Balancing Act MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Rare
Type	Sorcery
Released	2001-10-01
Set symbol
Set name	Odyssey
Set code	ODY
Number	10
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Scott M. Fischer

Key Takeaways

Equalizes game state, disrupting opponents and offering strategic comebacks when behind on the field.
Demands careful deck construction and timing to maximize its effect and counteract potential drawbacks.
Comparatively unique in effect, with strategic nuances distinguishing it from similar board-clearing cards.

Text of card

Each player chooses a number of permanents he or she controls equal to the number of permanents controlled by the player who controls the fewest, then sacrifices the rest. Each player discards cards from his or her hand the same way.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Balancing Act offers a unique twist on card advantage by equalizing the playing field. This can be advantageous when you’re behind, as it forces your opponent to discard or sacrifice to the same number of cards or permanents you have, effectively resetting the game state and giving you an opportunity to regain control.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly providing acceleration, Balancing Act can hinder your opponent’s resource advantage. By potentially reducing the number of lands and other resources they have at their disposal, you can slow them down and set the stage for a comeback, especially if you’ve built your deck to operate efficiently with fewer resources.

Instant Speed: As a sorcery, Balancing Act cannot be played at instant speed. However, its surprise factor when timed correctly can disrupt your opponent’s strategy. It is pivotal to establish the right moment to cast this card, maximizing the impact and swinging the momentum in your favor without the need for instant speed flexibility.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: For players wielding the Balancing Act card, discarding a card is a prerequisite to unleashing its potential. This may backfire in tight situations where retaining every card in hand is crucial for strategic depth and maintaining options.

Specific Mana Cost: With its precise mana cost that necessitates both white and generic mana, Balancing Act can be a challenging fit in multicolored decks. This demand could hinder players’ flexibility, particularly in formats that celebrate diverse mana bases.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Balancing Act carries a mana cost that may be considered steep for its balancing effect on the game state. Players may find themselves at a crossroads, weighing its cost against other cards that might deliver a greater impact for the same, or less, investment.

Reasons to Include Balancing Act in Your Collection

Versatility: Balancing Act is an adaptable card that can be employed in various deck structures. This card shines in environments where resetting the board state to parity is advantageous, helping you recover from a disadvantaged position or disrupt opponents who have overextended their plays.

Combo Potential: This card has excellent synergy with strategies that manipulate hand and battlefield presence. Players can craft scenarios where Balancing Act becomes devastating, especially in conjunction with effects that leave you with vital resources post-resolution.

Meta-Relevance: In game states where decks are designed to flood the board or hand quickly, Balancing Act provides a countering mechanism. Its inclusion can be a smart move if the current meta includes decks that rapidly amass an overwhelming advantage, allowing you to level the playing field effectively.

How to Beat

Balancing Act is a unique card in the strategic landscape of MTG, capable of resetting the playing field. Unlike mass removal spells that only clear out creatures or specific permanents, Balancing Act forces a thorough equalization, considering the total number of lands, creatures, and cards in hand. The skill in overcoming this card lies in anticipating its casting and maintaining an adaptable board state.

One approach is to utilize instant-speed spells and abilities that allow you to react during your opponent’s turn. This can help maintain the balance more favorably on your side. Also, emphasizing low-cost creatures and spells in your deck ensures you can rebuild quickly post-Balancing Act. Moreover, having a plan for card advantage, such as through recurring draw effects or graveyard mechanics, will enable you to recover your hand size faster than your opponent. Additionally, decks that focus on a few high-impact creatures or non-permanent based strategies might find it easier to navigate around Balancing Act’s limitations, thus minimizing its impact on your game plan.

The key is to adjust your play to the imminent threat of losing your board and hand, making Balancing Act less detrimental to your strategy and keeping you in control of the game.

Cards like Balancing Act

Balancing Act is an intriguing option for players who want to equalize the playing field in Magic: The Gathering. This card carries similarities with cards like Cataclysm and Tragic Arrogance, both of which serve to limit the board presence of each player. Balancing Act requires each player to choose a number of permanents they own equal to the number of permanents the person controlling fewest permanents controls, and sacrifices the rest. This evens out the game but doesn’t let the caster choose what the opponents keep, unlike the more targeted approach of Tragic Arrogance.

Another comparable card is Restore Balance, part of the suspend card series, which mirrors the effect of Balancing Act without specifying the number of cards or lands. However, these are typically less immediately impactful due to the lack of a casting cost and reliance on time counters. As far as selective advantage goes, they lose out to Balancing Act’s immediacy. In practice, Balancing Act can create dramatic shifts in gameplay, especially when timed after an opponent’s critical plays, bringing a strategic depth to the game.

Although they operate in the same spheres of balancing gameplay, Balancing Act presents a unique level of challenge and potential for strategic planning, distinct from its contemporaries in Magic: The Gathering.

Cards similar to Balancing Act by color, type and mana cost

Presence of the Wise - MTG Card versions

Great Teacher's Decree - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Balancing Act MTG card by a specific set like Odyssey, 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 Balancing Act and other MTG cards: