Regress MTG Card

Regress offers card advantage by returning target permanents to the opponent’s hand. Instant speed allows for opportunistic plays and greater game control with Regress. Versatility and meta relevance make Regress a valuable addition to control decks.

Mirrodin (MRD)
2003-10-02 - Number 48

Rise of the Eldrazi (ROE)
2010-04-23 - Number 83

Card sets	Released in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Common
Type	Instant

Text of card

Return target permanent to its owner's hand.

"Once cast, a spell can be undone. But once revealed, a secret can never again be kept." —Pontifex, elder researcher

Cards like Regress

Regress slots into the web of control magic within Magic: The Gathering, comparable to cards such as Unsummon or Vapor Snag. Much like these cards, Regress returns a target creature to its owner’s hand, offering a temporary reprieve from potential threats. However, it broadens its reach by allowing the return of any nonland permanent, not just creatures, granting it a versatility that Unsummon lacks. Where Vapor Snag edges out is its additional ability to cause loss of life when targeting an opponent’s creature, all for a lower mana cost than Regress.

Another parallel can be drawn with Into the Roil, which returns nonland permanents to their owner’s hands as well. The kicker mechanic embedded in Into the Roil adds the potential draw of a card if extra mana is invested. This kick offers strategic depth that Regress doesn’t possess. Conversely, Regress does not require a mana investment beyond its initial cost, making its use more straightforward. Paradoxically, the simplicity of Regress can be advantageous in decks that prioritize mana efficiency over the additional card draw.

Evaluating Regress against its peers, its utilitarian nature shines in MTG’s intricate lattice of tactical plays, despite not having the more nuanced abilities of its lower-cost relatives or the potential upside offered by spells like Into the Roil.

Cards similar to Regress by color, type and mana cost

Thirst for Knowledge - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Regress lives up to the expectation as a control tool that offers strategic advantage, allowing you to return a target creature to its owner’s hand. This can be crucial when you’re aiming to reduce the threats on the board and maintain a grip on the flow of the game.

Resource Acceleration: While Regress itself does not directly accelerate resources, the tempo gain by setting your opponent back can indirectly lead to resource acceleration. By bouncing an opponent’s creature, you can free up your mana for other spells, potentially leading to more efficient plays and a better position to control the game.

Instant Speed: The power of Regress’s instant speed can’t be overstated. It means you can wait until the most opportune moment during your opponent’s turn to disrupt their strategy. Whether that’s in response to a buff, an attack, or a combo setup, the flexibility of instant speed makes Regress a versatile card in any deck that values tempo and control.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Playing Regress requires you to have it in hand without the ability to use it strategically as a surprise during your opponent’s turn, as holding it back for the right moment could impede your own board development.

Specific Mana Cost: Regress demands a precise blend of mana with its blue color weight, potentially complicating your mana base, especially in a multi-colored deck where ensuring the right colors are available at the right time can be challenging.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: At three mana, this bounce spell may not always be the most mana-efficient option, particularly when you compare it to other spells in the format that might disrupt your opponent’s plays or advance your board state for a similar, or even lower, investment.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Regress offers players a flexible response to multiple threats, being able to bounce creatures, artifacts, or enchantments back to their owner’s hand. This adaptability makes it a handy inclusion in control decks or any deck that wants to temporarily deal with problematic permanents.

Combo Potential: For those players keen on building synergies, Regress can be a cornerstone. It pairs well with enter-the-battlefield effects or cards that capitalize on casting spells. This card can be looped with recursion strategies or used to save your own permanents for a second use of their abilities.

Meta-Relevance: In metas where tempo plays a vital role, Regress can disrupt opponents by setting them back a turn or more. Timing this card right can significantly shift the game’s pace in your favor against decks that rely heavily on building a board presence or executing a specific combo.

How to Beat

Regress is an intriguing bounce spell in the realm of Magic the Gathering with the capability to return target permanent to its owner’s hand. This offers a versatile tool for players to disrupt opponent strategies by removing their key pieces for a tempo swing. Herein lays the strategy to best Regress – maintain a proactive board presence. Since Regress is reactive by nature, keeping a low curve with threats that can quickly redeploy ensures minimal setback when faced with such interruption.

For decks with an aggro bent, it’s crucial to diversify threats, forcing the Regress to be less effective or profitable for the opponent. In control matchups, patience can be a virtue; baiting out the Regress with less critical cards can protect your game changers. Additionally, incorporating cards that grant you or your permanents hexproof can neutralize Regress’s impact. Cards like Lazotep Plating provide a safeguard against targeted spells, including Regress.

Leveraging these tactics, players can effectively diminish Regress’s impact in a match. By playing smart, staying aggressive, and protecting your assets, you can ensure that this tempo spell doesn’t set you back, securing your path to victory.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Regress MTG card by a specific set like Mirrodin and Rise of the Eldrazi, 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 Regress and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Regress Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2003-10-02 and 2010-04-23. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#	Released	Name	Code	Symbol	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	2003-10-02	Mirrodin	MRD		48	2003	Normal	Black	Randy Gallegos
2	2010-04-23	Rise of the Eldrazi	ROE		83	2003	Normal	Black	Izzy

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Regress has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal
Penny	Legal