String of Disappearances MTG Card


String of Disappearances - Modern Horizons
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityCommon
TypeInstant
Released2019-06-14
Set symbol
Set nameModern Horizons
Set codeMH1
Number72
Frame2015
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred bySeb McKinnon

Key Takeaways

  1. Control your opponent’s board and tempo with the tactical bounce effect of String of Disappearances.
  2. Unlock combo possibilities and reuse creature abilities by bouncing your own creatures.
  3. Prioritize versatility in deck-building by considering String of Disappearances for strategic depth.

Text of card

Return target creature to its owner's hand. Then that creature's controller may pay . If the player does, they may copy this spell and may choose a new target for that copy.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: While String of Disappearances may not directly allow you to draw cards, its bounce effect can effectively remove an opponent’s invested resources from the board, potentially undoing their card advantage.

Resource Acceleration: String of Disappearances offers a unique form of resource acceleration by potentially chaining its effect. Upon casting it on your own creature, you can return that creature to hand and replay it, possibly triggering beneficial enter-the-battlefield effects again.

Instant Speed: As an instant, String of Disappearances grants you the flexibility to react during your opponent’s turn. This can disrupt their strategies, protect your valuable creatures from removal, or simply be a strategic tool to bounce a creature at the most opportune moment.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Using String of Disappearances can feel taxing as it does not inherently impact your card advantage. Without additional synergies in play, you’re essentially trading one for one, potentially losing ground if you’re already behind.

Specific Mana Cost: While not unusually restrictive, the necessity of blue mana for String of Disappearances fits it squarely into blue-based or blue-capable decks, limiting its flexibility across the broader deck spectrum.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: When the tempo game is critical, the cost of returning a creature to its owner’s hand might seem reasonable. However, within the realm of bounce spells, there are options that can execute similar effects for either the same cost without the kickback requirement or a lower cost with the same drawback.


Reasons to Include String of Disappearances in Your Collection

Versatility: String of Disappearances brings great flexibility to any deck. Its ability to bounce creatures back to their owners’ hands can disrupt opponents’ strategies or save your own creatures from removal.

Combo Potential: This card works wonders in synergy with enter-the-battlefield effects. It enables the reuse of powerful abilities or can be part of a chain reaction in clever combo decks.

Meta-Relevance: In an environment where tempo plays are crucial, String of Disappearances can be a game-changer. It’s particularly useful when the battlefield gets crowded and you need to clear a path for your win condition.


How to beat

String of Disappearances is a blue instant spell that packs a strategic punch in Magic: The Gathering. It allows players to return a creature to its owner’s hand, and if the creature was their own, they may then pay the spell’s cost again to repeat the process with another creature. This bounce effect can disrupt an opponent’s board state and timing, making it particularly effective against decks that rely on building a strong presence on the battlefield.

To effectively beat String of Disappearances, it’s essential to anticipate and mitigate its impact. Utilize hexproof or shroud to protect your key creatures as these abilities prevent them from being targeted by spells like String of Disappearances. However, beware of overextending by playing too many creatures at once; instead, adopt a more conservative approach. By holding creatures in hand, you can maintain a presence on the board even after the spell resolves, essentially nullifying its tempo swing potential. Consider also the inclusion of instant-speed spells that can be played in response to disrupt the spell’s chain or cards that punish an opponent for bouncing your creatures. By understanding how String of Disappearances functions and adopting these tactics, you can turn the tide against this tricky spell.


Cards like String of Disappearances

String of Disappearances stands out in the realm of bounce spells in Magic: The Gathering. It has echoes of the classic Unsummon, allowing you to return a creature to its owner’s hand. The unique twist is String of Disappearances’ chain effect, letting you bounce another creature as long as you recast it and pay its additional cost. Unsummon does not offer this repeatable option.

Another relative is Vapor Snag, delivering a similar instant-speed bounce with a pinch of added pain by causing the opponent to lose 1 life. However, Vapor Snag lacks the recursive potential that String of Disappearances offers. Then we have Chain of Vapor, a sibling in concept with its own cyclic nature. It goes further, giving opponents a chance to continue the bounce sequence at the cost of sacrificing a land, an exchange not found in String of Disappearances.

To conclude, in the tapestry of bounce spells, String of Disappearances weaves its own path with opportunities for tactical plays. Its potential for multiple uses in a single turn sets it apart, making it a card with strategic depth that should not be overlooked by players who value versatility and control.

Unsummon - MTG Card versions
Vapor Snag - MTG Card versions
Chain of Vapor - MTG Card versions
Unsummon - MTG Card versions
Vapor Snag - MTG Card versions
Chain of Vapor - MTG Card versions

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Ancestral Recall - MTG Card versions
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Sleight of Mind - MTG Card versions
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Siren's Call - MTG Card versions
Power Sink - MTG Card versions
Blue Elemental Blast - MTG Card versions
Spell Blast - MTG Card versions
Magical Hack - MTG Card versions
Sea Kings' Blessing - MTG Card versions
Riptide - MTG Card versions
Winter's Chill - MTG Card versions
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Whispers of the Muse - MTG Card versions
Ertai's Trickery - MTG Card versions
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Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase String of Disappearances MTG card by a specific set like Modern Horizons, 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 String of Disappearances and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where String of Disappearances has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2019-06-14 If the target creature is an illegal target by the time String of Disappearances tries to resolve, the spell doesn’t resolve. That creature’s controller can’t pay to copy String of Disappearances.
2019-06-14 The copies String of Disappearances creates are created on the stack, so they’re not cast. Abilities that trigger when a player casts a spell won’t trigger.
2019-06-14 The copy of String of Disappearances has the ability to copy itself. The string can go on or not, as long as players are able and willing to keep paying .
2019-06-14 While resolving String of Disappearances, you can’t pay multiple times to copy it multiple times. It’s a string, not a web.

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