cards similar to Visions of Duplicity by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Visions of Duplicity MTG card by a specific set like Midnight Hunt Commander and Midnight Hunt Commander, 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 Visions of Duplicity 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 Visions of Duplicity Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2021-09-24 and 2021-09-24. Illustrated by Alexander Mokhov.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2021-09-24 | Midnight Hunt Commander | MIC | 71 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Alexander Mokhov | |
| 2 | 2021-09-24 | Midnight Hunt Commander | MIC | 33 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Alexander Mokhov |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Visions of Duplicity has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Visions of Duplicity card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2021-09-24 | A spell cast using flashback will always be exiled afterward, whether it resolves, is countered, or leaves the stack in some other way. |
| 2021-09-24 | If a card with flashback is put into your graveyard during your turn, you can cast it if it's legal to do so before any other player can take any actions. |
| 2021-09-24 | To determine the total cost of a spell, start with the mana cost or alternative cost (such as a flashback cost) you're paying, add any cost increases, then apply any cost reductions. The mana value of the spell is determined only by its mana cost, no matter what the total cost to cast the spell was. |
| 2021-09-24 | You can cast a spell using flashback even if it was somehow put into your graveyard without having been cast. |
| 2021-09-24 | You must still follow any timing restrictions and permissions, including those based on the card's type. For instance, you can cast a sorcery using flashback only when you could normally cast a sorcery. |
| 2021-09-24 | “Flashback -ost]” means “You may cast this card from your graveyard by paying -ost] rather than paying its mana cost” and “If the flashback cost was paid, exile this card instead of putting it anywhere else any time it would leave the stack.” |
