Reprieve MTG Card


Reprieve provides creature protection and card draw at instant speed, ensuring unexpected defensive maneuvers. Despite its benefits, Reprieve’s discard cost and specific white mana needs may limit its versatility. It distinguishes itself from similar spells with its card draw perk, though it faces stiff competition.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityUncommon
TypeInstant

Text of card

Return target spell to its owner's hand. Draw a card.

As Faramir and Éowyn stood so, their hands met and clasped, though they did not know it.


Cards like Reprieve

Reprieve holds an interesting position within the array of defensive spells in Magic: The Gathering. Its ability to return a creature to its owner’s hand and then draw a card mirrors the functionality of cards like Unsummon, which similarly bounces creatures but lacks the card draw component. Reprieve’s added bonus of drawing a card makes it a valuable tool for maintaining card advantage while disrupting the opponent’s board.

Examining another relative, Boomerang, offers broader utility by allowing targets beyond creatures, including lands and other nonland permanents. Although Boomerang doesn’t facilitate card draw, its versatility in target selection can be advantageous. Conversely, Saving Grasp, which also returns a creature to its owner’s hand, has the added benefit of flashback, thereby providing a second usage from the graveyard. However, it too does not offer the card draw that Reprieve includes.

Assessing the varied mechanics and utility these spells provide, Reprieve appeals to players who prioritize both preserving creature counts and sustaining card flow in Magic: The Gathering, presenting itself as a handy multitool in the right circumstances.

Unsummon - MTG Card versions
Boomerang - MTG Card versions
Saving Grasp - MTG Card versions
Unsummon - MTG Card versions
Boomerang - MTG Card versions
Saving Grasp - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Reprieve by color, type and mana cost

Disenchant - MTG Card versions
Lightning Blow - MTG Card versions
Divine Offering - MTG Card versions
Alabaster Potion - MTG Card versions
Invulnerability - MTG Card versions
Remedy - MTG Card versions
Rhystic Shield - MTG Card versions
Samite Ministration - MTG Card versions
Shield Wall - MTG Card versions
Life Burst - MTG Card versions
Shelter - MTG Card versions
Equal Treatment - MTG Card versions
Aura Extraction - MTG Card versions
Raise the Alarm - MTG Card versions
Test of Faith - MTG Card versions
Echoing Calm - MTG Card versions
Bathe in Light - MTG Card versions
Dawn Charm - MTG Card versions
Graceful Reprieve - MTG Card versions
Last Breath - MTG Card versions
Disenchant - MTG Card versions
Lightning Blow - MTG Card versions
Divine Offering - MTG Card versions
Alabaster Potion - MTG Card versions
Invulnerability - MTG Card versions
Remedy - MTG Card versions
Rhystic Shield - MTG Card versions
Samite Ministration - MTG Card versions
Shield Wall - MTG Card versions
Life Burst - MTG Card versions
Shelter - MTG Card versions
Equal Treatment - MTG Card versions
Aura Extraction - MTG Card versions
Raise the Alarm - MTG Card versions
Test of Faith - MTG Card versions
Echoing Calm - MTG Card versions
Bathe in Light - MTG Card versions
Dawn Charm - MTG Card versions
Graceful Reprieve - MTG Card versions
Last Breath - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Reprieve. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Mono-White MidrangeMono-White Midrange ModernMono-White MidrangeModern Showcase Challenge 2024-05-11
Selesnya MidrangeSelesnya Midrange ModernSelesnya MidrangeModern Super Qualifier 2024-05-19
Azorius MidrangeAzorius Midrange ModernAzorius MidrangeModern Super Qualifier 2024-05-19
Indomitable CreativityIndomitable Creativity ModernIndomitable CreativityModern Showcase Challenge 2024-05-11
Domain ZooDomain Zoo ModernDomain ZooModern Showcase Challenge 2024-05-11
Mono-White StonebladeMono-White Stoneblade ModernMono-White StonebladeModern League 2024-05-16
CreativityCreativity ModernIndomitable CreativityAWESOME MODERN
Boros MidrangeBoros Midrange ModernBoros MidrangeModern League 2024-05-12

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Reprieve offers the ability to protect your key creatures from removal, essentially negating your opponent’s spell and saving your creature for future turns. This maneuver keeps your hand equipped with creatures, avoiding the loss of cards from the battlefield.

Resource Acceleration: Although Reprieve does not directly generate additional mana or resources, it efficiently utilizes the mana you already have. Paying a single white mana to prevent a creature from being destroyed can be seen as a mana-efficient way to accelerate your game plan, keeping your resource investment on the board.

Instant Speed: The power of Reprieve lies in its instant speed, allowing you to respond to your opponent’s actions on their turn with a surprise element. This can disrupt their strategies and can sometimes result in a favourable swing in tempo, as they may have allocated resources expecting a different outcome.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Playing Reprieve requires a card to be sent to the graveyard as an additional cost. This can negatively impact your hand, leaving you with fewer options for future turns.

Specific Mana Cost: This card necessitates a precise combination of mana types, including white. This cost dictates that it can only be slotted into decks that run white mana sources, potentially limiting its versatility across various deck archetypes.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: For what it offers—temporary protection from destruction—Reprieve has a mana cost that could be considered steep when compared to other protective spells in the game. This may deter players from including it in their decks in favor of more cost-effective alternatives.


Reasons to Include Reprieve in Your Collection

Versatility: Reprieve is an adaptable card that can be easily slotted into a variety of decks. Its ability to prevent damage to a creature can save key pieces on your board during crucial moments, making it valuable for defensive strategies.

Combo Potential: Pairing Reprieve with cards that benefit from being targeted or creatures with on-damage trigger effects can turn this protective spell into a tactical advantage, setting up the stage for powerful plays.

Meta-Relevance: In an environment filled with aggressive decks, Reprieve shines by protecting vital creatures from removal or combat damage, helping you maintain a presence on the board and effectively countering your opponents’ strategies.


How to beat

Reprieve represents a unique option among the suite of protective spells in Magic: The Gathering. Its ability to prevent all damage that would be dealt to a single creature this turn provides a strategic shield in battle. Similar to cards like Gods Willing or Shelter that offer protection, Reprieve is a valuable tool in securing key creatures’ survival during critical turns.

Effective counters to Reprieve typically involve bypassing its protective measure, such as using removal spells that don’t deal damage directly, or employing board wipes that clear multiple creatures regardless of damage prevention. Spells like Path to Exile or Wrath of God come to mind, as they deal with creatures through exile or destruction, circumventing Reprieve’s one-time shield. Additionally, countering Reprieve with an instant-speed counter spell like Negate can stop the shield from ever taking place, leaving your opponent’s creature vulnerable.

To conclude, while Reprieve can be a formidable defense for a single creature, understanding and utilizing non-damage-based removal or counter spells can effectively undermine its utility, keeping your strategy on the front foot in the diverse and tactical landscape of Magic: The Gathering.


BurnMana Recommendations

The tactical depth of MTG is demonstrated through cards like Reprieve, offering nuanced protection for your valued creatures. Grasping the advantages of card efficiency, instant speed responses, and the potential for powerful combos, can equip you for strategic superiority. However, be mindful of the card’s specific mana needs and the balance of your hand. Whether Reprieve aligns with your deck’s strategy or not, exploring its interactions and comparing it to similar cards can enhance your understanding of MTG’s complex playstyle. Dive deeper with us to refine your deck-building choices and outmaneuver opponents with every draw.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Reprieve MTG card by a specific set like The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth and The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth, 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 Reprieve and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Reprieve Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2023-06-23 and 2023-06-23. Illustrated by Justyna Dura.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12023-06-23The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earthLTR 4772015NormalBlackJustyna Dura
22023-06-23The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earthLTR 262015NormalBlackJustyna Dura

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Reprieve has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
CommanderLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
GladiatorLegal
AlchemyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2023-06-16 If a spell is returned to its owner's hand, it's removed from the stack and thus will not resolve. The spell isn't countered; it just no longer exists. This works against a spell that can't be countered.