Reflexes MTG Card
1998-10-12 - Number 208
2001-04-11 - Number 213★
2001-04-11 - Number 213
2003-07-28 - Number 213★
2003-07-28 - Number 213
2005-07-29 - Number 211★
2005-07-29 - Number 211
| Card sets | Released in 7 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Enchantment — Aura |
| Abilities | Enchant |
Text of card
Enchanted creature gains first strike.
"Here's how ya win. Don't let the other guy hit back first." —Jula, goblin raider
Cards like Reflexes
Reflexes provides a simple yet potent way to grant one of your creatures the power to thwart an opponent’s strategy with the ability to block an additional attacker. This capability is akin to other MTG cards that enhance a creature’s defensive capabilities, such as the spell Glaring Spotlight, which, while less known, can also be a game-changer by giving creatures the option to block any number of attackers. However, Reflexes is distinct in its singular focus and is perfect for a strategy that relies on keeping key defenders alive and untapped.
Another card worth mentioning is High Ground. Similar to Reflexes, it improves the defensive strength of your creatures, but instead of targeting a single creature, it provides all your creatures with an affirmative edge in battle by allowing them all to block additional creatures. While Reflexes is great for pinpoint protection, High Ground presents an all-encompassing shield against a swarm of attackers. Furthermore, when comparing mana costs and versatility, Reflexes is a more accessible option for players looking to boost an individual creature’s battlefield presence quickly and efficiently.
Altogether, Reflexes serves as a quick, cost-effective way to bolster your lines, making it a valuable asset in decks that prioritize strategic blocking and defense. It stands as a reliable choice among cards with similar functionality in Magic: The Gathering, particularly for its straightforward utility and tactical advantage in combat.
Cards similar to Reflexes by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Reflexes offers flexibility in hand management by granting an equipped creature swift access to combat tricks without expending additional cards from your hand.
Resource Acceleration: While not directly affecting resources, Reflexes enables quicker combat resolutions, allowing for potentially expedited damage phases and enabling strategies that capitalize on decisive board presence.
Instant Speed: Reflexes shines with its instant speed, offering the surprise element to tilt combat in your favor at a moment’s notice, aligning seamlessly with reactionary playstyles and keeping opponents on their toes.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Incorporating Reflexes into your deck has a drawback; it demands discarding another card from your hand. This precondition can be a major setback, especially when your hand is nearly empty or when each card you hold is vital for your strategy.
Specific Mana Cost: Reflexes requires a precise mana investment to cast. The card is locked into a single blue mana cost, constraining its integration into multi-color decks where mana resources might be more diversified and less predictable.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: For the benefit it provides, Reflexes comes with a mana cost that might be seen as steep. Players must weigh the card’s utility against other spells within the same mana range and may find that alternative options deliver more value or versatility for a similar or lower mana investment.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Reflexes is a card that offers quick and reliable creature protection in multiple deck builds. It integrates well with strategies that put a premium on keeping key creatures safe from harm during critical turns.
Combo Potential: With the ability to untap a creature, Reflexes pairs well with permanents that have potent tap abilities. This unlocks opportunities for creative combo plays, granting extra uses of abilities that could turn the tide of the game.
Meta-Relevance: As the environment adjusts, it favors instant-speed interaction, making Reflexes a timely addition. It’s particularly useful against decks that rely on combat tricks or removal to clear a path to victory, as it can be an unexpected foil to your opponent’s plans.
How to beat
Reflexes is an aura spell that equips a creature with the ability to block an additional attacker, potentially safeguarding your position during intensive board states. To effectively navigate against this card, consider employing removal spells that can bypass the buffed creature’s defenses. Sweepers or direct removal like Path to Exile offer a clean solution to creatures enhanced by Reflexes. Additionally, focusing on cards that limit auras, such as Back to Nature, will strip the added capabilities, reverting the creatures to their base form.
Utilizing cards that prevent the affected creature from blocking can also be decisive. Silent Arbiter, for instance, limits the number of creatures that can attack or block, while cards like Ensnaring Bridge from MTG’s vast card pool reduce the ability of opponent creatures to attack based on the number of cards in your hand. These strategies, when applied efficiently, can diminish the influence of Reflexes, giving you an upper hand in maintaining control over the battlefield dynamics.
Finally, adapting your tactics, such as choosing not to engage with the buffed creature directly or altering the pace of your attacks, can minimize the impact of Reflexes on your game plan, helping you to maintain a strategic edge over your opponent.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Reflexes MTG card by a specific set like Urza's Saga and Seventh Edition, 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 Reflexes 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
See MTG Products
Printings
The Reflexes Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 1998-10-12 and 2005-07-29. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1998-10-12 | Urza's Saga | USG | 208 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Steve White | |
| 2 | 2001-04-11 | Seventh Edition | 7ED | 213★ | 1997 | Normal | Black | Donato Giancola | |
| 3 | 2001-04-11 | Seventh Edition | 7ED | 213 | 1997 | Normal | White | Donato Giancola | |
| 4 | 2003-07-28 | Eighth Edition | 8ED | 213★ | 2003 | Normal | Black | Steve White | |
| 5 | 2003-07-28 | Eighth Edition | 8ED | 213 | 2003 | Normal | White | Steve White | |
| 6 | 2005-07-29 | Ninth Edition | 9ED | 211★ | 2003 | Normal | Black | Donato Giancola | |
| 7 | 2005-07-29 | Ninth Edition | 9ED | 211 | 2003 | Normal | White | Donato Giancola |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Reflexes has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |