Prismatic Strands MTG Card
2002-05-27 - Number 18
2019-08-23 - Number 69
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Instant |
| Abilities | Flashback |
Text of card
Prevent all damage that sources of the color of your choice would deal this turn. Flashback— Tap an untapped white creature you control. (You may play this card from your graveyard for its flashback cost. Then remove it from the game.)
Cards like Prismatic Strands
Prismatic Strands is a unique protection spell in Magic the Gathering, closely resembling cards such as Ghostly Prison in function, but offering a twist. Ghostly Prison focuses on deterring attacks by imposing a cost on attackers; conversely, Prismatic Strands actually prevents the damage outright. What’s more, Prismatic Strands has a flashback cost, allowing for a second use directly from the graveyard, making it an incredibly effective tool for defensive strategies.
A comparative spell from the suite of protection is Dawn Charm. While Dawn Charm also prevents damage, it is limited to single-instance protection rather than a full turn’s worth. A significant edge Prismatic Strands has over Dawn Charm is its ability to shield against all colors of damage when chosen, not just one incident or one type of damage source. Then, there’s the sheer strategic depth of Bathe in Light. Its radiance mechanic can protect multiple creatures at once, yet it only covers one color and lacks the dual utility of being both an in-hand spell and a flashback-enabled tool, like Prismatic Strands.
Considering tactical flexibility and defensive coverage, Prismatic Strands demonstrates a strong position in Magic the Gathering’s array of protection spells, offering players a potent mix of damage prevention and replayability.
Cards similar to Prismatic Strands by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Prismatic Strands. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Caw-Gates | Pauper | Caw-Gates | Pauper Challenge 32 2024-05-11 |
 | Boros Bully | Pauper | Boros Bully | Pauper League 2024-05-13 |
| WUG | Pauper | Pauper Challenge 64 2024-05-12 | |
 | W | Pauper | Pauper Challenge 64 2024-05-12 | |
 | Familiars | Pauper | Familiars | Pauper Challenge 32 2024-05-11 |
 | WB | Pauper | Pauper Challenge 32 2024-05-10 |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Prismatic Strands excels at negating multiple threats at once without spending additional cards. While you initially cast it from your hand, its flashback ability ensures you can use it a second time from the graveyard, effectively doubling its utility and maintaining your card advantage on the battlefield.
Resource Acceleration: Although Prismatic Strands doesn’t directly accelerate resources, it indirectly preserves them by protecting your creatures and preventing loss of life. This frees up mana and resources that would otherwise be spent on recovering from damage or casting creature spells again after a board wipe.
Instant Speed: The strength of Prismatic Strands is compounded by its instant speed, enabling strategic plays during your opponent’s turn. Whether it’s a surprise block or an unexpected negation of damage from a formidable attack, this card’s ability to be cast at any time gives players the flexibility to adapt to dynamic game states and outmaneuver opponents.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Prismatic Strands calls for you to tap an untapped white creature you control as an alternative to paying the mana cost. This demand can pose a challenge when your board presence is weak or you need to keep creatures untapped for defensive strategies.
Specific Mana Cost: The card requires white mana, which can restrict its inclusion to primarily white or multicolored decks aligned with white’s strategy. It might not find a place in decks that do not operate with white mana symbols.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana, Prismatic Strands may compete with other crucial plays at a similar casting point. This dynamic is particularly relevant in formats where mana efficiency and curve optimization are key, potentially sidelining Prismatic Strands in favor of lower-cost protections or more versatile cards.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Prismatic Strands is an exceptional card for its ability to protect wide swathes of your board with a single action. Its ability to be used from the graveyard ensures ongoing utility and makes it a valuable addition to decks that aim to withstand various threats.
Combo Potential: This card can synergize with decks that focus on creatures with tap abilities or those that benefit from cards in the graveyard, opening up diverse strategic plays and interactions within your game plan.
Meta-Relevance: With many decks in current play focusing on direct damage or multi-colored aggressive strategies, Prismatic Strands can offer a crucial and timely defense. Its presence in your collection suggests preparedness for a shifting competitive landscape.
How to beat
Prismatic Strands is a unique protective spell in Magic: The Gathering which offers a preventive measure against a wide range of damage. Mastery in disruption is key to overcoming this card’s defensive prowess. The spell allows a player to prevent all damage that sources of the color of their choice would deal this turn, with the added flexibility of being able to be cast from the graveyard by tapping an untapped white creature you control.
To outmaneuver Prismatic Strands, it is essential to diversify threats by wielding a multi-colored deck. Utilizing removal or counterspells that can deal with Prismatic Strands as it’s cast or before it is activated from the graveyard is crucial. Cards that grant unblockable to various colored creatures or that give damage that can’t be prevented are also advantageous. Moreover, hand disruption can remove Prismatic Strands from an opponent’s hand before it can be used effectively. Constant pressure and a well-timed strike when the opponent’s resources are low can also leave them vulnerable and unable to use Prismatic Strands to its full potential.
Understanding the timing and strategic deployment of resources plays a vital role in tipping the scales against Prismatic Strands. Thus, adapting your strategy to the complexities of your opponent’s defenses becomes the pathway to victory.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Prismatic Strands MTG card by a specific set like Judgment and Commander 2019, 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 Prismatic Strands and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- 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
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Printings
The Prismatic Strands Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2002-05-27 and 2019-08-23. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2002-05-27 | Judgment | JUD | 18 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Eric Peterson | |
| 2 | 2019-08-23 | Commander 2019 | C19 | 69 | 2015 | Normal | Black | GrafitArt |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Prismatic Strands has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |